New Year's Eve Party - Small Bites Every Hour to Celebrate Each Time Zone

We love a cozy, family-and-a-few-friends kind of New Year’s Eve with board games and a movie and loads of fun snacks and appetizers. A few years ago we added a new theme to the evening by celebrating the countdown for each time zone as midnight strikes and the new year rolls in across the country. 

Keith and I enjoyed this idea at big parties we’d been to where a special toast was served for each time zone. At home with our small gathering, we added to this idea with a small bite appetizer and a shot or mini beverage to represent one of the food regions in that time zone. We each sign up for an ‘hour,’ and it’s a lot of fun to see what everyone comes up with. 

We’ve learned what not to do and refined this party idea. The first time or two, we just said bring appetizers for your time zone. Everyone brought large portions, and it was too much to eat four mini meals! Plus, we made things that had to be mixed, prepared, and heated up. The next year, we reduced the portions to ‘small bites’ and also learned to have options that were quick to assemble or heat so we didn’t spend the whole evening preparing the next round of food and drink.

Last of all, we found that a simple toast at midnight in our time zone is plenty. People don’t really want to eat that late – depends on your crowd and how late your party is going.

You can always extend the time zones farther east, which gets you to Brazil, Nova Scotia, and Greenland for some interesting options. Or, you can travel west to Alaska and Hawaii.

Depending on the number of guests, each person or couple can sign up for the drink of the hour or the small bite, or both. Another possibility is for the host to provide the beverages and for friends and family to bring the food.

Here are just a few ideas – be sure to let us know if you use this party theme and what you make. Tell us in the comments below or tag us on Instagram.

Small bites – make regular food in mini size portions:

• Eastern Time Zone (we celebrate the real-time NYC ball drop at 9:00 p.m.)

  • Lobster rolls

  • Thin crust pizza

  • Cronuts 

• Central Time Zone (10:00 p.m. for us)

  • Chicken and waffles

  • Milwaukee brats simmered in beer

  • Barbecue ribs

  • Beignets

•  Mountain Time Zone (11:00 p.m. and Happy New Year to our Colorado family!)

  • Tacos

  • Sopapillas

  • Sliders

•  Pacific Time Zone (Happy New Year!)

  • Clam chowder shots

  • Acai bowls

  • Avocado toast

  • Carne asada french fries 

Beverages to toast the New Year:

• Cut limes in half and scoop out pulp, serve tequila shots in each lime half (any Southwestern region)

• Shots of old fashions or other mixed drinks (bourbon drinks for the Southeast)

• Beer tasters - local brews from any region

• Champagne - very NYC cosmopolitan (or make Cosmopolitans)

• Jello shots - upper midwest, you betcha

With so many states and food traditions in each time zone, you can imagine a lot of fun possibilities. But if you need more, we’re collecting ideas on Pinterest for your (and our) New Year’s Eve 2018.

From us to you, have a tasty and fun New Year’s Eve and great start to 2019! 

~ Lee, and Rebel