How to Throw a New Year's Party for Under $100

For those hosting a New Year's soiree, the cost of a nice bottle of Champagne, shrimp plates and those 2015 New Year's Eve glasses can easily add up to several hundred dollars or more. We turned to a handful of experts to get their tips for ringing in the new year without ruining any resolutions to spend less.

1. Start planning (and shopping) early. Last-minute grocery and alcohol runs will always cost more than a carefully planned menu that allows you to comparison shop and buy when items are on sale. "You can find great deals if you give yourself enough time," says Greg Jenkins, a co-founder at Bravo Productions, an event planning and catering company in Long Beach, California. "Look for sales on various beverages. The holidays can provide a lot of bargains on wines, Champagnes, beer and so on."

2. Repurpose decorations. Elegant white and metallic holiday decorations can help jazz up your party without incurring extra costs. Amy Goodman, a lifestyle editor at retail website zulily, suggests reusing white Christmas lights and stringing them down the center of the dining room table. "Maybe go for an all white tableware theme to play up the lights, and aim for modern minimalist," she adds. Or, save wine bottles from other holiday celebrations, remove the labels and spray paint them gold for a centerpiece of mismatched gilded bottles.

For a do-it-yourself resolutions tree, Goodman recommends spray painting branches from your yard and placing them in a large hurricane vase anchored with rice or rocks or sand. "Have guests write down their wishes on pretty colored papers or cards that either hook or string onto the branches of the tree," she says. "It will make an interesting talking point as the tree fills up progressively throughout the evening [and guests can] read everyone's resolutions!"

If you must buy decorations, choose timeless pieces you can use again instead of items printed with New Year's 2015 that will become dated after January.

3. Serve appetizers only. Serving a multicourse dinner could cost you some serious cash. But finger foods can be easier on your wallet and allow guests to mingle more. "Easy appetizers such as mini pizzas, stews, lasagna, pulled pork sliders, mini grilled cheese sandwiches and snacks can be cost-effective," Jenkins says. "Refrain from jumbo shrimp, prime rib and cuisine that is expensive." He adds to beware of prepackaged foods like deli trays. "The cost can add up, and it may be just as economical to purchase chicken tenderloins and skewer and grill them yourself," she says. Or, start the party later in the evening, and serve drinks and desserts in lieu of a full dinner. Either way, Jenkins suggests using smaller plates so guests won't feel a psychological need to load up their plates with food they likely won't finish.

4. Make it a brunch. Not crazy about appetizers? Consider hosting a starlight brunch where you serve brunch foods and drinks at night. "New Year's Eve and Champagne go together, and Champagne is an integral part of a brunch mimosa," says Rodney Brazil, a blogger for HomeWetBar.com and ardent cocktail party host. "Breakfast foods, such as muffins, cut fruit, doughnuts and homemade omelettes are inexpensive dishes that people love. Serving mimosas and poinsettia cocktails [Champagne, cranberry juice and a splash of Cointreau] instead of straight Champagne is a fun way to cut back on liquor expenses." Brazil bakes and serves dark chocolate chip muffins for a sweet, classy touch at his starlight brunches. If you're not a night owl, consider hosting New Year's Day brunch in the morning (or afternoon). You could serve mimosas, but skip the hard liquor and save money on a daytime fête.

5. Choose budget-friendly booze. "Avoid hosting a full bar with gin, vodka, scotch," Jenkins says. "In addition to the expense for alcohol, you'll need to add mixers to the equation. That adds to the expense." He recommends providing beer, wine and possibly a signature cocktail, plus allowing guests to bring their own alcohol of choice. Goodman adds another twist to BYOB: "Ask everyone to bring a bottle of their favorite bubbly. Even assign categories -- pink, French, dry, sweet -- to assure you get a diverse batch."

Champagne may be the traditional New Year's drink, but it's not the only sparkling wine available. "Prosecco and cava are wonderful alternatives to Champagne," Brazil says. "There are high-quality sparkling wines made domestically, as well, but on holidays, I prefer European options such as Champagne or prosecco. If you are hosting a party on a budget, one trick is to have two or three bottles of top-shelf bubbly reserved for the midnight toast, and use another great tasting, lower priced variety for the rest of the evening."