Hosting a New Year's Eve Toga Party

Ditch the black tie affair that everyone holds on the last day of the year. Go for decadence, go for debauchery, go Roman. Throw a toga party. Bring in the new year with the hope and the wealth that the Romans were classically known for. A few simple ideas to hosting a party of decadence to bring in the New Year, you too can life the life and the party that the Romans were known for.

Invitations: Many party supply stores have a wide style of different invitations that play host to the toga/roman theme, but why not just make your own? About for the same price as ten invitations, you can purchase paper that gives the appearance of parchment. Time to get creative with your word processor. Many programs offer a large selection of fonts to choose from. Pick one that best suits your style (Algerian in Word is a good option - classical and clean). Give the date, time and place and make sure that you put on there "BYOS" (bring your own sheet). The folks at www.costume.lifetips.com offer instructions that can be printed to help your guests get into the spirit.

Once you have printed out your invitations, roll them up and tie with a red or dark purple ribbon (purple was the color of royalty back in the day). You can deliver them or insert them into a business size envelope for mailing. Just make sure you pay the extra postage. Another option would be to roll and tie the scroll invitation and slip it into a cardboard tube and wrap with brown wrapping paper before mailing. Check with your local post office as to mailing rates.

Decorations: Gold, white, red and purple are the colors of choice. Gold plates, cups, flatware and even napkins can all be found at your local party supply store. Drape the room with golden garlands of laurel leaves and tuck plastic grapes in bunches about the room. You can even purchase columns with the classic Roman style to set about the room. Back in Roman times they did not have fancy lighting, so candles help bring the atmosphere to life. If you are not sure about open flames being scattered about your place, a good alternative would be flameless candles that run on either batteries or electricity.

An easy center piece for the buffet table would be: (1) a large golden charger plate, (2) grapes of different colors and sizes, (3) three pillar flameless candles [or pillar candles - just watch the wax on the plate below], and (4) laurel leaves. To make: (a) center three candles in the center of the charger in a triangle pattern with them just touching sides, (b) arrange grapes around candles, tucking leaves in and around candle bodies, letting some of the grapes drape onto the table, and (c) tuck in laurel leaves to fill out around the candles.

Food: One cannot live on decorations alone, there must be food and penalty to go around. Place out nibbles such as grapes, olives, pomegranate seeds, hummus and pita bread wedges. Also offer a wide variety of cheeses including the classic feta. For more substantial fare, place out spanakopita, roasted lamb and baklava for keep your guests going. The folks at www.foodtv.com have recipes to help you pull off your Greek/Roman feast.

Drinks and Music: Music is what the crowd wants, but you can search online music stores to help find classical Greek music that can be played softly in the background. As for drinks, wine to celebrate the Roman/Greek lifestyle. But also your guests favorite drinks can be made as well. A well stocked bar will keep everyone happy. Note: if there is drinking, make sure there are designated drivers or invite them to spend the night.

A truly unique night for the last night of the year. To you and yours many blessings in the year to come.