15 Tips For Being A Great New Year's Eve Party Guest

New Year's Eve is a time for celebrating and letting loose, but it's still important to be a thoughtful party guest. From bringing drinks and snacks, to playing music and making sure guests get home safely, there are plenty of ways to be a good New Year's Eve party guest. Read on for our best advice.

1. Respond To The Invite Either Way

Promptly let your host know you'll be attending their soiree. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps your host with planning. If you can't attend, also let them know by thanking them for the invite and wishing them well for the coming new year.

2. Ask If You Can Bring A Guest

If you'd like to bring someone with you who is not specifically mentioned on the invitation, don't assume that it is okay. Sometimes parties are kept small intentionally, so ask the host for permission first. The same goes for bringing children if the invitation is unclear.

3. Check The Dress Code

Unlike other holidays, the dress code for New Year's Eve parties can vary wildly, from costumes to black tie to completely casual. Ask the host what everyone will be wearing and find out whether the party will be held indoors or outside. You won't want to miss out on a fun backyard bonfire if you're shivering in a party dress.

4. Arrive On Time, But Not Early

Especially if you're attending a dinner party, arrive within 15 minutes of the party's start time if you can. Don't show up early, however, as it may put the host in a rushed state.

5. Buy A Good Bottle Of Bubbly

"Good" doesn't necessarily mean expensive. If your budget is limited, you can find plenty of delicious bottles for $12 to $15. Go to a wine store for expert advice and the most options—grocery stores tend to carry only a few brands. And don't limit yourself to Champagne. Cava and prosecco are wonderful sparkling wines and are generally less expensive.

6. Don't Forget A Gift For The Host

A bottle of wine or a bunch of flowers are go-to gifts that are always appreciated. But if you want to try something different (or if the host doesn't drink), here are some simple items to say thanks: a special bar of chocolate, a bag of coffee beans or a box of tea, fun cocktail napkins, a set of taper candles, a potted plant, or something locally-made like jam, cheese straws, honey, or granola.

7. Help With Snacks

It's always polite to ask "What can I bring?" and New Year's Eve is no exception. Unless the host specifies something, it's nice to bring a simple snack that can be served as-is or enjoyed as a host gift when the party's over. Spiced nuts, snack mix, or flavored popcorn are crowd-pleasing, grab-and-eat ideas that can be easily scaled up or down, depending on the size of the party.

8. Or Offer To Bring Ice

Ice is one of those essential party supplies that is easy to completely forget. If you don't want to bring food, offer to pick up a few bags of ice on the way to the party.

9. Play DJ

If music's your thing, offer to curate a party playlist through a streaming service, or hook up your phone to the host's stereo and play DJ for the night—with permission, of course. (It's also a great way to get conversations going if you don't know anyone at the party.)

10. Bring Something Silly

As the night goes on, New Year's Eve parties can get a little crazy and sometimes props help. Raid the dollar store or a party supply store for party hats, horns, sparklers, masks, and confetti. Or bring a deck of tarot cards to predict what the year ahead will bring.

11. Celebrate, Within Reason

New Year's Eve is renowned for overindulgence, so if you plan on celebrating with a buzz make sure not to overdo it, warns etiquette expert Candace Smith. "Falling down drunk" is a nightmare for the host, guests, and your head the next morning.

12. Offer Your Services

Lend a hand to your host by offering help, and, according to the Emily Post Institute, be specific about what you can do instead of the vague, "Let me know if I can help." It could be as simple as placing bowls of snacks around a room or taking out the trash at the end of the night. And if the host insists that they don't need help, respect their wishes.

13. Say Goodbye When It's Time To Leave

When it's time to go, say goodbye and thank your host on your way out. Leaving too early can be seen as a snub to the host, while lingering around too long may cause annoyance.

"If an event has a start and end time listed on the invitation, you should expect to stay for the whole thing," writes Southern Living Features Editor Betsy Cribb in her etiquette guide to exiting parties. "The hosts have likely planned out activities accordingly, and to leave early would be to snub their efforts."

If the party is open-ended, look for signals that the party is winding down—lights brightened, cleaning up, and music turned down are all clues, writes Claire Bahn, a personal branding consultant.

14. Help People Get Home Safely

Whether you're calling Uber or a cab, or acting as a designated driver, help the host make sure everyone gets home safely—including you.

15. Say Thank You

It's tempting to sleep off your haze on New Year's Day, but be sure to thank the host for a fun night the next day. You don't have to send a formal letter in the mail. A quick text message or email only takes a few minutes to send and is always appreciated.