New Year's Eve and Hogmanay Party Decorations

New Year's Eve, 31 December, is the biggest party night of the year, whether that's a house party, a pub countdown or a Hogmanay ceilidh in Scotland. The most effective New Year's Eve decorations are bold and easy to see in low light: Happy New Year bunting across the room, a large flag behind the bar or the countdown screen, and table flags for a sit-down dinner. Here's how to decorate for the night, plus the Hogmanay traditions worth knowing if you're seeing the year in the Scottish way.

New Year's Eve decorations for a house party

• One big statement. Hang a 5ft x 3ft Happy New Year flag on the wall where everyone will gather for the countdown. The Happy New Year city flag or the red Happy New Year design both photograph well behind a group shot.
• Bunting across the room. A 9m length of red Happy New Year bunting will cross most living rooms twice. The neon Happy New Year text bunting in a 5m length suits a hallway or a kitchen.
• Hand flags at midnight. Hand out small hand flags just before the countdown for guests to wave at midnight. They're cheaper and tidier than party poppers.

Decorating pubs, clubs and function rooms

For venues, New Year's Eve decorations do two jobs: they advertise the party in the weeks before and they make the night feel special.

Many venues go straight from Christmas to New Year. If you're already dressed for Christmas, simply add New Year bunting alongside it on the 27th or 28th. Our Christmas flags and bunting guide covers the first half of the season, and how to hang bunting explains fixings that won't damage walls.

Hogmanay traditions

In Scotland, New Year is Hogmanay, and historically it has been celebrated more enthusiastically than Christmas. Some of the customs you might want to include:

• First-footing. The first person to cross the threshold after midnight is the "first foot" and is thought to bring luck for the year. Tradition favours a tall, dark-haired visitor carrying small gifts, such as coal for the fire, shortbread or black bun, salt, or a dram of whisky.
• Auld Lang Syne. Robert Burns wrote down and added to this old Scots song in the late 1780s. At midnight people join hands in a circle, crossing arms for the final verse.
• Street parties and fire. Edinburgh's Hogmanay street party is the best known, usually with a torchlight procession in the days before. Events, tickets and line-ups change each year, so check the official programme. Stonehaven's fireballs ceremony and the Biggar bonfire are among the many local traditions.
• An extra day off. In Scotland, 2 January is also a bank holiday.

For a Hogmanay party, a Saltire is the natural flag. Hang a navy blue St Andrew's Saltire behind the band or add Saltire bunting from our Scotland flags range. The same decorations will serve again on 25 January, so see our Burns Night decorations guide too.

Fireworks and safety

Printed polyester flags and bunting are not fire-resistant. Take outdoor bunting down before fireworks are lit, never hang decorations near sparklers, candles or patio heaters, and keep flags on poles well away from the launch area.

Frequently asked questions

When should I put up New Year's Eve decorations?

Homes usually decorate on the day; venues often decorate between Christmas and New Year, with a window display up from mid-December to promote tickets.

What is the difference between Hogmanay and New Year's Eve?

They fall on the same night. Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the year and the celebrations around it, which can run on into 1 and 2 January.

How much bunting do I need for a party?

Measure the walls or the distance between fixing points and add 10–15% for the dip. One 9m length usually dresses a living room; a function room may need three or four.

Can I reuse New Year bunting?

Yes. Happy New Year designs without a printed year can go up every December, so fold it away once dry and it is ready for next December.

Planning the countdown? Browse our New Year's Eve decorations, New Year bunting and New Year table flags.