8 Tips to Throw the Ultimate New Year's Eve Dinner Party

A card with metallic accents, like this geometric marvel pressed with rose gold foil ($46/15; minted.com), feels festive and chic.

"A vodka martini is classic and easy to customize for your guests," says Danielle. "You can offer it dry with a twist, slightly dry with olives, or on the rocks."Vodka Martini

Serves 1Ingredients

2 oz vodka
.5 oz dry vermouth
1 dash orange bitters
Lemon twistDirections

1. Combine vodka, vermouth, and bitters in a cocktail mixing glass. Fill with ice and stir until well chilled, about 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

To maintain a light mood, Laura says, "we get a lot of fun, silly things, like crowns that say '2017,' oversize glasses, and push-pop confetti."

$10 each; thimblepress.com

This crispy garlic and lemon roasted new potato dish is surprisingly light and can be whipped up in under an hour. “Prep these ahead of time so all you have to do is put them in the oven during cocktail hour,” says Danielle. Get the recipe here.

Whether you plan on adding this to your New Year’s Eve dinner menu (trust us– after weeks of heavy holiday dishes, your guests will welcome it) or switching up your workweek lunch, this homemade dressing is as easy as it gets. “It's refreshing and a nice pairing for the spice in the salmon,” says Danielle. Get the recipe here.

This delicious spice-rubbed salmon served with a yogurt-based cucumber sauce can be whipped up in 30 minutes or less, no matter what cooking apparatus you have on hand. “The recipe calls for a grill, but you can just as easily make this on the plank in the oven,” Danielle tells InStyle. “It’s delicious and light, which is always unexpected around this time of year.” Get the recipe.

PEA AND RICOTTA CROSTINI

Serves 8Ingredients

1 baguette, sliced into ½-inch-thick slices
Olive oil
1 cup frozen green peas, thawed, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup whole milk ricotta
1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
2 tbsp fresh mint, roughly chopped, plus more for garnish
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepperDirections

1. Brush baguette slices with olive oil and lightly toast.

2. Combine remaining ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until all are combined but the mixture is not completely smooth.

3. Spread onto the toasted bread. Garnish with additional peas and mint if desired.

“A mini dessert is the perfect ‘little something sweet’ to follow a huge meal,” Laura tells InStyle. “Also, who can say no to Oreos?” Not us. Get the recipe here.