Party

New Year’s Eve comes a week after Christmas, so most apartments are already half-decorated. The easiest New Year’s look starts with what’s already there, takes the red and green out, and adds gold and black. Keep the lights, change the rest Leave up any white string lights (on Amazon), garland and candles from Christmas. Take down stockings, Santas and anything red. Greenery with white lights already looks like a winter party; it doesn’t need to look like Christmas any more. ...

A small apartment is actually a good place for a holiday party. People stand closer, conversations overlap, and it feels busy with fewer guests. You just have to plan where people will stand, where the drinks go and where all the coats end up. How many people A rough guide: about one person for every 10 square feet of floor you can clear. A 300-square-foot living area that’s half furniture fits around 15 people standing, fewer if most of them want to sit. If you’re inviting more than that, plan for people in the kitchen too, because that’s where they’ll go anyway. ...

Friendsgiving can be looser than the family version. Nobody’s checking the place settings, half the food comes from other people’s kitchens, and it’s usually in an apartment without enough chairs. So the decor should be relaxed, and some of it should help the potluck run smoothly. Keep it casual Eat on the floor. If there aren’t enough chairs, don’t pretend there are. Layer blankets and rugs in the middle of the living room, put floor cushions (on Amazon) and pillows around a low coffee table, and you can fit ten people in a studio. It also looks great in photos. ...