Glittery New Year's Cocktail Party

A cocktail bar with plenty of alcoholic and nonalcoholic options serves as the centerpiece of your New Year's party. Be sure to refill guests' glasses or provide fresh drinks before the toasts. To toast after sipping or with an empty glass is considered bad luck.

A table full of finger food allows for easy munching from the party's start to the big countdown at midnight. Bring out your good china serving pieces for this elegant meal; after all, it isn't often you get an excuse to stay up until midnight to eat hors d'oeuvres and drink champagne.

A roasted oyster with diced tomatoes is an elegant, singular serving.

Wild Rice Pancakes with Smoked Trout and Creme Fraiche are a savory component to this balanced menu.

Dip raw and blanched vegetables into creamy Green Goddess Dressing. Present the blanched and trimmed raw veggie in skinny drinking glasses. Dish up the dressing from a separate glass with a serving spoon.

Maytag Blue Cheese-Buttermilk Dressing tops Beef Tenderloin cut into two-bite slices.

These puff pastry Cheese Straws are crunchy outside and airy inside.

The Tangerine Cupcakes with Coconut Frosting are a fragrant treat.

Bartlett pears are cooked into an aromatic sauce for the Brown Sugar Pear Pound Cake.

The Sweet Potato Cheesecake in a Gingersnap Crust is a new twist on a Southern favorite.

Healthful pomegranate juice gives this Champagne Cocktail its festive color.