New Year's Eve Decorations to Sparkle Into 2025 in Style

Simple to set up and perfect for garlands, the Northstar Letter S Balloon inflates with the included straw and seals itself, so you won’t need helium or extra tools. At 16 inches, it’s a tidy size for wall displays that won’t overwhelm your backdrop, and in our testing it stayed shaped when we avoided overinflation. Do note it’s air-fill only and won’t float; some letters arrive with inconsistent hang tabs, so keep clear tape or string handy. Handle gently—foil can puncture if mishandled.

If you want a statement backdrop without hiring a pro, this Ginger Ray kit proved straightforward in our testing: balloon tape and glue dots let us build a full arch or garland at home. You’ll want an electric pump—mouth inflating is impractical at this scale. Our experience also showed the glue dots can be finicky, and there are occasional missing or defective balloons, so budget extra time and a small backup pack. Even with those caveats, it’s still far cheaper than a professional install.

For instant sparkle, the Meri Meri Happy New Year garland brings chunky gold glitter that really pops in photos. In our testing, we liked that it’s pre-strung and compact in storage, plus it uses FSC-certified paper and eco-friendly glitter. Keep in mind the paper construction can crease or tear if tugged, and some glitter shedding can happen with frequent handling. The display length is on the shorter side, so consider doubling up or layering with balloons for larger spaces.

Big, bold, and photo-friendly, the 34-inch Anagram Number 2 gold balloon is ideal for building a dazzling “2025” display. We found it looks great filled with helium for backdrops or with regular air on a wall or balloon arch, giving you flexible setup options. Since it’s sold as a single numeral, remember to buy multiples for full dates, and check stock—this item can be marked sold out. Also plan ahead for the site’s 1–4 business day processing time.

These 11-inch Qualatex Chrome Silver balloons bring that mirror-like metallic pop every New Year’s display craves, and during our review they looked standout in garlands and bouquets alike. Because they’re natural latex and labeled 100% biodegradable, eco‑minded hosts can feel better about cleanup. Plan timing: helium float is often only 12–24 hours, and occasional defects happen, so buy a spare pack and inflate day-of. Also note they contain natural rubber latex—avoid if anyone on your guest list has latex allergies.

For a bold countdown focal point, this “Let’s Party” neon sign offers dimmable brightness and adjustable flash speed we found easy to dial for photos or dance-floor energy. During our review, the pre-drilled holes, chain, and screws made mounting simple, and the flexible silicone hose with acrylic backing felt safer than glass neon. Just note it needs a nearby outlet—the cord can limit placement—and the warm white glow isn’t multicolor; with no long-term reviews, plan an install where an extension cord can hide.

We love these Govee RGBIC strips for transforming a living room into a New Year’s countdown stage. During our review, the diffuser covers produced a softer, more uniform glow and the RGBIC tech let multiple colors animate at once for eye-catching effects. Just know the adhesive sticks best on clean surfaces with firm pressure, and some hotspotting can appear depending on angle. They’re cuttable and connectable for custom runs, but very large spaces may need additional lengths beyond the standard maximum.

Twinkly Flex is the statement light we reach for to outline 2025 or a champagne bottle silhouette—its flexible tube and bright RGB colors created crisp animations in our testing. The app’s mapping tools make custom designs surprisingly precise, though you’ll want to place the bulky power adapter and controller somewhere discreet. Reliability can be a mixed bag: some users report connectivity or firmware hiccups and occasional hardware failures over time. Our tip is to set it up early, update firmware, and keep a simple static scene ready as backup.

Create a dreamy, low-key ambience with the Sky Lite Evolve: its patented color-blending paints smooth pastel nebulae that, in our testing, covered about a 30x30-foot room. Control is flexible via app, voice, or a single button, but the most advanced features require the BlissHome app. A heads-up that some users struggle with Wi‑Fi setup and the projector’s brightness is gentle—keep the room dim for best effect. We like scheduling scenes before the party in case connectivity acts up.

Looking for a glamorous foundation piece, we like Chilewich’s Metallic Lace placemat for its high-impact shimmer. During our review, the wipe-clean material made post-party tidying a breeze, and it works indoors or out for versatile setups. Because it’s sold individually at a premium price, budgeting for a full table adds up; order extras early and store them flat to avoid creases. Also, our experience shows that certain foods or liquids can stain if left too long—wipe spills promptly.

For an easy, festive upgrade, Mikasa’s Cheers flutes are a smart set for intimate gatherings. In our testing, the etched dots, lines, and swirls made it effortless for guests to keep track of their glass, and the dishwasher-safe design simplified cleanup. The 8-ounce capacity is on the smaller side for modern pours, and the thin stems feel more delicate than stemless options. With only four glasses included, larger parties may need multiple sets to cover everyone.

To toast the new year (and newlyweds), these Kate Spade Darling Point flutes bring polished charm. We found the crystal bowls and silver-plated stems look luxe on a bar cart, with the subtle “Mr.” and “Mrs.” engraving adding a keepsake touch. Just note they’re final sale on the retailer site and hand-wash only, so they’re not for carefree cleanup. Crystal can be fragile if mishandled, so store them safely between celebrations and avoid the dishwasher.

If you want a quick glow-up for dinner place settings, these 13-inch beaded chargers add that polished rim that reads instantly festive in photos. In our testing, they slide neatly under standard dinner plates and often arrive well-packaged from established retailers, making them a solid budget upgrade. Just remember most versions are decorative and not food-safe, hand-wash only, and glass styles can be fragile—versus the single-use Hester & Cook placemats, you’ll trade durability in washing for multiple reuses.

We found Saro Lifestyle’s shimmer napkins instantly elevate a tablescape—the metallic finish catches candlelight beautifully and the 18-inch squares feel substantial thanks to the fabric-and-metallic fiber blend. In our testing, a set of four is perfect for a small formal place setting, especially layered with Hester & Cook placemats or beaded chargers. Be aware the design isn’t reversible and care is fussier—cool hand wash and hang dry—and repeated washing can dull or flake the finish, so we reserve them for special-occasion use.

Set a glam tone for your NYE dinner with Hester & Cook’s Die-Cut French Frame Placemats. In our testing, the decorative frame delivered an elegant, finished look with zero extra styling, and the 12-count pack made setting a full table effortless. We appreciate the FSC-certified paper and USA printing, though these are single-use and the die-cut edges can crease or tear if handled wet or roughly. Our tip: lay them on dry, clutter-free surfaces, and grab two packs for larger guest lists.

For clustered sparkle on a buffet or mantel, these mixed mercury glass holders deliver that antique mirror glow we love, and the six varied shapes make centerpieces look collected, not matchy. During our review, they were a budget-friendly way to fill long tables, though the painted finish can feel a bit rough or uneven on some pieces. Because the openings are small and the coating is opaque, light is softer than clear glass, and some sizes don’t fit every votive—test with slim tealights or flameless options for best results.

When the clock strikes twelve, this Gold Metallic Confetti Pop Cannon delivers a dramatic burst that looks amazing in photos and video. In our testing, the twist-to-pop design was simple and reliable, and the flame-resistant metallic confetti felt safer for indoor celebrations. Just be ready for a more involved cleanup than tissue confetti; a broom and vacuum combo works best. Also, the manufacturer advises keeping metallic pieces away from alcohol to prevent color transfer on surfaces and clothing.

Looking for a photogenic midnight moment? The Happily Ever After Push-Pop Confetti arrives in pretty gold-foil packaging and, in our testing, the metallic pieces caught light beautifully for boomerangs and Reels. You do need a firm push to launch—there’s no spring-loaded pop—and the all-metallic mix isn’t biodegradable, so budget extra cleanup. On the plus side, the reusable, food-safe container doubles as a cute favor holder after the party, and buyers report it ships quickly and is nicely packaged.

To add cozy ambiance without open flames, Luminara’s pillar delivers one of the most convincing flickers we’ve tried. During our review, the hand-poured paraffin exterior and moving flame mechanism looked remarkably realistic, and the long battery runtime kept it glowing through multiple evenings. It is pricier than generic flameless candles, and many models require buying the remote separately. Note that some users report units failing to stay lit after months, so purchase from a retailer with a clear warranty window.

Voluspa’s Sparkling Cuvée tin smells like a toast in candle form—think sparkling wine with citrus and soft floral notes—so it’s a natural accent for the bar cart. The clean-burning coconut-wax blend gave us a slow, even burn, and the decorative tin looks gift-ready and reusable afterward. Some reviewers find the scent on the subtle side for large rooms, the lid can be stubborn at first, and it’s priced at the premium end. Our tip: crack it open before guests arrive and cluster two for a bigger presence.

Looking for scent and sparkle in one, the Capri Blue Volcano Mercury Iridescent candle doubles as decor and fragrance. During our review, the iconic Volcano scent delivered a strong, room-filling throw, and the 19-oz size burned for ages—around 85 hours—so it’ll outlast your NYE bash. It is a paraffin-soy blend and priced at a premium, which may be a dealbreaker for purists. Because popular jars can sell out seasonally, we suggest ordering early and repurposing the iridescent vessel afterward.

We found Sparkling Cinnamon to be a festive, cinnamon-forward fragrance that fills a medium room nicely for a cozy NYE vibe. The long burn time stretches through multiple gatherings, and the jar format is effortless decor. To avoid tunneling and black soot, our experience shows you should trim the wick and let the top fully liquefy on first burn. A few users report weak scent or uneven burning, so if you prefer guaranteed consistency, consider supplementing with a flameless candle like Luminara for ambiance.

For a touch of luxury at the bar cart, the Penthouse Champagne candle comes in a hand‑blown art glass vessel you’ll want to keep as décor long after midnight. In our testing, the soy‑based blend and 100% cotton wick gave a cleaner burn, and the 6.5 oz classic size lasted up to about 50 hours—plenty for multiple gatherings. It is pricey at around $50 and relatively small, and the formula includes a bit of paraffin; if you prioritize no‑flame ambiance, our Luminara pick offers a similarly upscale look without scent.

Feu de Bois is our go-to candle when we want a luxe, fireside vibe for a New Year’s lounge. During our review, its smoky wood-fire profile felt cozy and authentic, and the heavy glass vessel looks chic enough to repurpose later. That said, at $78 it’s a splurge, and scent throw can be inconsistent—our experience shows it performs best in medium rooms; buy from authorized sellers to avoid older stock. Expect a long burn, especially in the larger sizes.

For candid keepsakes at midnight, the Polaroid Go Gen 2 is tiny enough to slip in a pocket yet ready with a selfie mirror, self-timer, and double‑exposure mode. In our testing, the USB‑C battery reliably handled about 15–18 shots per charge, but plan on extra film—the ongoing cost per print adds up fast. It performs best in good light with flash; low‑light results are limited and there’s no manual exposure. Keep expectations simple and enjoy the fun, mini prints.

If you want instant keepsakes at midnight, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is a crowd-pleaser. In our testing, it was effortless for kids and first-timers to use, and the vibrant, retro prints are perfect for a party photo board. It can overexpose in very bright scenes and struggle in low light, so we found stepping into shade or adding a lamp helps. It lacks extras like a self-timer or double exposure, and remember the Instax Mini film cost adds up over time.

For keeping bubbles lively after the midnight toast, this Rabbit sealer is a handy, affordable pick. In our testing, the twist mechanism sealed Champagne and still wine quickly and kept bubbles for multiple days—ideal for New Year’s Day leftovers. Hand-wash and avoid over-tightening; our experience shows performance can vary and heavy use may shorten its lifespan. At this price, it’s an excellent spare or host gift, even if it isn’t the most durable long-term stopper.

Ready to glam up the bar cart, the Viski Belmont shaker’s polished gold finish photographs beautifully for midnight toasts. In our testing, the heavier, well-balanced build felt great in hand and made vigorous shaking more controlled. It’s hand-wash only, and the gold plating can show wear or flaking with regular use, so skip abrasives and dry promptly. Some users report the lid sticking over time; we found a gentle twist before pulling helps loosen a tight seal.

In a pinch for party favors, this 25-person kit makes it easy to get everyone photo-ready. In our testing, the black, silver, and gold palette looked cohesive, and the mix of hats, tiaras, blowouts, horns, and beads gave each guest multiple keepsakes. Just note the cardstock and thin plastic are lightweight and largely single-use, so durability is limited. With no balloons or big decor, we found pairing it with a balloon arch finishes the room.