Like most people, you’re looking for some last-minute ideas to keep your New Year’s Eve party fresh and exciting. Whether you’re hosting a group of 50 people at your house or throwing a small intimate dinner with friends, we’ve got five great ideas for the perfect last-minute NYE bash.

1. A Pot-Luck New Year’s Eve Party

A pot-luck party is a great idea for almost any event, but it works especially well for a last-minute party. The idea is simple; your guests bring a dish to contribute, and everyone sits around sampling all the different foods while they wait for the countdown. If you want, you can assign dishes to each of your guests or let everyone decide what dish they’d like to bring. The pot-luck style of a party takes some of the pressure off of the host and ensures that no one goes home hungry. Plus, it’s a great way to try out some unique dishes that you’ve never had before.

2. A Musical Countdown for New Year’s Eve

Instead of counting down the seconds until the New Year, try counting down the top five songs from an artist like The Beatles. You could also have everyone in the group listen to a certain genre of music before coming to the party and then count down the top 5 songs from that artist or from that genre. This is a great way to engage people in a fun activity instead of just standing around waiting for midnight.

3. Have Cigars Available

Something about having a good cigar to ring in the new year makes the event more special. A good friend or two and a nice cigar can make even an intimate dinner party seem like a huge success. Even better if you have a balcony or deck where guests can go outside and smoke. This is definitely one of those last-minute ideas that work well for a small group, as long as you warn non-smokers beforehand.

4. A Game Night for New Year’s Eve

Everyone loves the idea of playing games on their special holiday. How about a game night instead of a party? Have everyone bring a new game, or you could all chip in for one big game everyone gets to play on New Year’s Eve. Some great games include Taboo, The Game of Things, and Cranium. Games are always a great last-minute NYE idea because they’re fun, don’t require any special planning, and are a great way to let people mingle.

5. Fireworks

Fireworks are a great way to make a memorable last-minute NYE party if you’re hosting a larger party and can afford it. Fireworks are not only fun to watch, but they also tend to bring everyone outside for the countdown. If you have enough space in your yard, your guests will be sure to appreciate being able to stand out on the grass and count down the New Year with their friends.

Stay calm if you’re trying to figure out how to throw an awesome party on such short notice. These last-minute NYE ideas are simple enough that almost anyone can pull off most. While it may not be possible for you to make all of these yourself, there’s no reason that you can’t have some of them at your party. With a little creativity and some help from friends, you can have a lot of fun last-minute NYE bash.