New Year's Eve Entertaining: Champagne Flutes & Barware

New Year's Eve is the one night of the year when everyone expects a toast. Whether you are hosting a dinner for eight or an open house that runs past midnight, the details at the bar set the mood: crystal champagne flutes that catch the light, an ice bucket that keeps the bottles cold, and a decanter or two for the guests who would rather have something stronger. Here are our favorite pieces – and a few new year's eve party ideas – for ringing in the new year in style.

Champagne Flutes for the Midnight Toast

A tall, narrow flute keeps the bubbles lively and shows them off as they rise. Handmade crystal flutes also make a lovely hostess gift if you are a guest rather than the host. Browse all of our champagne glasses.

William Yeoward Merle Champagne Flutes, Gift-Boxed Pair

Handmade crystal with olive-shaped geometric cutting on the bowl that refracts the light, so the bubbles come alive as you sip. Each flute is 10 in tall and holds 6 oz, and the pair is packed in a special gift box.

William Yeoward Zelda Champagne Flutes, Gift-Boxed Pair

Horizontal and vertical cutting around the bowl and a generous 6 oz capacity – William Yeoward calls it a fabulous toasting glass. The boxed pair is ready to give.

William Yeoward Siena Champagne Flute

Completely handmade, with a colored rim in green, blue or amethyst that makes a festive statement on a party table. Each flute stands 8¼ in tall.

William Yeoward Olympia Champagne Flute

From Olympia, William Yeoward's collection of specialist glasses shaped to bring out the nose and taste of the wine. A tall 12 in flute that holds 9 oz.

Christofle Perles Crystal Champagne Flutes, Set of 2

Lead-free crystal, mouth-blown and cut by hand, with the beaded motif of Christofle's Perles collection. Lead-free crystal is less fragile, so these flutes are suited to everyday use as well as New Year's Eve; they are dishwasher safe, though hand washing keeps them brilliant longer.

Lalique 100 POINTS Champagne Flute

A crystal flute made in the Lalique manufactory in Wingen-sur-Moder, Alsace, by the French house founded by René Lalique in 1888.

Or a Vintage Coupe

The wide, shallow champagne coupe brings back the glamour of the 1920s – and it doubles as a cocktail glass for the rest of the night. See all of our cocktail glasses.

William Yeoward Pearl Champagne Coupe

Complex cutting and engraving, including a "string of pearls" and a dramatic starburst wheel, all cut entirely by hand. The coupe is 6¼ in tall and holds 7 oz.

William Yeoward Corinne Cocktail / Champagne Coupe

Corinne's subtle vertical optic pattern was inspired by glassware from the Jazz Age – a classic coupe for cocktails or champagne, 6 in tall.

William Yeoward Fern Champagne Coupe

A traditional champagne saucer evocative of the 1920s, cut with the fern fronds of William Yeoward's 19th-century botanical pattern.

Ice Buckets to Keep the Bubbles Cold

Plan on one bucket for every two or three bottles on the bar, and fill it with ice and a little cold water – a bottle chills much faster in ice water than in ice alone. See our bar tools and Christofle ice buckets.

Michael Aram Reflective Ice Bucket with Tongs

Handcrafted in the Michael Aram workshops, where every design begins as a hand-forged original, so each piece is subtly unique. It comes with its own tongs and arrives beautifully boxed.

Michael Aram White Orchid Champagne Bucket

A handcrafted metal ice bucket with Michael Aram's White Orchid motif – a centerpiece for the bar on its own.

Michael Aram Butterfly Ginkgo Bucket

A handcrafted metal ice bucket from the Butterfly Ginkgo collection, beautifully boxed – a generous gift for the friend who always hosts.

William Yeoward Corinne Champagne Bucket

Handmade crystal glass in the Jazz Age-inspired Corinne pattern, 9 in tall with a 5½-pint capacity – for keeping champagne or a bottle of wine chilled. It pairs with the Corinne coupe above.

William Yeoward Gigi Champagne Bucket

Handmade crystal, 10 in tall, with artfully crafted horizontal cutting – a fun, jazzy look that sparkles when the light shines through.

Rocks Glasses and Bar Tools

Not everyone drinks champagne at midnight. Set out a few rocks glasses and the tools for a simple signature cocktail. Browse all of our bar glasses.

Michael Aram Rock Glasses

Handcrafted in the Michael Aram workshops and available in old fashioned, highball, champagne, wine and water shapes – so one pattern can carry the whole bar.

Michael Aram Ripple Effect Glasses

Available as a set of 4 old fashioned glasses or a set of 4 highballs, as well as a water glass – each handcrafted in the Michael Aram workshops.

Michael Aram Reflective Bar Tools Set

A handcrafted cocktail and barware tool set, beautifully boxed – it matches the Reflective Ice Bucket above.

A Decanter for the After-Dinner Crowd

Decant a good red for dinner, or a whiskey for the late-night toast. For more help choosing, read our guide on how to choose a whiskey decanter or browse William Yeoward decanters.

William Yeoward Corinne Decanter with Stopper

A graceful curved shape in handmade crystal glass for your favorite spirit or wine – 12¼ in tall with the stopper and holds 850 ml.

William Yeoward Fern Wine Decanter

13¼ in tall, with a vertically cut neck, ferns engraved all around the bowl and a single fern frond on the stopper. It holds 1 liter.

New Year's Eve Party Ideas

Count your glasses. A standard bottle of champagne pours about six flutes. Plan on at least one flute per guest for the midnight toast, plus a few spares.
Chill early. Put the bottles in the refrigerator the day before and move them to ice an hour ahead.
Set up a self-serve bar. An ice bucket, a decanter and a tray of glasses let guests help themselves while you enjoy the party.
Offer something without alcohol. Sparkling cider or sparkling water looks just as festive in a crystal flute.
Toast with the good glasses. New Year's Eve is exactly what the crystal is for – the same flutes can come back out for anniversaries and weddings.

Bringing a gift to someone else's party? See our luxury hostess gifts and gifts for wine lovers, and for the holiday table, our Christmas table decorating ideas.