Army&You checks out some party products sure to make your New Year festivities go with a bang…
If you want to make a mojito or craft a cosmopolitan to help you and your guests see in 2014, The Great Gift Company’s Bar10der multitool should be your go-to gadget.
As the products slighty clumsy name suggests, the Bar10der packs no fewer than 10 functions into its stylish shell, from a muddler for crushing ingredients to release flavours to a strainer, stirrer and reamer. It even packs an obligatory corkscrew and bottle opener to take care of more down-to-earth drinks.
£27, The Great Gift Company
The chances of Britain seeing out 2013 in Caribbean-style temperatures may be unlikely, but you can add a spot of calypso charm to your celebrations with these fun tropical straws.
Each pack contains six jumbo straws for you to liven up your drinks, with each one adorned with an over-the-top piece of faux fruit. Not a bad way to dress up your daiquiris this New Year and a bargain at little more than one pound per pack.
£1.25, The Oak Room
Using social media to let your friends and family know about upcoming parties may be becoming more and more common, but there is still nothing like receiving a physical invitation – especially when its personalised and professionally printed.
Honey Tree Bespoke Stationers are offering 24 New Year’s Eve party invitations flat printed on good-quality card, complete with matching envelopes, for just £1.95 per item. You can choose the design, fonts and colours and, if you really feel like making an impression, Honey Tree will add gold or silver gilt to each invitation.
From £18 (with free delivery), Honey Tree Bespoke Stationers
They may perhaps be associated with the thankfully long-passed raving scene of the 1980s and 90s, but glow sticks and their neon cousin the glow bracelet are making a comeback at parties up and down the UK.
Specialist suppliers The Glow Company are leading the charge for the items’ renaissance and their brightly-coloured bracelets will make a nice touch for adults and children alike this New Year. Available in packs of 100 for just £8.95, the products come in seven colours that will make sure your guests stand out from the crowd.
From £8.95, The Glow Company
If you want to liven up your quarters in a subtle-yet-classy way this New Year, look no further than these retro honeycomb paper balls from Sisters Guild.
Coming in a range of colours, the balls can be combined to create quirky centrepieces or just to liven up tables or sideboards. Each ball, which is traditionally made in Austria, is delivered flat ready to be unfolded and hung courtesy of the included sticky buttons.
£12.95, Sisters Guild