For many, holiday gifts have been opened and put away, but this week of celebration is far from over. If you're hosting a New Year's Eve party make it special and toast the new year with a bit of glam and bling.

Why not try something different such as hosting a wine or champagne tasting party? For starters, you can have each guest bring a bottle of their favorite beverage. And since New Year’s Eve is a festive event, glam it up and ask everyone to come in their glitziest clothes.

Now that your theme is selected, let’s focus on the setting. If space is limited, a cozy little bar in the corner of your living room or near the front door can be a great prop.

For this inexpensive idea a card table or any table will work just fine. I covered mine with a gold, vinyl tablecloth I bought at Goodwill for $2.99. The tablecloth was a little too big so I simply wrapped the table like a present and taped the excess in the back.

Next, I added a little bling! First, I looked for all the gold, silver and crystal I had stashed away. If you’re a bit short on these items, try your nearest Goodwill. That is where I found these bargain crystal candlesticks. A variety of sizes will help give height to the table and utilizing silver or gold tapers will add a warm glow.

Then, I complemented the setting with my best champagne flutes and wine glasses. Or if you’d like, visit Goodwill to find affordable stemware and tableware items. Here, I’ve added a pewter compote and silver tray to display the glasses. It added a glamorous touch. Another great notion that generates extra sparkle is layering on lots of glitzy costume jewelry. By pulling out all stops even simple snacks look elegant in a cut crystal candy dish!

For a little extra impact, I propped a fancy gold frame against the wall. Voila! Instant architecture! Rather than spending a fortune to have the frame professionally painted I simply spray painted it. After the party, I can donate the picture back to Goodwill. It’s a win-win!

Now that my table is set up, I wanted to make my wine-tasting party even more memorable. As my guests discuss the bouquet, clarity and body of the wine, I wanted them to jot down their comments in a wine journal. And, these make great party favors. I’ll give one to each person as they arrive and everyone will leave with details about the wines they tasted and the ones they liked best.

Relax…tip a glass and celebrate; just think - you’ve hosted a fun party without spending lots of money! So whether you serve caviar or potato chips, Dom Perignon or diet soda, add some glamour and pizzazz to your New Year’s theme. Invite your friends over and toast 2012 in style!