Whether you've always dreamed of throwing a New Year's bash but never quite got your act together in time or the idea of NYE entertaining is just appealing to you for the first time, this is the year to resolve to throw the party your friends will be talking about throughout all of 2017. And here to help you throw an A-list-worthy event is celebrity event planner Colin Cowie [1]. He shared with us his five pro entertaining tips guaranteed to take your New Year's Eve dinner party to the next level. Read on to learn what they are.

Late Dinner

"My first recommendation to anyone throwing a New Year's Eve party is not to start too early! Sitting down for dinner at 7 p.m. has your guests watching TV from 9 p.m. until the ball drops. Talk about a buzzkill," Colin said. "Keep the party turned up by starting with cocktails and appetizers at 9 and move into a seated dinner by 10. This will allow you to replenish glasses before the clock strikes midnight." As for what to eat, he said, "I love a room grounded with a statement piece like a gorgeous raw bar. This can be composed of something as simple as poached shrimp, or grander with Alaskan king crab. When I'm really set to impress, I order from Joe's Stone Crab [2] in Miami. They ship overnight and include everything from the mallets to the bibs."

Champagne Potluck

Colin believes that a party is more fun when all the guests are involved. "For the New Year, my invites go out for Champagne Pot Luck," he said. He'll have a couple bottles of his own and then each guest will contribute a bottle of their favorite bubbly. "For a special occasion like New Year's, I opt for the premium brands like Dom Pérignon or Krug. I prefer Taittinger or Veuve Clicquot for midrange prices and in a pinch always love a great Prosecco," he said.

Cigar Selection

Make your party lit, literally. Colin said, "In addition to Champagne, I like to have cigars on hand for my guests to enjoy." His favorite place to buy cigars in New York is Nat Sherman [3]. "It has the city's best selection, and I love going into their 42nd Street Townhouse for all sorts of chic accoutrements."

Photo Accessories

Make your party truly unforgettable by having it live on on social media as well as in your guests' memories. "To document the night, come up with a good hashtag. #NYE2017 or #NewYearsEve are the popular options . . . But the creative tags are endless! I love #chinchin, #resolution #cheers, and #bubbly," Colin said. "For photos, props are a must have. Amazon has an unlimited assortment of fun masks, martini glasses [4], and the like, all on little sticks your guests will have close by for the entire night."

Party Games

"No matter what they say, all guests love a game," Colin insisted. "For NYE I pull everyone together to share their resolutions for the New Year. Start by having everyone write resolutions down and then share with the group." Colin turns up the style by using chic stationery and keepsake cards [5] from places like Paper Source [6] that guests can use and take home with them.