Happy New Year 2009

New Year’s Eve … Ah, the glitz, the glamour, the confetti falling from the skies. Ouch, the stilettos that decided to attack your toes, the impossible crowds, the hard-to-score restaurant reservations. Sometimes the last blast of the year can leave you feeling a little footsore, a little tapped out, a little bit over the Baby New Year and all his ball-dropping buddies.

That’s not the way we’d like 2009 to find us.

So this year, why not plan a simpler way to see out 2008? (Sounds really good, doesn’t it, especially while still in the throes of the other winter holiday preparations?) Here’s all you’ll need to do: Gather up your good friends, some easy food and a bottle of bubbly for your midnight toast. Set the scene with a warm fire and some basic tablescaping and …

Let the countdown begin.

10. Don’t worry if there’s a Christmas tree still standing. Just take off the sparkly ornaments (think of this as your head start on completely taking down the tree later), leaving behind white lights and greenery that will function as a perfect backdrop for your party. Remember: Less color equals more impact. A limited, neutral palette doesn’t scream “holiday” and goes with almost any interior.

9. For sparkle, count on candlelight — no need to worry about spicing things up with tons of shiny things. Just let the candles’ gentle glow work its magic. Besides, everyone looks better (bags under eyes be gone!) by candlelight.

8. Keep white as a unifying decorating element, and use different candle holders — votives, candlesticks and candle lanterns.

7. Birch logs set the tone for a wintry woods decor, and their beautiful white bark can be the starting point for an all-neutral color scheme. The best part? You can find them at a local garden center for as little as 99 cents per log.

6. For the dining table, repurpose a curtain from IKEA to act as a table runner — it adds a textural and modern note.

5. Don’t be afraid to throw something unexpected into the tablescape — most likely you already own the makings for a beautiful table arrangement. Glass florist vases that have been accumulating in your basement, gift tissue paper, candles, river rocks, twigs in the back yard.

4. A favorite find: Faux-bois ribbon from the Martha Stewart craft collection at Michaels crafts stores ($6.99). Use it to bundle silverware and napkins. Plain grosgrain ribbon is a less costly substitute.

3. OK, let’s talk food. Forget all those tedious appetizer recipes and go for food that’s ultra-easy: Chicago Tribune columnist JeanMarie Brownson, who loves an at-home New Year’s, offers a party-worthy stew as a main course; she adds a green salad and garlic toasts, and supplements with easy-to-assemble tidbits to keep your guests well-fed and yourself less stressed.

2. Package a pair of soft, lounge-y socks for each guest to be passed out as party favors. Tie each pair up with rich chocolate-colored grosgrain ribbon and attached gift enclosure cards that you dress up a bit with computer-printed tags.

1. Now … trade in those Manolos for a pair of those cozy-chic socks for yourself, and answer the doorbell. That’ll be your best new year ever ringing.