Funny New Year's Eve Party Gifts and Games
For the host, the party bag, or the long wait until midnight.
New Year's Eve is a party where people wait. There are hours between arriving and midnight, and the best gifts for it are the ones that fill those hours: games, noise and things to wear.
Everything here works as a host gift or as something to bring and put on the table. Some are for adults only, and the notes say which.
How we picked
Useful at a New Year's Eve party (a game, a noise, a drink accessory or something to wear) and under $40 at the catalog price on 11 October 2026. The merchant's price on the day you buy is the one that counts.
A button box with applause, crickets, a rimshot and booing. Applause at midnight, crickets for the bad jokes before it. About $14.
An electric hot potato that plays music and shocks whoever holds it when the music stops. A game that needs no explanation, which matters at 11 p.m. Skip it for anyone with a heart condition or a pacemaker. About $20.
Six frogs that clip onto glasses so people can find their drink again. The most useful thing at any party with a lot of identical glasses. About $12.
Four vinyl dachshunds on wheels. Line them up, roll them and take bets. About $22.50.
A cow-print bucket hat with plush horns and ears. Better than a paper crown, and it will be in every midnight photo. About $17.
One gummy bear sold as the world's hottest, in a box with a warning panel. A midnight dare for an adult who asked for it. Read the warning first. About $10.
Buffalo Wing, Ranch Dressing, Bacon, Peanut Butter & Jelly and Sweet Corn sodas. Pour small cups and make everyone guess the flavour. About $25.
Twenty pairs of stick-on googly eyes. By midnight they will be on every bottle and at least one guest. $8.
Four recorded sighs on a button. Press it whenever someone announces a resolution. About $12.
A ceramic skull whistle that makes a scream the listing puts at over 125 decibels. That is far too loud for a living room, so save it for outside at midnight, and keep it away from anyone's ears. About $40.
Frequently asked
What should I bring to a New Year's Eve party?
Something that fills the wait until midnight: a game like the shocking hot potato or racing wiener dogs, or a host gift like frog drink markers.
What are funny New Year's Eve party favours?
Googly eyes, a cow-print party hat, or an applause button for the countdown. All of them are under $20.
Are these all family-friendly?
Most are. The hot gummy bear is for adults who choose it, the hot potato is not for anyone with a heart condition, and the death whistle is only for outdoors.