Set a New Year’s Eve party theme before the invites go out
A New Year’s Eve theme decides a lot: what guests wear, what hangs from the ceiling, and whether the night feels like a gala or a sleepover. Pick it before the invite goes out, since people need time to find a sequin jacket or a mask. Send a Rankd to the guest list in early December, let everyone rank the theme ideas privately, and build the party around the one with the best overall ranking.
- Black, white and gold
- Roaring ’20s
- Masquerade
- Pajamas and a midnight countdown
- Disco ball and glitter
- Around the world: a toast every hour
Free. Edit the options, then send one link to your group.
Why ranking beats a regular poll here
- Guests who dread formal wear can quietly rank the gala theme last.
- A theme people picked means more of them show up dressed for it.
- The runner-up is a ready backup if supplies for the winner sell out in late December.
How it works
- Add the question and 3 to 30 options
- Send one private link to the group
- Everyone ranks privately, in about a minute
- You reveal the winner
Tips
- Add a dress hint to each theme, like “Masquerade (bring a mask, any outfit).”
- Send it by early December, since themed decorations get picked over after Christmas.
- Once the theme is set, run a second Rankd for the signature drink.
Questions
Should we pick the theme or the plans first?
Plans first. If the group is still choosing between a house party and going out, settle that, then rank themes for the house party.
Can people see how I ranked?
No. Each person’s order stays private. Everyone sees the group’s final order and where they personally landed, never anyone else’s individual ranking.
Is it free? Does everyone need the app?
Rankd is free and runs in the browser, so there is nothing to download. Friends open the link from any group chat (iMessage, WhatsApp, Slack, email) and rank in about a minute.