“It’s been a while since we’ve been able to go out, so you should make the most of it,” says Mr Olie Arnold, MR PORTER’s Style Director. This rule applies should you be celebrating at home, too. “Vivid print shirts were incredibly popular this summer and that trend has continued for autumn/winter. Large floral prints from Acne Studios and TOM FORD give a generous 1970s nudge, while animal prints from CELINE HOMME and SAINT LAURENT will stand you apart from the pack.”

DJ and record label owner Mr Harry James suggests the following tracks to make sure the dancefloor is always full, even if it’s just you and your cat.

• “Lose My Rhythm” by Desert Sound Colony. “We released this track years ago on our record label SC&P and it still gives me chills every time I hear it in clubs around the world,” says James.

• “Mahlalela” by Ms Letta Mbulu. “A great soulful disco number with a long intro, which really gets people moving when the instrumental kicks in.”

• “Running” by Lust For Youth. “The synth line gets you every time.”

• “Pink Industry” by Manfredas. “For such a niche-sounding and strange track, it’s amazing how you can play it to any crowd and see how much it goes off.”

• “Kiss You All Over” by Exile. “The perfect track for the end of the night. If you don’t see lots of hugging and kissing, you’re definitely not playing to the right crowd [restrictions allowing, of course].”

Wherever you are, to get the festivities going, find a space to dance. “Head right into the centre of the dancefloor, rather than two-stepping on the outskirts,” says Mr Charlie Casely-Hayford, fashion designer and partygoer. “Most of the time the people dancing there have the most energy and are having the most fun, so they won’t even notice if you’re barely moving. Their energy is always infectious because they care the least about what everyone else thinks. As much as you may want to fight it, after a little while you’ll find your body moving.”

“A healthy liver takes 45 minutes to break down a single shot of spirit or an average glass of wine,” says Mr Ian Marber, nutritionist and author of ManFood. “Drinking anything more in that period – except for water – leads to an increase in blood alcohol content and forces it to be distributed into various body tissues until the liver has spare capacity.” In short, sip H2O between drinks and pace yourself.

Globe-trotting bartender Mr Nico de Soto, from Mace in New York, recommends a minimum cocktail kit of a shaker, bar spoon, jigger (2oz, 1oz, ¾oz, ½oz preferably), fine strainer and a mixing glass. “Also limes, or lemons, sugar and any type of spirit,” he says. “I prefer rum because it’s so easy to make daiquiris with just 2oz rum, 1oz lime juice, ¾oz simple syrup. With that you can make a great party.”

“Magnums are the only thing you should be bringing to a party worth attending,” says Mr Brodie Meah, founder of Top Cuvée wine bar and restaurant in north London. “A real crowd pleaser would be the Beaujolais-Villages Nature Gamay from Le Grappin – 100 per cent gamay from 50-year-old vines. This wine is an explosion of red fruits. For the celebration high point, Casa Belfi Rosso Bio Frizzante, a sparkling red from the Prosecco region, is a must. Well-priced, it’s full of dark cherry and raspberry flavours – perfect for the festive season.”

“For New Year’s Eve in New York City, take two bottles of wine you really want to drink, a blazer that fits, shoes you want to dance in, someone you love being with and a film camera with a flash,” says hospitality consultant and Sound Radio host Mr Alex Delany. “Everything looks better in sharply exposed, high-contrast light. Wine’s the communal beverage you can talk about and pour for everyone. If I’m out, it’s an Americano or whatever mix of amaro/aperitivo and soda is available. I want something bright, light, flavoursome and not too boozy when I’m dancing or DJing.”

“Anything you can eat with your hands in one or two bites is best for canapés,” says Mr James Knappett, chef patron and co-founder of two-Michelin starred Kitchen Table in Fitzrovia, London. “You can minimise the washing up and you don’t have to worry about plating or cutlery. I like simple canapés that pack a lot of flavour, something like a pastry case filled with beef tartare or homemade crackers/croutons with whipped cod’s roe.”

“If you’re planning on partying but not drinking, contact the venue beforehand and find out what non-alcoholic drinks they have,” says Ms Lesley Miller, co-author of Alcohol Reconsidered: Education For Moderation. The same goes if you’re attending a small gathering with close friends. “Prepare your excuse for not drinking and arrive a little later to avoid getting into rounds. Arrange something for the following morning that would be unbearable with a hangover to avoid temptation.”

“Whole poached fish, braised leg of lamb or a glazed ham are ideal for groups because they don’t require too much attention or prep,” says Knappett. “So too are big salads that can be made and served in the same bowl or grilled vegetables served with a punchy vinaigrette. I also really like serving a big dish of coronation chicken with peanuts, mango and coriander. There’s flavour in each of the layers and it can be easily made in advance and then kept in the fridge.”

“My general rule of thumb is that I call it a night when there are fewer people there than when I arrived,” says Casely-Hayford. “But I don’t think one rule fits all. Some of my best nights have been seeing the party right through to the end.”

“Humans do best when there’s a shared effort or activity,” says Mr Jon Levy, behavioural scientist and author of You’re Invited: The Art And Science Of Cultivating Influence. “If I give you a puzzle to figure out or an icebreaker game, that’s really important.” Placing get-to-know-you bingo cards around the gathering – with questions such as “What’s the last series you binge-watched?”, “Celebrity crush?” and “Most used phone app?” – will get groups chatting. “These games cause a shared investment of effort.”

“To be a great host, make sure you engage everyone invited,” says Ms Norma Cohen, celebrity party co-ordinator. “And put the food where you want people to be. If you just keep it in the kitchen, everyone will stay there. Accept offers to help. It makes some people more at ease if they’re active. And most of all, stay on the dancefloor whenever you can. You’ll enjoy the night and your guests who want to be with you will be dancing all night, too.”

“If you know it’s going to be noisy and a late finish, warn your neighbours in advance and even send them a handwritten note, offer a bottle of something,” says Mr Taz Fustok, owner of Laylow restaurant and live music venue in Notting Hill, west London. “Turning down the bass will lessen the impact of your sound without diluting the vibe.”

“You might be able to stave off the effects of low glucose levels – a hangover symptom – by having a small glass of apple juice when you get home,” says Marber. “Paracetamol can combat the inflammation from raised blood alcohol. Before bed take 200mg magnesium with 250mg vitamin C and repeat the next morning to combat acetaldehyde toxicity. Small coffees are better than a great big mugful and resist the fry-up. It’s too taxing for your delicate digestive system. Have a small bowl of porridge, berries and almonds. It’ll aid the repair process.”

“A post-party workout can counter some of the calories you ate and drank the night before,” says Mr Tyrone Brennand, celebrity personal trainer and founder of Be The Fittest. “Don’t go too hard, especially if you’re sleep-deprived, and drink water throughout. Warm up with a slow jog and follow that with a full-body, body weight-based workout, resting for 30 seconds between each exercise. Do 10 to 15 push-ups, 15 to 20 squats, 20 alternating forward lunges and 20 leg raises. Rest for a couple of minutes and do a second round if you have the energy. Throw in some one-minute stretches, too, such as downward dogs, lie-down single quad stretches and standing forward folds.”