New Years is such a wonderful time to celebrate and children like to be apart of the celebration time, too. I grew-up with New Year’s traditions and with seven children of my own, had a fun time tweaking them to make them unique to my family. Here is what our family does every year and some family tips to help make it go smoothly…
Plan an event before dinner: We’ve always gone to the movies on New Years Eve. It can be costly with my brood, so saving in advance…a little each week, makes it happen. Have a jar if you want and have the kids put in all their change and put a sticky note that states loud and proud: *New Year’s Movie Monies!* Have the jar up and running in the fall and by New Years…you should have enough. Going to the movies is a lot of fun for everyone. It takes a chunk of time, since the night will be long until the ringing in the new year.
Traditional food: Every year we have homemade pizzas. I have my dough rising and pizza sauce made before I go so when we get home we just top them and put in the oven. Yum. Nothing beats tradition! For dessert, we have chocolate fondue and over the years, my Christmas has been awesome fondue pots. I get out the fondue pot and lay out an assortment of goodies to dunk in the melted chocolate. Pretzels, plain donuts, strawberries, large marshmallows, and chocolate chip cookies. This is a lot of fun and your children will remember it for a life time.
Next a little clean up. All hands on deck to get the job done in no time!
Game time: We have our games that are traditional every year and then some new ones are introduced from Christmas gifts. If you have young and small children, I like to start out with some fun games with them, like Memory, Chutes and Ladders, and the like. The winner puts their name in the game lid as winner of the year! Next we move on to games we all can play that older ones love, and all games can be manipulated a tad to accommodate younger ones. Winners are claimed winner of that game and the title cannot be thrown until next year’s battles.
Pop out the sparkling cider for the wee ones and make some Bellinis for you and your hubby. With a little fruit puree and some sparkling wine…your night is off to a great start. Pour your sparkling beverages in champagne glasses and plastic ones for the younger ones and don’t forget to go around announcing your New Year’s Resolutions! This is a lot of fun because it gets everyone thinking about the future, fresh starts and all the exciting new things to do and see for 2011. Clank those glasses while watching the clock drop on t.v. and get ready the clock to strike midnight! With pots and pans, some blow horns, hats and whatever else festive you can think of…make a racket in the cold snow at midnight! Throw that confetti (outside), spray that silly string, your children will love being a family on New Years, celebrating with family, creating traditions, and making memories!
Have a wonderful New Years!
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