Celebrating New Year's Eve with Kids

By Sherwood Tillman

 I have enjoyed New Years Eve festivities over the years, but now that I have a few children, New Years Eve has become less about the excessive drinking and more about just having a great time with the family in our own home.  Celebrating with your kids is safer, cheaper, and infinitely more memorable. For the last few years, my entire family, especially the children have come to look forward to celebrating bringing in the new year almost as much as Christmas.  I said almost.

It is always the little details that make any occasion the most exciting for children.  So, if you are planning to celebrate the New Year with your kids, plan at least a couple of weeks out so you can shop for a few traditional props.  Go ahead and get a storage box and keep your New Years Eve party supplies with your other holiday decorations. Maybe add another prop or toy each year.  Start with the basics - New Years hats, streamers, noise makers and confetti. 

 Consider having everyone make their own hat and keep it a secret until the December 31st family party.  Make your own confetti with hole punchers.  Create a photo album just for your new years party and bring it out every year.  You will enjoy adding the new photographs as well as viewing the New Years Eve parties from the past.

Our family has a tradition of going to an exotic international farmer's market where we pick out a couple of lobsters to share.  We dine together later than usual, around 9 00pm and serve the children sparkling cider in champagne flutes.  We always enjoy seeing them have so much fun staying up late and presenting their special and very silly toasts for the new year. 

Some of our friends come up with a party themes for their kids.  That of course involves a bit more planning, but can be a lot of fun as well. We have the lyrics to Old Lang Syne which my kids refer to as "The New Year's Eve Song."  When you print it out, put them in sheet protectors so you can add to your New Years Eve party box, ready to go every year.

I hope this has given you some ideas or perhaps some inspiration on celebrating New Year's Eve with your children.  Happy New Year.