New Year’s Eve is one of my favorite holidays. There’s not the pressure of gift giving or the pressure of cooking a perfect turkey. It’s all about reflection and the celebration of a new year. However, with kids, New Year’s Eve parties look a whole lot different. Instead of trying to plan out what house we’re going to and where we’re going to put our kids down for the night or trying to find an outrageously expensive babysitter for the evening, we’ve decided to make New Year’s Eve a family affair.
If you are also planning a night in with the kids, here are some fun ideas to celebrate with your family:
- Family Slumber Party – The prep work will be half the fun! As a family, decide what movies you want to watch and what your dinner menu and snacks will be for the evening (this is a
great time to cook with the kids). Break out a deck of cards and board games for some family fun. For something a little different, eat dinner by candlelight in the family room. Follow dinner with movie watching and game playing. When it’s getting close to bedtime, spread pillows, sleeping bags, and blankets on the floor and camp out in the family room for the evening.
- Family Dance – Turn your family room into a ballroom with decorations, lights, and maybe even a disco ball. Get out your favorite dance music and encourage your family members to dress up for this special family event. Be sure to take video to share at next year’s New Year’s Eve dance!
- Celebrate Early – If you have little ones, it may be difficult to keep them up until midnight (or it may not be but you don’t want to have to deal with the attitude that comes with a child with little sleep). If you still want them to participate in the celebration but don’t want them to stay up until midnight, celebrate New Year’s Eve in another country. Pick a country in the time zone you need your celebration to be at and then research that country. Cook one of their favorite meals, play music from that country, maybe even learn a few words from their language.
Whatever you choose to do this New Year’s Eve, I hope you have a safe and happy one. This is the perfect time to celebrate your accomplishments from this past year and set a few goals for the New Year.
Today we feature OWG guest blogger and childhood obesity consultant, Melodie Griffin. Melodie’s passion lies in the prevention of childhood obesity through the school and early learning settings. All programs Melodie promotes are fully approved by her home based lab rats, five year old son, Howie, and two year old daughter, Hope. You can connect with Melodie on her Facebook page, WellConnect LLC.
