A New Year's Eve Bash with Kids

December 29, 2008

by Eliza Clark

We all know just how impossible it is to find a babysitter on New Year's Eve.  And we also know just how impossible it is for the little ones to stay up far past their bedtimes, much less til midnight.  So does life with young children mean an end to New Year's Eve fun? 

 

It's a valid question, but we're here to tell you: not at all!!  In fact, with a little mental rejiggering and a few Savvy ideas, you may find that ringing in the New Year with the kiddos is more fun than any of the tipsy, late night dance parties of your past.

 

Here are our tips  for a happy, memorable celebration:

 

-Invite over another family or two with kids so that all ages have great company and dance partners.

 

-Reset all the clocks and then set the alarms.  Pick a time that will work for the little ones -- say 8 or 9 o'clock -- and set your clocks forward so that midnight strikes at that hour.  Then, for extra excitement, put all of the clocks in the house together on a table and set the alarms!  That way you'll know exactly when to pop the bubbly.

 

-Keep to an easy, pot-luck menu -- we've all done a lot of holiday cooking already!  Some sort of bean dish (or black eyed peas) and grapes traditionally represent good fortune in the new year (and most kids like them -- all the better!). 

 

-Provide the requisite noisemakers and party hats.  Or better yet, have your preschooler help you create pretty cut-out paper crowns for all the pint-sized guests.

 

-At the magic hour: champagne for the grownups, juice for the little ones, kisses for all, and your favorite dance music!

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Savvy City Editors across the land have fabulous ideas for ringing in the New Year.  Be inspired to celebrate by these great posts:

Washington DC: Ring in the New Year as a Family 

Cleveland : How to ring in the New Year WITH your kiddos! 

Atlanta: Ringing in the New Year, Family Style

Denver: News Years Fun With Young Ones 

Pittsburgh: First Night Fun 

San Diego: New Year's Lego Style

Charleston: Midnight (or so) with the munchkins!: new year's ideas

Nashville : A Family Style New Year's Eve