8 Ways to Ring in the New Year with Kids

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Sometimes I think it would be nice to get dolled up and dance the night away at an adults-only event with Andrew on New Year’s Eve, but really, there’s no place I’d rather be then home with my babes squeezing out the last moments of the year together, even if it gets a little crazy.  I know these special times as a collective crew won’t last forever, and in a few short years our oldest babes will find it completely uncool to hang out with us as much.  Time with the kids is fleeting and I want to make these special occasions count.

Here’s some of our favourite ways to ring in the New Year as a family at home:

1. Salute the New Year with a family “Mocktail”

Here’s some super easy to make beverages we’ve enjoyed over the years:

Sparkling “Champagne” Mocktail

Sparkling Cranberry Mocktail

*Serve in plastic champagne flutes you can find in every party or dollar store to make the kids feel fancy and grown up!  Add gummy bears or rock candy stix for added enjoyment, or keep it on the healthier side with sliced strawberries and blueberries*

2. Have a Themed Dinner

Our favourite way to dine on NYE is making a seafood + shellfish sampler platter with both coconut and garlic & butter shrimp, calamari rings, baked fish fillets, lobster tails and sautéed scallops, paired with garlic bread and loads of veggies on the side.  Other ideas – have a taco bar, family pizza-making night or bypass dinner all together and have a dessert for dinner treat!  Try a Sundae Bar or Family Bake Off!

3. Dress Up Party + Photo Booth

Every NYE I dress us all up in a combo of gold, silver and black + white outfits.  Something about welcoming the New Year well-dressed appeals to me and it makes for a great coordinated family photo opp.  Our new favourite one-stop shop for matching family attire is Kin & Kith.  Their White + Grey Stripe and Black coordinated looks would be perfect for NYE (get 10% off using code “HOKsave”).

Another idea I may try this year –  have everyone pick their favourite outfit or costume.  We may not match, but it’ll be less fuss and more time for fun.

Whatever you wear, set up a DIY photo booth and take some celebratory snaps by placing gold or silver wrapping paper on a bare wall (4×4 feet).  Add in some photo props and gather accessories (hats, glasses, novelty jewelry) from around the house.  Play around with your selfie stick, put your DSLR on a timer or go freestyle with an instant photo camera to grab some fun family shots.  Share with loved ones or place on magnets for the fridge.

4. Have a Dance Contest

Create a “Top Songs of 2016” playlist and take turns breaking out into your best moves!  Everyone’s a winner!  Hand out goodie bags of everyone’s favourite candy as prizes.

5. Have a Magic Show

Pick up a Magic Kit or Google some tricks to do with things already around the house.  Have the kids put on a magic show.  We had a lot of fun with this one last year!

6.  Create a Family Life List

Take turns and write down everyone’s wish list for 2017.  Not a material things list, but a family-do list.  It’s a form of family intention-setting and holding yourselves accountable for making the year ahead what you visualize together.  Maybe it’s trying a new activity?  Taking a trip?  Learning a new skill? Conquering a fear? Anything goes and everyone’s ideas are documented.  Save it for next year’s Dec. 31st celebration to see how many things you ticked off the list and what every one found most memorable.

7. Make a Family Slideshow of 2016

Grab your memory cards from your camera and cell phone, and upload your best memories from 2016 into a slideshow.  Grab some popcorn and upload it to your TV for a family screening.  It’s such a great way to relive some of the family highlights of the year that passed.

My favourite software for photo slideshows is Smilebox – they have tons of great slideshow formats, and enable songs to be added, and photos uploaded, easily.  Smilebox is also great for invitations, digital photo design + more, and makes sharing your creation so quick and simple.

7.  Have an early Kids’ Countdown

Grab some NYE  horns, hats, streamers, and tiaras and have a kiddie countdown – early enough for the parents to snag some adults-only time before Mid-Night.  We usually start at 8-9 p.m.  Check out this New Year’s Eve Countdown for Kids, including a 10 minute musical mash-up of the year’s top hits for your babes who need more than 10 seconds to transition from party to bedtime.  Top off the celebration with sparklers outdoors!

Whatever you and your family do, we wish you a safe and memorable night.  May 2017 be a blessed and fulfilling year for all!