Family Friendly New Year's Eve or Day Plans??

Before our daughter, we use to do some serious partying for New Years - fly to a great location with another couple, go to parties, have parties, stay in hotels and go to their parties, etc.. When our daughter came along, all that changed.

Our daughter is now 13 (almost 14) and in order for her to have a good time and know where she is,plus we too have fun, we throw a party inviting parents and kids. We have games, poppers, sparklers (things you buy at Target and can have in the city), sparkling juice for the kids "Champagne", and all sorts of finger foods. The kids have a blast.

The adults play cards or the latest adult board games and have some alcoholic beverages along w/soft drinks, cider, tea, etc... Since most everyone has kids the alcoholic drinks are kept to a minimum plus you can always leave it out.

For the babies and very small kids, we have a separate place for them to be on pallets in the floor with age appropriate toys. They seem to have fun figuring out each other. All the parents take turns entertaining the kids and making sure diapers are changed, older kids aren't hurting each other, potty breaks are taken, etc.. It is so much fun and there is no babysitting fee. For the older kids we make a big deal o ut of watching the clock and they have a blast at midnight.

Good luck,

T.

Hi N.,
I have a 19 month old, so I am in the same boat for our New Year's plans. This year, we are inviting 2 other couples to our house and making fondue. Each couple is bringing their own fondue pot. We are going to have 2 cheeses and 1 chocolate. The other couples do not have children, so it will be easier for us to invite them to our house, that way we can put our child down for bed, then still enjoy our little dinner party until midnight. I'm really excited about our plans, and all the fun food we can dream up to go with fondue. We'll do the traditional champagne toast and everything too. Good luck with your plans!
L.

Since my oldest was born, I've had the same New Year's Eve - sparkling grape juice, sliced cheese and crackers, S'mores, and a game of "I love you because". It got much better once he was able to talk back - even though it was just, "Too". It was also better when my DH didn't have to work.

Now there's four kids and sometimes my in laws join in.

I think peter piper pizza and or chuck e cheese may be open til 10pm or 11pm.

N.,

My son is 11 months now, and will be one year on Jan 8. So, I've decided that on New Year's Day (weather permitting) we are going to go to the park and take pictures. I want to document our first day of the year, and hope to be able to do it every year from now on, making it our "new" family tradition. I know he will go to sleep WAY before the new year will be rung in, so we are skipping the New Year's eve get togethers.

Not very exciting I know, I just thought I would share.

L.