Have you made your big plans for New Years Eve yet?

We have.

Jeff, Jayce and I have reservations at our favorite Mexican restaurant.  We’ll have an early dinner and then come home so that Jayce can get to bed at a decent hour.  Jeff and I will probably hit the hot tub for a bit before crawling into bed by, eh, 10:30 at the latest.

We know how to live it up, don’t we?

It’s okay; we’re homebodies by nature.  And anything but late night’ers.

The girls won’t be home for New Years Eve this year.  But in years past we’ve done some fun things to ring in the new year.  I thought I’d share a few ideas for those of you who are looking for a festive, family-friendly first night.

1. Midnight Balloon Drop: Times Square has its ball drop, but a balloon drop in your living room is WAY more family friendly.  We did this one year by taping together two oblong plastic tablecloths (readily available in the party supply section of most stores). We also taped curling ribbon along the entire length of one side and left a decent portion of ribbon dangling (to later use as a rip-cord).  We then used packing tape to adhere the tablecloths to the ceiling in our living room.  Once three of the sides had been secured, we filled the “pocket” with colorful balloons (not helium!), confetti, and streamers.  We used a broom handle to push the balloons all the way to the far corners of the “pocket” we’d created.  Once it was stuffed with all the balloons it could hold we taped up the final edge.  At the designated hour (which for us was 9 o’clock – midnight central time), we pulled the cord and shouted our “Happy New Year!” wishes as the balloons rained down from the ceiling.  The kids were thoroughly impressed!

2. Mocktails: Have you ever seen these glowcubes?  They’re fabulous.  And quite festive.  They’re lighted ice cubes that are safe to drop into drinks.  It may be too late to order them online (which is the best way I know of to score great bulk pricing) but in the past I’ve seen them at Z Gallerie and Target (near the party napkins/ paper products).  You could make good use of them in various mocktails that are a-okay for kid consumption.  Check out great recipes here.

3.  Bubble Wrap Stomp: Forget noisemakers.  Forget horns and shakers and all those obnoxious poppers.  All you need to do is head to a shipping supply store and purchase a length (preferably five’ish feet or more) of bubble wrap.  Place it on a hard, flat surface (like a concrete porch, patio or sidewalk) and when midnight rolls around, let the kids stomp away.

4. List of Firsts: Think resolutions with a twist.  Kids aren’t typically prone to making goals of changing habits or behaviors like us old folk, but who says they can’t resolve to do something new this year?  That’s where the idea for a list of first comes in.  Sit down with a pen and paper and think up a few goals for the next 12 months.  Perhaps this will be the year in which you bake cookies for a local fire station.  Or visit an art museum.  Or learn to ski.  The only rule is that everything that makes the list has to be new to you.  Aptly titled a list of firsts, right?

5. First Night Food: A festive menu can make or break any party – this one included.  Why not spend a little extra time whipping up one or two treats that will make their eyes light up?  I’m especially partial to these.  Or this.  And for a breakfast treat while you watch the Rose parade?  These are sure to elicit smiles!

Check out THAT family for more WFMW ideas!