Many families with young children find themselves at a loss when it comes to New Year’s Eve celebrations. The city crowds can be loud and dangerous and staying home can be lonely and boring. If you have young children chances are that many of your friends do too. Hosting a child friendly New Year’s Eve party is a great way for everyone to have their cake and eat it too.
Planning
- Invite all your close friends who have small children. Invite any family and friends that you think may be spending New Years Eve alone. Make it clear that the party is for families either by stating it directly or by using a kids theme or listing activities for children. This way everyone who turns up will not be expecting a boozy all nighter.
- Put all your precious ornaments and expensive appliances away. Leave the Canon cameras out for those exciting party snaps and cover any carpets or furniture you do not wish to mourn for the next day. Kid’s have all kinds of messy accidents and more so when they are out at a party.
- Prepare the spare bar fridge for the overflow of food and drink. Westinghouse fridges have a great range of smaller fridges if your existing fridge just won’t cut it.
- Plan the decor to match the theme or just make it kid friendly. The party isn’t all about the kids; the idea is to set a tone that everyone will be comfortable with. Decorate with glitter, streamers and balloons. Define an area for the adults and an area for the kids by clever design work. Put lots of streamers and balloons in the room that has the TV and game console in it. Hang lanterns, scatter scented candles, play ‘grown up’s’ music and set up the BBQ in an outdoor space where the adults will naturally gravitate.
- Children can be fussy so ask parents to bring an item or plate of something that their children like. More money can be spent on food because alcohol will be kept to a minimum, if consumed at all. Buy plenty of finger foods, salads, bread and meat for the BBQ. Provide a couple of bottles of champagne for those who wish to have a glass to bring in the New Year. Do not overload children with too many sugary choices, it may just cause a sugar spike and the crash may happen just when the adults are enjoying themselves.
Activities
- If you live in a place where a view of the fireworks is possible either from your home or walking to a nearby park then make this the focus of the night.
- Hand out party poppers, whistles and streamers for throwing in the lead-up to the midnight countdown. This gives children an indication of the need to pace themselves and that the party is leading to something exciting. Having the children make their own confetti will keep them amused also. Provide paper, glitter, coloured pens and pencils and encourage them to get creative.
- Have someone dressed up and reading Tarot cards for a section of the night so the adults have an idea of what the New Year has in store for them. This can be done as a joke or seriously, if somebody has the expertise. Face painting is always popular with the kids however only offer this for a limited time only, otherwise the make-shift make-up artist misses the party.
- Keep your eye on the clock and be sure to get the whole party counting down to midnight. Make as much noise as you like because it’s New Years Eve!
Saying Goodnight
As a good host it is important you don’t let anyone drive home who may be over the legal blood alcohol limit. A taxi may be extremely difficult to acquire so it may be a good idea to have a spare room or fold out couch available just in case.