Many things in life change with parenthood. New Year's Eve is one of those things that have changed drastically. Gone are the days of big parties, and staying out all night to bring in the new year. Now New Year's Eve is spent quietly with my family, and the truth is , I think I like it better this way.
Just because you aren't dressing in your best party dress and tearing up the town, doesn't mean you can't make a big deal out of the night. You can make a big deal of it together as a family, and enjoy it through your children's eyes. Make a special dinner together, either going out to your favorite restaurant, or making something special at home, or indulging in all of your favorite appetizers throughout the night.
Besides making your dinner special, you can do a family game night, if the kids are old enough, and talk about what New Year's Eve means. Reflect on this last year, and let everyone share what they liked about it. I love doing this with the kids because while I always want to come up with something significant or profound to say, they don't overthink it, and just say what comes to mind.
Taking stock of the good things that came out of the year will keep you smiling and laughing while you start to look ahead to 2017. Talk about how we can each do better next year, make resolutions, promises to yourselves and each other. If your schedules are hectic, you may resolve to eat a sit-down dinner together at least x nights a week. The kids may decide to share their toys with each other or to do at least one random act of kindness a day.
You also don't need to let them stay up until midnight to feel the magic of new year's, going to bed in 2016 and waking up in 2017 sounds cool enough on its own. If like me you love that moment of happiness when the ball drops, you can stream a video of last years to watch with the kids. Build it up like it's the real thing, and make a big deal of it, and they'll enjoy every second.
Wishing the best to you and yours, Happy New Year!
