When all your plans for parties, going out, and
having a wild time on New Year's Eve have fizzed
for whatever reason and you realize you're left
with the option of spending New Year's Eve with
the family, it might seem a letdown at times.
Yet, spending New Year's Eve at home with your
family can be a fantastic opportunity to bond,
have fun together and to see in the new year with
your loved ones rather than with the crowds. And
your family will care a lot more about you than
fellow party-goers, so chin up, cheer up, and
prepare for a great evening in. Here is how to
spend quality time with your family on New Year's
Eve.
!! Steps !!
_ Include the pets too!Accept the choice to stay home together as
a family for New Year's Eve. If you spend the entire evening
regretting being with the family and thinking that you ought to be
doing something more "exciting" then you'll have a hard time
living in the moment and appreciating the wonderful experience
that has presented itself. It's going to be a lot easier and more
fun if you accept the staying at home as being just another fun
way to spend New Year's Eve.
* There are things that you won't have to put up with by staying at
home for the evening, such as those long queues for taxis to take
you home, the drunken brawls in crowds acting crazy, and being
slobbered all over by those people who always insist on kissing
everyone_ as the New Year rings in!
_ Cook up an amazing meal at home. This is the
night to indulge in food that you and your family would not normally
make at home or eat at home because it's expensive or takes a lot of
preparation. And you can justify the cost when considering that
eating out on New Year's Eve often costs more when the prices are
increased for the event. Ask different family members for both
financial and effort contributions to preparing the meal together so
that it's a feast and the tasks are shared around equally.
* Choose a recipe [1] or more for each course and assign each person
to a different task, recipe, or course. Food choices can include
seafood, fish (these make a great break from all the poultry of
Christmas), and lots of fresh salads and even tapas type dishes to
keep the food light but varied.
* Light candles, use silverware [2] and bring
out the best china. You may not be able to afford upmarket
restaurants, but who says you can't dine in style at home?
* In countries celebrating New Year's Eve during summer, it's a
great chance to have a New Year's Eve picnic. Eating al fresco
[3]_ is a great way for you and your family to spend quality time
together. Have each person contribute/make the food, bring some
wine for the adults (juice for the kids) and drive to your
favorite spot. It's sure to trigger some deep and meaningful
conversation between your family and yourself.
Decide together on things to do. There are lots
of opportunities to spend fun time together on
New Year's Eve, depending on where you live and
the climate. Simply sitting down together and
reminiscing over where the past year has taken
you each individually and your family as a
whole is a great way to spend one part of the
night. Other ideas include:
* Taking a walk together as a family. If you're in a warm climate,
try the beach, the local park, favorite streets, etc. If you're in
a cold climate, rug up, and head for favorite walking spots that
aren't too difficult to navigate in the dark and cold. You can
still go to your favorite beach if you've all bundled up
adequately during a winter New Year's Eve. Sharing a walk together
can be a great opportunity to share things that might not be
discussed just sitting around the house. And, you'll barely notice
that you're exercising as you chat to your family, and a rush of
endorphins is never a bad thing when coping with being with the
family all night!
* Do some wine, champagne, beer, chocolate or
other food tasting [4] as an event for the evening. This can be a
lot of fun and is a chance to try new drinks or food together.
* Play board games [5]. Switch off the TV and set up a major board
games night, with some cool prizes for winners, along with lots of
delicious nibbles and drinks. Have games suited to all ages so
that everyone can join in the fun.
* Play physical games such as fussball, air
hockey, Wii sports, ping pong or table tennis [6], shooting hoops,
etc.
* Watch movies or even something like a concert or a Broadway show.
Choosing really good DVD material to watch gets everyone off the
usual pulp on TV on New Year's Eve and provides a focal point for
the whole family to sit down together and watch through an entire
show. Don't forget the nibbles and drinks as usual, and consider
providing distractions for the little ones who might not be able
to watch the DVD the older folks are watching.
Make a New Year's resolution together. In a
circle, ask everyone what are their New Year's
resolutions. Many people have fun on New
Year's Eve making new resolutions for the
coming year. The key to keeping resolutions is
to write them down, take them seriously, and
take the steps to making them come true. For
example, if you want to spend more time with
family, notify your employer prior to the
holidays that you will stop working so much
overtime.
* This can be a good chance to make resolutions that require the
help of others. For example, if you want to learn to ride a horse
[7] and Uncle George is an excellent horse rider, you could tell
everyone that you'd like to learn to ride this year and ask Uncle
George if he'll help you to learn. Or, if you want to lose weight,
you can ask your family to help you by keeping their snacks
hidden, or by sharing in your new lifestyle meals instead of
eating take-out every second night.
* Consider inviting over other families for a
potluck or take-in dinner, or for the games or other events you've
got planned. It's extremely likely that you'll have more fun with
these families than you would having a big shebang with people you
don't know well at all. You'll have time for close conversation,
lots of laughs, sharing of reminiscences, and lots of fun minus
the crowds.
Be sure to keep an eye on the time. Have a
fantastic idea for the countdown planned well
in advance and make sure it's something that
rings in the New Year with a bang (let your
neighbors know you're having more fun than they
are). Ideas include sparklers, drumming on
bongo drums, all of you yelling "Happy New
Year" at once, tooting your car horn, and
generally sending up a cheer of great
festivity.
* Open a bottle of bubbly [8] to share with the rest of the family
at midnight. For kids and teens who are still up, have
non-alcoholic sparkling alternatives available so that they can
participate too.
* Some people like to have the TV countdown on in the background
with the sound turned down; this helps everyone to keep an eye on
the time. A radio show is also a good choice.
* Sing Auld Lang Syne [9] and hold the hands of everyone
participating. Swing your arms back and forth in time to the song.
It can be fun to see which family members think this is "tragic",
"silly", or simply wriggle out of it!
* If you can see the fireworks [10] from where you live, sit
together and watch them from home, or wander to a local spot
together where you can see them.
* Don't forget the all important kiss with your
spouse or date!
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* Forgo the parties you really don't want to attend, and don't take
on too many responsibilities. Instead, leave ample time for you
and your family to have fun together.
* If you're ordering in, make sure you do so early to avoid the rush
of many people choosing to do the same thing!
* Take care of anyone else who seems bored, upset, or constrained by
spending the evening with the family. Teens and young adults
especially can feel that they're missing out on all the fun if
they feel obliged to remain at home, and giving them some time to
talk together, listen to them, and ask about their past year and
what they're looking forward to can be a lovely gesture and a good
chance for some family bonding.
* Leave the quiet ones to their quiet pursuits.
They're happy.
* There is no obligation to stay up until midnight. Indeed, spending
New Year's Eve with your family will usually see at least some
members of the family disappearing off to bed at varying times
during the night and there's no problem with that! If you feel
tired and want to head off earlier, then feel free to go; it'll be
next year when you wake up and you can hold your own morning
ritual to greet the new year if wished.
!! Warnings !!
* Ensure responsible drinking in the household.
* If you play loud music, be considerate of the neighbors. Even if
it's New Year's Eve, some people still have babies and illnesses
to contend with.
!! Things You\'ll Need !!
* Board games, card games, arcade games, any other games
* DVD of movies, concerts, or Broadway shows
* Great food choices
* Champagne or sparkling wine and glasses for everyone
participating; non-alcoholic sparkling apple cider or sparkling
grape juice for the kids
!! Related WikiHows !!
* How to Hold an Elegant Ball for New Year\'s Eve [11]
* How to Attend the New Year\'s Celebrations in Times Square [12]
* How to Transform Yourself for the New Year [13]
* How to Cope With Post Holiday Syndrome [14]
* How to Have a New Years Eve Party [15]
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
* Discuss
Links:
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[1] http://www.wikihow.com/Category:Recipes
[2] http://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Silverware
[3] http://www.wikihow.com/Dine-Al-Fresco
[4] http://www.wikihow.com/Taste-Dark-Chocolate
[5] http://www.wikihow.com/Category:Board-Games
[6] http://www.wikihow.com/Win-at-Killer-Ping-Pong
[7] http://www.wikihow.com/Ride-a-Horse
[8] http://www.wikihow.com/Open-a-Champagne-Bottle-with-a-Sword
[9] http://www.wikihow.com/Celebrate-New-Year%27s-Eve-%28the-Traditional-Way%29
[10] http://www.wikihow.com/Look-After-Pets-During-Fireworks
[11] http://www.wikihow.com/Hold-an-Elegant-Ball-for-New-Year%27s-Eve
[12] http://www.wikihow.com/Attend-the-New-Year%27s-Celebrations-in-Times-Square
[13] http://www.wikihow.com/Transform-Yourself-for-the-New-Year
[14] http://www.wikihow.com/Cope-With-Post-Holiday-Syndrome
[15] http://www.wikihow.com/Have-a-New-Years-Eve-Party
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