1.) Make DIY party poppers
Now is the time to capitalize on extra tissue paper lying around. You just need a few supplies to make this easy craft.
- Tissue Paper or wrapping paper
- Construction Paper (or confetti; evaluate your comfort level for clean up)
- Tape
- Ribbon
Start by cutting up or ripping construction paper into a bunch of little pieces. You can write “Happy new year!” or “Happy 2021!” on little pieces of paper as well to add to your filling. Cut the toilet roll in half, it usually works best with a knife. Place the toilet paper roll on tissue paper/wrapping paper. Stuff the inside of the toilet paper roll with your confetti and messages. Roll the paper up leaving material on the sides to tie up. Tape the edge of the tissue paper down in the middle of the toilet paper roll. Tie a ribbon around both edges.
2.) Set up an at home photo booth
The nice thing about an at home photo booth is that you can make it as elaborate or simple as you want. You can pin up a sheet as a backdrop, or you can create a 3D illusion. Do you have old costumes hanging around? Maybe clothes your kids like to play dress up in or a bunch of funky hats? Use them as props. Tripods are $5 at a thrift store if you wanted in on the fun! Either way, photo booths can make memories that last a lifetime.
3.) Have a countdown to noon
What better way to keep naps in line then with a countdown to noon or whatever time you want, 8pm so bedtime isn’t too late? Don’t forget your pots and pans! Get your hands on a balloon filled with confetti and it makes for an epic ball drop!
4.) Create a family time capsule
Choose a container for your capsule. Mason jars, shoe boxes, manila envelop or you could go hardcore with a stainless steel capsule all work for a capsule. What to include? You can write down the price of a gallon of gas or price of milk. You can clip newspaper/magazine articles of current events. Making hand prints of everyone or writing down height and weight of children makes it fun to see how they have grown through the years. You can put pictures or a letter to your future self. Avoid food, liquids and batteries. Seal up your capsule and decide on where to hide it in your house like a garage or basement or guest bedroom closet!
5.) Have hourly goodie bags
Opening hourly goodie bags makes the time go by faster and gives your little one something to look forward to! Start with either brown paper lunch bags or you can find little goodie bags in the party section at a store. You can print off clocks with the coordinating hour OR just write the time on a piece of paper and staple it to the bag. Fill the bags with candy,treats, glow sticks, necklaces or small games and don’t forget in your midnight bag to pack the poppers!
6.) Write a family bucket list
Writing a family bucket list can come in handy for a rainy day or to mix up monotony during the year or just another way to bond as a family. Different things to write for a family bucket list might be; finish all the puzzles in our closet or make homemade noodles. Other travel friendly options include road trip in your own hometown looking at favorite hot spots or historical landmarks! Don’t forget your selfie stick.
7.) Cheers with fancy kid-friendly drinks
Here’s where the creativity can flow! And for kids, its all about aesthetics. Bases for drinks can include sprite, 7Up, Canada Dry, sparkling grape juice or any type of . Fun things to add include rock candy sticks, cherries or frozen berries. It all comes together in a plastic champagne glass! Perfect for expecting mamas too.
You can always try a few famous traditions from around the world
In Spain, with 12 seconds left on the countdown until the new year, people eat 12 green grapes. It’s considered bad luck if you can’t finish them when the clock strikes midnight. If you can indeed finish them, consider the next 12 months full of luck!
In the Phillippines, they serve 12 round fruits to celebrate the new year. The circular round shape symbolizes coins which represents prosperity and wealth for each of the upcoming 12 months. Think apples, kiwi, melons, etc.
In Ireland, they bang bread against the walls of their houses to chase away bad luck and evil spirits and invite good spirits in. It also assures the coming year will be filled with an abundance of bread and other food.
In Greece, they eat a sweet yeast bread called vasilopita. Before the family eats it starting with the oldest member of the family, a slice is cut for St. Basil for whom the bread honors and another slice is cut for those in need. A coin is baked into the bread so whoever gets the slice with the coin is in for a year of good fortune.
Happy New Year!