by E K Stapleton

Created on: January 01, 2009

As a child I remember mom and dad getting all decked out in their fancy new outfits, to head out for an evening of dinner, dancing and toasting. It was New Year's Eve, and of course us kids would be dropped at the baby sitter's en route to their festivities. While this wasn't a terrible fate suffered by us kids, when I had my own family I decided New Year's Eve would be a family celebration. Choosing to spend the evening with my family, who mean more to me than anything, rather than a drunken group of relative strangers, was really a no brainer. Over the years we have enjoyed many family New Year's Eve celebrations, that have been meaningful and memorable. Planning to ring in the New Year as a family is a wonderful time of togetherness, with numerous possibilities.

DO SOME RESEARCH

The idea of a family friendly celebration is becoming more of a rule, than the exception. There are still those die hard party goers wanting to trip the light fantastic, and many establishments willing to accommodate them with an evening of elegant dinning, fine wine, and a spectacular lead up to the big moment. You will also find there are numerous venues in your area, focusing on family, and offering an alcohol free evening of fun for all ages. Take some time to peruse your newspaper, search the internet, or consult with family and friends, and you'll discover a large selection of events for your family to enjoy.

CONSIDER YOUR FAMILY DYNAMIC

The ages of your family members will help you decide how to celebrate. If you've got young children, or even elderly family members, midnight is something they're not likely to see. Consider getting the celebration underway in the afternoon. The excitement is still the same. There are many places that plan events with children and fun in mind, most of which are free of charge, or require a small donation of a nonperishable food item. The children are entertained with games, arts and crafts, clowns, face painting, party favors and of course some celebratory food. This is not only fun for the young, but also the young at heart.

BRAVE THE ELEMENTS?

You don't have to travel to Times Square to partake in a large outdoor celebration. Many communities have begun to host their own outdoor extravaganzas. These are all family oriented, with the consumption of alcohol prohibited. If Mother Nature has cooperated and conditions are bearable, this is a great way for the family to celebrate with the masses. Days of preparations go into setting up for the big event,

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>