Ring in the New Year with Family and Friends

It is unbelievable that 2009 is over and a new year is approaching. Personally, 2009 was a good year for me, but I am looking forward to ringing in 2010 with my daughter. Since I have had my daughter, I can’t imagine spending New Years any other way than with her. This year I am going to my parent’s house and will celebrate with them and some family friends. Kids love the New Year it is the one time of year they can stay up until midnight and hang out with the adults. Our family friends have younger children and we are planning to let the kids have their own little New Year’s Eve celebration. Many parents will find themselves at home with their families so add some party hats and noise blowers and have some fun!

Ideas on how the whole family can join in on the New Year’s festivities

Have a Pajama Party
Invite some good friends and their families over for an old fashioned sleepover. Depending on how much space you have in your home you may want to invite one or two families. Have everyone bring their favorite movie or game, pop some popcorn, get in your pajamas and wait for the ball to drop. Let the kids build a tent in the living room or create their own little party space. Order some food or cook a meal together of traditional New Year’s Eve recipes like black-eyed peas, or hot dogs and sauerkraut. Get into the spirit by wearing party hats, hang streamers, and use noisemakers.

Have a Game Night
Tell each person in your family to pick their favorite game for game night. Playing games are a great way to get in some fun bonding time. Order a pizza and sit down for an evening of games. Some great games are charades, Pictionary, Uno, Monopoly, and Scrabble to get the crowd excited.

Scrapbooking
New Year’s Eve is a wonderful time to reflect on all of the memories of the past year. So much happens in a year both good and bad. It is amazing when we look back and realize all of the changes that occur and how much God has blessed us and brought us through hard times and provided good times. Gather family pictures, ticket stubs, and anything that holds sentimental meaning to create a family scrapbook for 2009. Ask everyone to recall their favorite memory of 2009 and even their not so favorite memory it reminds everyone of all they have to be thankful for. Talk about your hopes and plans as a family for the new year.

Attend Church
The best place to be on New Year’s Eve is church. Attend church on New Year’s Eve and having fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ is a beautiful way to welcome the New Year. Start your New Year by praising God through worship and prayer. Thank God for all of your blessings and pray for a fruitful new year. This is a worthy tradition to pass on to your children and to partake in as a whole family.

The New Year is a time for celebrating and thanking God for giving us another year to spend with our family and friends. It is a time to reflect and a time for renewal. I always thought of the new year as a time for new beginnings, a time to move forward and leave the past behind. Regardless of how you spend the evening, spend it with a heart of gratefulness for another year. Spend it with the people you love and remember to always give praise to our Savior for the gift of life. I wish you all a safe, happy, prosperous, and blessed New Year!

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved