“Maybe I'm crazy to suppose, I'd ever be the one you chose, Out of a thousand invitations, you received…Here comes the jackpot question in advance:What are you doing New Year's Eve?” This song, written by Frank Loesser and recorded by many, including Harry Connick, Jr., is one of my favorites. I love to sing it, once upon a time to my children, and now to my grandkiddies.
Nowadays, it’s rare we get to spend New Year’s Eve all together, but when we do, this grandma has a great time! I stock up on all the Sparkling Apple Cider and yummy snacks that they can eat. I have fun picking out party blowers, party hats, and party noisemakers at Walmart or Target. I handpick a great movie or two. We have a blast! Sometimes it’s been my adult kids, grandkids, and me. Other times, I get the wee ones all to myself. Either way, I’m in grandma/mom heaven and consider that the absolute best way to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
I even have fun when I get to visit within a month of New Year's Eve. I've been known to pack many of those items, take them with me and celebrate New Year's Eve on January 15! Some other fun things we have done on New Year’s Eve over the years include:
- Bowling. Most of the alleys are open and it’s a fun and wholesome way to have a great night plus get a little exercise. When we started this tradition, smoking was the norm. Now, many of the bowling alleys don’t allow smoking which makes it even nicer.
- Take Out. Many of our favorite places close early for New Year’s Eve to allow their employees to celebrate the evening as well. We call our favorite place (often P.F. Chang’s – YUMMY) and place an order, pick up the food early, and bring it home to enjoy it.
- Games. One tradition I followed for several years was to buy a new game for a family Christmas gift. Then we would save it for New Year’s Eve. It’s so much fun to play a new game as we end an old year and begin a new one. Some of our favorites include Gobblet and Gobblet Jr., Apples to Apples, and any Cranium game.
- Puzzles. These are fun to set up in a corner and work on throughout the day as you are doing other projects as well. Great ways to save money: Many games and puzzles are on sale this week. It’s a terrific time to stock up for this New Year’s Eve or put them away for next Christmas/New Year’s Eve. Just don’t forget that you bought them and where you put them.
For more fun ideas, you might enjoy checking out:
- How to celebrate New Year's Eve with children
- Happy New Year
- New Year's Flower Party Hat and New Year's Weather Party Hat
Happy New Year 
