I remember being younger and going out for New Year’s. It was the big thing to do. I think I started going to “New Years” parties in junior high or high school and then as I got older, it was to a bar with friends.

Until I had kids.

Having kids puts everything into prospective.

I’m not a big drinker (hubby isn’t either) so the bar scene got old quick. Having two little ones at home meant I needed a sitter and meant praying for dear life that I got home that night with all the other crazies on the road.

It quickly became clear that spending New Years Eve at home was much more fun and much more feasible.

Starting New Years Eve 2007 (New Years Eve 2005 I wash home with a newborn and New Years Eve 2006 was my last night out and it is definitely one I will never forget – and not because it was positive) we started staying home with the besties to play cards, eat snacks and sip on our own cocktails.

Activities:

We generally played
– a Middle Eastern card game that was taught to hubby years ago from the regulars at our favorite coffee shop.

Or various board games – typically Trivial Pursuit or Monopoly

Snacks:

BBQ Lil Smokies and Meatballs or maybe this year I would do the

Boneless Chicken Wings (I don’t eat meat on a bone, gross!)

This year, I would definitely add the
to the menu

Cocktails:

Beer (of course)

Tequila Rose (what we like to call a strawberry milk flavored liquer)

A coconut rum to mix with soda

We found it was so much easier to have friends over in the evening, be able to put the kids to bed, put the countdown on the television in the background and just spend time together.

This year, it will just be hubby and I, so I am sure we will be enjoying card and board games together, maybe some movies, with a few snacks to ring in the New Year.

What are you doing this year to ring in the New Year?

Photo Credit:
via