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Party Central
 What first? 
Decisions Decisions Decisions! The first thing to decide is
what type party you want to have. There are so many options! For smaller
kids, you might want to have a shorter party and set the clock ahead for
an earlier celebration.
If your party is for older kids, you might want to
consider a slumber party. If you opt to end the party about an hour after
midnight, then make sure you have arrangements lined up for
transportation for the kids.
Party Themes
A really cool idea for a New Year's Eve party is a slumber
party. Have your guests arrive in their p.j.s with sleeping bags. You can
base the entire party theme around this concept.
It is also very fun to dress up for the event. Put on
your best party attire and ring in the new year. Tuxedo themed party
invites are a really cute way to let your guest know about your party.
Really small kids LOVE LOVE LOVE a "Teddy Bear" themed
party. Have each guest bring their favorite stuffed friend with them and
be sure and include their little friends in party games and festivities.
Older kids will appreciate the cool factor of a "Black
White" themed party. Inform your guests that their party attire should
consist of black/white. Decorate in a very sophisticated black white
decor.
Here are a few party invite suggestions
for older kids.
Party Decorations
No party is complete without decorations and you have so many
options to create a spectacular New Year's Blast!
Once again, DECISIONS DECISIONS DECISIONS! Do you want to
buy pre-made decorations, make them yourself, or do a combination of the
two?
If
you're feeling CrAfTy
Start with CANDLES!!!!
Nothing sets the mood quite like candles. Of course if you are
planning the party for very young children, you will probably want to
reconsider.
A really simple craft....... using small clear votive
candle holders, glue and glitter.
Roll the holder in CLEAR glue and then in the glitter.
Place votive candle inside and VOILA!
You can also use baby food jars, tissue paper etc. Be
creative!
Make your own noisemakers!
You can't ring in the New Year without the proper
equipment! It is so easy to make your own noisemakers and little party
goers will enjoy this activity. With a couple of paper plates, decorative
items (glue, glitter, markers, stickers, crayons, yarn, etc.), dried
beans, craft sticks, tape and a stapler.
Have your crafters decorate their plates (the bottom side)
in a festive manner. Put one plate bottom side down and tape a craft
stick with half of the stick hanging out of the plate. Place the other
plate (top side) down on top of the other plate. Staple the edges together
leaving room to place your beans inside. Continue stapling to seal the
beans inside. You're done!
Another variation from Childfun:
http://www.childfun.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=406
Party Hats
Looking for another fun craft idea?. let your guests make
their own party hats for the celebration!
Kaboose has a cute party hat craft complete with a
pattern.
http://crafts.kaboose.com/paper-party-hat.html
Enchanted Learning has a very cute New Year's Eve Peace
Dove craft also with a pattern!
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/newyear/dove/
Resolution Solution! A really cute idea: The Resolution
Magnet will help you and your family remember those New Year's
resolutions J
http://www.childfun.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=407
The New Year's Eve Countdown Box is a craft that you
create ahead of time for your guests to enjoy. Older kids will really
enjoy this as well as younger partygoers.
You fill little gift bags with small party
favors. At the top of each hour (set your alarm to ring) your guests get
to open a new bag (marked with the clock on the bag)!!!!
Instructions at: Family
Fun
Want
to party but not the CrAfTy type?
You can buy everything you need to create a very festive
party. Balloons both latex and mylar filled with helium are the
perfect touch for your occasion. For older kids, buy black, white, or
silver for a more sophisticated look.
Streamers, confetti, party hats, noise makers are all
easily found in your neighborhood party store.
Be sure and pick a theme for your party and then decorate
accordingly. For example, if your party is for younger kids celebrating
with their furry friends, use teddy bear decor. Older kids love strobe
lights and anything glow in the dark.
Tiaras and whistles
Alarm clocks
Disposable cameras
Party Food
You can't have a party without food! Considering the age
of your party guests, you need to plan ahead and have plenty of snack
foods on hand.
If your party is a sleepover, don't forget breakfast. Keep
it simple with pastries, juice, cereals etc.
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The recipe for
this adorable and yummy confetti cake can be found at:
Family
Fun
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Bubbly Jello
Parfaits Recipe at:
Family
Fun
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Cute Edible Party
Hats Recipe at:
Family
Fun
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Recipe Suggestions
Chicken fingers
(frozen) served with honey mustard, bbq
sauce, and ketchup
Pigs in a blanket
Hot Dog Wieners
Slices American Cheese
Refrigerated Biscuit Dough or crescent rolls
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cut hot dogs in half
Wrap cheese around each hot dog half and then wrap with
dough.
Place crease side down and bake for about 10-15 minutes.
Mini Pizzas
Serves about 10 partygoers
1 c. shredded cheddar
1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
Packaged pepperoni
Pizza sauce
English Muffins
Parmesean Cheese
Decorate your split muffin with the toppings. Place on
ungreased baking sheet and bake for 350 degrees F for about 15/20 minutes
or until cheese is melted.
Party Mix
1 Batch
4 c Chex cereal
c Dried Fruit Bits
c raisins
c peanuts
c reeses pieces
Put in large Ziploc and shake!
Popcorn
Pop several bags of microwave popcorn. Have on hand
cheddar cheese powder, parmesean, powdered butter etc. to spice up this
fun treat!
Sandwiches
If you are short on
time, pick up deli sandwiches from your grocery store or your local
Subway.
Another cute
idea.....
PB & J cut with
star cookie cutters
OR?
Have a sandwich
assembly line with different breads, spreads, cheeses and deli meats.
Dips & Spreads
Strawberry Fruit Dip
1 8 oz package strawberry flavored cream cheese
1 7 oz jar marshmallow cream
In a medium bowl, mix the cheese and cream together until
blended. Refrigerate at least an hour before serving. Serve with apple
pieces, strawberries, grapes or pineapple.
Spinach Dip
1 10 oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 8 oz container sour cream
1 c mayo
1 .4 oz package dry veggie soup mix
In a medium bowl, combine spinach, sour cream, mayo, and
soup mix. Mix together and refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.
Serve with chips!
YUMMMMMYYYY
Layer Mexican Dip
1 9 oz. can bean dip
1 6 oz container guacamole
12 oz sour cream
1 (1 oz) package taco seasoning mix
1 (8 oz) package shredded cheddar cheese
1 tomato chopped
In a pretty festive dish, spread a layer of bean dip. Top
the bean dip with a layer of guacamole.
Combine sour cream and taco mix. Spread a layer of this
mixture over the guacamole. Top with sour cream. Garnish with tomatoes
and serve with tortilla chips!
Desserts &
Beverages
Ginger Ale Punch
Serves about 40 cups..
2 (2 liter) bottles ginger ale chilled
1 (46 fluid ounce) can pineapple juice chilled
1 (64 fluid ounce) bottle white grape juice chilled
Make your ice ring. Fill a ring shaped cake pan halfway
full with ginger ale. Freeze until almost frozen. Place pieces of fruit
around the ring. Fill pan with ginger ale and freeze until solid. Place in
punch bowl just before serving.
In a large punch bowl, combine 1 bottle ginger ale,
pineapple juice and white grape juice.
Candy Cane Hot
Chocolate
Serves 8
8 cups milk
6 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate chopped
8 peppermint candy canes crushed
2 cups whipped cream
8 small candy canes
In a large pan, heat milk until hot NOT boiling. Whisk in
the chocolate and crushed candies until melted and smooth. Pour hot cocoa
into mugs and garnish with whipped cream. Serve with a candy cane
stirring stick.
Dessert Bar
Ice cream bowls, small dessert plates, ice-cream, toppings
for ice-cream sprinkles, marshmallows, nuts, sauces, etc. cookies,
brownies, fudge, fruit, whipped cream,
Games & Activities
Make A Time Capsule
Decorate a container (tennis ball can, coffee can, etc.)
with glue, stickers, tissue paper, markers or whatever.
Have your guests bring with them photos, mementos, ticket
stubs, news, etc. Be sure and label your capsule with the date.
Board Games
Have a board game tournament. Post a draw sheet and award
the winner!
Parlor games
charades and others
http://www.party411.com/gameguide.html
Guess the Month Game
Go through news archives magazines, the web and take
note of major events from the past year. List the events on index cards
and turn them into questions. EX: In what month did the super bowl take
place?
Have a prize for the winner.
Guess Whose
Resolution
Have each guest write down 4 or 5 resolutions each on a
separate piece of paper. Put all the resolutions in a bag. One at a time,
read the resolution. Everyone will write down who they think wrote the
resolution SILENTLY. At the end, the person with the most correct
guesses wins the prize!
The Big Moment
When the big moment arrives, be prepared! Have your noisemakers, pinatas,
confetti, party hats, ginger ale, poppers all in hand!
For little kids, set the clock ahead and celebrate "midnight"
a little earlier.
The Sendoff
If your party is not an overnighter, then send your guest
home around 1AM with party bags filled with goodies for the new year.
If your party is an overnighter, bring in the new year
with a celebratory brunch. Send your guests home with party bags or a
decorated pillow case that your guests can make the night before.
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