Let’s not fool ourselves, with a newborn or toddler, New Year’s Eve is different than it used to be. But that doesn’t mean that celebrating the New Year can’t happen and that glittering parties with champagne, toasts at midnight or extensive fireworks displays with friends are a thing of the past. But, as parents, you will quickly realise that there are certain advantages to not having to leave the house (or go back home) on a dark New Year’s with the little ones. As a family, there are plenty of ways to say goodbye to the old year and celebrate the start of the new one. New Year’s Eve with children can be creative, delightful, fun and relaxed – that’s why we’d like to inspire you a bit and have prepared a few tips for you.
Celebrating New Year’s Eve with small children: The 8 top tips
1. Move your party to the afternoon
If you have to breast/chest feed at 4 a.m. or your toddler wakes you up at 5:30 a.m. to play, it’s not a good idea to stay up and party until 2 a.m. If you celebrate in the afternoon or early evening, everyone can join in the celebration and you can still get that all important sleep and stick to the your family routines.
Whether as a family or with friends and other children, everyone is welcome. This way, no one has to worry about a babysitter or that the children will get tired.
The children can play together, let off steam and you can create a party programme that works for you. Plus, you can start the New Year the way most of us want to, waking up refreshed, energised and hangover-free, taking a family walk and then enjoying a delicious brunch.
2. Create a family vision board
What are your dreams for 2023? What adventures do you want to have as a family in the new year?
As parents or together with your children, create a vision board or draw a treasure map to record your personal and family goals. This way you can keep them in mind throughout the year. And what better time than 31 December?
Your baby won’t be much help, but if you already have toddlers, they can cut out pictures of their adventures, promises they want to keep or wishes they have from magazines or draw something and stick it on the board. Everyone then gets their own creative space on which to record all their dreams and wishes for the coming year. This is fun, bonds the family together and makes you really want to kick off 2023.
3. Dress up
You may not be styling yourselves up for the big party this year as usual – but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring that glamour feeling into your own four walls. Dress up for each other, even if no one else sees. Or dress up together when your children are older and have a theme party. Celebrating New Year’s Eve with small children is different, but that doesn’t mean that the party and fun factor has to stop. And if your child is still very small, eating together by candlelight, is a different feeling than sitting there in maternity pants or spilling milk on them. This will help to boost your self-confidence for the new year and may even give you a sizzling evening. #datenight #hopefullysleepthrough
4. Bring the party to your home
Don’t want to miss out on a dinner with friends or a party? Then host it yourself and save yourself the hassle of a babysitter. It’s best not to start too early, so that your children are already asleep when the excitement starts. Otherwise the bedtime ritual could be difficult with so much excitement going on. Afterwards, however, everything is possible, from a fancy dinner to a cosy evening where everyone brings something (depending on how sensitive your children are to noise). And if you do hear a noise from the nursery, you can be there quickly to reassure your child.
5. Organise a virtual games night
You used to have a games night with your friends on New Year’s Eve, but now they all have small children and are scattered all over the country? No problem: simply move your traditional game night to Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts or Houseparty. Whether it’s a murder mystery dinner, charades or guessing games – there are many ideas for virtual game nights and dressing up makes it even more fun. But find out about the games in advance so you’re all perfectly equipped for it.
6. Make New Year’s Day a celebration
Why do you always have to celebrate the previous year? It can be just as great to welcome the new year, so have brunch together at lunchtime or spend the afternoon with friends and family over coffee and cake. The more people around you who already have small children, the more likely they are to have time and, above all, to want to do something on the 1st January instead of 31st December. After all, a bad hangover or severe overtiredness (except for the new parents) isn’t much fun for anyone.
7. New Year’s Eve with a toddler: Have a pyjama dance party
Pyjamas on, music loud – and off you go … make finger food, decorate the dance floor and have a great party as a family. And if you get tired at some point? Why not all fall into bed together? The loud firecrackers and whistling rockets outside will only be half as scary for your kids. A little trick if you want the children to be in bed early: simply set your clocks two hours ahead. That way you can celebrate the New Year together at midnight and still be in bed early.
8. Don’t forget to toast
Welcoming the new year is important. And not just for the grown-ups. Even if your little ones sleep into the New Year, toast with them on New Year’s Day. It doesn’t matter whether it’s with hot chocolate, grape juice or water, it’s all about the ritual. It’s fun and of course it shouldn’t be missing on New Year’s Eve with children!
We wish you all an unforgettable New Year’s Eve and a happy start to 2023!
