How to Plan a Family New Year's Eve PartyBy JHCadmin, December 28, 2009 Are you ready for New Year's? I am not, but it's time to get started on it. I put away all my Christmas decorations and followed some great organization tips for next year.As usual, we did end up with even more decorations after collecting some as Christmas presents so I had to scrounge up a few more bins for them. The teens got the bins to storage and the tree to the curb for me.I didn't feel ready to plan New Year's until I organized some issues that were weighing heavily on my mind. The main one was the massive amount of toys that youngest has acquired, mostly as hand-me-downs but some on his own. The playroom was full and over half of them he never plays with because they are buried in toy bins.Today he and I went to work. We donated three full bins to our local thrift store that supports a recovery network and we are carefully organizing the rest. The room will be fully clean and organized tomorrow and I can't wait for that moment. It's a good feeling and even youngest feels better. Plus, he is finding toys that he hasn't seen in months!Now with an almost-clean house and a resolve to get rid of even more and not collect so much STUFF this next year, I am ready to plan for a New Year's Eve event. Here are some tips to help you plan too:Consider teaming up. I discovered that my neighbor is going to have a movie night for New Year's. So instead of planning yet another event and making the other neighbors choose, we are teaming up. We will have it at her house, but I will take care of the menu. This will lessen the stress on both of us and hopefully let us both have more fun.Consider a family-friendly event. Consider family-friendly time and you won't have to worry about getting a babysitter. Get movies like we are doing, or plan a Wii Sports night or board game night. Let the teens gather with supervision or hold a dance. The whole family can have fun on New Year's eve.Over-plan the activity. You can never have enough games and activity. There is usually a reason (not enough people, resistance from participants etc) that at least one activity gets ditched. It's normal-but plan some back-up fun events to hold instead.Keep the menu simple. On the other hand, you will save time, money and stress by keeping the menu simple. Plan on snacks, appetizers and drinks. Do not try to plan a four-course meal so soon after the holidays. Give yourself a break, and permission to have fun. It's a whole another year until you have to do it all again!Happy New Year to all of you from the team at Rich's for the Home!Recent Articles See All 7 Must-Have Hot Tub and Swim Spa Features Hot Tubs and Swim Spas Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:March 1, 2023 An effective and enjoyable way to get pain relief is in a hydrotherapy spa or swim spa. Powerful jets alleviate body aches, while the buoyancy from the water takes pressure off joints. Read More Rich's New Tigard, Oregon Store: A Chat with Manager Rick Campbell General Articles Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:February 1, 2023 Meet Tigard, Oregon store manager, Rick Campbell, who has been in the hot tub/patio/BBQ business more than 25 years in the Portland metro area. Read More Grill Islands - Easily Create an Outdoor Kitchen in Your Backyard Grills Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:January 2, 2023 Grill islands: Modular outdoor kitchens with grill(s), workspace, fridge, storage, and more. Read More Tartan and Sparkle Holiday Mantel - DIY Tutorial Mantel Decor Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:December 3, 2022 Step-by-step tutorial for your holiday mantel: How to create a classic tartan design. Read More DIY Winter Mantel Décor Tutorials: Golden Magnolia Wreath and Cinnamon Stick Votive Holder Mantel Decor Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:December 2, 2022 DIY Holiday Mantel Decor tutorial: Golden Magnolia wreath and cinnamon stick votive holder. Read More How to Transform Your Mantel to a Winter Wonderland Design Mantel Decor Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:December 1, 2022 We show you how to transform your fall mantel decor to a winter wonderland design easily and quickly! Check out our 15-sec time-lapse photo that shows us making the switcheroo. Read More