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 Infrared Saunas: Relax at Home from the Inside Out Saunas Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:September 1, 2023 Eight benefits of relaxing in an infrared sauna, plus our favorite saunas by Health Mate: the Enrich, Inspire, and Essential series. Read More Outdoor Lanterns Add Dramatic Elegance: Tempest Torch and Tempest Lantern Tempest Torch Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:August 1, 2023 Gas lamps dramatic elegance to outdoor spaces. Learn about Tempest Torches and Tempest Lanterns. Read More 5 Trends in Luxury Outdoor Furnishings for 2023 Outdoor Furniture Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:July 1, 2023 Create a stylish, comfortable, multi-functional outdoor oasis that you’ll love spending time in. Read More Complete Fire Pits by Fire Garden: Big, Bold, Beautiful Flames Fire Pits Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:June 1, 2023 Dreaming of a fully-assembled, weatherproof fire pit that provides cozy warmth year-round? Check out Complete Fire Pits, a new line of fire pits manufactured locally by our friends at Travis Industries. Read More Minimalist, Modern, Danish Patio Furniture by Houe Outdoor Furniture Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:May 1, 2023 Rich’s customers love the Danish modern, minimalistic style of Houe furnishings, so we continue to expand our line each year. Check out our selection of dining tables and chairs, cafe tables, chaise lounges, rocking chairs, tray tables, and benches. Read More Adirondack Chairs: Weatherproof and Environmentally Friendly Outdoor Furniture Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:April 3, 2023 MADirondack (by Seaside Casual), is a modern take on the Adirondack style. These sleek ergonomic chairs have a seat height of 14" and an arm height of 22". Read More