Now that you have kids, you may not be able to party like you once did, but you don’t have to give up on New Year’s Eve altogether. Here are some ideas for celebrating New Year’s Eve, family style.

DRESS UP:
Remember that gorgeous dress you bought that is just sitting in your closet? Pull it out and put it on! Or dust off your sharpest suit and let your kids pick out whatever they want to wear. Feel free to go all out; get out the sequins, put on a boa or a tiara. Make it fun! Gussy up the kids a bit and make the night feel like a special occasion, even if you’re just staying at home. Plus, it will make for some great photos.

DRINK UP:
Create a signature cocktail to ring in the new year (non-alcoholic, of course). Let your kids help you choose a combination of juices, go overboard with garnishes, and let everyone in your family come up with their own toast. Don’t forget to give your signature drink a creative name!

BAKE A GOOD LUCK CAKE:
It’s a Greek tradition to bake a cake with a coin inside of it. Whoever gets the slice of cake with the coin will have good fortune throughout the new year. Talk to you kids and pick out what kind of cake they’d like and bake it as a family.

PARTY SUPPLIES:
A New Year’s Eve party wouldn’t be complete without the proper accoutrements. Hats, noisemakers, poppers and confetti are popular choices.

HAVE A DANCE PARTY:
Sit down with your kids and create a playlist that you can dance to, then roll up the rug and dance like nobody’s watching! You could even have a dance contest with a prize of your choice.

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT:
What do your kids love most about NYE? Staying up late, of course! Light up the night with some glow sticks and glow necklaces. If you want to do something unique, put the glow sticks inside of balloons. You could even go outdoors for some fun with sparklers.

SET UP A PHOTO BOOTH:
Head to your local craft store and buy a roll of craft paper in the color of your choice. Let your kids draw on it, or write everyone’s resolutions on it. Glue feathers, pom poms or streamers on it for some added fun. After the backdrop is complete, raid your home for some entertaining props – perhaps a faux mustache, or some silly hats or glasses. Set up a camera on a tripod (or a table) and get ready for some great family photos!

COUNT DOWN TOGETHER:
Your kids don’t have to stay up until midnight to enjoy the excitement that New Year’s Eve brings (no one wants cranky kids the next day!). Instead, celebrate the countdown for a different time zone. Depending on the age of the children, you may need to practice counting backwards.

No matter how you celebrate New Year's Eve, Mary, Mother of the Light Academy wishes you all the best in the new year!