Host a New Year's Eve Brunch

Wild New Year's Eve parties that go on until well after the ball drops just aren't for everyone. If you want to spend the last day of the outgoing year with loved ones that are very young or in the later stages of life, hosting an early New Year's Eve brunch is a far better option. Here are some ideas on how you can plan and execute a very fun, but very relaxing party early in the day.

Invitations. Depending on how many people you wish to invite to your holiday gathering, you may opt to invite guests over the phone or by email. If you would like to send a more traditional invitation through the mail, use silver or gold card stock and black lettering to make it very festive and elegant. Include a few clip art messages of a champagne bottle, glasses and party hats. Use the inside of the folded card stock to let guests know that you would love to have them for brunch between eleven and eleven thirty in the morning. Unless you have other New Year's plans later in the day, leave the ending time open.

Food. Keep your New Year's Eve brunch fare simple and uncomplicated. A platter of chocolate chip and blueberry muffins, scrambled eggs and bagels with flavored cream cheese and butter are the basics. Offer a fruit salad for those who would like something a little lighter. Christmas cookies and slices of angel food cake with chocolate sauce can be served for dessert. Carafes of hot coffee and tea should be offered to the adults as well as pitchers of orange and apple juice. You can include mini bagels and a cold or hot cereal for the youngest guests. A bottle of champagne can also be purchased to offer the guests that are of legal age a cocktail to enjoy with their meal.

Decorations. Take down your Santa decorations, but leave up any snowmen or winter decor that doesn't necessarily reflect the Christmas holiday. A few balloons that have the new year on them and a New Year's banner hung in the room where you are having brunch is all you need to give the party space a fun and festive feeling.

Entertainment. The main objective of your New Year's Eve brunch is to relax and celebrate the holiday without all the hoopla that usually accompanies these events. Let the adults retire to the living room after eating to enjoy some relaxed conversation. Watching home movies from the holiday seasons of past years is always a great way to spend time together with family and friends. The children can head off upstairs or outside to play games or show off their new holiday gifts. Gather everyone together again to enjoy dessert before sending the guests on their way.

A New Year's Eve brunch is a wonderful way to say goodbye to the outgoing year and celebrate the new one with family and friends of mixed ages. It allows everyone to gather in an atmosphere that puts emphasis on the bonds you share, but is appropriate and enjoyable for the very young to the most senior of loved ones.