Ten Family Friendly Low Cost Ways to Celebrate the New Year

After the Christmas rush, many families find themselves with few funds for New Years Celebrations. Consider one of the following easy on the pocketbook ideas to bond with your family this New Years Eve.

Have a candlelight evening. As the sun sets, don't turn on the lights. Instead light the candles and spend time reconnecting. This is an excellent time to try out some of those games you got for Christmas presents. Make sure that candles are safely out of reach of the youngest tikes and don't leave them unattended.

Go for a midnight drive. Bundle up, hop in the car, and cruise a part of your neighborhood that you don't usually visit. This may be your last chance to take in the outdoor holiday decorations.

Host a potluck party. Invite other families with children of similar ages to yours to your home for a potluck party. Ask each family to bring a dish or snack to share and a game or activity idea.

Check out free or low cost community activities. Many communities offer low cost, family friendly New Years celebrations. Check neighborhood newspapers and websites to see what might be happening in your area.

Make midnight special. Kids love to make noise, and midnight on New Years Eve is one of the few times that it is socially acceptable. Get out the whistles. Bang some pots and pans. Throw homemade confetti and don't forget a toast with some sparkling grape juice.

Make plans for the new year. New Years Eve is the perfect time to brainstorm ideas for the upcoming year. Make a list of family vacation ideas. Dream big. What is one thing that you wish you could change in the world? Is there a way that your family could make a difference?

Volunteer. Although many people make time to do volunteer work during the holiday season, after Christmas it tends to drop off. Start the New Year right by making plans to work in a soup kitchen or homeless shelter on New Years Eve or New Years Day, and then make a commitment to regularly help out in the New Year.

Write letters to yourselves. Write a New Years letter to yourself, not to be opened until next year. Help younger kids with their letters and then make a family time capsule. Maybe you'll want to include photos or drawings or other memorabilia from the previous year.

Play in the snow. If you live in an area blessed with winter weather, take the time to bundle up and play outside after dark. Build a snowman. Make snow angels. Many kids don't go outside often in the winter after dark. Stargaze and see just how different the snowy landscape looks at night.

Let your kids plan and throw a party for you! It is well known that parents are usually the directors of the Christmas holiday. For New Years, put your kids in charge. Let them plan and make the food, decorate, and organize activities. They might enjoy playing host and hostess, and it will be a break for mom and dad.