Looking for some exciting New Years Activities? Today, Jenny Franklin is guest posting on One Little Project and is sharing 3 awesome ideas to make your new years eve memorable and fun! Thanks Jenny! Find her on Google+ and Twitter.
Put the New in New Years with these Fun and Inexpensive Ideas
I love New Years. It’s that time when my entire family congregates in one place to eat shrimp and steak, drink (wine coolers or juicy juice), and make merry with games and activities. It’s been a long, long tradition that has evolved throughout the years of my life. My recent kick is planning a money saving New Year’s party. Here are some holiday activities that can get you into the spirit of New Year’s until the ball drops without breaking the bank!
New Year’s Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies have been a fun and inexpensive Christmas tradition in my house. A year ago, the New Year Sugar Cookie Tradition was born when my sister asked me to babysit her kids. I needed to watch them, keep them occupied, and do some last minute party prep. I figured why not combine all three? Cookies are relatively inexpensive, kids love making them, and treats can serve the dual purpose of being the main dessert at a New Year’s party.
Photo Source: Unknown – If you know where it’s from, let me know.
What you need: a recipe, ingredients, cookie cutters, or a knife to cut out the shapes (keep the kiddies away from the knife).
Go crazy when coming up with designs and shapes. There is no cemented tradition on what New Year’s cookies look like. Here are a few ideas to get your imagination running: clocks, 2014, party balloons, happy new year, wine bottles, champagne glasses, fire crackers, the families former New Year’s resolution.
New Year’s Eve Surprise Balls
I love crackers, but they can be expensive, especially when you need to buy for nearly 15 people. A few years ago I began experimenting with crafting my own crackers. For a while I spent the weekend before New Year’s using this template to create my own traditional crackers. It was definitely a stellar experience, but I found that it was time consuming and difficult for my kids to help me. My solution? Surprise Balls.
What you need: small presents (I often do small toys or noise makes), crepe paper
How to make:
- Cut the crepe into strips about 2 inches wide; the folds must run across the width of the strip.
- Wrap the crepe around the present. As you continue to wrap the crepe feel free to switch colors, and slip more surprises into the crepe.
- Finish off by using a sticker to hold the crepe closed.
The first year, I made the surprise balls with my kids before the party. Now we tend to make them after we finish decorating the cookies. We allow every kid to make one for their sibling or cousin. They love to be involved in the process, and the idea of adding layers upon layers of crepe tickles them pink. It has all the appeal of wrapping a present in 10 boxes to their minds. The best part? Easy to make, inexpensive, and a wonderful family experience.
Telephone Pictionary (of New Year’s Resolutions)
My family began playing Telephone Pictionary during New Year’s three years ago. It’s a fun game that no one can get enough of. Its crowning glory is that it can also be considered a craft.
What you need: a stack of paper, pens, more than 4 people, and the ability to hold a pencil (drawing skill not required). If you want to turn this game into a fun craft that can be pulled out on intervening New Year’s parties, you should buy good stock paper, carefully cut the paper, and ask family members to refrain from tearing or crinkling the paper too much.
How to play:
- Each person writes their New Year’s resolution on a sheet of paper. When people jot down the initial phrase, they should steer clear of clichés that are easy to draw. They have a tendency to never change. Really sucks the fun out of it when there is no deviation.
- Pass the stack of papers to the right and have the next person draw their interpretation of the phrase.
- Stash the initial phrase at the bottom of the pile, and then pass the stack of papers with the picture on top to the right.
- The third person writes down a phrase that that they think describes the paper.
- Rinse and repeat until everyone has received their own resolution.
Once you have finished collect the paper. Make sure the stacks do not get separated. You can scrap book the papers or hang them on the wall in picture frames. The end result? Fun memories and mementos for less than $5.
New Years is a wonder. It is a time when the whole family gathers together to celebrate the New Year. We will always remember these moments, but why not make them even more memorable with fun activities and crafts?
Jenny is a children’s party planner and a mother of two adorable toddlers. She enjoys spending her free time coming up with new crafts for her family to bond around. Find Jenny on Google+ and Twitter.
Source : onelittleproject.com
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