It’s that time of the year again. Many families see Christmas as a time for the children and keep New Year’s Eve as grown-up time. If your family has generous grandparents, who are not out partying themselves, then you have no problems. However, for many, the hunt for a babysitter on New Year’s Eve can turn out to be more trouble and much more expensive than perhaps it’s worth. Coupled with that, the cost of being out and about as 2012 arrives can also be expensive. At a time when most people are aware of how much money they are spending, the new clothes, expensive tickets and taxi fares all add up. We are not suggesting for one minute that you let this auspicious night go without a bang but actually quite the opposite. You could make it one of the best ever!

How about turning your family home into a party house for the night? Invite all the family? Or possibly some friends, with children of the same age, who are also facing the same challenges. Your friends will be delighted to know that their children are invited too. (If you can, prepare a room in your house kitted out with some duvets, cushions, comfy chairs and some family films for the children to chill out in.) Involve the whole family in the planning of your party, discussing how the house should be decorated and the all important guest list. There are many online party companies with a wide choice of fun accessories, including the traditional items like party hats, tiaras and noisemakers. Perhaps you could theme your party or even ask everyone to dress up. An easy choice is to ask everyone to wear a certain colour perhaps ‘black and white’ or even red.

Organise some fun games that will include the whole family. Pull out all the old favourites like charades, musical statues and balloon passing, for the competitive members of your party. Prepare a selection of your favourite music to be played during the evening, remembering to cater for everyone’s taste; it is quite possible your next door neighbour is not too fond of Heavy Metal! Ask each guest to bring along a dish or two for a fun and easy finger buffet – do remember to keep a list. With the gorgeous assortment of high quality disposable festive ware, you can forget facing a kitchen piled high with dirty dishes at the beginning of a New Year, several large bin liners should do the job.(Apologies to my recycling friends – it is New Year’s Eve!) You will be surprised how much fun you have and the bonus is that you are building memories with your children that will last their lifetime.