A BYOB Party for New Years Eve

14/12/2007

If there is a babysitter shortage in the neighbourhood, consider throwing a BYOB party on New Year’s Eve. Instead of bring your own beer, the initials in this case this stand for Bring Your Own Baby.

A family in Canada has made this an annual tradition by inviting friends with children to come over and ring in midnight on New Year’s Eve together. The family has come up with creative ways to involve the children such as setting up a craft table where kids can create the party favours.

The Canadian Press offers these ideas:

Create a party-within-a-party for the children. While adults mingle, children can have a pyjama party, complete with pop-filled plastic Champagne flutes, funny hats and finger-food treats.

Wondertime magazine recently asked readers how they celebrate New Year's Eve with their children. Tips included setting the clock ahead several hours to let children stay up until "midnight" for an earlier countdown.
Other suggestions include demolishing gingerbread houses left over from Christmas, devoting the whole night to fondues - cheese, meat and chocolate - and holding a picnic in the living room and watching a movie.

If you want to keep the children entertained, consider hiring a performer dressed as a character, such as an elf. And to keep it affordable, the cost can be divided among all the families attending.