It can be a tough transition coming home for Winter Break after experiencing so much independence in college. In college, nobody is telling you to clean your room (except maybe your roommate), go to bed early, eat your veggies or any other annoying parent-y things.
But all those things aside, there are also some good and even great things about being home again. And even though you might not party the way you would if you were hanging out with your friends, that doesn’t mean that you can’t still have fun with your family on New Year’s Eve.
Here are some awesome ideas for a fun New Year’s Eve with the family:
Get Mom (or Dad) to cook your favorite meal
Admit it, there are times when you would trade all your freedom and independence for a bite of your favorite home-cooked meal. So, why not make New Year’s Eve a special night where you get to enjoy your mom’s cooking and relive some great memories?
Cook a meal together
It can also be fun for everyone to cook a meal together. The experience of creating a meal together is a great for bonding and conversation. Also, it’s nice to take the load off of Mom and help out with the cooking.
Watch home movies
When you haven’t been around the family for a while, it can be a fun trip down memory lane to get out some old Home Movies and watch them together. You can laugh and cry together while reliving old times.
Play a board or card game together
A lot of families bond over games. Maybe you miss beating your sister at Canasta or watching your Dad and brother compete in Monopoly. It can lead to a lot of laughs and be a great way to pass the time until midnight.
Host a costume party
It can be a lot of fun to dress up for New Year’s. And even more fun to put on a costume! Why not throw together a costume party with your friends and family? You can choose a specific theme (1920s, Favorite Super Hero) or just allow people to express their own creativity. It could be a great way to enjoy the night with your family.
Have a night out
It could also be fun to go out for the evening. You could eat out at a nice restaurant or go to a party together. Being dressed up and out on the town can be a fun way to ring in the New Year.
Go Skiing or Backpacking
Another wonderful way to enjoy New Year’s Eve is at a ski resort or on a backpacking trip. Being out in nature, enjoying a warm fire and some hot cocoa and looking at the stars can all be wonderful ways to enjoy a festive family New Year’s Eve.
Write a list of New Year’s Resolutions and share it
It can be a fun activity for everyone to grab a pen and paper and sit down and make their list of New Year’s Resolutions. After everyone is finished, you can all read them aloud. It can help you get to know your family better by seeing what their goals are and also allow everyone to support each other in realizing that year’s goals.
No matter how you choose to spend your New Year’s Eve with your family, make sure you appreciate the time you have with them before you head back to school. Happy New Year!
