18 Crafty Ideas for Celebrating New Year's With Kids

Lucky New Year's Food
On New Year's Day, people in the southern United States fill up on greens and Hoppin' John—black-eyed peas and rice, often with onions and bacon mixed in. Some say each pea eaten represents a dollar to be gained in the coming year; for others, the peas symbolize pennies and the greens dollars.

Bake Saint Basil's Cake
In Greece, New Year's Eve celebrations are not complete without Saint Basil's cake, or Vassilopitta, into which a gold or silver coin is baked. Another option, available at craft stores, is a small charm in the shape of a baby (representing the New Year). The cake gets cut ceremoniously—one piece for Saint Basil, one for the house, one for the poor, and finally one for each member of the family. The person who finds the coin or charm in their piece carries good luck into the next year.

Party Punch
This great punch is always a hit at a party, because it's very thirst quenching and colorful, too.

3 cans frozen lemonade (6-ounce cans)
1 package frozen strawberries (10 ounces)
1 quart chilled ginger ale
Ice cubes

Make the lemonade according to the directions on the can. Thaw and stir in the strawberries with the lemonade. Add the ginger ale, and float the ice cubes in a punch bowl. (Makes one gallon.) You can also scoop some sherbet (your choice of flavors) into this punch for a frothy party punch. Or pour your punch into party glasses with paper umbrellas or a skewer of maraschino cherries.

Edible New Year's Hats
Have your child spread cream cheese on the outside of a sugar ice cream cone. Next, provide your child with healthy things to decorate the edible hat, such as carrot shavings, raisins, and dried cranberries. Finally, eat and enjoy.

Fondue Fun
Choose your family's favorite fruits and sweets and design a colorful platter to serve with your pot of chocolate fondue. Here is the recipe for the fondue and some classic dippers:

12 ounces sweet German chocolate, semisweet chocolate chips, or Toblerone chocolate
1 cup light cream or half and half
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Break the chocolate into pieces and drop them into a saucepan. Add the cream and melt over low heat, stirring occasionally until the chocolate is smooth. Add the vanilla extract and stir. Transfer the chocolate sauce to a fondue pot. Using the fondue forks, spear the fruit and sweets, then dip in the chocolate sauce. Classic chocolate fondue dippers include banana or pineapple chunks, strawberries, apple or pear slices, kiwi, star fruit, orange sections, pound cake squares, and marshmallows. Serves eight to 10 people.

With all of these fun options of fabulous things to do and delicious treats to eat, you and your children should have no trouble finding great ways to ring in the New Year! My only concern ... staying up late enough to do so!