Enjoy New Year

1. This is the night to have all the food that you and your family would not normally make at home due to expense or effort. Considering that eating out on New Years Eve often costs more when the prices are increased for the event, this is a good excuse to splurge a little. Ask family members to contribute both their skills and any resources to help turn it into a feast. .....

Delegate

2. Assign each person to be responsible for a different task, recipe, or course. Food choices can include seafood, fish or vegetarian (these selections make a great break from all the poultry over the holiday period). Add lots of fresh salads and perhaps tapas type dishes to keep food light but varied. .....

Light candles use silverware and bring out the best china

3. You may not be able to afford upmarket restaurants, but who says you cant dine in style at home? .....

In countries celebrating New Years Eve during summer

4. Eating al fresco is a great way for you and your family to spend quality time together. Have each person contribute/make the food, bring some wine for the adults (juice for the kids) and drive to your favorite spot. Its sure to trigger some deep and meaningful conversation between your family and yourself. .....

Decide together on things to do

5. There are lots of opportunities to spend fun time together on New Years Eve, depending on where you live and the climate. Simply sitting down together and reminiscing over where the past year has taken you each individually and your family as a whole is a great way to spend one part of the night. Other ideas include .....

Taking a walk together as a family

6. If youre in a warm climate, try the beach, the local park, favorite streets, etc. If youre in a cold climate, rug up, and head for favorite walking spots that arent too difficult to navigate in the dark and cold. You can still go to your favorite beach if youve all bundled up adequately during a winter New Years Eve. Sharing a walk together can be a great opportunity to share things that might not be discussed just sitting around the house. .....

Confirming a new start

7. If your family is planning a new start, perhaps walk or drive to somewhere meaningful to mark the start of your new journey together. For example, if youre moving cities, try going to a lookout over the city and saying farewell to the city and toasting to your new start. .....

Tasting food or drink

8. Try a wine, champagne, beer, chocolate or other food tasting event for the evening. There are non-alcoholic versions of wine and beer for those unable to drink. Keep scorecards to add to the evenings entertainment. .....

Playing board games

9. Set up a major board games night, with some cool prizes for winners, along with lots of delicious nibbles and drinks. Have games suited to all ages so that everyone can join in the fun. It helps to assign a coordinator for such an event choose the family member who loves organizing everything. .....

Playing physical games such as football

10. Again, prizes can be awarded or simply keep score. .....

Watching movies or even something like a concert or a Broadway show

11. Choosing really good DVD material to watch gets everyone off the usual pulp on TV on New Years Eve and provides a focal point for the whole family to sit down together and watch through an entire show. Supply nibbles and drinks as usual, and provide distractions for the little ones. .....

Make a New Years resolution together

12. In a circle, ask everyone to announce their New Years resolutions. Many people like to make new resolutions for the coming year. Dont push too hard though if someone wants to keep theirs a secret, let it be But dont try to make it all fancy. .....

This can be a good chance to make resolutions that require the help of others

13. For example, if you want to learn to ride a horse and Uncle George is an excellent horse rider, you could ask Uncle George if hell help you to learn. Or, if you want to lose weight, you can ask your family to help you by keeping their snacks hidden or to try your healthy new meals. .....

Invite other families over

14. Invite neighboring families over for a potluck or take-in dinner, or for games. Enjoy the close conversation, lots of laughs, sharing of reminiscences, all minus the crowds and strangers. .....

Keep an eye on the time

15. Have a fantastic idea for the countdown planned well in advance. Choose something that rings in the New Year with a bang and let your neighbors know youre having more fun than they are. Ideas for celebrating include. .....

Singing Auld Lang Syne and hold the hands of everyone participating

16. Swing your arms back and forth in time to the song. It can be fun to see which family members think this is tragic, silly, or simply wriggle out of it. .....

Gazing at fireworks

17. If you can see the fireworks from where you live, sit together and watch them from home, or wander to a local spot together where you can see them. .....

Dont forget the all important kiss with your spouse or date

18. If youre not romantically attached, give a cheek kiss to someone you care about. .....

Take a New Years Eve Dinner Cruise

19. The Thames has to be the best place to experience New Years Eve in London. You get a front and centre seat to all of the key landmarks and the fireworks look beautiful from the water, but be sure to book as soon as you can, these cruises are really popular. .....

Have a Laugh

20. If youre spending New Years Eve in London, why not try something a little different with some stand-up comedy. Many of Londons top comedy clubs have New Years Eve packages that will ensure you welcome 2016 in with a smile on your face. .....

Head to the Pub

21. Many London pubs will be staying open past midnight and putting on celebrations for a relaxed Londons New Years Eve. Entry to pubs on NYE 2015 in London will generally be ticketed, so do as the locals do and make sure you book in advance and tell your mates to book nice and early. .....

Go Clubbing with a New Years Eve Club Night

22. London remains one of the clubbing capitals of Europe, and New Years Eve is one of the biggest nights of the year. There will be a whole host of special London New Years Eve club nights in unique locations around the capital for the keen eyed, or head to one of Londons well-known nightclubs for top DJ sets. Booking in advance is essential. .....

Enjoy Dinner and a Show

23. If the very idea of going to a club makes you feel tired, then this is a nice way to enjoy the buzz of London without having to queue for a drink. Many of the top West End shows perform on New Years Eve, giving you time to enjoy a meal, a top show and get home in time to watch the fireworks on television. .....

Speed Along the Thames

24. Enjoy a thrilling trip along the Thames this New Years Eve with London RIB Voyages. Youll be on board for 90 minutes, during which youll experience an adrenaline-pumping 30-minute speedboat ride, be given a luxury hamper and a glass of champagne to toast midnight while watching the fireworks. .....

Family New Years Eve in London

25. If youre spending New Years Eve in London with little ones, why not catch an afternoon matinee of some childrens theatre, or enjoy an afternoon skate at one of Londons ice rinks. One advantage of an early night (with a bottle of fizz), watching the fireworks live on television, is you can be up nice and early for the next days big party. .....

Experience the New Years Day Parade

26. London continues to usher in the New Year on 1 January with the New Years Day Parade. This year marks the 30th annual parade to march through London and there will be 8,500 performers representing 20 countries world-wide and from across the London Boroughs, including marching bands, cheerleaders, clowns, acrobats and much more. .....