New Years Eve Tree..

Happy New Years Eve!! This is one of my favorite times of the year. I love starting fresh, making goals and just feeling like the slate has been wiped clean. Of course it is also a huge Holiday and with that comes the traditional things that I do with the kids.

When my kids were really little my husband worked nights. I was always at home with the kids for the New Year. I decided early on that I might as well make it a party with the team because it was going to be the 5 of us for the long haul.

Our annual New Years Eve Tree is something that I came up with at least 4 or 5 years ago.

New Years Eve Tree.. 2011
New this year..mini presents to open at 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00 pm..
The Greeneteam!! Looking forward to 2011!!

Basic idea:

Strip the tree of everything but it's lights.. Fill in all the big spaces with balloons. You need to be careful size wise because they will pop.. Next I fill in with clackers, noisemakers, tiaras, top hats, blowers, tinsel.. you name it. If it looks festive I am sure it will work.

2010 new twist..

We are alone this year for the first time in 3 years so I decided to add Presents to the mix. They are just small candy presents, but I know the team and they will be looking forward to the 9:00 hour to open the first one. I labeled 4 boxes each with a 9:00/10:00/11:00 small clock. Then I sat the presents in the tree. When 9:00 hits we will open the first one and then continue at the top of the next hour.

At about 5 minutes till midnight I let everyone strip the tree for hats, clackers, noisemakers etc to ring in the New Year. It is always funny to see how fast the tree gets emptied. Once midnight hits everyone cheers, clacks and makes as much noise as possible. They also get to pop all the balloons. Such fun!!

I love that this idea is a fun, inexpensive, and memorable way to spend New Years Eve with your family. Total tree cost is maybe $10 to $12 if shopping at the Dollar Tree..:) It looks fun and the kids love it.