photography by Ted Dayton

Count Down to 2009 with the Kids
Make it a Family Affair
As 2009 stands in waiting for its debut, it leaves us living tyrannically at the mercy of time as we look toward welcoming a New Year, and settling celebratory plans for a memorable New Year's Eve. An evening that typically demands considerable glitz and glamour, there is something refreshing about tossing extravagance aside and staying home in your pj's while hosting a kid-friendly evening and listening to Dick Clark commemorate the significant moments of the transient year. Though stereotypically unique, an evening at home with the kids can be just as exhilarating as a night out on the town. Put away the formal wear and champagne and bring out the crafts, snacks and board games. Instead of putting children to bed early, let them join in celebrating the New Year by counting down the seconds to welcome 2009 with these family fun ideas:

10. It's a family affair! Invite other families with children to join in the New Year's fun.

9. Mad-hatter! New Year's Eve is not complete without extravagant hats. Purchase hats for each guest or let your guests create their own with markers, glitter and other embellishments.

8. Game on! Play traditional board and parlor games such as Monopoly, Trivia or Charades.

7. Snack time! Be sure that you have plenty of snacks and finger foods to keep children fueled until midnight.

6. Music madness! Kids love to sing and dance. Let them rock to their favorite tunes of 2008 and have a sing-a-long, lip synching contest or utilize a karaoke machine. If you have enough children, separate them into groups and let them prepare a dance to their favorite song. Each group can perform for all of the guests.

5. Dazzling decorations! Let the kids decorate the house in colors of black, gold and silver in true New Year's distinction. They will love hanging streamers and throwing confetti on the tables.

4. Movie marathon! Though this idea could put some children to sleep, nothing passes time quicker than a great movie the whole family can enjoy.

3. All that glitters! Kids love dressing up. In true New Year's fashion, let the kids dress up in evening gowns, heels, tuxedos, hats and gloves to celebrate the distinction of the holiday.

2. Carpet campout! Let the kids bring sleeping bags and pillows for a family room campout.

1. Ring in the New Year! With noisemakers in hand, or my personal favorite - pots, pans and a large spoon - anticipate the excitement of 2009 and bid a humble farewell to 2008.

Tips courtesy of Stacie House of A-1 Rentals Event Services 273-6900.

New Year's Resolution
Keep the Kids Busy during Holiday Break
Here are some fun ways to get the little ones excited about the upcoming festivities and new year.

Remembering 2008
Have them draw or write a short story about their favorite or most memorable moment of 2008. Be sure to stash it away to review in the upcoming years.

Look Forward to '09
Help the kids take turns playing "fortune teller" with each other - and with you! Set up a "crystal ball" (read: upside down fish bowl) and ask them to gaze inside of it before "sharing" what they think the new year holds for friends and family. Suggestion: You take the first turn as the fortune teller, showing them how to keep the message fun and positive.

Show your Family's Resolve
Join together as a group and share personal New Year's resolutions (It will keep you more accountable if Billy knows that you shouldn't eat that cookie!), and then make some resolutions as a family. Maybe you'd all like to eat a little bit better, or you'd like to set aside one night a week to play a game together. Regardless, write them down and post them for all to see right on the fridge.

A classic New York Cheese Cake is a dessert option sophisticated enough to appeal to adults, while being kid friendly, too. Impress the younger set (or young at heart) by offering a variety of toppings for your traditional cheese cake. Ideas include chocolate syrup, crushed peanuts, whipped cream, strawberry sauce, crushed Oreos, caramel topping and maraschino cherries. A miniature dessert "bar" featuring a sweet selection of goodies will be a fun distraction for the kids, too. New York Cheese Cake available at Babe's Dessert Bar 254-4770.

Ring in 2009 with a Babysitter
Organize a Unique Progressive Dinner Party

I love the idea of Progressive Dinner parties - the kind where guests go from house to house, partaking of a different course at each stop. But this year, I'm suggesting something a little different: a Progressive Tasting party.

The great thing about progressive parties in general is the fact that no one "host" is stuck making a ton of food. The everyone-participates concept of the tasting party removes even more responsibility - both in time and expense - from the hosts.

The concept is simple, flexible, and can fit any theme.

Stop #1: The beverage. Ask about a quarter of the guests to bring a bottle of their favorite Champagne (or wine, beer or martini mix) to share. The host provides the glasses, as well as simple appetizer fare, like cheese, fruit and crudites.

Stop #2: The appetizers. Here, another quarter of the guests bring their signature appetizer - enough to share (be sure and let everyone know how many guests will be in attendance). If there is an overarching theme, like "Mexican food" or "caviar" make them aware well in advance. The host provides an appetizer, plus serving ware, as well as beverages that compliment the theme.

Stop #3: The main course. This is where you can have some fun. Invite guests to bring their favorite supplemental ingredients or meats to add (or offer on a buffet) to a simple main course. Plain pasta may be served to accompany a variety of sauces, or guests may choose to create their unique Party Paella through the addition of meats and shell fish. The host is responsible for creating the base of the dish.

Stop #4: Dessert and New Year's toast. You get the picture now! The last grouping of guests provides the sweets, and everyone celebrates until the clock strikes 12!

Progressive Parties can be lots of fun, but may be a little confusing for the uninitiated. Send a traditional invitation in the mail, if time allows, that clearly denotes an "RSVP for details" mention. You can explain the concept, and assign a meal, in a more personal manner on the phone.

As for party favors, I would suggest sending them ahead of time along with the invite. I love the idea of including a decorative apron with each invitation as a way to help get guests in the creative cooking mood.

Tips courtesy of Myra Harbour, owner of Celebrate - Planning for an Event to Remember 259-8611.

PLAYLIST
"Happy New Year" Abba
"Celebration" Kool and the Gang
"Auld Lang Syne" Elvis Presley
"Kiss Me" Sixpence None the Richer
"Kiss them for Me" Siouxsie and the Banshees
"New Year" the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Impress an adults-only crowd with everyone's favorite beverage, converted into a clever, delicious dessert. Posh Pastries "Tini" Collection features a chocolate martini glass filled with a smooth mousse and coordinating decoration to fit a theme or emphasize a flavor. Varieties include caramel apple, chocolate chambord, white Russian and a yummy chocolate/mint pairing called "grasshopper." The "Tini" Collection is available at Posh Pastries 360-4949.

Progressive Tasting Themes
New Year's Eve lends itself easily to Champagne and caviar, but there are many fun ideas that you can use for the entire night, or just one course.

Choose a "tasting" ingredient theme for the dessert. While you may be tempted to declare everything "chocolate," creative choices could include cherries, almonds, or even rum. You'll be treated to creative offerings as guests find ways to incorporate the ingredient into their favorite sweet fare (Cheese cake with a whisky-and-maple syrup glaze!).

Play "Musical Ipods." Don't just leave the "tasting" to food. Get to know a sampling of great new music by inviting guests to take turns playing DJ.

Add to the bubbly. Perhaps your Champagne course, at either the start or end of the evening (or, preferably, both!) can be accompanied by a "tastings" bar of delicious drink additions. Go beyond orange juice and chambord; try rum, pineapple juice, port, grenadine, midori, apricot schnapps and more.

Log onto www.insidescv.com/champagne for a complete list of excellent Champagne tasting options.