A fun and sober way to ring in the New Year

Before we had kids, my husband and I were serious partiers. We looked for the chance to celebrate anything, anywhere. St. Patrick's Day and New Year's Eve were our favorites. St. Patty's day was spent down at the Irish Pub singing drinking songs and New Year's Eve found us dressed up at a hotel gala singing "Auld Lang Syne" with new-found friends (aka strangers).
                                      Again, that was before kids.

We quickly learned that children don't know what a hangover is and they don't care if you have one. They also won't change their sleeping habits. I learned the hard way, that suffering with nausea and headache pain until nap time was a form of self-torture.
                                             
                                  So, we changed the way we celebrated.

Now, we celebrate our Irish roots by wearing green clothing and eating Irish foods.  On New Year's Eve, we have an at-home fondue party and movie marathon. We fondue steak, cheese and chocolate. By 5:00, we're watching family friendly movies until a few minutes before midnight. Then we turn on the tv to see the ball drop in Times Square. We end the night with a celebratory kiss and go outside to ring in the new year by clanging pots and pans together...old school style.                 

                                                             Gone with the wind is on the menu tonight!

As 2013 winds down, I find myself grateful for this tradition. Our daughters will be 18 and 16 in a few months and our son will be 12. They don't (so far) suffer from hangovers or see their parents stagger around. For them, it wouldn't be New Year's Eve without movies, cheese and pots and pans!

What about you? Have you changed any holiday celebrations for the sake of your kids? Feel free to share the ways you celebrate and...
                                                                                   Have a Happy New Year!