11 New Year's Traditions to Start With Your Family

Each year, Netflix hosts a bunch of short videos that end with a countdown. Just fire 'em up at bedtime, tick down the seconds to 8 p.m., and send the kids on their way at a decent hour. For the new round of videos, which will go live on December 26, your kids can choose to ring in 2019 with the stars of Alexa and Katie, Prince of Peoria, Pinky Malinky, Motown Magic, Larva Island, Beat Bugs, Super Monsters, Tales of Arcadia, All Hail King Julien, Boss Baby, Spirit Riding Free, or Fuller House, among others.

JOIN NETFLIX

If you have a kid who can't stay up until midnight, try having a countdown at noon instead. Some children's museums and libraries host official Noon Year's Eve parties, but you can throw a midday bash in your house with some streamers and noisemakers.

SHOP PARTY PACKS

Yes, the Christmas decorations have to come down and be put away, but some families are squeezing a few extra days out of their trees by re-decorating them for New Year's Eve. Put away the red and green ornaments and dress it up in metallic silver and gold streamers, balloons, and other New Year's paraphernalia. Don't forget a 2019 tree-topper!

BUY DECORATIONS

Every country has its own way of ringing in the new. In Spain, they eat 12 grapes for luck — one for each month of the new year. In Denmark, they stand on chairs and "leap" into January. In Armenia, they bake bread and knead wishes and good luck into the dough. Closer to home, even some states have some unique ways to celebrate: In upstate New York, for example, they sell special peppermint pigs, and everyone gets to take a turn hitting it with a special candy-size hammer and eating a piece for luck. (Yum!) Each year, research a new tradition, and try it out for yourselves.

BUY THE PEPPERMINT PIG

Have everyone write down a resolution, goal, wish, or note to their future selves, put it in a jar, and save it for the year. On New Year's Eve, retrieve the jar, read the notes, and have everyone see how far they've progressed.

BUY THE JAR

At least the beginning of it. The later verses might be too Scottish to even attempt. (This video might help break down the meaning.) Once you've got it down pat...karaoke party!

BUY THE SONG

So much has happened in the last year! (Doesn't it seem like the 2018 Winter Olympics happened 10 years ago instead of 10 months?) Challenge your family to remember the year' pop-culture trends, news headlines, and meme-ified moments with a game of Charades or Pictionary themed to the last 12 months. You can make your own, or buy this printable one from PreppingParties' Etsy shop (though, depending on the ages of your kids, you might have to filter out some of the cards and make ones more tailored to their age and tastes).

BUY THE 2018 PARTY GAME

...in your cozy clothes, from the comfort of your own home. Going in person seems miserable. This year's official New Year's Rockin' Eve broadcast will once again be hosted by Ryan Seacrest, Jenny McCarthy, Lucy Hale, and Ciara, with performances by Kelsea Ballerini, The Chainsmokers, Foster the People, Dua Lipa, Ella Mai, and Charlie Puth. If your kid's fave is in there, let them stay up late to watch.

SHOP SNUGGIES

You can push off starting your Whole 30 diet for another day, right?

GET BRUNCH IDEAS

It's said that anyone who makes this dish of black-eyed peas, pork and rice on New Year's Day will experience luck and peace for the rest of the year. (Don't like ham? Try one of the other good-luck New Year's dishes from around the world.) Couldn't hurt, right?

GET THE RECIPE