Got Kids? Here's How to Have the Best Ever New Year’s Eve at Home
Don't sweat it if you can't go out for a fancy meal this year.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
If you’ve got small kids like we do, a night at home could be your new favorite way to ring in the New Year. These plans are perfect for any part of the day, from morning to night, which means you can tailor them to your schedule and plans for the holiday. Happy New Year!
Start with a Meaningful Breakfast
Kick off the day with doughnuts, bagels or Bundt cake. Their shape represents coming full circle.
Try: Ree Drummond’s Homemade Glazed Doughnuts or Lemon Yogurt Mini Bundt Cakes
Do Something Sweet
Make this your best year yet by starting generous traditions as a family. Write notes for your neighbors to wish them a Happy New Year and leave them in their mailboxes. Or, ask each person to think of one wish for a family member (near or far). Jot them down and put everyone’s wishes in a jar. Pull it out next year to see which ones came true.
Make Lucky Foods
Depending on what you believe, eating certain foods on New Year Eve and New Year's Day can bring fortune, luck and longevity.
Matt Armendariz, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Greens: Ever hear of greenbacks? From collard greens to spinach, greens represent money.
Lisa Shin, Lisa Shin Photography, Inc.
Lentils: Because they look a little like Roman coins, Italians eat lentils for good luck in the New Year.
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Noodles: These are symbolic of a long life. But be careful! The promise of a longevity is only good if you don’t break the noodle before it’s fully in your mouth.
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Pork: Because pigs are typically so rotund, they also represent prosperity. Plus, they “root forward” with their snouts, another positive sign of progress.
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Grains: Anything from rice and barley to quinoa represents abundance (special points for adding other auspicious ingredients like pork or greens).
Tara Donne
Pomegranates: Turkey and other Mediterranean countries associate pomegranates with abundance and fertility.
Fish: Fish are the triple threat of a lucky New Year. Lucky because their shiny scales represent coins and they swim forward, fish even swim in schools, indicating abundance as well.
Try: Fish Piccata and Fish Stew
Drink Mocktails
Whether you’re toasting at “midnight” (AKA, five minutes before regular bedtime) or staying up to see the ball drop, you can’t go wrong with a mocktail toast.
Jackie Alpers, 2014 Television Food Netword All rights reserved