I Spy New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is not a holiday where children celebrate.  They usually get the conciliatory party that comes as a result of childcare needs.  Well, I’m starting to believe there doesn’t have to be a separate celebration for children and adults.  I’m offering an alternative that should please everyone.

 

Most children like spy games.  It gives them another opportunity to run around with purpose.  My daughter is no exception.  She loves the mystery/spy genre.  In fact, one Christmas, she cornered the market on toy spy equipment.  We’ve been walking through invisible beams and tripping alarms ever since!  To keep her amused, I usually play Watson to her Shirley Holmes, and have even re-read a few of the Nancy Drew books I passed on to her.  It reminded me of all the fun we used to have as kids, and, frankly, it wasn’t much different from the suspenseful dramas by Grisham or Cornwell that I read now.  That’s when I had my revelation!! 

 

Closing in on the whole holiday season, we all get busy.  Making plans for my own Christmas/New Years, I realized it would be another year of pleasing the adults, and appeasing the kids (and I have no interest in doing that again).  That’s when it came to me.  A spy-themed scavenger hunt!  A New Year’s Eve scavenger hunt could be entertaining for everyone!  I invited all my friends with kids, all the kids whose parents didn’t have childcare, and all the other date-less friends in my blackberry.  I made cocktails for the adults and cool juicy drinks for the kids.  As they arrived, everyone teamed up.  After they got acquainted over snacks, I let them loose with their list and a promise of a fantastic grand prize!  What a night! 

 

As midnight drew near, everyone was exhausted (as planned).  We counted down together, and then put the kids to sleep.  Some grownups stayed, but most left.  The important thing was…on this holiday, when we look to “be somewhere” ….we all could say we “were somewhere”, “doing something” with friends!  It was safe, it was engaging, and no need to rush home to the kids!  If you don’t already have plans, consider a scavenger hunt for NYE.  If not, maybe there’s another family-friendly event that you could hold at your home.  Not only is it fun, but it’s a stress-free, guilt-free alternative that doesn’t require a “cure” in the morning!