Ginger Pomegranate Punch

Unlike the perfectly staged New-Years-Eve-themed commercials or romantic comedies, Ive never put on a black cocktail dress, drank champagne from a crystal flute, counted down to the last ten seconds of the year and then passionately kissed someone as the crowd around me enthusiastically yelled Happy New Year! The closest I came to that was years ago when I celebrated New Years Eve at the Pike Place Market with my husband. It felt like everyone packed around us was a close friend by the time the clock struck midnight. It was magical. Keeping my kids awake until midnight on New Years Eve has always been challenging. My new strategy with young kids is to ring in the year two or three hours earlier. We can use noise makers, party hats, and even celebrate with other families. On the west coast a live feed of NYCs Time Square works nicely, but if you are on the east coast just set the clock ahead so that midnight happens slightly later than normal bedtime. This way kids feel like they stayed up late, but there arent the serious repercussions involved with the lack of sleep. This year for our little party Ill be serving small portions of finger foods with a bubbly holiday punch. Then, after the kids have gone to bed, Ill stay up until midnight watching the fireworks on TV with my husband and drinking a sparkling adult beverage like we used to when it was just the two of us at Pike Place. New Years Eve should be fun for the whole family. If you are one of the fortunate ones that can stay up all night with your kids and still have fun I commend you. Happy New Year!