Ginger Pomegranate Punch

Unlike the perfectly staged New-Years-Eve-themed commercials or romantic comedies, I've 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 Year's 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 Year's 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 NYC Times 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 aren't the serious repercussions involved with the lack of sleep.

This year, for our little party, I'll be serving small portions of finger foods with a bubbly holiday punch. Then, after the kids have gone to bed, I'll 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 Year's Eve should be fun for the whole family. If you are one of the fortunate ones who can stay up all night with your kids and still have fun I commend you. Happy New Year!