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New Year's Eve

Hi. Now that I've had time to digest the past few busy weeks, I thought that I would share the concerns that I have with New Year's Eve and see if any of you share the same issues.

My community does not allow alcohol beverages to be consumed in the common areas or at any program that the company supports. For New Year's Eve, we do a toast with sparkling cider in champagne flutes. But here is the dilemma. The residents finish eating dinner around 7:00 p.m.  That is the time that I have all my evening programs. I know that if they leave the "club house" area that they will not return if the program was later. So, I have my celebration on 12/31 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.  We have a one-man band play dance music, have dance hosts for the single ladies, and have a little more dessert and punch for those who want it. (New Year's dinner is a fancy meal in the dinning room.)  The problem is that some people want to ring in the new year at midnight and others do not.  In the past, when I try to have a program that is from 9pm -12pm, it is just to long to hold their interest. Any suggestions on how to have a grow-up type of New Year's Eve party??
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  1. Sue SchmidtJanuary 4, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    Why not have a "noon" year's eve celebration? Pass out horns and hats at lunch and do a count down and sing auld lang syne-then instead of having your party at 7p, you could hold off till 9:30-have a couple of hours of dancing and the last 30 minutes could be spent playing a game that would lead you into the new year- maybe play wheel of fortune for some cool prizes- (and some gag ones- like...a trip around the world for two- with the understanding that they have to take the trip immediately- and then pull out a globe-set it on the floor and do-si-do around the globe a couple of times with them. Or let someone win diamond earrings- buy a pair of earrings and tape a dime to the back of card- They get dime-and earrings. Give away a new car- and it is a hot wheels car- ) You could draw 3 or 4 names to decide who would get to play- and you could decorate the wheel of a wheelchair to spin. We had a blast with it. They get their dancing/eating and the last part of the evening when people are winding down you play the game to keep their interest till midnight. Have a balloon with water for a little weight and some glitter all over it- and lower the balloon like the ball at Time Square- do a countdown and sing again. The people who can't stay up past their bedtime get to ring in the "noon" year, and the ones who want to stay up can have a dance and games and a ball drop. I have only tried staying up till midnight with our folks once- only one lady made it and I was exhausted. I know it is easier to modify a celebration in assisted living- even expected- so- it's just a thought. Sue

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  2. Recharging RetireesJanuary 4, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    Hi Sue. Thank you for the great ideas. I like the idea of splitting the party into two parts (early bird version and typical party hours). My community does not serve lunch as a formal meal.... but I think I could create a "schedule" for the night that would ring in the new year, say at 9pm and then again at midnight so that people could come and go if they wanted to... and like you suggested, add some games to keep them involved. I like the Wheel of Fortune. It is very cleaver as is the ball drop. I've done a balloon drop in the past, but after someone fell and hurt herself trying to step on the balloon, it put an end to that. You've given me some ideas that sound like it means more work.. but I bet, a better outcome than I've had in the past. Thanks again.

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  3. Recharging RetireesDecember 17, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    You will also want to read my other posting:
    http://rechargingretirees.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-years-eve-again.html
    THANKS, Martha

    ReplyDelete

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