Teens and Tweens New Years Party

Christmas is always such a great family day. 

The day after Christmas is wonderful too.

We have so much fun playing and goofing off.

But a few days after Christmas the relaxing leaves the kids ready for some action. 

Luckily New Year's is right around the corner to give us something to plan and celebrate.

             We love to celebrate just about anything at our house and New Years is no exception.
Our yearly tradition usually includes the kids favorite snacks, karaoke, games, and kiddie cocktails.

This year we went all our because our friends were going to join us for the evening.

The kids surprised me by giving the Christmas tree a makeover.

 They chose silver, white, blue and green ornaments.  

I cannot believe what a good job they did.  

They are so hired for future decorating.     

We decided a buffet would be a good idea for the snack foods the kids wanted. 

We went house shopping for a few items to dress up our table.  

Silver was the main theme, but I love the clock and the pop of color from the vase of eucalyptus.   

The kids always pick the menu for our New Years Eve bash. 

This year they chose some of their very favorites like pizza rolls, pizza dip with bread sticks, Capresse salade, chicken bites and cupcakes. 

We had a lot of fun making all our treats and even more fun enjoying them.

We decided on a simple dessert of cupcakes.  

I used fade resistant cupcake papers, box cake mix and store bought frosting. 

For a little sparkle I used some aqua sanding sugar. 

I love how they turned out.

  So simple, yet so pretty.  

I added fun candles so everyone could make a New Years Wish at midnight.  

I just thought it would be fun for the kids.   

Honestly, for the kids, the real star of the show is the Cappucino Punch.

It's so easy.

It's so good.

It wouldn't be New Year's Eve without it.

I am so lucky to have the best ticket in town for New Years Eve. 

 When I was a youngster, my grandmother taught me how to toast properly. 

And every time we had a glass in our hand, we would toast...to anything and everything.

 She had a couple of toasts that were pretty standard, but my favorite was a toast to happiness. 

I hope your New Year brings you happiness. 

Happy New Year!

Okay, so let's make some punch.

The board of ingredients is super simple.

•  Sugar
• Instant Coffee
• Vanilla Ice Cream
• Chocolate Ice Cream
• Milk
• Boiling water

Start by adding the instant coffee to the boiling water.

Add the sugar to the hot water as well.

Stir it all up til the sugar and coffee is dissolved.

Add the milk.

At this point you can stick this in the fridge until party time.

Or you can do what I do and make the punch immediately.

When you are ready to make the punch, pour the coffee and milk mixture into your punch bowl.

Add scoops of the ice cream.

Stir the punch til the ice cream is mostly melted.

Serve and enjoy.

Happy New Year. 

Cappucino Punch

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Instant Coffee
1 Cup Boiling Water
1/2 Gallon Milk
1 Quart Vanilla Ice Cream
1 Quart Chocolate Ice Cream

Directions:

1. In a small bowl combine the sugar, instant coffee and boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Cover and refrigerate until ready to make the punch or use immediately.
2. When ready to make punch add the coffee mixture, milk and ice cream to your punch bowl. Stir until combined and ice cream is mostly melted. Makes about 1 Gallon.

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