When we were younger, before we were parents, my husband and I used to have terrific New Year’s Eve nights out. We’d gather with friends and go dancing, go to parties, or even just have a great dinner and watch the ball drop from somewhere other than our living room sofa.

Well, the times have changed. Do you know how hard it is to find a sitter on New Year’s Eve? I’m guessing you do.

This year, I’m introducing a new tradition into our lives – since our whole family will be home for the night, we might as well enjoy it. We’ll be decorating a jar (Target sells some sturdy storage jars with twist-on lids), and over the course of the year 2010, we’ll each be adding to this Happy Jar. Every week (at least) we’ll all write on a piece of paper what has been the BEST part of the week. We’ll help the four year old who can’t yet write. I’m hoping that at the end of 2010, the Happy Jar will be overflowing with our words. Make sure the jar is a decent size – remember, you’re about to embark on an AMAZING year, and you’ll have plenty of happy thoughts to add to your Happy Jar.

At the end of 2010 on NYE, we’ll decorate a new jar for the coming year and review all of those amazing moments from the 52 weeks preceding. I’m hoping that it will give us an opportunity to reflect as a family on all the moments that made us smile, that brought us joy, and that made the year special.

Decorating the jar doesn’t have to be tough – I’m partial to stickers, myself. The pictured jar was created using glue, yarn and ribbon. Make it fun. Keep it simple.

I hope this tradition carries on in my family for years to come. Happy new year!

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