--- title: Hosting a New Year's Eve Party for Teens description: Hosting a New Year's Eve Party for Teens --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2009/01/01/hosting-a-new-years-eve-party-for-teens#) # Hosting a New Year's Eve Party for Teens Jan 1, 2009 1:22:13 PM  |  by [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) [![](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/01_01_09_2009.jpg?width=187&height=129&name=01_01_09_2009.jpg "01_01_09_2009")](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/01_01_09_2009.jpg)For posterity's sake, I thought I'd jot down a few of the things we learned last night while ringing in the New Year with a house full of teens.  One of Eric's friends had planned a party, but when that fell through Greg and I were thrilled to open our house up to the kids and to let them get together here under our supervision. A few things we would recommend: 1. **Do** agree to be the party house - Kids want to get together, and in my opinion I'd rather have them in my home than anywhere else! If there here, I know they are supervised, not drinking, safe and having fun. 2. **Don't **let your kid invite the entire grade - Unless you are prepared for a major blowout, keep the guest list to a reasonable count.  You can decide for your family what the definition of "reasonable" is.  For us, we felt we could safely supervise 25 friends. 3. **Do** have a start and end time - Most of the kids showed up either early, or right on time.  We told them they needed to be picked up or leave by 1:00 AM and all but a few had parents pick them up by that time. 4. **Do** maintain a watchful presence - Give the kids some space, but let them know you're in the vicinity.  I spent two hours in the kitchen baking cookies and brownies for them.  While they knew I was nearby, since I was busy it didn't look like I was just hanging around for no reason. 5. **Do** keep the menu simple - Finger foods, clear liquids (obviously non-alcoholic) and lots of sweets seemed to be the most popular items.  A few weeks ago, we ordered pizzas for this same crowd and half of them went uneaten.  The big winner last night was the [Artichoke Dip](http://catholicmom.com/2008/12/31/happy-new-year/). 6. **Do** have activity options - We have ping pong, air hockey and pool tables at the ready for teen visitors.  But last night, they spent two hours playing [Cranium Family Edition](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000930CSS?ie=UTF8&tag=catholicmomcom&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000930CSS)![](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ir-381.gif?width=1&height=1&name=ir-381.gif) - a fun game that's a mix of charades, pictionary, and some other classics.  They also enjoyed lighting off a few safe fireworks and hanging out around a bonfire, but there require definite adult supervision. I can't think of a better way to have celebrated the New Year than to gather with our kids and their buddies last night - sure, we have some clean up to do today, but hopefully the memories the kids made last night will last longer than the brownie stains on the carpet! ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2009%2F01%2F01%2Fhosting-a-new-years-eve-party-for-teens%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2009%2F01%2F01%2Fhosting-a-new-years-eve-party-for-teens%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2009%2F01%2F01%2Fhosting-a-new-years-eve-party-for-teens%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Hosting%20a%20New%20Year%27s%20Eve%20Party%20for%20Teens) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2009%2F01%2F01%2Fhosting-a-new-years-eve-party-for-teens%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2009%2F01%2F01%2Fhosting-a-new-years-eve-party-for-teens%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Lisa%20M%20Hendey%202024.png) ### [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) Lisa M. Hendey is the founder of CatholicMom.com, a bestselling author and an international speaker. A frequent radio and television guest, Hendey travels internationally giving workshops on faith, family, and communications. Visit Lisa at [LisaHendey.com](http://lisahendey.com), on her Substack at [LisaHendey.Substack.com](http://lisahendey.substack.com/), or on social media @LisaHendey for information on her speaking schedule or to invite her to visit your group, parish, school or organization. [Find Lisa’s books on her Amazon author page](https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-M-Hendey/e/B002ZM9FH0). [**](http://facebook.com/lisamhendey) [**](http://twitter.com/lisahendey) ## Related Blog Articles [ Celebrating the New Year with Little Ones Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2012/12/31/celebrating-the-new-year-with-little-ones) [ Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2011/12/24/merry-christmas-and-happy-new-year) [ My Digital Resolutions for the New Year Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2012/01/04/my-digital-resolutions-for-the-new-year) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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