New Year's Countdown Party

I had a New Year's Countdown party for my sons and their friends (and several moms) from 11 am-1 pm on Dec. 31st. I created a Countdown Box containing various mystery bags which we opened at scheduled times. They contained different supplies for different activities that we then completed. Here's the schedule I used:

11:15 Open bag #1 – (wish list for the new year). Kids work on their wish list.
11:30 Eat lunch
11:45 Open bag #2 (bubbles, Chinese yo-yos)
12:00 Happy New Year – take noisemakers from Christmas tree; pop confetti balloons; shoot confetti cannon outside
12:15 Open bag #3 (cake plates) Eat cake and make toasts w/ sparkling juice.
12:30 Open bag #4 (Chopsticks;) Play game. Transfer cotton balls blindfolded.
12:45 Open Bag #5 (Pop Rocks & other candy to take home) With a Note: Be Sweet in 2009!
1:00 Party Ended

• Best Moment

  The kids had a blast with the New Year's countdown filled with confetti, noisemakers and merriment.

• Most Touching Moment

  The kids did a great job filling out Wish Lists for the new year with items such as: 5 skills I'd like to learn; 5 books I'd like to read; 5 new foods I'd like to try; 5 places I'd like to go, etc.

• Funniest Moment

  When none of the ladies could activate the confetti cannon. We finally waved down a man on a motorcyle and he was strong enough to pop it for us!