Start a memorable New Year’s tradition by doing family interviews! Gather together to reflect on the past year’s highlights and share hopes for the future. Capture everyone’s thoughts with a free printable in a special notebook to create cherished memories and track dreams as they grow over time—a meaningful way to bond each year!
I’m always shocked at how fast time goes by. One day we were celebrating our first New Year’s as a married couple and somehow suddenly in the blink of an eye it’s four decades later! This little activity only takes a few minutes one time each year. The other 364 days it may sit in the notebook on a shelf, but next year or 10, 20 or 40 years from now you will be so glad you took the time!
New Year’s Interview–Fun Family Tradition:
Make a special occasion of the Family Interview! Will that include a special meal before or after, a special dessert or a roaring fire and a cup of wassail (or will it be hot chocolate?) One family I know does theirs while the Rose Parade is on TV followed by brunch! And another family has a huge ice cream feast and then does their interviews on a sugar high! Whatever suits your family and makes it fun for them.
Getting Ready for the Interview
Download the printable interview form, binder cover sheet and spine then print enough for each person to have an interview sheet to fill out and whatever pens, pencils or crayons they might like to use to decorate their page.
Some kids are funny about things like that so it’s entirely up to them. After all this is going to be their interview and should reflect them. Everyone may want fill out their interview separately, but some folks work better in a group. It just depends on your family!
For young kiddos Mom and Dad may need to offer a little extra help with spelling and such. For really little kids, who are pre-writing/reading, Mom and Dad will need to do the actual writing– or at least provide a “translation” for what they write (or scribble)!
And that’s all there is to it! When everyone is finished you can either read your own or trade interviews and take turns reading them aloud. Some families video the reading part and others say they add a picture of their child to their interview for an extra reminder of the past year.
Then put the finished interview in a binder (I like these with the clear front and spine that I can slide a printable in to decorate) and wait for next year!
Want to start a New Year’s Eve tradition and build lasting memories with Your Family?
Just throw your email in the box below and the link to download the New Year’s Eve Family Interview printable will appear in your inbox.
For More Fun in the New Year, Check Out These Great Ideas:
- New Year Bingo Bonanza
- Make the Most of a Day Trip With Your Child
- Inauguration Day Activities
- Fun with Rockets!
PIN THIS FOR LATER
Sounds so much fun! I admire you for saving the inteviews from the past years. I am terrible at such things…:(
Alexandra!
YOU can do it, too! They’re all shoved in a binder–and keep the binder where you keep bills or photos, and you won’t lose them. Admittedly, I lost the first year’s–maybe 2008–so now I’m locking them in the skinny 3-ring binder! We can do it!
when you say it it all sounds so simple! :))
It is a real challenge. One idea might be to tie the interviews to a fun Christmas event you already always do, like decorating the tree or baking cookies. Store the interviews with the Christmas ornaments and you’ll always get them out (except if you move).
I love how this is like an older baby book and you can see how your kids change … from liking pink and purple to moving on to blue as favorite colors plus more. Thanks for sharing the form!
you got it–many thanks for reading, Mia, and happy 2013 to you!!
What an awesome tradition! I would have loved doing this when my kids were little. But i will be pinning it for someday!! Thank for sharing!
I never thought about it. It is a perfect and beautiful tradition to celebrate new year with the family.Thanks for the idea.
Great post, thanks for the free resources too! very useful
I LOVE TO CELEBRATE ALL FESTIVALS WITH MY FAMILY. WE USED CELEBRATE OUR NEW YEAR AND OTHER IMPORTANT FESTIVALS WITH FAMILY. Fantastic post.