Sometimes the best New Year's Eve ideas simply turn up the volume on tried-and-true favorites. Take these yummy cookies-and-milk dunkers. Enjoy them as is, or create more razzle-dazzle by sprinkling edible glitter on the top of each glass of milk and tying sparkly curly ribbon to the end of each stick after the cookies come out of the oven. It doesn't take much to elevate the everyday into something special for New Year's Eve.

It seems like every media outlet compiles a "Best of" list this time of year. But aren't your family's own memories the very best of all? Make the creation of an "Our Best of 2012" list a focal point of your New Year's Eve festivities. Write down everything that springs to mind, including awesome highlights (your son learning to ride a bicycle) and laughable lowlights (the time your dog stole the Easter ham). Use a special journal to make this a tradition your family will treasure for years to come.

Goodie bags created especially for New Year's Eve are loaded with fun and suspense — not to mention treats and toys. Simply take six gift bags or lunch bags and, starting with 7 o’clock, write consecutive hours on each bag till you reach midnight. Fill each bag with goodies such as candy, glow sticks, noisemakers and confetti pouches, and let your children take turns opening one at the top of every hour. (Tip: To avoid parental headaches, save the noisy stuff for the midnight bag.)

Having trouble coming up with a New Year's Eve munchies menu? Perhaps you've forgotten to enlist the aid of your best helpers — the kids! New Year's Eve is the perfect night for letting everyone in the family choose his or her top snack or treat. Combine your family favorites, and you're guaranteed to have a crowd-pleasing menu.

Speaking of menus, be sure to create and post one for your celebration. Write menu items on a large piece of tag board, then let little ones go crazy decorating it with glitter glue and stickers.

Nothing fends off boredom better than board games, especially when you're family is cozied up inside to celebrate the holiday. To make this game night a real winner, award gold medals (available at party stores) to the champion of each game. Consider giving bronze medals to the good-sport losers if that would help keep your pint-size competitors happy. Make sure everyone in the family gets to pick one game he or she loves the most — even if that means yet another game of Go Fish.

One of the fringe benefits of celebrating New Year's Eve at home as a family is the fact that you don't need to spend the night in high heels (right, Mom?). Instead, make pajamas the "required attire"for your bash. You'll all feel cozy and comfortable, and if your littlest revelers simply can't stay awake till midnight, all you need to do is carry them to their beds, tuck them in and let them dream of a wonderful 2013.