3.8K
[blank]
Each year we are invited to a couple of New Year’s Eve dinners or parties, but since our children have been teenagers we have to decline. WHY?!! I hear you ask, something contagious? a superstition? no, nothing so ethereal — it’s our barn!
Our barn is big, safe, far enough from the house to be independent yet close enough to keep an eye, and …… it has seating and a dance floor!! YAY!
So every year at least one of our four children organises a New Year party there. We bring in heating, fancy lights, music, food, drink…. You can see from the pictures that we leave it all pretty basic. Experience has taught me that my ideas on decoration aren’t quite the same as theirs, and in any case the lights will be so low that no one will notice!!
We already put a couple of our old sofas in the barn, and the former mangers have been transformed into teenage-party-proof seating.
[blank]
The old wood burning stove is given its annual dusting off and woken up for the occasion, and we bring in some extra party heating too.
So at my french country home on New Year’s Eve you will find a dinner for us with friends in the main house; a teenage party in the barn, and a younger and smaller teenage happening in the guest cottage. Fun? yes, Mad? yes, also, …. but the bit where I would like you to spare me a thought is the next morning, because while our dinner guests will go home at some point in the night, most of the youngsters will be staying here!!! Obviously! No fun at all otherwise!
How many baguettes do you think I should order for breakfast for 30 youngsters? I’m going with 20 baguettes and about 8 litres of hot chocolate and the same of orange juice, but if anyone knows better I’m interested to hear!
.
Bonne année à vous tous!! [blank]
41 comments
Oh I'm so envious. I've always dreamed of having a party barn!!! What fun for all of you! Bagettes and hot chocolate for breakfast sounds heavenly!!!
How fun! The barn looks like a wonderful place to have a party…even for adults! And how sweet of you to make breakfast for all the guests.
Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
XO,
Jane
It sounds amazing! Have a wonderful New Year!
Christina
Your children are really lucky!!
And you are really good with them….I hope they will help you cleaning the day after!!!
Ah ah!!
A very very happy beginning to you Sharon,
with love,
Fra
Sharon ¡que buen lugar para la fiesta! yo también tengo hijos adolescentes y al momento de comprar la comida parece que nunca será suficiente!! Que tengas feliz año y te seguiré visitando en 2011 pues me encanta tu blog.Marina
Wow, it all looks and sounds so amazing!!!
How long have you been doing this?
What wonderful memories you are always creating for your family. You are the world's greatest Mom for sure!!!
Happy New Year… it's going to be a blast!!!
What wonderful fun!!!! To plan for and to facilitate! I love doing "projects" like that…but you have it all with that wonderful barn!
It looks and sounds amazing! I want a barn to set up as a guest/party space too! Lucky you – and lucky kids! Have a wonderful New Year – filled with love, health, happiness, and prosperity.
Fun for all ages in beautiful settings. I'd love to be there. That's a lovely barn and it is so nice to have all teenagers close enough to check on them. Happy New Year! IAMSNWFLK (from Argentina)
https://dondehogar.blogspot.com/
Wow, such fun! What a great way to bring in the New Year – parties all around the place. I have no idea how many baguettes you'll need – but I'd love a French baguette myself on New Year's morning!
Bonne année, Sharon. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog and look forward to more wonderful posts de la belle France!
Sounds like a very fun & safe New Years!!! Have a great time! xxoo 🙂
Hi Sharon, We have a barn and we also have parties in it, sometimes. Mostly it's a working barn with a tractor and chickens. Your barn looks like a 5 star hotel next to ours.
What fun for the young ones. Maybe a sausage or two to go along with the baguettes.
What a wonderful place to spend ringing in the new year. Hope you have a blast!
Hi Sharon,
I've got it! I have finally decided what I want to be in my next life: one of your children!
I hope they realize how lucky they are. It is just too cool! How do they decide whose turn it is to have a party? Pull straws or does the rank in the family order come into play? Gina had a good idea- a few sausages and you're done!
Happy New Year!
We have decided that we might move again someday.
I want less Big City and more Big Country. Or at least a little house in the woods, you know ?
So .. I now have on the list of requirements that my new little house should have … A Party Barn.
Brilliant idea. Every aspect of it.
Feliz Año Nuevo , Sharon !!
C
That's such a great idea…that barn looks like it can host fun times 😉 Love the rustic look with lights and wood furniture! Bet your teenagers have fun there…enjoy your New Years eve party and hope there's enough food for all the teenagers!
Wonderful! I love it! A lot of work, but what a fabulous way to bring in a new year! Love reading about your life in France. Bonne Année!
OMG, gan I come?!!
Happy New Year!
You are very brave having all those teenagers in the barn also very sensible at least you will know where yours are and what they are doing. Have fun and happy new year to you all. deb
Oh Sharon- it sounds lovely! What fun and how special is it- that your dear children want all of their friends nearby for the holiday. It speaks volumes about you and Mr.MFCH. Love to you and Happy, Happy New Year.
xxx Deb
Dearest Sharon,
Great way for having your children within reach and also safe. The breakfast you will serve is very appealing to me; quite European and a lot healthier than the American eggs and sausages. Add some sweet marmalade and cheese and you have a happy bunch of 30!
Enjoy the ending and the beginning of the New Year and may 2011 be a Happy one for all your loved ones in good health!
Love,
Mariette's Back to Basics
THAT is a FABULOUS barn!!! Wow!! I bet many a marvelous party has been had in that barn….Happy New Year!!!!
Oh my goodness, don't suppose there's time for me to jump on a plane or two and drop by? It looks perfect!! I'm not a fan of NYE parties but I'd make an exception for yours, or your teenagers!
Well doesn't that sound like a fun time for all! How cool to use the barn for such a purpose! I love that idea (and also your teenage-proof seating!) Have a wonderful New Years!
Smart lady. Teenagers need you to be there at all times.Don't abandon the ship. Soon the kids will be gone and you can have your life back again. But you will miss those barn parties. Really nice. xo Jenny
oh sharon, i adore barns and yours is magical; the stone, size, the manger seating, low lights….swoon!
(can we swap lives?)
best of wishes for you in 2011
xo
debra
I would so love to have that barn………barn envy Ugh! Happy New Year Enjoy~Cheers Kim
Bon Année!!!! bises!
Bonne année!
Salut!
*Tasiaa
That is just amazing! Love it! How cozy and wonderful, those are some lucky teenagers! XX!
Sharon, my 13 yo read your post with me this am. He would love to join in with your kids tonight! I hope you all have a wonderful celebration! Cheers!
Meilleurs Veux to Normandie pour une tres BONNE ANNEE 2011 – from the Périgord.
Cordialement – Karin
j'espère que vous avez une merveilleuse nouvelle année!
Monica
How lucky you are to have such a wonderful place to gather. It's fun being the spot where your children's friends want to come and you get to participate…Enjoy it…..and have a fantastic 2011…K
I wish you an Happy New Year. A new year with Love and Happiness… I love your blog. KASIA
Hope you have a Happy and Safe New Year. The barn idea sounds perfect. I came across your blog a few months ago and have enjoyed it very much. Thank you.
Dear Sharon
Wishing you and yours the best of everything for 2011.. and what a great start you will make to the year.. a fabulous setting for a party.. Now I need a barn!! hahaha
But seriously.. thank you for your friendship in 2010.. it's meant the world to me!! lots of love for 2011.. xxx Julie
Wow, what a great way to celebrate!!!
Happy New Year and blessings to come!
Hugs,
Margaret B
Happy New Year Dear girlfriend~ Cheers to a Very Happy 2011 Hugs, Diane
Meilleurs voeux pour la nouvelle année!
Dea
So super sweet 🙂