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Perhaps the first thought on your mind for the upcoming New Year is, “Which bars and pubs are we going to hit up?” But then you stopped and thought of what will be missing this year. One of your best friends was shipped out on a tour of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Deep down you know the parties just won’t be the same without him. You wish there was something you could do to let him know you were thinking of him just now. The holidays are often the most difficult time for US soldiers and their families, since Christmas and New Years are typically a time of togetherness. But don’t despair because there are many ways you can make a difference.

Over the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve holidays, many Americans like to send care packages as a show of support for our troops. The United Service Organizations Inc. is delivering care packages to US troops around the world for a $25 donation.

The packages include a prepaid phone card, sunscreen, travel sized toiletries, a disposable camera and a message from you. For more information visit www.usocares.org. Operation Gratitude also ships packages containing toiletries, food, entertainment gifts and personal letters to troops in the Middle East.

Visit www.opgratitude.com for more information. Lastly, you can visit www.treatsfortroops.com to donate themed packages or individual items from dozens of online gift shops.

New Year’s Eve holidays are sometimes celebrated with the allowance of a couple beers on base and games of poker. These New Year traditions help the soldiers feel a little less homesick, but it’s hard to deny the pain of being away from one’s family over the holidays.

Whether it’s cards, care packages, letters or text messages — these gestures mean a lot when troops are stranded in faraway lands.

To read more Sending Care Packages For New Year’s Eve Holidays

Forget fancy gowns and champagne toasts this year. Sometimes hosting a New Years Eve party for kids can be a welcome respite from overpaying for drinks, running around town on one of the busiest nights of the year and worrying about nursing a New Year’s Day hangover.

Besides, you only have so many years to decide how your children spend their holidays. Soon they’ll be running off to teen parties and college bashes, leaving you wishing you had just one more year to spend with them. Here are some tips for creating the perfect party.

Naturally, a New Years Eve party for kids will require some supplies. Hats, party blowers, noisemakers and glow-in-the-dark items are kid-friendly additions meant to ring in the New Year. Many parents decorate with balloons filled with confetti, streamers and festive table cloths.

Party crackers or party poppers can be purchased in the holiday section of stores like Wal-mart. You may want to have the kids make their own “Happy New Year” signs to hang in the living room for added ambiance. All these elements can contribute to a festive celebration.

At your New Years Eve party for kids, make sure to stop the activities just before the ball will drop in Times Square. Be sure the TV is on and ready for the countdown. Have the kids gather their party hats and noisemakers. Pour the kids’ glasses of Sparkling Grape Juice and set them aside.

At the stroke of midnight, you may want to tell the kids to run outside and shout “Happy New Years” at the top of their lungs (so the decibel level inside doesn’t blow the roof off!) Once the wildness of the celebration has quieted down a little, have the kids put on their PJs and watch a movie, which should get them calmed down and ready for bed.

To read more Planning Ideas For A New Years Eve Party For Kids

Choosing which New Year’s Eve food to make for your party can be a tough decision. If you insist on being the host with the most, you are probably tallying up the cost of ingredients in your head to find that you could easily spend a small fortune.

If you’re only hosting a handful of family members or friends, then you may be able to serve a full sit-down dinner. However, if you’re inviting anyone and everyone, you may want to stick with appetizers and finger foods.

Another option would be a “pot luck” style meal, where each guest brings his or her favorite dish to share. Celebrations are all about food and gathering together, so choosing the right bites is essential to the success of your New Year event.

One approach to New Year’s Eve food is the “breads and spreads” theme. Your buffet table will have little plates ideal for grab-and-go foods like Mediterranean hummus, feta cheese and herb pâté spreads; stuffed grape leaves, stuffed olives and spinach pie triangles make nice additions to this plate.

Gourmet cheese is always a hit, so be on the look out for pepato, Asiago, Monchego and Brie. Cheese goes well with crackers, fresh berries and warm baguettes. Mini-croissant sandwiches made of turkey, Brie and basil aioli are to die for. Little slices of filet mignon with bleu cheese crumbles, Vermont cheddar, crispy onions and horseradish cream make a nice dish as well.

New Year’s Eve food doesn’t have to be as focused as the offerings served at Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. Spirits are surely the main course at this party and the food is merely to keep people from getting overly intoxicated or ill.

The best foods can be gobbled up on small plates just to satiate. Think of the foods that bars and pubs serve up, such as chicken wings, hot pretzels, potato skins and hotdogs. You also have the opportunity to bring out some really creative finger foods that aren’t seen any other time of the year, when main courses typically take center stage.

If you’re not much of a cook, then you may even want to get a caterer to serve little sub pieces or sandwiches. Throw a few bags of chips out there and some fresh veggies and dip; before you know it, you’ll have a tasty New Years buffet table of food!

To read more Better New Year’s Eve Food For Your Party