When Do You Stop the Party?

I have never been the life of the party. I tend to fall asleep if I sit still for too long. Some of my friends, however, can stay up and talk all night long. It seems they never run out of things to talk about when making new friends. I always want to be a gracious hostess and make them feel comfortable, so these are some tips I have used to end a good time without hurting anyone's feelings.

• Set Clear Party Times in Advance. I always send a written invitation either through the mail or via email that sets a clear agenda for party end times. If guest are aware there is a set end time, most will respect the time frame.
• Be Proactive. About 30 minutes before the party is scheduled to end, conduct a last call for beverages. Make an announcement thanking your guests for attending and make loose plans to get together again soon.
• Be Prepared. Most of my friends are not heavy drinkers, but I keep the number of local cab companies available just in case they bring a guest who over steps his/her boundaries. Always have a back-up plan to get guests home safely, never allow anyone to drive home drunk.

The most important rule when hosting a party is making the guests feel comfortable and welcome. However, the rules of the house should always apply. If a time has been set for the gathering to dispurse don't feel uncomfortable about inviting guests to leave.

If uninvited guests show up to crash the party, do not hesitate to communicate that the party will be ending at a pre-set time. Since these guests did not get the pre-party invitation, a firmer hand may be required to insist they leave on time. If they have come from a previous party, their alcohol level may be higher and their behaviour looser. Don't hesitate to insist they leave early if other guests are uncomfortable with their presence.

Nothing will kill a party atmosphere faster than ill-behaved guests. Poor behavior can lead to more serious types of misconduct such as arguing or fighting. Never let a disagreement escalate to the point of tempers flaring out of control. It is better to end the party early rather than to risk the safety of the guests or damage to personal property.

Most parties will wind down on their own. Once the first guest leaves most of the other guests will follow suit. Planning for ending the party is just as important as selecting the date and sending out the invitations.