To think if you have a party on New Year's Eve people will expect food?

[Iknowwhatyoumeanaboutthathat]

DH wants a party on NYE. He's been pestering me for years but I've never been keen. It sounds like a lot of hassle and work and expense. We could easily end up with 30 adults and 40 kids ( children would have to be invited). I'm generally ofvthe opinion NYE is overrated.

He says we would only need to provide nibbles/ crisps. I think proper food would be expected e.g. a hot buffet or a big chilli and jacket potatoes and that alcohol would need to be provided. I have told him I'm asking for your opinion and will show him the thread.

Jesus how big is your house?! 40 kids would finish me off - I'd be rocking and weeping in the corner and you can guarantee at least one thing will be damaged or broken. I like having a party but the most I have done is probably 15 adults and 10 kids. Anything else is hard work unless you have a lot of space and aren't too houseproud.

Yes you should provide food but not a proper meal just a small buffet type thing (sausage rolls etc). They should bring their own booze and you provide soft drinks.

70 people?! 40 of them kids? How big is your house OP? Because for most people with normal family houses that just sounds unmanageable and uncomfortable. We had a last minute NYE party last year, there were 20 of us (5 kids) and everyone brought food. We have a big kitchen diner that's great for socialising and kids went in the playroom, but I think any more people and we would have felt really squashed up.

I had a thread about something similar when I recently did a Pre-Christmas thing for neighbours. We ended up with around 20 adults and 15 kids and it was CRAZY! We have a 4 bedroom house with large dining kitchen and very spacious living room- dining room space but it still felt VERY busy.

Along with nibbles and starter type things, i did provide a hot buffet with meat, fish, veggie and vegan options. It was a lot of organising and expense; not just the food and drink but also all the other important things like plates/ glasses/ napkins/ bottle openers/ serving spoons, bowls and plates/ enough chairs and space/ etc etc. I did a big shop and loads of little ones when I realised I'd forgotten something. I'm sure I spent over £200 (cough not including the champagne and prosecco cough).

HOWEVER! It was a lot of fun. I too am a bit of an introvert but enjoyed this in the comfort of my own home. I'd say maybe plan a smaller party for this year as a warm-up for the big event in 2017?!

70 people isn't a LOT for an indoor party unless you have a proper mansion

IS a lot.

God don't do anything like chilli unless you have a table for everyone to sit at (not possible I assume!). It'll be dropped on your floor and trodden into the carpet. Honestly people don't have the same respect for your home as you do. Even the ones who seem nice and are tidy in their own homes. Trust noone!

We are hosting NYE for 20 (adults only) this year, from about 8pm. We're doing hot canapes, a cold spread - smoked salmon, charcuterie, cheeses, crudites, salads - and friends are bringing various puddings on a potluck basis. I think, unless you are inviting people for much later on, you do need to provide substantial food - and you can't realistically start late if you are inviting children.

Of course food would be expected by the majority of people! Apart perhaps from the competitive under eaters. I would do hot and cold party food and also crisps nuts etc. But not for 70 people! My living room would only comfortably fit about 20 max, your house must be huge!

A party for 70 people including 40 over-excited and overtired children running around underfoot and dropping food everywhere? Have you got a ballroom or a barn or something to fit that lot in? Plus space for portaloos?

Absolutely you should provide both food and booze. You can ask guests to bring bottles, but you can't rely on them bringing anything like enough.

And tell your DH that he needs plans in place for the industrial-scale cleaning job that will be required the next day, because that job is not going to involve your participation in any shape or form.

Ease yourself in, that's a lot of people! But yes provide food, we are going to a party, buffet, finger type food will be provided, we will take drinks and my sons food as he is gluten free.

Can't lie and pretend I read the whole thread but we have a gathering every new year of family and friends, kids etc and everyone knows the deal-we provide booze and people tend to bring their obscure left over booze too-we provide nibbles etc. and then we poop cash resources and order pizzas. Job done. No undue expense as people chuck in a good amount to cover what they have, minimal washing up due to boxes, expectations managed from the outset

I presume your DH is going to organise and fund all of this feeding and watering of the five thousand?
that's what i would be telling him.
he sounds self absorbed and selfish.

To clarify, we pool cash resources. Pooping them would be far more impressive.

Yes. Ive just had some extra second thoughts. Young children really dont need to be around a NYE party. If you want them to be aware of the new incoming year, and stay up to welcome it, then do it quietly at home. Seeing Uncle John pissed and dancing round like an idiot then vomiting in his shoes is not a good precedent to set. Nye is for grown ups. New years day is when you entertain the children

thebakerwithboobs

If your doing the party and hassle and mess, I would also happily contribute money wise towards stuff. Would your friends? Nye costs a fortune out somewhere maybe £20 per family? It won't cover everything but allow for soft drinks costs plus snacks.

I usually host NYE and used to faff about doing hot food buffets but it was a pain! Last few years i've orovided booze, soft drinks, crusty bread, crackers, cheeses, pate, sausage rolls, mini sausages, salami/foreign meats platter, olives, stuffed peppers etc cold buffet selection with mini choc eclairs/profiteroles etc defrosted from
Freezer as a sweet option. Crisps, dips, nuts etc in dishes throughout party zone. Party usually starts at 8 and I provide a big tub of sweets and snacks for kids who usually migrate upstairs to wifi together! Everyone e brings booze and a contribution to the food. Never had any complaints! Friend who is hosting this year says she's doing the same as everyone e likes it and it's so much less hassle!

I think that if you don't provide food then there is the risk that people may get very drunk and you don't want them throwing up on your carpets / in loos etc, it is, however perfectly ok to ask people to 'bring a bottle'. My friend, a seasoned hostess does this at her annual pool parties.

We did a party on Boxing Day. About 24 adults same number of kids. Went from 3-11ish. I told everyone we would provide food but they had to bring a bottle. We went through about 15 bottles of prosecvo, bottle of gin, vodka, about 8 bottles of wine and beers. Some people brought food too. It was great but my house is still a mess..... It's a big job.

Actually I'm thinking the problem is the scale. It's hard to keep to only 4-5 families as you start thinking about the people you might offend. Lots have 3 children ( we have 4) and they would mainly be year 5-9 probably so likely to be eating a lot but wouldn't need too much watching. So I'm thinking the key is numbers here.

Parties are expensive and messy. I'd ask everyone to bring a bottle and a pizzas for their family and get some garlic bread, crisps and other nibbles, cooking as many pizzas as possible at a time. Lots of games, Disney movies and a quiet area for children.

Could be a fab party though!

I don't even know that many people let alone have that many friends.

DH was born in this area and has accumulated a lot if friends over the years. I have mum friends plus their families but then once you start inviting the list goes on as I'd hate to offend anyone.

You could try it this year and call it a last minute BYO leftovers party. Most people have lots of food around so am sure if everyone brought something theyd be delighted to in return for havinhr child friendly plans for Hogmanay.
Or make it from 8.30 so then you know everyone will have eaten and then just provide some nibbles.

You can make it clear in phone call/email/text come for x time for nibbles and booze. Please bring a bottle and some nibbles etc. If I was invited I would definitely bring booze for adults and would ask if I could bring along any party food. Others may not bother but as a minimum would crisps, sausage rolls, dips, pizza, samosa's, choc fingers etc and you would need to provide some drink wine, beer, kids drinks and some lemonade or coke incase people bring spirits as a mixer and for teetotallers and lemonade and squash for kids if people want spirits they can bring their own. Most people wouldn't drrwamn if coming empty handed but depends on your circle of friends/family.