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.

Start it late and have soup and steak pie or bacon rolls at the bells.

Fair enough we live in a flat and only have one loo, but the thought of that many people is giving me the shivers (am also fairly introverted).

We go to a similar kids/adults bash at a friends house. She does a huge bowl of pulled pork, a pile of rolls, a few sauces and a big salad. Everyone takes a bottle or two. It works really well.

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

Do you get invited to every single party these friends hosts?
I doubt it.
You really don't have to include everyone that you know to a party plus their kids. That's madness. Limit it to a much lower number. Maybe slightly higher than you can comfortably accomadation because people will invariably drop out/ have other plans / be ill on the night . You don't have to have everyone's kids either. Too many kids at an evening party is a disaster. They will get tired, parents may leave early, parents can't relax properly or if they do they may not keep an eye on what their kids are doing to your house etc.

Just include a small group from a particular circle to keep it manageable. Eg immediate family and cousins, school mum and dads, whatever. If anyone from a different circle says anything ( which is unlikely) you just say, it was our turn to have a do for ( whatever group)

We always do a big pot of chilli and a pot of veg chilli, a load of rice and garlic bread.mwe use paper plates and plastic cutlery and everything normally goes well.

I think you're right that it's the number of guests that's the clincher. School years 5-9 might not need much looking after in a general sense, but when there's 40 of them? That's a potential for accidents and squabbles.

Same with 30 adults, they'd be squashed all through your downstairs I would think, unless you have a huge house.

I wouldn't want two toilets between 76 people either!

I'd invite by group, so just work friend's or old school friends etc. It also gives a good reason why others aren't invited if they ask, no top 10 couples. If successful repeat with different friendship groups through out the year.

Definitely would require food.

I would probably keep it very simple and do some massive bowls of salad, pizzas, coleslaw and garlic bread. And lots of tubs of Quality St. Anything requiring actual cooking such as chilli etc would turn into a headache for that many people. You'd need masses of ingredients, huge cauldron pots etc. Many kids don't like chilli. Also it requires forks and sitting down, pizza can be eaten on the go without cutlery and is still tasty even if it's gone cold. Cooked food needs to be kept hot or at least warm.

But definitely, a party requires food provided by hosts! Only a drinks gathering between (say) 7-9pm wouldn't require food but would still probably require dry snacks (crisps, nibbles etc).

Oh for goodness sake tell your dh its a daft idea. Because it really is.

Another person here shuddering at the thought of so many guests in your house.
You haven't told us how big it is yet OP......

Also 40 kids! On NYE? I'm a TA, and used to large numbers of children, but in my house - absolutely no way!
How on earth could anyone party, or enjoy themselves with so many kids around?

Add on the short notice to get organised, and this has disaster written all over it.

Do a 'pizza party' when you know the numbers. This short notice I doubt many would make it.

Any NYE party I've ever been too has just had nibbles like crisps/nuts/sausage rolls/sandwiches.

Normally the family and close friends of the hosts will help with that.

But I've noticed since joining MN about 6 years ago, that lots of people are really quite hung up/almost obsessed with the food supplied at get togethers.

However, it doesn't reflect my real life. If it doesn't reflect yours either then I think your DH is right.

It's not a massive deal as long as there's a bit of food to fill an empty gap. Afterall they'll have had 3 meals before they've even arrived at your house.

His idea, he shops and caters. Offer this as your contribution

I'm hosting a party of 12 adults, no children. I will be cooking chilli (meat and vegetarian) with all the stuff that goes with it plus homemade cupcakes and a home made freezer cake.

I am expecting that each adult will bring a bottle of wine but not any food. I will buy in 6 bottles of red and 6 of white wine. No one drinks spirits , if anyone wants beer they will have to bring their own.

His idea, he shops and caters

AND he clears up, properly to normal standards for your home

AND he keeps the kids entertained

AND he makes sure that none of your stuff gets damaged

AND he makes sure that everyone fucks off by 2am

AND you get all of this in writing, signed by him when he is sober.

Then sit back and watch the car crash, safe in knowledge that it is not your problem!

Liking the idea of a byo leftovers party. We have no plans for New Year, but this might now change .....

Any NYE party I've ever been too has just had nibbles like crisps/nuts/sausage rolls/sandwiches. Worra you're a lone voice of sanity but don't expect to be listened to