If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

I volunteered to host it this year for the first time, and now I'm beginning to regret it, I think.

I'm a worrier sometimes and don't want to police guests, but I also don't want anything bad to happen, either.

What do you guys do? Does it ever become awkward to have to intervene? How do you know when to do it?

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

I haven't hosted -- but I have attended a NYE party at a friend's house every year.

I'm the Otis that always gets sloshed.

The host at the party lets everyone know ahead of time "drink as much as you want....if you can't drive home, your keys are getting taken and you can crash here."

Their party is FULL of booze and tons of drinking and for the most part, everyone who comes has someone in their party that is a DD. (My DH is always the DD for me.)

They do not police anyone, you can get as drunk as you want....but people have been going there for years so we all know who's gonna get drunk and who has a ride and who is probably going to crash.

You have to look at your group of friends and think of who you think might be the Otis.

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

As a general statement we let people know they can stay over if they need to...obviously if we see someone is really not able to drive we'll say something to them/take their keys away.

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

My friend has the extra beds all set up. I'm going in my pjs and bringing an overnight bag. We might be fine once the ball drops but I get nervous being on the roads after 12 on NYE.

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

We're hosting and we warned guest that whoever is drinking all night is staying over the night! That's the rule, otherwise, don't come.

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

We are hosting. This year it's a pretty small group (about 10 or 12 of us). Everyone has a designated driver.
I make everyone text me as soon as they are home and settled in.

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

We are hosting a very small party this year. DH & I decided to invite the ppl w/kids but can't get a babysitter. So obviously, we are the child friendly party.
As of now its just two couples w/their kids coming, which is totally cool w/us, and we let them know that there is plenty of room for them & their kids.

Especially since there are kids involved, I have no prob taking car keys. I doubt that will be the case but I also made that very clear.

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

I wouldn't worry. I mean, it depends on your friends but for us it seems like as grown up family types (snore, lol, but yup that's what we are now) our friends already abide by the no drinking and driving rule.

I wouldn't worry. My guess is that the chances of you having some real drunk fighting to drive is slim and if it DOES happen I bet there will be a group of people stopping him/her anyway so it won't be just your awkward situation.

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

this is my first year hosting, and i'm a little worried.

i've made sure that SO has REPEATEDLY told them about spending the night. i'll have air matresses, blankets, extra pjs available.

i won't police the drinking, but SO is a big guy and i will "sick him on them" and take keys away if i don't like what i see. i'd rather have an angry drunk in my house than a tragedy.

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

I have hosted the last few years. I let everyone one ahead of time that they are all welcome to stay. It's not a big crowd, so it all works out.

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

We are hosting.
Two couples live in the neighborhood and will be cabbing it.
One couple will be staying over.

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

Hosting New Year's Eve can be stressful for just that reason alone. This year is the first year we arent hosting and as much fun as we do have; its a relief.

Obviously they all know my home is their home. But for the most part, our friends are very responsible. Most of them are couples anyway and one half has maybe a drink or two in the beginning of the night and then stops. Some also carpool. Beleive it or not, one year; a few people took a cab to our house. I am in Suffolk and most of our friends live in Nassau. They all piled in one cab and drank their a&& off all nite with no worries.


To be honest.......its not so much my guests leaving the party; it was everyone else on the road that I would worry about when they left. I also made sure every single one texted me when they arrived home.

Everyone will have a great time. Its normal to worry but it will be fine!!

Have a GREAT time!

Message edited 12/30/2010 8:57:37 AM.

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

usually our guests are pretty decent about handling themselves getting home.. no one really stays over, but we are always prepared for anyone to stay as well..

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

Message edited 12/30/2010 9:29:36 AM.

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

ive been to a few NYE parties where the host actually had a big bowl set up at the door that everyone dropped their car keys into.... once everyone was there.. the bowl was put away... if you couldn't "FIND" your keys when it was time to leave they got "LOST" and you had no choice to stay or take a cab and "LOOK" for them tomorrow....

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

If we were hosting people would be welcome to stay. However, I'm not policing anyone. If I notice you're drunk and trying to drive, yes, I will take your keys away. But I'm not going to stand at the door with a breathalyzer. Adults need to learn to be adults and take responsibility for their own actions.

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

We host every year. Our friends are pretty responsible when it comes to drinking and not driving, but they all know they're more than welcome to crash at our place.

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

I'm hosting this year and would normally offer up the couch and extra bed to my guests BUT we alreayd have house guests so that is out.

So this year one couple is cabbing it home, my brother and SIL can walk (just around the corner) and another couple will drive (she doesn't drink and they are leaving early)

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

I would just plainly state to everyone that they're welcome to drink as much as they want, but that they'll have to either cab home or stay the night.

we plan on going to a friends house and taking a cab home, going back the next day to get our car.

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

This is the first year we are not hosting, sicne our friends have a 7 month old and wanted to keep her home... but normally, we tell them there is plenty of extra bed and couch space. every year there seems to be atleast 1 pregnant person too so that helps. But our friends are always very responsible about that, so i don't worry, i just try to make it easier since we have have room for atleast 5 extra bodies to sleep!

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

We're only having 1 other couple at our house and they are staying the night so no need to worry about drunkeness!

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

we are just having family over and I doubt anyone will drink much, BUT even if we had a big party, I would never police people , as an adult you should know your limit and shouldn't need a host to watch you . My thinking is : I 'm inviting people to have fun and enjoy the night (same goes for them) , not to babysit them.
If someone is obviously very drunk then I sure, would say something, otherwise I wouldn't say anything to anyone, but that's just me ...

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

We just have a general rule... you drink, you give me your keys, you get htem in the morning. (people crash at the house)

Re: If you're hosting new years eve (guest drinking question)

We hosted 17 people last year and we have a smaller group this year. I repeatedly and strongly suggested that people stay over. Many of our friends take the LIRR out to us anyway, so they get a ride to the station from someone not drinking, or will stay over. Otherwise my friends are pretty good and won't drive if they aren't able. If I think they're still drunk I'll say "Stay for another hour, I'll make coffee" and that's usually fine. I haven't had to go too far with it, thankfully.