We are having a NYE party for the first time. 6 of us couples, we all live in the same neighborhood. Everyone’s adult children and significant others invited, too. My son’s and their GF, along with some other friends will be there. I hope younger adults show up, even if just for awhile. But getting back to my question, what time should I start? Women are dressing “fancy” and everyone is bringing something to share. Lots of food and drinks.
7:30 or 8. Make it clear it’s after dinner. You don’t want people showing up with empty stomachs and appetizers aren’t usually enough to make a meal of.
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I’d say 8 or later.
8 or 9pm. We normally start at 9pm but this year we plan to start at 8pm because DD and her BF have party plans with his friends late that night.
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Maybe funny question but is the goal to ring in the New Year together - in other words, to go until at least 12:05 am??? I guess I’d think about if there will be other activities besides eating/drinking - I mean can you sustain that for how many hours to get until midnight? Or will you be playing games or something.
All of the NYE parties we attend start around 7, but there is a ton of food (very Italian American area so trays plus apps), but there are also a lot more people.
I’ll be serving mini beef tenderloin sandwiches, and one hot dish. Evryi e else would bring heavy appetizers. I want hungry stomachs.
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Then start at 7 and tell them to arrive hungry. Be sure that you have enough to actually feed people, especially if there’s going to be a lot of alcohol consumed.
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So, the times I had Xmas Eve, the same crowd was here and we started at 5. People were leaving anywhere from 4 to 8 hours. One year , One couple came back after they had a family obligation. We don’t play games, just a lot of fun talking….and eating and drinking. I imagine at least half would make it till midnight. 7:30 sounds a good between time. If I say that time, people will show up at 8 or after is my guess.
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I’m having a few friends over for NYE and I told them to arrive after dinner, 7:30, but to bring a nibbly thing. We will snack as the evening goes on. We are playing games and dancing too.
Interesting. None of the NYE parties I’ve ever attended featured games, and none of the adults I know have any trouble whatsoever keeping themselves happy for hours and hours with food, drink, music, and good conversation. I know a lot of people enjoy games, but I don’t like them and will leave a gathering if it morphs into game (or worse) cardplay. Definitely different strokes.
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Well, a NYE party goer I am not, nor am I a dress up and drink cocktails type of person. I do like food though - a lot - but I can’t just eat for 5 hours!!!
I love board games nights, but those only works with a few people. There will be 6 of us on NYE so it will be manageable.
I also love games with big groups of people and have had a Halloween party and Xmas party this year (covid tests required), both of which featured large-scale games. It entails a lot of planning on my part and awareness that with more people, the game needs to be simple and short. It’s always fun though, or at least I think it is 
@ChoatieMom if you come to a party at my house, don’t be surprised when I announce it’s time for fun and games!
I like any kind of party. Cocktails, food, and conversation are good too.
We had good friends who always hosted a NYE party in our neighborhood. Lots of folks and adult-ish kids (college and just out of college). I think she usually started at 8:00. The adult-ish kids would drop in and hang out until around 10:00 or 10:30 and then leave to go do their own things. It was a fun way for these kids (who all went to high school together) to see each other and each others’ parents.
I like games but there aren’t a ton that can be done with a larger group. You could do men v women Pictionary with an easel. We have done that before. I HATE Cards Agains Humanity. At my friend’s NYE party it usually wound up with the men in one room and the women in the other. No games/activity needed - lots and lots of talking!
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You would hate our gatherings then, as we dance also!
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I’ve been to both games playing and dancing NYE parties and they are both fun. I think it’s a little easier to start early if you are planning on games and real food, but if it’s dancing and chatting I’d probably go for 7:30.
I’m in for dancing!!! Not slow dancing though… 
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So tempted to post a video of Elaine from Seinfeld dancing in that episode where they make fun of her 
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Pick a time you like (maybe 7pm?) and sanity check it with one or two attendees.
In a way we are lucky in my time zone. We can opt to celebrate at midnight, but alternate is to consider it new year when “the ball drops in NYC” (we are from upstate NY).