Say goodbye to 2022 and bond with friends while ringing in 2023. Most people will agree that too much excitement and dozens of visitors causes stress. With a few tips, you can make sure everyone has a good time.

Limit the guest list

Smaller groups are easier to manage, and the better you know your guests, the better you can plan the get-together. Your closest friends won’t care if your cat upchucked a hairball and while tidying up, you missed the wet gray wad of fur in the corner. Your friends came to see you, not your house.

Let the Christmas decorations stay

Supplement the decor with a New Year banner and sparkly party favors. Glittery hats and kazoos make the night special.

Settle on finger food or limit the menu

1. Why not buy a few ready-made snacks everyone likes? Chicken wings, chips with dip, cheese, crackers, fresh cut veggies, and finger sandwiches are crowd pleasers.

2. Provide a hot dish or two and limit the alcohol. Encourage guests to bring something to share.

Keep the mess to a minumum.

Make sure the dishwasher is empty and ready for dirty dishes. Or consider eating off disposable plates. It’s not tacky to hand your guest a sturdy paper plate. If they’re offended, you might’ve invited the wrong people to your party.

Plan activities everyone will enjoy

Consider a movie, board games or cards.

If guests will be drinking alcohol, offer water between beverages. There’s nothing festive about red wine stains or broken glasses. If someone gets intoxicated, have a plan B for getting them home or let them stay over.

Be a host or a hostess, not a ghost or a ghostess

Don’t worry if everything isn’t perfect because it doesn’t matter. What matters is spending time with your friends. It’s your party, too. Have a great time and Happy New Year.