1. Start cleaning. Put the food away and go around with a trashbag collecting whatever there is to clean up. You can even dim the music. Some guests will take the hint and help you clean and others will simply start leaving.
A more subtle version of this would be to look at a clock, exclaiming, "Oh! Where did the time go?" and ask your last guests to help put away the dishes.
2. Here's a bold one for that last couple still standing: come out with your robe. A change of clothes means a change of role - you're no longer the host, you're just a person, in their home, on their way to bed.
Related: 15 Clever Tricks for Simple Hosting
3. Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert and founder of the Protocol School of Texas has a polite and transparent ending speech for you: "It’s been really nice to have all of you here together tonight. I am getting a bit sleepy from the exciting evening and I am going to have to call it a night very soon. I hope you have enjoyed yourself and I look forward to seeing you again soon."
Source
A less direct and more humorous phrasing is something like, "Hey guys, it's been a lovely evening. I'm going to bed now, there are blankets in the hamper if you need to crash." Hopefully, no one will stay the night, and your generous tone will leave a good impression.
4. If you send invitations ahead of time, you can state the ending time of the party, along with your address and beginning time.
Related: The Essential Food Tips for Any Hosting Event
5. Go out with a flash: turn the lights on, dim down the music, and invite everyone to a concluding group photo. After that, start saying your goodbyes. If you hand out boxes of food leftovers, make sure they're well prepared by then.
6. And finally, here are some songs that may set the "end of the party" mood:
- Kiss From a Rose by Seal
- Purple Rain by Prince
- Closing Time by Semisonic
- Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis
- Thank You for the Music by ABBA
- The Party's Over by Peggy Lee.
H/T: HuffPost
9 Surprising Holiday Injuries and Ways to Prevent Them
In this post, we list 8 of the most common holiday injuries and ways to avoid them.
Become the Perfect Host With These 15 Clever Tricks!
Hosting friends and family for meals or birthday parties is fun but also tiring at times. With these 15 tips, you can now easily and effortlessly entertain!
Kwanzaa in a Nutshell: Learn About This Cultural Holiday
Kwanzaa in a nutshell - a light introduction to this modern non-religious African American holiday.
Use These Tactful Responses When People Push Food on You
The next time some loved one tries to push food on your plate forcefully, use these tactful responses.
These Thanksgiving Decorations are a Feast for the Eyes
These delightful Thanksgiving decorations will get you into the holiday spirit.
Traveling the Globe? Be Sure to Mind Your Table Manners!
When you’re traveling the globe sampling every country's cuisines, these customary table manners will make your experience authentic!
Are Your Houseplants Leaking Water? This Is What It Means
Is it good if your indoor plants are emitting droplets of water? Every houseplant owner ought to know the answer to this one...
9 Ingredients It's Best to Avoid When Grocery Shopping
Stay healthy by making sure that these 9 ingredients are not part of the food you buy.
Book Recommendations: 10 of the Best Reads for Dog Lovers
If your best friend is a dog, then you’ll this list of the best book about dogs.
24 Simple But Genius Hanger Tricks to Use at Home!
Find out the many wonderful and useful tricks you can use a regular old hanger for!
WARNING: Don't Keep This Product in Your Car
Hand sanitizers can be found in plenty of vehicles, maybe even in yours, but is it wise to store them there?
Cutting These Things In Half Did Wonders For My Wallet...
Cutting the amount of certain things you use in half is an excellent exercise in frugality. Furthermore, you'll save money. Here are 10 things to cut in half.
Everything You Wanted to Know About Coffee...
Is coffee healthy? Is it addictive? Is there any way to reuse coffee grounds? Find the answer these question in this coffee themed collection
12 Home Maintenance Mistakes I Wished I Knew Earlier
Care to find out if you’ve fallen prey to some of these home maintenance myths?
Why You Shouldn’t Keep a Bar Soap for More Than 2 Years
The following 10 personal hygiene products all expire sooner than you’d think and you must replace them regularly
Is Your Bathroom as Clean as It Could Be? Probably Not!
Is your bathroom as clean as it could be? Follow these 10 tips to ensure a cleaner bathroom.
Guide: How We Use Different Acids for Skin Treatments
Understanding how these acids work and their specific benefits will empower you to make informed decisions about your skincare routine.
This Common Item is More Helpful Than You Ever Guessed
Binder clips are a very common item at every office and in most houses. But did you know how many functions this simple-looking tool is capable of?
Can't Stop Overthinking? This Insightful Guide Is For You
Do you overthink? This guide will help you manage your thoughts better.
Tutorial: How to Slice EVERY Type of Fruit!
Learn how to slice over 30 different fruit through this easy and fun tutorial video.
Read This to Deal With That Terrible Smell In Your Fridge!
If there's a bad odor in your refrigerator, then this guide will show you exactly how to get rid of it quickly and easily.
7 Cleaning Mistakes Most of Us Still Make
All of these 7 cleaning mistakes are extremely common, and what’s worse, all of them can completely ruin your hard work while cleaning
What Happens to Your Breasts When You Don't Wear a Bra
What happens when you don't wear a bra? Here are 8 health benefits of not wearing a bra you may not know about.
Did You Know You Shouldn't Store These Foods in the Fridge?
Contrary to popular belief, these 10 foods shouldn't be stored in the refrigerator for a variety of reasons. Read this post to find out more.
20 Gardening Tips That'll Turn Your Thumb Green
This video will help you grow just about anything.
This Seed Can be Planted as Late as November!
Sad to be parting with your outdoor garden during the winter months? This seed can be planted as late as November!
10 Ways to Get Rid of Black Circles and that Puffy Look
Had enough of looking tired? Try our natural recipes to rid yourself of that tired look.
Struggling with Sleep? These YouTube Channels Can Help
The next time you struggle with sleep, try these YouTube channels.
FINALLY I Get to Use My Leftover Butter!
The butter you have left in your fridge finally has some great uses for you.
Choose the Healthiest Breakfast Cereal With These Tips
Choose the healthiest breakfast cereal with these tips.
These 3 Healthy Salads Are So Good for Your Eyesight
Did you know that salads are so healthy that they are even good for your eyesight? Try these 3, and you'll SEE what I mean.
Which Meat Cuts Offer the Best Return on Investment?
Buying every cut of meat, this video will compare them all and their return on investment.
10 Nifty Uses for Cooking Spray You Never Thought Of
I bet you never thought of using cooking spray in these alternative ways...
Discover the Most Spoken Languages in One Incredible Map!
This map is simply amazing, both informative and a work of art!
Keep Your Bananas Fresh Much Longer With These Hacks
Don't want your bananas to ripen too fast? These tips will help keep them fresh and flavorful for longer.
What Is Your Learning Style? This Chart Explains
What is your learning style? Identify your learning style with this chart.
How to Make Sure No Spider Enters Your Home
Tired of 8 legged monstrosities roaming your house? It's time to put a stop to it, the natural way.
10 Natural Remedies That Actually Work
Not Feeling well? We recommend that you think outside the box, or in this case outside the medicine cabinet with the following 10 effective natural medicines!
One of These Facts May Save Your Life One Day
10 simple facts that we should all know, because they may save us some day.
12 Unusual DIY “Hacks” People Used to Improve Their Lives
Take a look at some weird and unusual "inventions" made by people to solve their everyday problems.
10 Fantastic Food Hacks To Try At Home
Make your culinary experience as good as it can be using these 10 neat little kitchen hacks.
Where is YOUR Dog From? The Full Dog Breed Compendium
The complete guide to dog races by country!
GUIDE: Learn 3 Proven Problem-Solving Methods
Your ability to solve problems, or lack thereof, has a great bearing on whether you can be happy and successful. Try these 3 problem-solving methods.
Can't Fall Back Asleep? Try These 8 Genius Tricks
Do you wake up in the middle of the night? Thankfully, there are some natural remedies you can try, that will get you back to falling asleep quickly, making any unwelcome moments of wakefulness seem like nothing more than a fleeting dream.
Do You Store Your Eggs in the Door of Your Fridge? Don't!
If you store your eggs in the refrigerator door, you should stop. Here's why.
Have You Been Eating Bananas Wrong Your Whole Life??
There are so many food items we have been eating the wrong way our entire life. Here are the right ways to eat these 10 foods.
12 Things Your Dog Can Do...
Here are 12 surprising things that your furry companion knows about you better than anyone else, maybe even more than you do.