How To Get Guests To Leave

Step 1: Prime them

If you want the party to end at a certain time, you should make this clear from the outset. State the start and end time on the invitation - this will help the guests know what to expect, and might even prompt them to pre-book taxis to take them home at the end of the night, ensuring they leave on time.

Step 2: Drop the hint

As the end of the party approaches, start dropping hints about leaving. Ask your guests how they are getting home, and if they have a taxi booked. If they don't, offer to book them one - out of the kindness of your heart, of course.

Step 3: Start clearing up

They do it in restaurants and bars, so why shouldn't it work for you? Subtly start clearing away plates and glasses, wrap up and remove any remaining food, and put the alcohol away. This should drop a fairly obvious hint, but if your guests still aren't getting the message, start taking their empties from them personally.

Step 4: Bring in coats

Bring in a coat or two from the spare room, and ask guests, "I'm not sure who this belongs to - is it yours?" Once your guests have their coats in their hands it is difficult to ignore the fact that you want them to leave.

Step 5: Use a stooge

Enlist the help of one of your close friends with whom you can speak frankly. Explain the situation and ask them to make the first move, prompting the other guests to do the same. Your friend, as a fellow guest, is in a far better position to suggest that it's time to go home. They should lead the way by putting on their coat, making a big deal about leaving and saying goodbye to everyone. As they do so, they should comment on how late it is, and how they think it's time that everyone finished up. It is important that they don't actually leave until others have started to follow suit, otherwise you will be left without your trump card and no recourse other than to start kicking people out.