<p>HImom, the issue of high expectations for New Year’s Eve is exactly why we started doing a New Year’s day party. It’s a much more friendly feeling. </p>
<p>wis75, crashers are welcome 
I’m a depressed and bitter Cal fan who refuses to watch the Rose Bowl (especially with its new evil BCS-inflicted pairings) until my team is playing. So THERE. 
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<p>rutgersmamma, I like giving a range of times, though you may have some stragglers stay later, which I’d take as a mark of success. Your menu sounds great. I have a warm and fuzzy place in my heart for the word “shindig” as an alternative to “party” or “open house”. There’s something charming about using different words, changes people’s expectations as well.</p>