One night I found myself at a fancy pants soiree on the Upper East Side (Park Avenue, even) where there were candles everywhere, waiters in tails and FRIED CHICKEN. No one, no one says “no, thank you” to fried chicken, and it made for one of the most memorable parties I ever attended. Hosting your own affair doesn’t have to be all makeup running down your face in the kitchen and no fun, especially if you work. New Year’s Eve is a time to splurge, but you don’t have to bet the farm to pay for your party.