Great advice above. I have a very simple process... I stand up and say "OK, shall we wrap up?" and that tends to work.

For added humor I will sometimes take a line from my dad's bar when it was 4am and needed to get folks out there: "OK folks, you don't have to go home... you just can't stay here!" Big smile, everyone laughs. :-)

Another way to say it, "I'm sure everyone's got a big day tomorrow, shall we call it a night?"
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My friend swears by the "Edmund Fitzgerald" method.

When you want the party to be over, play Gordon Lightfoot's The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, a party killer of a song if there ever was one.

Of course, any other suitably uncomfortable song could work as well.
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Usually we'd run out of things to talk about, so when it gets to those oh-so-awkward moments just say something like "It was really nice having you", 9 times out of 10 people will get it and no-one will feel hurt.
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First - if you have an approximate end time when you invite your guests - tell them when you invite them. Give a good reason and keep it consistent so that you can easily remember it. Better yet - make it the truth. "I have to work the next day." "I have to get up early the next day and visit a friend."

Second - try to work in a reminder of the end time during the party. Remind people that you have to go to work or visit a friend the next day.

Third - as you get to the end time for the party start to run out of food and drink. "I thought the party would be over by 12:00, but I guess we ran out of stuff early."

Fourth - turn up the lights. For many people this is a universal sign that the party is over.

Fifth - do a last call. "I have to get up early tomorrow so this is the last call for food and drinks."

Sixth - If all else fails ask people to leave. Plead the same reason that you have given all along and offer to host another party soon. "I am really tired and I have to get up early tomorrow morning. Everybody had a great time so we will do this again in the next few weeks."
Source(s):
This is from personal experience.

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If you've got kids, say it's time for the kids to get put to bed and mention that you're tired yourself.
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The sign I like is:

"Every visitor to our home brings happiness...
Some when they enter. Some when they leave."
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At least it shows your party was a success! Usually you would get up and say that you had such a great time, it is too bad that you have to work tomorrow (or whatever is your plan). Or say: "It was so nice to see you, I cannot believe it is so late already". When you get up, whatever you say, somebody will bet the signal.
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It is unconscionably rude to ask people to leave after a dinner party. But those guests who overstay their welcome should perhaps not be invited back.
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"Well, thanks again for coming! I kind of have to go get some sleep now - I've got a busy day tomorrow - but thanks for coming! Hope you can come back next time! See you soon! Bye!"

Take it to them easy - begin as subtly as possible about an hour beforehand, then gradually get to the point where you're slamming the door in their faces (in a kind, gentle way...)
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You can be straightforward and say the party is over and it's time to go.
Or more "subtle" and say that you feel a little dizzy and might want to go and rest. Add immediately that you enjoyed their presence and that "we" should do this again some time...Thanks for coming and goodnight to all.
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hide the rest of the wine and pretend that you've run out.
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Repeat after me, "Well, thank you all for coming, I'm glad you could make it."
Source(s):
My brain.

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Simply be honest. Explain that hosting the event has worn you out, and you need some time to recoup. If they seem taken back, use that opprotunity to quickly plant the seed or schedule the next event. They will feel less rejected when they see you are already considering the next opprotunity for a gathering.

Edit: Yikes, My answer was very similar to other answers. Note to self: read other peoples answers to prevent sounding like a broken record before replying. :) Sorry all, I am new to this.
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1) Ask them if they need anything on their way out. "Are there any leftovers that I can send you home with on your way out?"

2) If drinking was involved, ask them if you can call a taxi for them "Would you like me to call a taxi for you so that I can be sure you get home safely?"

If that doesn't work, turn off the music and start cleaning up, and they'll be out of there faster than the speed of light!
Source(s):
Experience is priceless

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Have the party start during the day. When it starts to get dark, don't turn the lights on. This is how author Samuel Beckett would get people to leave.
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My surefire technique: slap your hands on your knees and stand up in an overt fashion. Sometimes you need to kick-start the process with a loud, ostentatious display so your guests consciously notice your not-so-subtle body language. ;)

The majority of people get the hint, but repeat as many times as needed.
Source(s):
http://www.hodu.com/ending.shtml
My Interpersonal Communication class in college

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If you happen to have lights that can be on a timer, or are willing to invest in them, nothing gets the point across like a sudden plunge into darkness, at a time you prearranged. I first came across this idea in a Dear Abby column.

Just leave the lights off to let the fact it is time to go sink in a little, if you have multiple guests one of them will likely say something along the lines of "well, I guess it's time to go" to try and fill the award blackness with some humor. Hopefully at that point, they will get the hint without you having to say anything.

It is not rude to ask people to leave who have overstayed their welcome per se. There are rude ways you could choose to do it, of course, but there are polite ones, as well. Those who are turning what was advertised to them as a "dinner party" into an all night binge, are the ones being rude, but in fairness, sometimes people are not familiar with protocol, and do not really know when it is time to go. Oftentimes, people might get the misconception they should wait for the host to indicate in some way, that the event has concluded. This can lead to unfortunate situations like the one you described.

An alternative to the light trick, If you really want to avoid speaking is this:
just sit back in your chair, and let your head slowly fall to the side, and pretend to have fallen asleep. This seems to work very well and very quickly, and it's the most passive way to let even the most imperceptive of guests know it is time to let you get to bed.

Hope that helps.
Source(s):
I have done it myself, and had it done to me, as well.

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Start cleaning the kitchen and ask for help - that tends to make people leave pretty fast.
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