Felicity Cloake's Quick-Fire Entertaining Guide: Effortless Hosting for Last-Minute Visitors
During the festive period, when there is plenty happening which the most vivacious individuals might sometimes look forward to the calm break of the new year, it is all too simple to forget details. I'm sure I cannot be the sole person who's ever felt startled back to reality while at work by a text from a friend asking, "What time should we come over later?" No worries; if you are distracted, or just likely to make impromptu gatherings, I have you covered.
The Secret to Great Parties
First and foremost, though I can't emphasize it enough, if you've planned for a year versus just a short while, the most enjoyable parties are the simplest. All everyone is hoping for is a good chat, a drink to sip, and enough food so they do not end up gnawing an arm off during the bus back. Unless you are Jay Gatsby, nobody anticipates a full bar, fancy food or entertainers.
The best parties tend to be the simplest. Still, a theme is useful to mask the reality you have only put the event together on the way home from work.
Choosing a Concept to Direct The Party Planning
Still, an overarching idea can be useful to conceal that you have only thrown the party together while returning after work. And by theme, think of for example the holidays. Going slightly more specific (Swedish-style festivities, say, featuring mulled wine, spiced punch, cured seafood plus flatbreads, folk tunes selection; or Latin American celebration, with ponche navideño, chilled brews or tequila drinks, along with plenty of corn chips, spicy sauce and avocado dip, with festive music playing) helps direct your choices during the upcoming supermarket sweep.
Strategic Buying for Your Event
In the store, select a couple of drinks (one alcoholic for drinkers, a non-alcoholic one in case some don't want to) and some snacks suited to the style, then buy as much of them as you can afford, instead of worrying about providing too much choice. No thing appears more abundant and as festive as plenty – I would consistently rather to be welcomed with a tub full of chilled bottles with reasonably priced sparkling wine than a single glass of swanky bubbly. (Chuck in a few bags of cubes, too; there is seldom sufficient ice.)
Cocktails and Party Beverages Made Easy
If you must show off and offer a cocktail, make sure to pre-mix a sizable amount in a jug so you're not left messing about with drinks when you ought to be having fun. Once underway, request a close friend or volunteer to keep an eye on the drinks and replenish as necessary till it runs out. Do the same for the non-alcoholic punch; people love to be given a task during gatherings allowing them to share in some of festive spirit.
On the punch front, whichever formula you go for (they abound via search), avoid any recipe too sweet – children present need their own drinks – and should you have one, place a bottle of bitters close by (don't add any in the mix since they are unsafe for those who avoid drinks altogether). Take care in presenting it so that the non-alcoholic option doesn't seem like an afterthought; it only takes a moment to cut a few rounds of fruit to the punch.
Nibbles That Delight With Minimal Fuss
Personally, I'd skip the readymade assortments with "party foods" that appear in shops at this time of year; they feel fussy, and often require heating things up (should you opt for these, remember that everyone quietly favors garlic bread or mini sausages regardless). I'm convinced you can't beat a couple of sizable dishes with decent crisps (salted pleases everyone), plus, assuming no allergies, some of those large and economical packets of nuts typically found in the South Asian section in stores, and maybe a few pitted olives as a garnish (you don't want to discover stones in odd places in the future).
If, similar to some, you don't consider chips proper food, one sizeable chunk of quality cheese on a platter alongside crackers and some elegantly arranged grapes often appears artistic. A plate with some salted or prepared meats or fish displayed on it (just one sort, unless you're wealthy), alternatively a handsome ready-made pie, like those that pop up in specialty sections during festivities, is more filling, and you really will succeed with artisanal chunks of Italian bread, because they require no buttering.
