Felicity Cloake's 60-Minute Party Plan: Stress-Free Entertaining for Unexpected Guests
Throughout this festive period, when there is so much going on which even vivacious individuals might sometimes look forward to a calm break in January, it's very simple to neglect things. I expect I cannot be the sole person who has ever been jolted awake at work by an inquiry from someone wondering, "What time do you want us tonight?" No worries; whether you are distracted, or just likely to make spontaneous invitations, I have your back.
The Golden Rule to Memorable Parties
Above all, though I cannot stress this enough, if you have planned for months versus just 15 minutes, the best events tend to be the easiest. All everyone is hoping for are pleasant conversation, a drink to enjoy, plus enough to eat that they don't end up chewing their arm on the bus home. Unless you're a fictional millionaire, nobody anticipates a full bar, fancy catering or musical performances.
The greatest gatherings tend to be the easiest. Still, an idea is useful to cover up the reality you've just thrown the event together while coming back from the office.
Selecting a Concept to Guide The Party Planning
That said, an overarching idea works well for disguising the fact you've just thrown this thing together on the way after work. And with a theme, I mean such as the holidays. Getting slightly focused (Nordic holidays, for instance, featuring mulled wine, warm beverage, smoked fish plus rye crackers, Scandinavian music playlist; or Mexican Christmas, with ponche navideño, cold beers and tequila drinks, and lots of tortilla chips, tomato dip & green spread, with festive music playing) helps direct your options on the inevitable supermarket sweep.
Strategic Purchasing for Your Party
While shopping, select one or two beverages (one alcoholic for those who do, a non-alcoholic one in case some prefer not to) and some appetizers that match your concept, then buy as many as possible, rather than stressing over giving people endless options. Nothing looks more abundant and cheerful as a bounty – I'd always rather to enter with a sink stocked with chilled bottles with affordable sparkling wine than a small serving of fancy bubbly. (Add a few bags for chilling, as well; there is seldom enough ice.)
Beverages & Party Beverages Made Easy
If you must demonstrate skills and provide a cocktail, then pre-mix a big quantity in a container so you're not left busying yourself with it when you should be socializing. Once the party begins, request a significant other or helper to watch it and replenish if required till it's gone. Follow suit with the soft drink; people enjoy to be given a role while socializing so they may enjoy the goodwill.
Regarding punch, whatever mix you pick (you can find plenty online), skip anything excessively sweet – children there ought to have separate beverages – and should it's available, place a bottle of bitters close by (avoid adding them to the bowl as they are unsafe for those who avoid drinks entirely). Take care with presentation so that the non-alcoholic option doesn't seem neglected; just spend a short time to add several pieces of fruit into the bowl.
Nibbles That Delight Without Preparation
In my view, I'd skip the store-bought trays with "party foods" available at grocery stores at this time of year; they seem fussy, and usually require heating things up (if you choose to opt for these, remember that everyone quietly prefers toasted bread and/or cocktail sausages regardless). I truly believe nothing beats several sizable dishes of good-quality chips (plain salted pleases everyone), plus, provided there are no allergies, some of those big and excellent value containers with nuts available in the international aisle of supermarkets, and maybe some olives without stones for colour (it's best to avoid to still be finding stones in your pot plants months later).
If, as my mother says, you think chips proper food, a single large piece of tasty cheese on a platter alongside crackers plus artfully draped fruit always looks artistic. A plate with some preserved or ready-to-eat salami or salmon laid out there (only one type, unless you're wealthy), or an attractive store-bought tart, like those available at delis at this time of year, is even more satisfying, and you really won't fail with artisanal chunks of flatbread, because they require no additional preparation.
