Felicity Cloake's One-Hour Entertaining Guide: Simple Hosting for Unexpected Visitors
Throughout the festive season, while there's so much happening which the most vivacious individuals may sometimes look forward to a calm break of the new year, it is all too easy to neglect details. I expect I'm not the only one who's once been jolted back to reality while at work by a text by a friend asking, "What time should we come us tonight?" Don't worry; whether you're absent minded, and just prone to spontaneous plans, I have your back.
The Key to Memorable Parties
Above all, though I cannot emphasize it sufficiently, if you've organized long in advance versus only 15 minutes, the most enjoyable parties are the simplest. All anyone expects are pleasant conversation, a drink to sip, plus sufficient food that guests do not end up chewing something during the ride back. If you're not you're Jay Gatsby, no one expects a full bar, gourmet catering and a live band.
The most successful gatherings tend to be the easiest. However, an idea helps to mask the reality you've just put the event together while coming back from the office.
Choosing a Style to Guide The Preparations
Nevertheless, an overarching idea works well for disguising the fact you've only thrown the party together on the way home from work. And with a theme, I mean for example Christmas. Going a bit focused (Nordic holidays, say, with spiced drink, aromatic cocktail, fish snacks plus flatbreads, Nordic beats playlist; or Latin American celebration, including traditional drink, refreshing lagers or tequila drinks, along with heaps of tortilla chips, spicy sauce & guacamole, and festive music on the stereo) will focus your options during the upcoming grocery run.
Smart Shopping for Your Event
While shopping, choose a couple of drinks (an alcoholic option for drinkers, a non-alcoholic one for some prefer not to) and a couple of appetizers that fit your concept, then buy as much of them as possible, rather than stressing over offering guests endless options. Nothing looks more welcoming and cheerful than a bounty ā I'd always rather to be welcomed by a sink stocked with chilled bottles with affordable bubbly over one glass with fancy champagne. (Add a few bags of ice, too; there is never plenty of ice.)
Cocktails & Party Beverages Streamlined
Should you demonstrate skills and serve a mixed drink, then mix in advance a big quantity in a jug so you're not left faffing around with preparation when you should be having fun. Once underway, enlist a significant other or friend to watch the drinks then top up if required till it's gone. Apply the same for the alcohol-free option; people enjoy to take on a task while socializing allowing them to share in a share of festive spirit.
Regarding punch, whatever recipe you choose (they abound online), avoid anything overly sugary ā young ones present need kid-friendly options ā and should you have one, place a bottle of bitters close by (refrain from putting any into the punch as they are not suitable for individuals who avoid alcohol entirely). Make an effort with how it looks so that the non-alcoholic option doesn't feel like an afterthought; just spend a moment to cut some slices of lemon or orange into the bowl.
Food That Delight Without Preparation
For me, I'd skip the readymade assortments with "party foods" available in shops at this time of year; they come across as overly complicated, and often require using the oven (should you opt for these, know that everyone quietly prefers toasted bread or mini sausages anyway). I truly believe nothing beats several sizable containers with tasty chips (simple will offend no one), plus, provided there are no issues, one of those large and economical packets of mixed nuts typically found with global foods at the market, and maybe a few olives without stones as a garnish (it's best to avoid to find stones around the house months later).
If, similar to some, you think chips real food, a single big slab of good cheese served simply alongside crackers plus beautifully placed grapes tends to seem painterly. A platter with some cured or cooked meats or fish arranged on it (only one type, except if you have a large budget), or a nice ready-made pastry, similar to that pop up on deli counters at this time of year, is more filling, while you truly won't fail with homestyle chunks of Italian bread, since they require no additional preparation.
