Felicity Cloake's 60-Minute Party Strategy: Effortless Entertaining for Unexpected Guests
In the busy period, when there's plenty happening that even energetic people might sometimes long for a quiet respite of the new year, it's very simple to forget details. I expect I'm not the sole person who's ever felt jolted awake while at work because of a text by a friend wondering, "What time do you want us tonight?" Fear not; whether you are forgetful, or just prone to impromptu invitations, I've got your back.
The Golden Rule to Successful Get-Togethers
Firstly, though I can't stress this sufficiently, if you've organized for months versus just a quarter-hour, the greatest parties are the simplest. All anyone really wants is engaging talks, a drink to enjoy, plus sufficient food that guests do not end up chewing their arm on the ride home. If you're not you're throwing a lavish ball, nobody expects extensive drinks, Michelin-starred catering and a live band.
The best gatherings are the easiest. However, a theme helps to cover up the reality you've just thrown the party on while coming home from work.
Choosing a Theme to Direct Your Shopping
That said, a theme works well to hide that you've just thrown the party on while returning after work. By concept, I mean something like a seasonal celebration. Getting slightly more detailed (Swedish-style festivities, say, with mulled wine, warm beverage, cured seafood and crispbreads, Scandinavian music selection; alternatively Latin American celebration, including traditional drink, refreshing lagers and cocktails, and heaps of corn chips, spicy sauce and avocado dip, with upbeat tunes in the background) can narrow your choices on the inevitable shopping trip.
Strategic Purchasing for Your Event
While shopping, pick a drink or two (an alcoholic option for those who do, one not for others prefer not to) and a few nibbles suited to the theme, then get a generous amount as you can afford, instead of fretting about offering guests a wide selection. Nothing appears more welcoming and as festive as abundance – I would always rather to enter with a tub stocked with cold bottles of affordable sparkling wine over one glass with fancy champagne. (Include some bags for chilling, as well; you'll find never sufficient ice.)
Drinks & Punch Simplified
If you feel the need to demonstrate skills and offer a special beverage, then mix in advance a large batch in a container so that you aren't stuck faffing around with it while you should be socializing. Once underway, request a significant other or volunteer to keep an eye on the drinks then replenish if required until it's finished. Follow suit for the alcohol-free option; people appreciate to take on a task during gatherings allowing them to experience the goodwill.
Regarding punch, whatever recipe you choose (you can find plenty online), steer clear of any recipe excessively sweet – young ones there should have kid-friendly options – and if it's available, place flavor enhancers close by (refrain from putting any to the bowl since they are inappropriate for those who do not consume drinks entirely). Put in some work in presenting it so the alcohol-free drink doesn't seem neglected; it doesn't take a minute to cut several pieces of citrus to the punch.
Snacks That Delight Without Preparation
For me, I recommend passing on the store-bought trays of "party foods" available in supermarkets during the holidays; they seem fancy, and often involve turning the oven on (if you must do this, know that all guests quietly prefers herb bread or mini sausages anyway). I truly believe it's hard to top several really big containers of good-quality crisps (salted will offend no one), and, provided there are no allergies, one of those large and economical bags with nuts often sold with global foods at the market, with perhaps 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 feel crisps substantial fare, one big slab of quality cheese on a board alongside crackers and some elegantly arranged grapes tends to seem artistic. A platter featuring cured or cooked prosciutto or seafood displayed there (a single variety, unless you have a large budget), alternatively a handsome ready-made tart, like those that pop up at delis seasonally, is more satisfying, while you truly can't go wrong with artisanal chunks of focaccia, since they don't need buttering.
