Felicity Cloake's 60-Minute Party Strategy: Effortless Hosting for Last-Minute Guests
In this holiday season, while there is plenty happening that the most energetic people may sometimes look forward to the quiet respite of the new year, it is very simple to overlook things. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's ever been jolted back to reality while at work because of an inquiry from someone wondering, "What time should we come us tonight?" No worries; whether you're absent minded, and just prone to spontaneous invitations, I've got you covered.
The Golden Rule to Memorable Gatherings
Above all, though I cannot stress this sufficiently, if you've planned long in advance or just a quarter-hour, the greatest events tend to be the simplest. All anyone expects are a good chat, something to enjoy, plus sufficient food so they don't feel like chewing an arm off on the ride back. If you're not you're throwing a lavish ball, nobody expects extensive drinks, gourmet food or a live band.
The best gatherings are the easiest. However, a concept helps to cover up the reality you have only put the party together on the way back from the office.
Selecting a Theme to Focus Your Party Planning
Nevertheless, an overarching idea can be useful for disguising that you have just thrown the party together on the way from the office. By concept, think of something like the holidays. Getting slightly more specific (Swedish-style festivities, for instance, with glögg, spiced punch, smoked fish and flatbreads, folk tunes playlist; alternatively Latin American celebration, including holiday punch, refreshing lagers and margaritas, and plenty of snacks, salsa & guacamole, with upbeat tunes in the background) will focus your choices during the necessary grocery run.
Strategic Shopping for Your Party
While shopping, pick a couple of drinks (one alcoholic for drinkers, one not for others prefer not to) and a couple of appetizers that match the style, and buy as much of them as you can afford, instead of worrying about providing a wide selection. No thing appears as generous and as festive than abundance – I would consistently rather to be welcomed by a sink stocked with cold bottles with affordable bubbly than a single glass with fancy champagne. (Include some bags of cubes, as well; there is never enough ice.)
Beverages & Punch Simplified
If you feel the need to demonstrate skills and serve a special beverage, make sure to mix in advance a sizable amount in a jug so that you're not stuck messing about with drinks while it's time to socializing. Once the party begins, request a significant other or helper to watch it then replenish when needed till it runs out. Do the same with the alcohol-free option; people love to be given a job during gatherings so they can enjoy the festive spirit.
For large-batch drinks, whichever recipe you choose (they abound online), avoid any recipe excessively sweet – children present should have separate beverages – and should you own one, plonk flavor enhancers within reach (don't add them into the punch as they're unsafe for those who do not consume alcohol entirely). Put in some work with how it looks so that the alcohol-free drink isn't perceived unimportant; it doesn't take a minute to slice a few rounds of lemon or orange for garnish.
Food That Delight With Minimal Effort
Personally, I recommend passing on the store-bought trays of "party foods" that appear in shops seasonally; they feel fancy, and frequently involve using the oven (if you choose to go this route, remember that all guests secretly favors herb bread and/or cocktail sausages anyway). It's my firm opinion nothing beats several large dishes of tasty chips (plain salted will offend no one), plus, provided there are no dietary restrictions, some of those big and excellent value containers of nuts often sold with global foods in stores, with perhaps a few ready-to-eat olives for colour (try not to still be finding pits around the house months later).
If, similar to some, you don't consider snacks real food, one sizeable chunk of tasty cheese served simply alongside crackers plus elegantly arranged grapes always looks painterly. A serving dish with some salted or prepared salami or salmon laid out on it (a single variety, except if you have a large budget), alternatively an attractive store-bought pie, similar to available on deli counters at this time of year, is even more substantial, and you really will succeed with homestyle pieces of Italian bread, since they require no spreading butter.
