Felicity Cloake's 60-Minute Party Plan: Stress-Free Hosting for Spontaneous Guests
During this holiday time, while there's plenty going on that the most lively people may occasionally look forward to a calm respite of January, it is all too easy to overlook details. I believe I cannot be the only one who has once felt surprised back to reality while at work because of a message by a friend wondering, "What time should we come over tonight?" Fear not; whether you're forgetful, and just prone to impromptu plans, I have some solutions.
The Golden Rule to Memorable Parties
Firstly, and I can't stress it enough, whether you have organized for a year or just a quarter-hour, the most enjoyable parties tend to be the simplest. What everyone really wants are a good chat, a drink to enjoy, plus enough to eat that guests do not feel like chewing an arm off on the ride home. Unless you're Jay Gatsby, nobody expects extensive drinks, fancy food and a live band.
The best parties tend to be the easiest. That said, an idea helps to cover up the reality you've just put the event on while coming back from the office.
Choosing a Style to Guide The Shopping
Still, an overarching idea is helpful to conceal the fact you've only put this thing on while returning from the office. And by theme, I mean such as the holidays. Going a bit more detailed (Scandinavian Christmas, say, with mulled wine, spiced punch, cured seafood and rye crackers, folk tunes selection; or fiesta-style party, including ponche navideño, cold beers and cocktails, along with heaps of snacks, tomato dip and guacamole, with festive music in the background) can narrow the selection during the necessary supermarket sweep.
Smart Buying to Support The Gathering
At the shops, pick a drink or two (an alcoholic option for drinkers, a non-alcoholic one in case some prefer not to) plus a couple of appetizers that match the style, then get as much of them within your budget, rather than worrying about providing endless options. No thing appears more abundant and as festive as abundance – I would consistently prefer to arrive by a sink full of chilled bottles of reasonably priced crémant or cava than one glass with swanky bubbly. (Chuck in a few bags of cubes, as well; there is never enough ice.)
Cocktails and Large-Batch Drinks Streamlined
Should you demonstrate skills and serve a cocktail, then prepare ahead a sizable amount in a pitcher so that you aren't left faffing around with preparation when it's time to socializing. Once underway, enlist a close friend or volunteer to keep an eye on the drinks then replenish if required till it's finished. Do the same with the soft drink; guests love to have a task while socializing allowing them to experience the goodwill.
On the punch front, whichever mix you go for (you can find plenty via search), skip anything overly sugary – any kids there need kid-friendly options – and should you have one, put flavor enhancers nearby (refrain from putting them to the bowl as they're unsafe for people who do not consume drinks entirely). Take care in presenting it so that the alcohol-free drink doesn't seem like an afterthought; it doesn't take a short time to add some slices of lemon or orange into the bowl.
Nibbles That Work Without Fuss
For me, I recommend passing on the pre-made assortments of "party foods" that appear at grocery stores seasonally; they feel fussy, and usually require heating things up (should you go this route, remember that all guests truly favors garlic bread or cocktail sausages anyway). It's my firm opinion you can't beat two really big containers with decent crisps (plain salted is universally liked), plus, provided there are no issues, one of those great-value containers of mixed nuts often sold in the international aisle at the market, with perhaps some olives without stones for colour (you don't want to still be finding stones in odd places months later).
In case, as my mother says, you think chips real food, a single sizeable chunk of tasty cheese on a platter with crackers and some beautifully placed grapes often appears artistic. A platter featuring preserved or ready-to-eat salami or salmon arranged on it (a single variety, unless money is no object), alternatively a nice store-bought pastry, similar to that appear on deli counters during festivities, is more substantial, and you truly won't fail with artisanal slices of flatbread, since they require no buttering.
