Felicity Cloake's Quick-Fire Party Plan: Stress-Free Entertaining for Unexpected Guests
In the festive season, while there is a lot going on that the most lively individuals may sometimes anticipate the calm respite of January, it's very simple to neglect details. I believe I cannot be the sole person who's once been startled back to reality while at my desk by a text from a friend wondering, "What time should we come us later?" Fear not; if you are forgetful, or just inclined toward last-minute invitations, I've got you covered.
The Key to Great Gatherings
First and foremost, though I can't emphasize this enough, if you've planned for a year versus just 15 minutes, the greatest events are the easiest. All anyone expects are engaging talks, a drink to enjoy, and sufficient to eat that guests don't end up gnawing their arm on the bus home. Unless you are a fictional millionaire, no one anticipates extensive drinks, fancy catering and entertainers.
The greatest parties tend to be the most basic. Still, a theme helps to mask the reality you've just put the event together while coming home from work.
Picking a Theme to Focus The Preparations
That said, an overarching idea can be useful for disguising that you have only put the party together while returning home from work. And by theme, think of for example the holidays. Going a bit more detailed (Scandinavian Christmas, say, featuring mulled wine, aromatic cocktail, smoked fish plus flatbreads, Nordic beats playlist; or Latin American celebration, with traditional drink, cold beers or margaritas, along with lots of corn chips, salsa & guacamole, and upbeat tunes in the background) helps direct the selection during the upcoming supermarket sweep.
Strategic Purchasing for The Event
At the shops, pick a couple of drinks (an alcoholic option for those who do, one not for some prefer not to) plus some appetizers that fit your concept, and get a generous amount as possible, instead of stressing over providing too much choice. No thing looks more abundant and as festive than a bounty – I'd consistently rather to enter with a sink stocked with iced containers of reasonably priced sparkling wine than a single glass of fancy bubbly. (Include some bags for chilling, too; you'll find never enough ice.)
Beverages and Large-Batch Drinks Simplified
If you feel the need to impress and provide a mixed drink, then pre-mix a large batch in a container so that you're not left messing about with drinks when you ought to be enjoying yourself. After starting, request a significant other or friend to monitor the drinks and replenish as necessary till it runs out. Apply the same with the non-alcoholic punch; people enjoy to be given a task at a party so they can enjoy a share of festive spirit.
For large-batch drinks, whichever mix you choose (you can find plenty on the internet), steer clear of anything overly sugary – any kids present should have kid-friendly options – and if you have one, put aromatic bitters within reach (avoid adding any into the punch since they're unsafe for people who avoid alcohol entirely). Put in some work with how it looks so that the alcohol-free drink doesn't feel unimportant; just spend a moment to cut a few rounds of citrus for garnish.
Food That Work Without Fuss
In my view, I'd skip the store-bought trays of "party foods" that appear in supermarkets seasonally; they come across as fancy, and frequently require using the oven (if you must do this, know that everyone truly likes herb bread or cocktail sausages anyway). It's my firm opinion it's hard to top several large containers of good-quality chips (plain salted pleases everyone), and, provided there are no dietary restrictions, a package of big and excellent value packets with nuts often sold in the South Asian section in stores, with perhaps some olives without stones as a garnish (it's best to avoid to find pits around the house months later).
If, like my mum, you don't consider snacks real food, a single large piece of tasty cheese served simply alongside crackers plus artfully draped grapes tends to seem artistic. A serving dish featuring salted or prepared meats or fish arranged there (a single variety, except if money is no object), or a nice ready-made pastry, of the type that pop up in specialty sections at this time of year, is even more satisfying, while you really will succeed by serving artisanal pieces of focaccia, since they require no additional preparation.
