Felicity Cloake's One-Hour Party Strategy: Simple Hosting for Spontaneous Guests
During the holiday time, when there's a lot happening which even vivacious people might occasionally look forward to the quiet respite of January, it is very easy to overlook things. I'm sure I'm not the sole one who's once been surprised back to reality at my desk because of an inquiry from someone wondering, "What time are we expected over tonight?" No worries; whether you are absent minded, and simply prone to spontaneous plans, I've got your back.
The Golden Rule to Memorable Gatherings
Above all, and I cannot stress it enough, whether you have organized for months versus just 15 minutes, the most enjoyable events tend to be the simplest. All anyone really wants are engaging talks, a drink to enjoy, and sufficient food that guests do not end up chewing something during the bus home. Unless you're throwing a lavish ball, no one expects a full bar, fancy food or musical performances.
The greatest parties tend to be the easiest. That said, a concept helps to mask the reality you've only put this thing on on the way home from work.
Picking a Style to Direct Your Shopping
Nevertheless, an overarching idea works well for disguising that you have only thrown this thing together while returning after work. And with a theme, I mean something like the holidays. Going slightly more specific (Swedish-style festivities, say, with mulled wine, aromatic cocktail, fish snacks and crispbreads, folk tunes playlist; or Mexican Christmas, with traditional drink, cold beers and cocktails, and heaps of tortilla chips, spicy sauce & green spread, with festive music playing) will focus the selection on the necessary shopping trip.
Strategic Buying for Your Event
At the shops, pick one or two beverages (one alcoholic for drinkers, a non-alcoholic one for others don't want to) plus a few snacks that fit the style, and purchase as many within your budget, instead of stressing over offering guests endless options. Nothing appears as generous and celebratory than plenty – I would consistently prefer to be welcomed by a container filled with cold bottles with competitively priced sparkling wine over one glass with swanky bubbly. (Chuck in several packs of cubes, too; you'll find seldom enough ice.)
Cocktails & Punch Streamlined
Should you impress and serve a cocktail, then mix in advance a large batch in a jug so you're not stuck faffing around with it when you ought to be enjoying yourself. After starting, request a significant other or volunteer to monitor the drinks then top up if required till it's gone. Apply the same for the soft drink; guests enjoy to have a job at a party allowing them to enjoy the festive spirit.
For large-batch drinks, whatever recipe you choose (you can find plenty on the internet), skip anything too sweet – any kids present ought to have separate beverages – and if it's available, place flavor enhancers within reach (avoid adding any into the punch as they're not suitable for those abstaining from drinks entirely). Put in some work with how it looks so that the non-alcoholic option doesn't feel neglected; just spend a minute to add a few rounds of citrus into the bowl.
Nibbles That Work Without Preparation
In my view, I recommend passing on the pre-made platters with "party foods" that appear in supermarkets seasonally; they come across as fancy, and usually require turning the oven on (if you choose to do this, remember that everyone truly prefers toasted bread and/or mini sausages regardless). I truly believe nothing beats two sizable bowls with decent chips (simple is universally liked), and, provided there are no allergies, some of those large and economical bags of nuts often sold with global foods in stores, with perhaps a few ready-to-eat olives for color (it's best to avoid to find pits in your pot plants months later).
If, as my mother says, you don't consider snacks real food, one big slab of good cheese on a board and crispbreads and some beautifully placed grapes always looks painterly. A serving dish featuring preserved or ready-to-eat meats or fish laid out on it (a single variety, except if you're wealthy), or a nice pre-made pastry, like those that pop up in specialty sections seasonally, is more filling, while you really can't go wrong by serving homestyle slices of focaccia, because they don't need additional preparation.
