Felicity Cloake's 60-Minute Entertaining Guide: Effortless Hosting for Unexpected Company
During this busy period, when there is plenty going on that the most vivacious individuals may sometimes look forward to the calm break of the new year, it is very simple to overlook details. I'm sure I cannot be the sole person who's once felt surprised back to reality at work because of a text by someone wondering, "What time should we come over tonight?" Fear not; whether you are absent minded, or just prone to spontaneous invitations, I have you covered.
The Golden Rule to Memorable Gatherings
First and foremost, and I cannot stress this enough, whether you've been planning for months or only 15 minutes, the best parties are the easiest. What anyone is hoping for is pleasant conversation, something to enjoy, plus sufficient nibbles so they do not end up gnawing their arm during the ride home. Unless you're a fictional millionaire, no one expects professional bartending, gourmet catering and entertainers.
The most successful parties tend to be the easiest. That said, a concept helps to mask the fact you have only put this thing on on the way home from work.
Picking a Concept to Direct Your Preparations
Still, an overarching idea can be useful to hide the fact you have just put the party together while returning after work. By concept, think of for example the holidays. Getting slightly more specific (Swedish-style festivities, for instance, featuring mulled wine, spiced punch, smoked fish plus flatbreads, Nordic beats playlist; alternatively Latin American celebration, including traditional drink, chilled brews and cocktails, and lots of snacks, spicy sauce & green spread, with upbeat tunes playing) will focus the selection during the inevitable grocery run.
Strategic Buying to Support The Event
While shopping, pick a drink or two (an alcoholic option for drinkers, one not in case some avoid alcohol) and some snacks that match the theme, and buy as many as you can afford, rather than stressing over giving people endless options. No thing looks as generous and cheerful as plenty – I'd consistently prefer to enter with a container stocked with iced containers with competitively priced sparkling wine over a small serving of expensive champagne. (Add some bags of cubes, too; you'll find never enough ice.)
Beverages & Punch Streamlined
If you feel the need to impress and provide a mixed drink, make sure to pre-mix a large batch in a container so that you're not stuck faffing around with it when it's time to having fun. After starting, ask a close friend or friend to watch it then refill if required till it's finished. Apply the same for the non-alcoholic punch; people appreciate to be given a job at a party so they can enjoy a share of positive vibes.
On the punch front, whichever formula you choose (you can find plenty on the internet), steer clear of any recipe too sweet – any kids there need their own drinks – and if you have one, plonk flavor enhancers nearby (avoid adding them in the mix since they are not suitable for individuals abstaining from drinks altogether). Put in some work with how it looks so that the non-alcoholic option doesn't seem unimportant; it only takes a short time to cut some slices of citrus into the bowl.
Food That Work Without Preparation
Personally, I recommend passing on the pre-made trays with "party foods" that appear at grocery stores during the holidays; they feel overly complicated, and often require using the oven (if you must go this route, be aware that everyone quietly prefers garlic bread or cocktail sausages anyway). I'm convinced it's hard to top a couple of large containers of decent snacks (salted will offend no one), and, assuming no allergies, some of those large and economical bags of nuts typically found in the South Asian section in stores, along with some olives without stones for colour (you don't want to discover stones in odd places months later).
In case, similar to some, you think snacks real food, a single big slab of good cheese on a platter with crackers plus artfully draped grapes tends to seem painterly. A serving dish with some salted or prepared salami or salmon laid out on it (only one type, except if money is no object), alternatively a handsome store-bought tart, like those that pop up in specialty sections seasonally, is even more substantial, and you truly will succeed by serving artisanal pieces of focaccia, because they don't need buttering.
