Felicity Cloake's One-Hour Party Plan: Stress-Free Hosting for Last-Minute Guests
In this festive time, while there's a lot going on that the most vivacious people might sometimes anticipate a calm break of January, it's all too easy to overlook details. I believe I'm not the only person who has once felt startled awake while at my desk because of a message from a friend wondering, "What time do you want over later?" Fear not; if you're absent minded, and simply likely to make spontaneous plans, I have you covered.
The Key to Successful Get-Togethers
Firstly, though I can't stress this sufficiently, whether you have organized long in advance or just 15 minutes, the greatest parties are the simplest. What everyone is hoping for are pleasant conversation, something to drink, and sufficient food that they do not feel like gnawing their arm on the ride back. Unless you're throwing a lavish ball, no one anticipates a full bar, fancy catering and musical performances.
The greatest gatherings are the simplest. That said, a theme helps to disguise the fact you have only thrown the event on on the way back from the office.
Picking a Concept to Guide The Shopping
Still, an overarching idea works well to hide that you have only thrown the party on on the way home from work. And by theme, I mean such as Christmas. Getting slightly more detailed (Nordic holidays, for instance, featuring spiced drink, warm beverage, fish snacks plus flatbreads, folk tunes playlist; or Latin American celebration, including holiday punch, chilled brews or cocktails, and lots of snacks, spicy sauce and guacamole, and Luis Miguel in the background) will focus the selection during the inevitable supermarket sweep.
Smart Shopping for Your Gathering
While shopping, choose a couple of drinks (one alcoholic for drinkers, a non-alcoholic one in case others prefer not to) and a couple of appetizers suited to your concept, and get as much of them as you can afford, rather than stressing over giving people too much choice. No thing appears more abundant and cheerful as abundance – I would consistently rather to be welcomed by a sink filled with cold bottles with affordable sparkling wine over a single glass with swanky bubbly. (Chuck in some bags of cubes, as well; there is never plenty of ice.)
Beverages and Large-Batch Drinks Made Easy
If you must impress and serve a mixed drink, then pre-mix a sizable amount in a jug so you aren't stuck busying yourself with preparation while you should be enjoying yourself. After starting, request a partner or volunteer to watch it then top up when needed till it's gone. Follow suit with the alcohol-free option; people appreciate to be given a job during gatherings allowing them to share in the positive vibes.
For large-batch drinks, whatever mix you pick (you can find plenty via search), avoid anything excessively sweet – children present should have separate beverages – and if you own one, put a bottle of bitters nearby (refrain from putting them to the bowl since they're unsafe for people who avoid drinks altogether). Make an effort in presenting it so that the soft punch isn't perceived like an afterthought; it only takes a short time to add several pieces of lemon or orange for garnish.
Food That Shine Without Fuss
In my view, I recommend passing on the readymade platters with "party foods" that pop up in supermarkets during the holidays; they feel fancy, and frequently require heating things up (should you do this, know that all guests secretly prefers herb bread or mini sausages anyway). It's my firm opinion it's hard to top several sizable dishes of good-quality crisps (salted pleases everyone), and, provided there are no allergies, a package of large and economical bags of mixed nuts typically found with global foods in stores, and maybe a few ready-to-eat olives as a garnish (try not to find stones in odd places months later).
In case, as my mother says, you don't consider crisps real food, a single big slab of good cheese on a board and crispbreads and some beautifully placed grapes often appears painterly. A serving dish featuring preserved or ready-to-eat meats or fish arranged there (only one type, unless you're wealthy), or an attractive pre-made pie, similar to that pop up in specialty sections seasonally, is more substantial, while you truly can't go wrong with homestyle slices of Italian bread, since they don't need additional preparation.
