Felicity Cloake's One-Hour Party Strategy: Stress-Free Hosting for Last-Minute Guests
Throughout this busy season, while there is so much happening that the most vivacious people may occasionally look forward to the quiet break of January, it is all too easy to neglect details. I expect I cannot be the only person who's ever felt jolted awake while at my desk because of a text by a friend asking, "What time are we expected us later?" No worries; if you are absent minded, and just inclined toward impromptu invitations, I have some solutions.
The Key to Great Gatherings
First and foremost, though I can't stress this sufficiently, if you have been planning long in advance versus just 15 minutes, the best events are the simplest. What everyone is hoping for are engaging talks, something to drink, plus enough nibbles that guests don't end up chewing something on the bus back. Unless you're throwing a lavish ball, nobody anticipates a full bar, Michelin-starred food and musical performances.
The greatest parties are the easiest. However, a theme helps to cover up the fact you have only put the party together while coming back from the office.
Selecting a Style to Guide The Preparations
Still, a theme can be useful to hide the fact you have only put this thing together while returning home from work. And with a theme, think of for example Christmas. Getting slightly more detailed (Nordic holidays, for instance, featuring spiced drink, spiced punch, smoked fish and rye crackers, folk tunes selection; or fiesta-style party, with traditional drink, chilled brews and cocktails, along with heaps of corn chips, tomato dip & guacamole, and upbeat tunes playing) helps direct your options on the upcoming supermarket sweep.
Smart Shopping for The Gathering
At the shops, pick a drink or two (an alcoholic option if you drink, one not in case others prefer not to) and a few snacks that fit the style, and get as many as you can afford, rather than worrying about providing a wide selection. No thing looks more welcoming and cheerful as a bounty – I would consistently rather to enter by a sink full of cold bottles with competitively priced bubbly over a single glass with expensive champagne. (Chuck in several packs for chilling, as well; you'll find never sufficient ice.)
Cocktails and Large-Batch Drinks Streamlined
Should you impress and serve a mixed drink, then prepare ahead a big quantity in a jug so you aren't left busying yourself with preparation when it's time to enjoying yourself. Once underway, request a close friend or friend to monitor the drinks and top up as necessary until it's finished. Follow suit for the soft drink; people love to have a task during gatherings so they can experience some of festive spirit.
For large-batch drinks, whatever mix you pick (they abound on the internet), steer clear of any recipe overly sugary – young ones present need kid-friendly options – and if you own one, place flavor enhancers nearby (avoid adding them into the punch as they are not suitable for individuals who do not consume drinks entirely). Make an effort in presenting it so the non-alcoholic option doesn't feel unimportant; it doesn't take a minute to add a few rounds of lemon or orange into the bowl.
Nibbles That Delight With Minimal Fuss
Personally, I would avoid the store-bought assortments with "party foods" that pop up in supermarkets at this time of year; they come across as fussy, and often require turning the oven on (if you choose to go this route, be aware that all guests truly prefers herb bread and/or mini sausages anyway). It's my firm opinion you can't beat several sizable containers with good-quality chips (plain salted will offend no one), and, provided there are no allergies, a package of great-value bags with nuts typically found with global foods of supermarkets, with perhaps some ready-to-eat olives for color (you don't want to still be finding stones in odd places months later).
In case, like my mum, you feel chips substantial fare, one big slab of good cheese served simply alongside crackers and some elegantly arranged grapes often appears painterly. A platter with some cured or cooked salami or salmon laid out on it (a single variety, unless money is no object), or an attractive store-bought tart, of the type available on deli counters during festivities, is even more filling, while you really can't go wrong with homestyle slices of Italian bread, since they require no buttering.
