Felicity Cloake's Quick-Fire Entertaining Guide: Effortless Hosting for Spontaneous Visitors
In the holiday time, when there is a lot going on which even energetic people may sometimes anticipate the calm break in the new year, it's very easy to overlook things. I'm sure I'm not the sole one who has once been startled awake while at my desk because of a message from someone asking, "What time do you want over tonight?" No worries; whether you are forgetful, or just inclined toward spontaneous plans, I've got your back.
The Key to Successful Parties
First and foremost, and I can't stress it sufficiently, if you have been planning for months or only a quarter-hour, the best events tend to be the simplest. What everyone expects is a good chat, a drink to enjoy, plus sufficient nibbles that guests do not feel like chewing something on the ride back. Unless you are a fictional millionaire, nobody expects professional bartending, Michelin-starred food or a live band.
The most successful gatherings are the easiest. However, a concept helps to mask the reality you have only put the party together on the way home from work.
Choosing a Concept to Focus Your Shopping
That said, a theme works well to hide that you've only thrown this thing together on the way home from work. And with a theme, I mean such as a seasonal celebration. Getting slightly more detailed (Nordic holidays, for instance, featuring spiced drink, spiced punch, cured seafood plus crispbreads, folk tunes playlist; alternatively fiesta-style party, with ponche navideño, refreshing lagers or tequila drinks, and heaps of snacks, tomato dip & avocado dip, with upbeat tunes in the background) can narrow your options during the inevitable supermarket sweep.
Strategic Purchasing for The Gathering
While shopping, choose one or two beverages (an alcoholic option for drinkers, one not for some prefer not to) plus a few nibbles suited to the style, then get a generous amount as possible, instead of stressing over offering guests too much choice. Nothing looks more welcoming and cheerful than plenty – I'd consistently rather to enter by a tub filled with cold bottles with reasonably priced bubbly than a single glass of fancy bubbly. (Add a few bags for chilling, too; there is never plenty of ice.)
Cocktails and Party Beverages Simplified
If you feel the need to demonstrate skills and provide a mixed drink, make sure to prepare ahead a sizable amount in a jug so that you're not stuck messing about with it while it's time to socializing. After starting, ask a significant other or volunteer to keep an eye on it and replenish if required till it's finished. Do the same for the soft drink; guests appreciate to take on a role at a party allowing them to share in some of goodwill.
On the punch front, whichever formula you pick (you can find plenty on the internet), avoid any recipe too sweet – any kids present should have separate beverages – and if you own one, put flavor enhancers within reach (don't add them in the mix since they are unsafe for those who do not consume alcohol altogether). Put in some work with presentation so that the non-alcoholic option doesn't seem unimportant; just spend a minute to slice some slices of fruit for garnish.
Snacks That Work Without Effort
For me, I would avoid the store-bought trays with "party foods" that appear in supermarkets seasonally; they come across as overly complicated, and frequently require turning the oven on (should you do this, know that all guests quietly prefers toasted bread and/or mini sausages anyway). It's my firm opinion you can't beat several sizable bowls with decent chips (salted pleases everyone), plus, provided there are no dietary restrictions, a package of large and economical packets of nuts often sold in the South Asian section at the market, and maybe a few olives without stones as a garnish (you don't want to discover pits in your pot plants next Easter).
If, like my mum, you don't consider chips proper food, one big slab of quality cheese on a board alongside crackers plus beautifully placed fruit always looks artistic. A platter featuring cured or cooked prosciutto or seafood laid out there (only one type, unless you have a large budget), alternatively a handsome pre-made tart, of the type that appear at delis during festivities, is even more satisfying, and you really will succeed with homestyle chunks of Italian bread, since there's no need for additional preparation.
