Felicity Cloake's One-Hour Party Plan: Simple Hosting for Unexpected Company
During the busy season, when there's plenty going on which even vivacious people might occasionally anticipate the calm break in January, it's very simple to forget details. I expect I cannot be the sole person who's ever felt surprised back to reality at work because of an inquiry by a friend asking, "What time should we come us later?" Don't worry; whether you're absent minded, and just inclined toward spontaneous invitations, I have your back.
The Golden Rule to Successful Gatherings
Firstly, though I can't emphasize it sufficiently, whether you have organized for a year versus only 15 minutes, the most enjoyable parties are the easiest. All anyone is hoping for are a good chat, something to enjoy, plus sufficient nibbles so they do not end up gnawing an arm off on the ride back. If you're not you are Jay Gatsby, no one expects professional bartending, gourmet food or a live band.
The greatest gatherings tend to be the easiest. That said, a concept is useful to disguise the fact you have just put the party together on the way home from work.
Picking a Style to Guide Your Shopping
That said, an overarching idea can be useful to hide the fact you've just put this thing on while returning from the office. By concept, think of something like a seasonal celebration. Going slightly focused (Scandinavian Christmas, for instance, featuring mulled wine, aromatic cocktail, smoked fish and rye crackers, Nordic beats playlist; or fiesta-style party, with traditional drink, chilled brews and cocktails, along with heaps of tortilla chips, tomato dip and guacamole, with festive music on the stereo) can narrow your choices during the upcoming supermarket sweep.
Smart Shopping for The Gathering
At the shops, select a couple of drinks (one alcoholic for those who do, a non-alcoholic one for some don't want to) plus a couple of snacks suited to the theme, and buy as many as you can afford, instead of fretting about offering guests too much choice. No thing looks as generous and celebratory as a bounty – I'd always rather to be welcomed with a tub stocked with chilled bottles with competitively priced sparkling wine over a single glass of expensive bubbly. (Include several packs of cubes, too; you'll find seldom enough ice.)
Drinks & Punch Streamlined
Should you demonstrate skills and serve a special beverage, make sure to mix in advance a large batch in a container so you aren't stuck faffing around with preparation when it's time to enjoying yourself. Once the party begins, request a significant other or helper to keep an eye on the drinks and top up when needed till it's gone. Apply the same with the alcohol-free option; guests love to take on a role at a party allowing them to experience a share of goodwill.
On the punch front, whichever mix you choose (there are many on the internet), avoid any recipe overly sugary – young ones present ought to have kid-friendly options – and if you have one, put aromatic bitters close by (refrain from putting any to the bowl since they are inappropriate for individuals abstaining from drinks altogether). Put in some work with how it looks so the non-alcoholic option doesn't feel unimportant; just spend a short time to add some slices of fruit for garnish.
Food That Shine Without Fuss
Personally, I'd skip the readymade assortments with "party foods" that appear in supermarkets at this time of year; they feel fancy, and usually involve turning the oven on (if you must opt for these, remember that all guests secretly prefers garlic bread and/or cocktail sausages regardless). I'm convinced it's hard to top a couple of large dishes of decent snacks (salted is universally liked), and, assuming no dietary restrictions, some of those great-value packets of nuts often sold in the South Asian section at the market, along with some pitted olives for colour (it's best to avoid to discover pits in your pot plants months later).
In case, similar to some, you feel chips substantial fare, one sizeable chunk of good cheese on a platter with crackers and some beautifully placed grapes often appears painterly. A platter with some salted or prepared salami or salmon displayed on it (only one type, unless you're wealthy), alternatively an attractive store-bought pastry, like those that pop up on deli counters at this time of year, proves more satisfying, while you truly won't fail with artisanal chunks of Italian bread, because there's no need for spreading butter.
