Felicity Cloake's Quick-Fire Party Plan: Effortless Hosting for Spontaneous Guests
Throughout the festive season, while there is plenty happening that even lively people may sometimes long for the quiet respite of January, it is all too simple to neglect things. I'm sure I cannot be the sole one who has once felt jolted back to reality while at work by an inquiry by someone asking, "What time are we expected over later?" No worries; whether you are distracted, and simply prone to impromptu plans, I've got some solutions.
The Key to Successful Parties
First and foremost, though I cannot emphasize it enough, if you have been planning for a year or just a short while, the best parties are the easiest. What everyone really wants are pleasant conversation, something to drink, and enough to eat that they do not end up gnawing something during the ride back. Unless you're a fictional millionaire, no one expects a full bar, gourmet food or entertainers.
The most successful parties tend to be the easiest. That said, a theme is useful to cover up the fact you've just thrown the party together on the way back from the office.
Choosing a Style to Direct Your Shopping
Still, a theme works well to conceal the fact you have just put the party together on the way after work. And by theme, I mean such as Christmas. Getting slightly focused (Scandinavian Christmas, say, with glögg, aromatic cocktail, cured seafood and crispbreads, folk tunes selection; alternatively Latin American celebration, including holiday punch, cold beers or tequila drinks, along with lots of snacks, tomato dip & guacamole, with Luis Miguel in the background) will focus your options on the inevitable shopping trip.
Strategic Purchasing to Support Your Event
At the shops, choose one or two beverages (one alcoholic if you drink, a non-alcoholic one in case some avoid alcohol) plus a few appetizers that match the theme, then purchase a generous amount as possible, rather than worrying about offering guests too much choice. Nothing looks more abundant and cheerful as abundance – I'd consistently prefer to be welcomed with a sink stocked with chilled bottles of competitively priced bubbly than a single glass of swanky champagne. (Add a few bags for chilling, as well; there is seldom sufficient ice.)
Drinks & Large-Batch Drinks Made Easy
If you must impress and offer a cocktail, then prepare ahead a large batch in a pitcher so that you're not stuck busying yourself with drinks while you ought to be having fun. After starting, enlist a close friend or helper to keep an eye on the drinks then top up when needed till it's finished. Apply the same with the non-alcoholic punch; people appreciate to take on a task at a party allowing them to experience some of goodwill.
On the punch front, whichever recipe you choose (there are many online), avoid anything too sweet – any kids there need their own drinks – and should you have one, put aromatic bitters close by (avoid adding them into the punch since they are inappropriate for people who avoid alcohol entirely). Take care in presenting it so that the alcohol-free drink doesn't seem unimportant; it doesn't take a moment to cut some slices of lemon or orange for garnish.
Food That Shine Without Fuss
In my view, I'd skip the store-bought trays with "party foods" available in supermarkets at this time of year; they seem overly complicated, and frequently require turning the oven on (if you must do this, know that all guests truly likes toasted bread or small hot dogs regardless). It's my firm opinion it's hard to top two really big containers of tasty crisps (simple is universally liked), and, assuming no allergies, one of those great-value packets of mixed nuts often sold in the South Asian section in stores, and maybe some olives without stones as a garnish (it's best to avoid to discover pits in your pot plants next Easter).
In case, like my mum, you feel chips real food, one big slab of good cheese on a platter with crackers and some elegantly arranged grapes often appears visually appealing. A platter with some preserved or ready-to-eat meats or fish displayed there (a single variety, unless you have a large budget), alternatively a nice pre-made pastry, of the type that appear at delis during festivities, is more filling, and you really won't fail by serving rustic pieces of flatbread, because there's no need for additional preparation.