Felicity Cloake's 60-Minute Entertaining Guide: Effortless Entertaining for Spontaneous Visitors
In the festive time, while there's a lot happening that the most vivacious individuals may sometimes anticipate the quiet respite of January, it is very easy to neglect things. I believe I cannot be the sole one who has once felt startled back to reality while at my desk because of a message from a friend asking, "What time are we expected over later?" Don't worry; whether you're absent minded, or just likely to make last-minute invitations, I have your back.
The Golden Rule to Memorable Parties
Firstly, and I can't stress it sufficiently, if you have organized long in advance versus only a short while, the greatest events tend to be the most straightforward. What everyone is hoping for is engaging talks, something to drink, plus enough to eat so they don't end up chewing an arm off on the bus home. Unless you're throwing a lavish ball, nobody anticipates extensive drinks, fancy food or musical performances.
The greatest gatherings are the easiest. That said, a theme is useful to disguise the fact you have just thrown this thing together on the way back from the office.
Picking a Concept to Guide The Shopping
Still, an overarching idea works well to conceal the fact you have only thrown the party on while returning from the office. By concept, I mean something like the holidays. Going slightly more specific (Swedish-style festivities, say, featuring mulled wine, spiced punch, fish snacks and flatbreads, Nordic beats playlist; or Mexican Christmas, with ponche navideño, chilled brews or margaritas, and lots of snacks, tomato dip & guacamole, with festive music in the background) helps direct your choices on the necessary shopping trip.
Strategic Purchasing to Support The Party
In the store, choose a drink or two (one alcoholic for those who do, a non-alcoholic one for some avoid alcohol) and a couple of appetizers suited to the style, and purchase a generous amount within your budget, instead of fretting about providing a wide selection. Nothing appears more abundant and celebratory as abundance – I would consistently prefer to be welcomed with a container filled with iced containers with affordable sparkling wine than a small serving with fancy bubbly. (Add several packs of ice, as well; you'll find never enough ice.)
Drinks & Punch Simplified
If you feel the need to show off and provide a mixed drink, then pre-mix a large batch in a pitcher so that you're not left messing about with it while it's time to socializing. Once underway, enlist a significant other or friend to keep an eye on the drinks and top up as necessary till it's gone. Do the same with the soft drink; guests love to take on a task during gatherings so they may experience some of festive spirit.
On the punch front, whichever mix you pick (they abound on the internet), avoid any recipe overly sugary – young ones there should have their own drinks – and should it's available, put flavor enhancers nearby (avoid adding any to the bowl as they're inappropriate for those who do not consume alcohol altogether). Put in some work with presentation so that the non-alcoholic option doesn't feel neglected; it doesn't take a minute to add several pieces of citrus to the punch.
Snacks That Work Without Fuss
Personally, I'd skip the readymade trays of "party foods" that pop up at grocery stores seasonally; they seem fancy, and often involve turning the oven on (should you opt for these, know that everyone secretly likes toasted bread and/or cocktail sausages anyway). I'm convinced you can't beat a couple of large containers of decent crisps (simple is universally liked), and, assuming no dietary restrictions, one of those big and excellent value packets of nuts typically found with global foods in stores, and maybe some ready-to-eat olives as a garnish (you don't want to find stones around the house next Easter).
If, similar to some, you think crisps real food, one sizeable chunk of quality cheese on a platter with crackers plus beautifully placed fruit often appears painterly. A platter featuring salted or prepared prosciutto or seafood laid out there (just one sort, unless you have a large budget), alternatively a handsome pre-made pie, like those that appear in specialty sections during festivities, proves more substantial, while you truly can't go wrong with rustic slices of focaccia, since there's no need for buttering.