Felicity Cloake's Quick-Fire Party Strategy: Stress-Free Hosting for Last-Minute Visitors
In the festive season, when there is so much happening which even energetic individuals may occasionally long for the quiet break of January, it's very easy to overlook things. I expect I cannot be the only person who's once been surprised back to reality while at work because of a message from a friend asking, "What time are we expected over later?" Fear not; whether you are distracted, and just likely to make last-minute invitations, I've got your back.
The Secret to Memorable Get-Togethers
Firstly, and I cannot emphasize it enough, if you have been planning long in advance or only a short while, the most enjoyable parties are the most straightforward. What anyone expects are engaging talks, something to drink, and enough food that guests do not feel like gnawing an arm off on the bus back. Unless you are throwing a lavish ball, no one anticipates professional bartending, fancy food and entertainers.
The most successful parties tend to be the simplest. Still, a theme is useful to mask the reality you have just put the party on while coming home from work.
Choosing a Concept to Guide Your Preparations
Nevertheless, a theme can be useful to hide that you've just thrown the party on while returning after work. And by theme, I mean such as the holidays. Going a bit focused (Scandinavian Christmas, for instance, with mulled wine, warm beverage, cured seafood plus rye crackers, Nordic beats playlist; alternatively fiesta-style party, including ponche navideño, refreshing lagers or tequila drinks, and heaps of tortilla chips, spicy sauce & guacamole, and Luis Miguel in the background) will focus the selection during the inevitable supermarket sweep.
Practical Buying to Support Your Event
At the shops, pick a couple of drinks (an alcoholic option for drinkers, a non-alcoholic one in case others avoid alcohol) and a couple of snacks suited to the style, then get as many as possible, rather than stressing over offering guests too much choice. Nothing appears as generous and as festive as abundance – I'd consistently rather to be welcomed by a container full of chilled bottles of reasonably priced crémant or cava over a single glass of swanky champagne. (Chuck in some bags for chilling, too; there is seldom plenty of ice.)
Drinks & Party Beverages Streamlined
If you feel the need to show off and serve a cocktail, then pre-mix a sizable amount in a jug so you're not left faffing around with it when you ought to be socializing. Once the party begins, ask a partner or friend to monitor the drinks then refill if required till it runs out. Apply the same for the soft drink; guests enjoy to take on a task while socializing so they can enjoy some of goodwill.
For large-batch drinks, whichever formula you pick (you can find plenty online), avoid any recipe excessively sweet – any kids present ought to have their own drinks – and should you own one, plonk a bottle of bitters close by (refrain from putting them to the bowl as they're not suitable for individuals who do not consume drinks entirely). Make an effort in presenting it so the soft punch doesn't feel unimportant; it only takes a minute to cut several pieces of citrus to the punch.
Food That Delight With Minimal Effort
In my view, I recommend passing on the pre-made platters of "party foods" that pop up at grocery stores seasonally; they come across as overly complicated, and often require turning the oven on (if you choose to go this route, be aware that all guests truly prefers garlic bread and/or cocktail sausages anyway). I truly believe it's hard to top two really big dishes of tasty crisps (salted is universally liked), and, provided there are no issues, some of those large and economical bags of nuts typically found with global foods in stores, along with a few pitted olives for colour (you don't want to find stones in odd places in the future).
In case, like my mum, you don't consider crisps substantial fare, a single big slab of tasty cheese on a board and crispbreads and some beautifully placed fruit tends to seem artistic. A plate featuring salted or prepared salami or salmon displayed there (just one sort, except if you're wealthy), or an attractive store-bought pastry, like those that pop up in specialty sections during festivities, is even more satisfying, while you truly won't fail with rustic chunks of flatbread, since they don't need spreading butter.
