Felicity Cloake's Quick-Fire Party Strategy: Simple Hosting for Unexpected Company
In the festive time, when there is a lot happening which even lively people might sometimes anticipate the quiet break of the new year, it is all too easy to forget things. I'm sure I cannot be the only person who has ever felt jolted awake while at my desk by a message from someone wondering, "What time should we come over tonight?" No worries; if you're absent minded, or just prone to spontaneous invitations, I've got some solutions.
The Secret to Great Get-Togethers
Firstly, though I can't stress it enough, whether you've been planning for a year or only 15 minutes, the most enjoyable events are the easiest. All anyone really wants are a good chat, something to sip, plus sufficient food that they don't feel like gnawing an arm off during the bus home. Unless you're a fictional millionaire, nobody expects extensive drinks, gourmet catering or musical performances.
The greatest gatherings tend to be the simplest. That said, a theme is useful to mask the reality you've just thrown this thing together on the way after a long day.
Choosing a Concept to Focus The Shopping
Nevertheless, an overarching idea can be useful for disguising the fact you've just thrown the party together on the way home from work. And by theme, think of such as a seasonal celebration. Going a bit more specific (Swedish-style festivities, for instance, featuring mulled wine, aromatic cocktail, cured seafood and crispbreads, Scandinavian music playlist; or Latin American celebration, including ponche navideño, chilled brews or margaritas, along with lots of corn chips, spicy sauce & green spread, and upbeat tunes on the stereo) helps direct the selection during the necessary grocery run.
Practical Shopping for Your Party
At the shops, select a drink or two (an alcoholic option if you drink, a non-alcoholic one in case others avoid alcohol) plus some nibbles suited to your concept, and get a generous amount as you can afford, instead of fretting about giving people too much choice. No thing looks more abundant and cheerful as a bounty – I'd consistently prefer to be welcomed with a sink stocked with chilled bottles with competitively priced bubbly than a small serving with fancy champagne. (Add some bags of ice, too; there is seldom sufficient ice.)
Beverages and Punch Made Easy
If you must impress and provide a special beverage, make sure to mix in advance a big quantity in a container so you're not left messing about with drinks when you ought to be enjoying yourself. Once underway, enlist a partner or friend to monitor it and replenish as necessary till it runs out. Do the same with the alcohol-free option; guests appreciate to have a job during gatherings so they may enjoy some of positive vibes.
For large-batch drinks, whatever mix you choose (you can find plenty via search), skip any recipe too sweet – any kids there need their own drinks – and if you own one, place a bottle of bitters within reach (refrain from putting them to the bowl since they are unsafe for those who do not consume drinks altogether). Take care in presenting it so the alcohol-free drink doesn't seem neglected; just spend a minute to cut several pieces of lemon or orange to the punch.
Snacks That Delight With Minimal Fuss
For me, I recommend passing on the readymade platters of "party foods" that pop up at grocery stores during the holidays; they feel fancy, and often require heating things up (if you must go this route, remember that everyone secretly prefers garlic bread or cocktail sausages regardless). I truly believe nothing beats several sizable bowls with tasty snacks (simple will offend no one), plus, provided there are no issues, some of those big and excellent value bags of mixed nuts typically found in the South Asian section of supermarkets, with perhaps some ready-to-eat olives for color (it's best to avoid to find pits in odd places next Easter).
In case, similar to some, you think crisps proper food, one sizeable chunk of tasty cheese on a board with crackers and some elegantly arranged fruit always looks visually appealing. A plate featuring preserved or ready-to-eat salami or salmon displayed there (only one type, unless you have a large budget), alternatively a handsome ready-made tart, of the type available at delis during festivities, proves more filling, while you truly will succeed with rustic slices of focaccia, since they don't need additional preparation.
