Felicity Cloake's 60-Minute Party Strategy: Stress-Free Hosting for Last-Minute Visitors
In this holiday season, while there's a lot going on which even energetic people may occasionally anticipate the quiet break in the new year, it's all too easy to overlook things. I believe I cannot be the sole one who has ever felt jolted awake at work by a text by a friend wondering, "What time are we expected us tonight?" Don't worry; whether you're distracted, or simply prone to last-minute invitations, I have your back.
The Golden Rule to Great Parties
Above all, though I cannot emphasize this sufficiently, if you've organized for months versus only a quarter-hour, the greatest events are the easiest. All anyone really wants are pleasant conversation, something to enjoy, plus sufficient to eat so guests don't end up chewing their arm during the ride home. If you're not you're Jay Gatsby, nobody anticipates a full bar, Michelin-starred food or a live band.
The best gatherings are the simplest. Still, an idea is useful to disguise the reality you have just thrown the event together on the way after a long day.
Choosing a Concept to Focus The Party Planning
Still, a theme can be useful to conceal that you've just put the party together on the way home from work. By concept, I mean something like a seasonal celebration. Getting slightly more detailed (Swedish-style festivities, say, with mulled wine, aromatic cocktail, cured seafood and flatbreads, folk tunes selection; or fiesta-style party, with traditional drink, refreshing lagers or tequila drinks, along with heaps of tortilla chips, salsa and green spread, and upbeat tunes on the stereo) can narrow your options on the necessary supermarket sweep.
Strategic Shopping for Your Gathering
At the shops, choose a couple of drinks (one alcoholic if you drink, one not for some avoid alcohol) plus a few snacks that match your concept, then purchase as much of them within your budget, rather than stressing over offering guests a wide selection. No thing appears more welcoming and as festive than a bounty – I'd consistently rather to enter by a sink full of chilled bottles of reasonably priced sparkling wine than one glass of swanky champagne. (Chuck in several packs of cubes, as well; you'll find never sufficient ice.)
Cocktails and Punch Streamlined
Should you impress and offer a special beverage, then prepare ahead a large batch in a pitcher so you're not left busying yourself with it when you should be enjoying yourself. Once underway, enlist a significant other or friend to watch it and top up when needed until it's finished. Do the same for the alcohol-free option; guests appreciate to take on a task at a party so they can share in some of positive vibes.
Regarding punch, whatever recipe you choose (there are many online), avoid any recipe too sweet – young ones there need separate beverages – and if you own one, put flavor enhancers close by (avoid adding them in the mix as they are inappropriate for people abstaining from alcohol altogether). Make an effort in presenting it so the non-alcoholic option doesn't seem unimportant; it doesn't take a minute to cut a few rounds of fruit into the bowl.
Nibbles That Work With Minimal Preparation
Personally, I would avoid the pre-made assortments of "party foods" that pop up at grocery stores during the holidays; they feel overly complicated, and usually require turning the oven on (if you choose to opt for these, remember that all guests secretly prefers garlic bread and/or mini sausages anyway). I truly believe nothing beats a couple of sizable bowls with tasty crisps (plain salted will offend no one), plus, provided there are no allergies, one of those great-value containers of mixed nuts often sold in the international aisle in stores, and maybe some ready-to-eat olives for colour (try not to still be finding stones in your pot plants in the future).
If, like my mum, you don't consider crisps substantial fare, one large piece of quality cheese on a board with crackers plus elegantly arranged grapes always looks visually appealing. A serving dish featuring preserved or ready-to-eat prosciutto or seafood arranged there (only one type, except if money is no object), or a nice ready-made pastry, like those available on deli counters seasonally, proves more satisfying, while you really will succeed by serving homestyle pieces of flatbread, since they require no spreading butter.
