Felicity Cloake's Quick-Fire Party Plan: Stress-Free Entertaining for Spontaneous Company
Throughout this holiday period, when there's plenty happening that even vivacious individuals might occasionally look forward to a calm break in the new year, it is very easy to overlook things. I expect I'm not the sole one who's ever been startled back to reality at work because of a text from a friend wondering, "What time are we expected us later?" No worries; whether you are distracted, or just likely to make spontaneous plans, I have some solutions.
The Key to Great Gatherings
Firstly, and I can't emphasize this enough, whether you have planned for a year or only a short while, the most enjoyable events are the easiest. What anyone really wants is engaging talks, something to sip, plus enough to eat that guests do not end up chewing their arm on the bus back. Unless you're throwing a lavish ball, no one anticipates extensive drinks, Michelin-starred catering and musical performances.
The most successful gatherings tend to be the easiest. That said, a theme helps to mask the reality you have only put this thing together while coming after a long day.
Choosing a Concept to Direct The Preparations
Nevertheless, an overarching idea can be useful for disguising the fact you've only put the party on while returning home from work. By concept, I mean such as Christmas. Getting slightly more specific (Swedish-style festivities, say, with spiced drink, warm beverage, fish snacks and crispbreads, Scandinavian music selection; alternatively Mexican Christmas, including holiday punch, cold beers or cocktails, and heaps of snacks, spicy sauce and green spread, with festive music on the stereo) will focus your options on the necessary supermarket sweep.
Strategic Purchasing for Your Event
While shopping, pick a couple of drinks (one alcoholic for those who do, one not for others avoid alcohol) plus a few nibbles that fit your concept, then get a generous amount as possible, rather than fretting about offering guests a wide selection. No thing appears as generous and celebratory than a bounty – I would always rather to arrive with a container full of cold bottles with reasonably priced bubbly than one glass of fancy bubbly. (Include some bags of cubes, as well; you'll find seldom enough ice.)
Cocktails & Party Beverages Streamlined
If you must show off and provide a special beverage, make sure to prepare ahead a big quantity in a pitcher so that you aren't stuck busying yourself with drinks while you ought to be enjoying yourself. Once the party begins, ask a close friend or helper to keep an eye on the drinks and refill when needed till it's finished. Do the same with the non-alcoholic punch; guests appreciate to have a role during gatherings so they can enjoy some of festive spirit.
On the punch front, whichever recipe you choose (you can find plenty via search), skip any recipe excessively sweet – young ones there need kid-friendly options – and should you own one, place flavor enhancers nearby (avoid adding them in the mix as they are not suitable for individuals abstaining from drinks altogether). Take care in presenting it so the non-alcoholic option doesn't seem unimportant; it only takes a minute to add some slices of lemon or orange for garnish.
Snacks That Work Without Preparation
In my view, I would avoid the pre-made trays with "party foods" that pop up in supermarkets seasonally; they come across as overly complicated, and often involve heating things up (should you do this, be aware that everyone secretly favors garlic bread or mini sausages anyway). I'm convinced you can't beat a couple of sizable containers of tasty chips (simple pleases everyone), and, assuming no issues, some of those great-value bags of nuts often sold with global foods of supermarkets, with perhaps a few olives without stones for color (try not to find stones in odd places next Easter).
If, similar to some, you think chips proper food, one sizeable chunk of quality cheese on a platter with crackers plus beautifully placed fruit always looks painterly. A platter featuring cured or cooked meats or fish arranged on it (a single variety, except if you're wealthy), alternatively a handsome pre-made pie, like those that appear at delis at this time of year, is more satisfying, and you really can't go wrong with homestyle slices of Italian bread, because they don't need spreading butter.
