Felicity Cloake's One-Hour Party Strategy: Simple Hosting for Unexpected Visitors
Throughout the festive time, while there is a lot going on that even vivacious individuals might sometimes long for a quiet break in the new year, it is all too easy to overlook things. I'm sure I cannot be the only one who has ever been jolted awake while at work because of a text from a friend wondering, "What time should we come over later?" No worries; whether you are absent minded, and just inclined toward spontaneous plans, I have some solutions.
The Secret to Great Parties
Above all, though I can't stress this enough, whether you have planned for months versus just 15 minutes, the best parties are the most straightforward. All everyone expects is pleasant conversation, something to sip, and enough food that guests do not end up chewing their arm during the ride back. If you're not you are Jay Gatsby, nobody anticipates a full bar, fancy catering or a live band.
The greatest parties tend to be the simplest. Still, a theme is useful to cover up the fact you've only thrown the event on while coming after a long day.
Selecting a Theme to Direct Your Shopping
Still, an overarching idea is helpful to conceal that you have only put this thing together on the way after work. By concept, I mean something like Christmas. Going slightly more detailed (Scandinavian Christmas, for instance, featuring glögg, aromatic cocktail, smoked fish and crispbreads, Nordic beats playlist; alternatively Mexican Christmas, with traditional drink, refreshing lagers and tequila drinks, and heaps of tortilla chips, salsa and green spread, with upbeat tunes playing) will focus your options on the inevitable supermarket sweep.
Strategic Purchasing to Support The Party
While shopping, pick a couple of drinks (one alcoholic for drinkers, one not in case others prefer not to) plus a few snacks that match the style, and purchase a generous amount as possible, instead of worrying about offering guests endless options. No thing appears as generous and as festive than a bounty – I would always rather to enter with a tub stocked with iced containers of affordable bubbly over a small serving of fancy bubbly. (Include a few bags for chilling, too; there is seldom plenty of ice.)
Beverages & Punch Made Easy
Should you impress and offer a cocktail, make sure to prepare ahead a big quantity in a pitcher so that you're not stuck busying yourself with it when you ought to be having fun. After starting, request a partner or friend to keep an eye on the drinks then replenish if required till it runs out. Do the same for the soft drink; guests love to take on a task at a party so they can enjoy a share of positive vibes.
On the punch front, whatever mix you choose (they abound online), steer clear of any recipe overly sugary – children there need their own drinks – and should you have one, place flavor enhancers within reach (avoid adding them to the bowl as they are unsafe for those who avoid drinks entirely). Put in some work with how it looks so the non-alcoholic option doesn't feel unimportant; just spend a minute to add a few rounds of lemon or orange for garnish.
Nibbles That Work With Minimal Effort
For me, I'd skip the store-bought platters of "party foods" that appear in shops at this time of year; they feel fussy, and frequently require turning the oven on (if you choose to opt for these, know that everyone truly favors garlic bread and/or small hot dogs regardless). It's my firm opinion it's hard to top two sizable dishes of good-quality snacks (plain salted pleases everyone), and, provided there are no allergies, a package of big and excellent value packets of mixed nuts available with global foods in stores, with perhaps a few olives without stones as a garnish (it's best to avoid to discover stones around the house next Easter).
In case, similar to some, you don't consider chips real food, a single large piece of quality cheese served simply alongside crackers and some beautifully placed grapes always looks artistic. A platter featuring salted or prepared meats or fish arranged there (only one type, unless money is no object), or an attractive pre-made pastry, like those that pop up on deli counters during festivities, is more substantial, while you truly will succeed with homestyle pieces of Italian bread, because they require no buttering.
