Felicity Cloake's One-Hour Party Strategy: Stress-Free Hosting for Spontaneous Guests
During this busy season, when there is a lot happening that the most energetic people might occasionally look forward to a quiet respite in the new year, it is very easy to neglect details. I expect I cannot be the only one who has ever felt startled back to reality while at work by a text from someone asking, "What time are we expected us tonight?" No worries; whether you are distracted, and just likely to make impromptu invitations, I've got some solutions.
The Secret to Great Get-Togethers
Above all, though I cannot stress this enough, if you have planned for a year versus only a short while, the best parties are the most straightforward. What everyone really wants are engaging talks, a drink to enjoy, and sufficient food that they don't end up gnawing something on the ride back. Unless you are Jay Gatsby, nobody expects a full bar, Michelin-starred food or musical performances.
The most successful parties are the simplest. However, a theme is useful to mask the fact you've just put the party on on the way home from work.
Choosing a Theme to Focus Your Party Planning
Still, a theme can be useful for disguising that you have only thrown the party together while returning after work. By concept, I mean such as a seasonal celebration. Getting slightly more detailed (Scandinavian Christmas, for instance, featuring mulled wine, aromatic cocktail, fish snacks plus flatbreads, Scandinavian music playlist; or Mexican Christmas, including traditional drink, chilled brews or tequila drinks, and lots of corn chips, spicy sauce & avocado dip, with upbeat tunes on the stereo) will focus your choices during the upcoming grocery run.
Practical Purchasing for Your Event
In the store, pick a couple of drinks (one alcoholic for those who do, one not in case some don't want to) and a few nibbles that fit the style, then get a generous amount as possible, instead of stressing over providing endless options. Nothing appears more welcoming and cheerful than abundance – I'd always prefer to enter with a container stocked with cold bottles with reasonably priced sparkling wine over one glass with expensive champagne. (Add some bags of ice, as well; you'll find seldom enough ice.)
Drinks and Large-Batch Drinks Made Easy
Should you show off and provide a cocktail, make sure to prepare ahead a large batch in a jug so that you're not left busying yourself with drinks while you ought to be socializing. Once underway, ask a close friend or friend to keep an eye on the drinks and top up if required till it's finished. Follow suit with the alcohol-free option; guests love to have a role during gatherings so they can share in a share of goodwill.
For large-batch drinks, whatever formula you pick (there are many online), skip anything overly sugary – young ones there need separate beverages – and if it's available, plonk aromatic bitters within reach (avoid adding any into the punch as they're inappropriate for those who do not consume alcohol entirely). Put in some work with presentation so that the soft punch doesn't feel neglected; just spend a minute to cut some slices of citrus into the bowl.
Food That Shine Without Effort
In my view, I'd skip the store-bought assortments with "party foods" that pop up in shops at this time of year; they come across as overly complicated, and often require heating things up (if you choose to go this route, know that all guests quietly favors toasted bread or cocktail sausages regardless). I truly believe it's hard to top several large dishes with tasty snacks (plain salted will offend no one), plus, provided there are no dietary restrictions, one of those big and excellent value packets of nuts typically found in the South Asian section at the market, with perhaps some pitted olives for color (it's best to avoid to find pits in your pot plants next Easter).
If, similar to some, you think crisps real food, a single sizeable chunk of tasty cheese on a platter alongside crackers plus beautifully placed fruit always looks painterly. A platter featuring preserved or ready-to-eat salami or salmon displayed there (just one sort, except if you have a large budget), or an attractive pre-made pastry, of the type that appear on deli counters during festivities, is more satisfying, while you truly can't go wrong by serving artisanal pieces of focaccia, because they don't need spreading butter.
