Felicity Cloake's 60-Minute Entertaining Guide: Simple Entertaining for Unexpected Visitors
During this festive season, when there's plenty happening which even lively individuals might sometimes long for a calm break of the new year, it's all too easy to overlook things. I believe I'm not the only person who has once been jolted back to reality at my desk because of a text by someone wondering, "What time are we expected over later?" Fear not; if you are absent minded, or just likely to make impromptu plans, I've got your back.
The Key to Great Gatherings
First and foremost, and I cannot stress it sufficiently, if you've organized for months or just a quarter-hour, the greatest parties are the easiest. What anyone is hoping for are pleasant conversation, something to sip, and sufficient nibbles so they do not feel like chewing their arm on the bus back. Unless you are throwing a lavish ball, nobody anticipates professional bartending, fancy catering and musical performances.
The most successful gatherings are the most basic. Still, a theme is useful to cover up the fact you have only thrown this thing on on the way home from work.
Selecting a Concept to Focus Your Party Planning
That said, a theme is helpful for disguising that you've only thrown this thing on while returning from the office. And with a theme, I mean such as the holidays. Getting slightly more detailed (Swedish-style festivities, say, featuring spiced drink, aromatic cocktail, fish snacks plus crispbreads, Nordic beats playlist; or Latin American celebration, including traditional drink, refreshing lagers or tequila drinks, along with plenty of tortilla chips, salsa & guacamole, with Luis Miguel playing) can narrow the selection during the inevitable shopping trip.
Smart Shopping for Your Party
In the store, choose one or two beverages (an alcoholic option for those who do, a non-alcoholic one for some don't want to) plus a couple of appetizers that match the style, then get a generous amount as you can afford, rather than stressing over providing endless options. Nothing appears as generous and as festive as abundance – I'd consistently rather to arrive by a container full of cold bottles with reasonably priced sparkling wine over a small serving with expensive champagne. (Add some bags for chilling, as well; you'll find seldom sufficient ice.)
Beverages and Large-Batch Drinks Streamlined
Should you impress and serve a mixed drink, then mix in advance a big quantity in a pitcher so you're not stuck busying yourself with drinks when it's time to socializing. After starting, request a close friend or friend to watch it and top up as necessary until it runs out. Follow suit with the soft drink; guests enjoy to have a role while socializing allowing them to share in the festive spirit.
For large-batch drinks, whatever mix you choose (they abound on the internet), steer clear of anything overly sugary – young ones present ought to have their own drinks – and if it's available, place a bottle of bitters within reach (avoid adding them in the mix as they are unsafe for people abstaining from drinks altogether). Put in some work in presenting it so the non-alcoholic option doesn't seem like an afterthought; it doesn't take a short time to cut some slices of citrus for garnish.
Nibbles That Work With Minimal Effort
In my view, I'd skip the readymade platters with "party foods" that appear at grocery stores seasonally; they come across as fussy, and usually involve using the oven (if you must opt for these, remember that everyone quietly favors toasted bread and/or mini sausages regardless). It's my firm opinion nothing beats several really big containers with tasty crisps (plain salted will offend no one), and, assuming no issues, some of those great-value containers of nuts available in the international aisle in stores, and maybe a few pitted olives for color (it's best to avoid to discover pits in odd places in the future).
If, similar to some, you feel chips substantial fare, one big slab of good cheese on a board and crispbreads plus elegantly arranged grapes tends to seem painterly. A platter with some preserved or ready-to-eat meats or fish displayed there (a single variety, except if you're wealthy), or a nice store-bought pastry, similar to available in specialty sections seasonally, is even more satisfying, and you really will succeed by serving artisanal pieces of focaccia, because they require no additional preparation.
