An Expert's Quick-Fire Party Plan: Simple Entertaining for Unexpected Guests
During this festive period, when there is plenty going on that the most vivacious individuals might sometimes long for the calm break of January, it is all too easy to overlook things. I believe I'm not the only person who has ever been surprised back to reality while at work because of a text from someone wondering, "What time should we come us tonight?" Fear not; if you are forgetful, or just prone to spontaneous plans, I've got some solutions.
The Key to Memorable Gatherings
Above all, though I cannot stress it enough, if you have organized for a year versus just 15 minutes, the best parties are the most straightforward. All anyone really wants are pleasant conversation, something to drink, plus sufficient to eat so guests do not feel like gnawing an arm off on the ride back. Unless you're a fictional millionaire, nobody expects a full bar, Michelin-starred catering or entertainers.
The best gatherings tend to be the easiest. However, a theme is useful to mask the reality you've only thrown the event together while coming after a long day.
Picking a Concept to Direct The Preparations
Still, a theme can be useful for disguising that you've only put this thing on on the way after work. By concept, I mean such as Christmas. Getting slightly focused (Swedish-style festivities, say, featuring spiced drink, spiced punch, fish snacks and crispbreads, folk tunes selection; or fiesta-style party, with holiday punch, chilled brews and margaritas, along with heaps of tortilla chips, salsa & green spread, and Luis Miguel in the background) will focus your choices during the inevitable grocery run.
Strategic Shopping to Support Your Event
At the shops, choose one or two beverages (an alcoholic option if you drink, one not in case others don't want to) plus some nibbles suited to the theme, and purchase as much of them as possible, instead of worrying about offering guests a wide selection. No thing appears as generous and as festive as a bounty – I'd always prefer to enter with a container full of iced containers of competitively priced sparkling wine than a small serving with swanky bubbly. (Include some bags of ice, as well; you'll find never sufficient ice.)
Drinks and Punch Made Easy
If you feel the need to show off and provide a cocktail, then mix in advance a sizable amount in a jug so that you're not left busying yourself with preparation while you ought to be enjoying yourself. After starting, enlist a significant other or helper to keep an eye on the drinks and top up if required until it's finished. Apply the same with the non-alcoholic punch; people love to be given a task at a party allowing them to experience some of festive spirit.
Regarding punch, whichever recipe you choose (they abound via search), avoid any recipe excessively sweet – young ones there ought to have separate beverages – and if you have one, plonk aromatic bitters nearby (avoid adding them to the bowl as they are inappropriate for those who avoid drinks entirely). Put in some work with presentation so that the soft punch isn't perceived like an afterthought; it only takes a short time to slice several pieces of lemon or orange into the bowl.
Nibbles That Work Without Fuss
For me, I would avoid the store-bought platters with "party foods" that appear at grocery stores seasonally; they seem fussy, and usually require heating things up (if you must opt for these, remember that all guests secretly prefers toasted bread or mini sausages anyway). I'm convinced it's hard to top a couple of really big containers of decent snacks (plain salted pleases everyone), plus, provided there are no dietary restrictions, a package of big and excellent value bags of mixed nuts often sold in the South Asian section in stores, with perhaps some pitted olives as a garnish (you don't want to find stones in your pot plants next Easter).
In case, similar to some, you feel snacks real food, one big slab of tasty cheese on a board alongside crackers and some elegantly arranged grapes tends to seem painterly. A plate with some salted or prepared prosciutto or seafood displayed there (only one type, unless you have a large budget), or a nice ready-made pie, like those that pop up at delis during festivities, is more satisfying, while you truly can't go wrong with artisanal slices of focaccia, since they don't need buttering.
