An Expert's Quick-Fire Party Plan: Simple Entertaining for Unexpected Guests
During this festive time, while there is so much happening that even lively people might sometimes look forward to the calm respite in January, it's all too easy to overlook things. I believe I'm not the sole one who has ever felt jolted back to reality at work by a text by a friend wondering, "What time should we come us tonight?" Fear not; whether you're forgetful, and simply prone to impromptu gatherings, I have your back.
The Golden Rule to Memorable Parties
First and foremost, though I cannot stress it sufficiently, if you've organized for months versus only a short while, the best parties are the simplest. What anyone really wants is pleasant conversation, something to drink, plus sufficient nibbles so they do not end up chewing their arm on the ride back. If you're not you are Jay Gatsby, no one anticipates professional bartending, fancy catering and a live band.
The greatest gatherings are the simplest. However, a theme is useful to cover up the reality you have just put this thing on on the way back from the office.
Selecting a Style to Direct Your Preparations
Still, a theme is helpful for disguising the fact you've just put the party together while returning from the office. And by theme, I mean for example Christmas. Getting a bit more detailed (Scandinavian Christmas, say, with spiced drink, spiced punch, cured seafood plus crispbreads, Nordic beats playlist; alternatively Latin American celebration, with holiday punch, cold beers and cocktails, and heaps of snacks, salsa & green spread, and Luis Miguel on the stereo) can narrow your options during the inevitable shopping trip.
Strategic Shopping for The Party
In the store, choose a couple of drinks (one alcoholic if you drink, a non-alcoholic one for some don't want to) and some snacks suited to your concept, and purchase as much of them as possible, instead of fretting about giving people too much choice. No thing looks more welcoming and celebratory as plenty – I would always rather to enter with a container filled with chilled bottles with competitively priced sparkling wine over a small serving with expensive champagne. (Chuck in a few bags of cubes, too; you'll find never enough ice.)
Cocktails & Large-Batch Drinks Made Easy
If you must impress and provide a special beverage, make sure to prepare ahead a big quantity in a pitcher so that you're not stuck faffing around with preparation when you should be having fun. After starting, ask a partner or helper to monitor the drinks then top up as necessary till it's finished. Follow suit for the soft drink; guests appreciate to take on a role while socializing allowing them to experience some of goodwill.
Regarding punch, whichever formula you pick (they abound online), steer clear of anything too sweet – children present ought to have kid-friendly options – and should you have one, put flavor enhancers within reach (don't add them in the mix since they are inappropriate for people abstaining from drinks altogether). Take care with how it looks so the soft punch isn't perceived unimportant; it doesn't take a moment to add a few rounds of lemon or orange to the punch.
Nibbles That Work Without Effort
Personally, I recommend passing on the pre-made trays with "party foods" that appear at grocery stores during the holidays; they seem fancy, and often require turning the oven on (if you must go this route, know that everyone secretly favors garlic bread and/or small hot dogs regardless). I truly believe you can't beat two large dishes of decent snacks (simple is universally liked), and, assuming no allergies, one of those great-value packets of nuts available in the international aisle of supermarkets, and maybe a few pitted olives for colour (it's best to avoid to find pits in odd places months later).
In case, like my mum, you don't consider chips proper food, one large piece of tasty cheese on a platter with crackers plus beautifully placed fruit often appears painterly. A serving dish featuring salted or prepared meats or fish displayed on it (a single variety, except if money is no object), alternatively an attractive ready-made pastry, like those available at delis at this time of year, is more filling, and you truly will succeed with rustic pieces of focaccia, since they require no additional preparation.
