Felicity Cloake's 60-Minute Entertaining Guide: Effortless Entertaining for Unexpected Company
In this holiday time, while there's a lot happening that even lively people may occasionally look forward to a quiet break of the new year, it's all too easy to overlook details. I'm sure I'm not the only person who has once felt surprised back to reality at my desk by a message from someone wondering, "What time should we come over tonight?" Don't worry; whether you're forgetful, and simply inclined toward last-minute gatherings, I have you covered.
The Golden Rule to Great Get-Togethers
Above all, though I cannot stress this enough, whether you have organized for a year versus only 15 minutes, the greatest events tend to be the simplest. All anyone really wants is pleasant conversation, a drink to enjoy, plus sufficient to eat that guests do not feel like gnawing their arm during the bus back. Unless you're throwing a lavish ball, no one expects extensive drinks, fancy catering and a live band.
The greatest gatherings are the most basic. That said, an idea helps to mask the reality you have just put the event together while coming home from work.
Picking a Concept to Focus Your Preparations
Still, an overarching idea can be useful to conceal the fact you've just thrown the party on while returning from the office. And with a theme, think of something like the holidays. Going slightly focused (Nordic holidays, for instance, featuring mulled wine, warm beverage, smoked fish plus rye crackers, folk tunes selection; alternatively fiesta-style party, including holiday punch, chilled brews or margaritas, along with heaps of snacks, spicy sauce & avocado dip, and Luis Miguel playing) helps direct your choices on the necessary shopping trip.
Smart Shopping to Support Your Event
In the store, select a drink or two (an alcoholic option if you drink, one not in case others don't want to) and some nibbles that match your concept, then purchase as much of them as possible, rather than fretting about providing a wide selection. Nothing appears more abundant and cheerful than plenty – I'd consistently rather to enter by a container full of cold bottles of affordable crémant or cava over a small serving with expensive bubbly. (Chuck in some bags for chilling, as well; there is never plenty of ice.)
Drinks & Large-Batch Drinks Streamlined
If you feel the need to show off and provide a mixed drink, make sure to prepare ahead a sizable amount in a jug so that you're not stuck messing about with drinks while you ought to be having fun. After starting, request a significant other or helper to keep an eye on the drinks and refill when needed till it's finished. Apply the same for the non-alcoholic punch; people appreciate to have a role during gatherings so they can share in a share of festive spirit.
For large-batch drinks, whatever recipe you choose (they abound via search), avoid anything too sweet – children there ought to have kid-friendly options – and if it's available, put aromatic bitters nearby (don't add them to the bowl as they're unsafe for people abstaining from drinks entirely). Take care with presentation so the soft punch doesn't feel like an afterthought; just spend a minute to slice a few rounds of fruit into the bowl.
Food That Delight Without Fuss
In my view, I recommend passing on the pre-made assortments of "party foods" available at grocery stores at this time of year; they seem fussy, and often require turning the oven on (if you choose to go this route, be aware that everyone secretly prefers herb bread and/or small hot dogs anyway). It's my firm opinion you can't beat a couple of sizable dishes with good-quality chips (salted is universally liked), plus, provided there are no dietary restrictions, one of those large and economical packets of mixed nuts often sold with global foods of supermarkets, along with a few pitted olives as a garnish (it's best to avoid to still be finding pits in your pot plants next Easter).
If, like my mum, you feel snacks proper food, a single big slab of quality cheese served simply alongside crackers plus beautifully placed grapes always looks artistic. A serving dish featuring cured or cooked meats or fish displayed on it (only one type, unless money is no object), or a nice store-bought pastry, of the type that appear in specialty sections at this time of year, is more substantial, and you really will succeed with rustic slices of flatbread, because they don't need spreading butter.
