An Expert's One-Hour Entertaining Guide: Simple Entertaining for Unexpected Guests
In the festive period, when there's a lot going on which the most energetic individuals might sometimes long for the calm break of January, it is all too simple to neglect things. I'm sure I cannot be the sole person who's once felt jolted awake at work by an inquiry from a friend asking, "What time do you want us tonight?" No worries; whether you're absent minded, and simply likely to make spontaneous plans, I've got you covered.
The Golden Rule to Great Get-Togethers
Firstly, though I can't stress this sufficiently, whether you have organized for a year versus only 15 minutes, the greatest events tend to be the simplest. What everyone expects are pleasant conversation, a drink to sip, plus sufficient to eat that they do not end up gnawing something on the bus back. Unless you are a fictional millionaire, nobody expects a full bar, fancy food and musical performances.
The most successful gatherings tend to be the easiest. However, a theme is useful to mask the reality you have only thrown this thing on on the way home from work.
Selecting a Theme to Guide Your Party Planning
Nevertheless, a theme is helpful for disguising the fact you have just put this thing together while returning from the office. And with a theme, think of for example the holidays. Going slightly more specific (Scandinavian Christmas, say, with glögg, spiced punch, smoked fish plus rye crackers, Scandinavian music playlist; or fiesta-style party, with ponche navideño, refreshing lagers or tequila drinks, along with heaps of tortilla chips, spicy sauce & guacamole, with upbeat tunes playing) helps direct your choices on the necessary shopping trip.
Smart Buying to Support Your Gathering
At the shops, choose a couple of drinks (an alcoholic option for those who do, a non-alcoholic one for some prefer not to) plus some appetizers suited to your concept, then buy as much of them as possible, instead of fretting about providing endless options. Nothing appears as generous and celebratory as a bounty – I would consistently prefer to be welcomed with a container stocked with cold bottles of competitively priced sparkling wine over one glass of fancy bubbly. (Chuck in several packs for chilling, as well; you'll find seldom sufficient ice.)
Drinks and Party Beverages Simplified
Should you impress and provide a cocktail, then prepare ahead a large batch in a jug so you're not left messing about with preparation when it's time to having fun. Once the party begins, request a close friend or volunteer to watch it then replenish if required till it runs out. Apply the same with the alcohol-free option; people enjoy to take on a role at a party allowing them to experience a share of goodwill.
On the punch front, whichever recipe you go for (they abound via search), skip any recipe overly sugary – children present should have their own drinks – and should you own one, put aromatic bitters nearby (refrain from putting any to the bowl as they are inappropriate for those who do not consume alcohol entirely). Take care with presentation so that the alcohol-free drink doesn't seem neglected; it only takes a minute to add a few rounds of lemon or orange for garnish.
Food That Delight Without Preparation
In my view, I recommend passing on the pre-made trays of "party foods" that pop up at grocery stores at this time of year; they come across as fussy, and often involve heating things up (if you choose to do this, know that everyone secretly likes herb bread and/or cocktail sausages anyway). I'm convinced it's hard to top two sizable bowls of good-quality crisps (salted will offend no one), and, provided there are no allergies, some of those large and economical packets of nuts available with global foods at the market, with perhaps a few ready-to-eat olives for color (you don't want to find pits around the house months later).
In case, as my mother says, you feel snacks real food, one large piece of quality cheese on a board alongside crackers plus beautifully placed fruit always looks visually appealing. A serving dish with some cured or cooked meats or fish arranged on it (a single variety, except if you're wealthy), or a handsome store-bought tart, like those that pop up in specialty sections seasonally, is even more substantial, while you truly can't go wrong by serving artisanal slices of flatbread, since there's no need for buttering.
