An Expert's Quick-Fire Entertaining Guide: Simple Hosting for Unexpected Guests
Throughout this festive season, when there is plenty happening that even lively people might sometimes long for a quiet respite in January, it's very simple to forget things. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has once been surprised back to reality while at my desk by a message by someone asking, "What time do you want us later?" Fear not; whether you are forgetful, or just inclined toward spontaneous gatherings, I have your back.
The Key to Memorable Get-Togethers
First and foremost, and I cannot stress this enough, if you've organized for a year versus only a short while, the best parties tend to be the easiest. All everyone is hoping for are pleasant conversation, something to drink, plus enough food that they don't feel like chewing their arm during the bus home. If you're not you're a fictional millionaire, no one anticipates extensive drinks, Michelin-starred food and musical performances.
The greatest parties tend to be the easiest. However, an idea helps to disguise the fact you've just put the party on on the way after a long day.
Selecting a Theme to Direct The Party Planning
Still, a theme can be useful for disguising that you've only put this thing together while returning after work. By concept, think of for example the holidays. Getting slightly more detailed (Swedish-style festivities, for instance, featuring mulled wine, aromatic cocktail, smoked fish plus crispbreads, Nordic beats selection; alternatively Mexican Christmas, with holiday punch, chilled brews and cocktails, and lots of tortilla chips, tomato dip and avocado dip, with Luis Miguel playing) can narrow your options on the necessary shopping trip.
Strategic Purchasing for Your Party
While shopping, choose one or two beverages (one alcoholic for drinkers, one not in case some don't want to) and a couple of appetizers suited to the theme, then purchase a generous amount within your budget, instead of worrying about offering guests a wide selection. No thing appears more abundant and celebratory than a bounty – I'd always prefer to be welcomed by a sink full of chilled bottles of reasonably priced sparkling wine than one glass with fancy champagne. (Add some bags of ice, too; you'll find seldom plenty of ice.)
Beverages and Party Beverages Simplified
Should you impress and offer a cocktail, then pre-mix a sizable amount in a container so that you're not left faffing around with drinks while it's time to having fun. Once underway, ask a close friend or volunteer to watch it then refill when needed till it runs out. Do the same with the soft drink; people appreciate to take on a job during gatherings so they may share in some of goodwill.
Regarding punch, whatever formula you pick (there are many via search), avoid anything excessively sweet – young ones there should have kid-friendly options – and should you own one, put aromatic bitters close by (don't add any to the bowl as they are inappropriate for people who avoid drinks entirely). Take care in presenting it so that the non-alcoholic option doesn't feel unimportant; it doesn't take a minute to add a few rounds of lemon or orange for garnish.
Nibbles That Work With Minimal Fuss
Personally, I'd skip the store-bought assortments of "party foods" available in shops seasonally; they seem overly complicated, and often require heating things up (if you choose to do this, remember that everyone secretly favors garlic bread and/or small hot dogs regardless). I'm convinced you can't beat several really big containers with decent chips (simple is universally liked), plus, assuming no dietary restrictions, a package of large and economical bags with nuts typically found in the South Asian section in stores, and maybe some pitted olives for colour (it's best to avoid to discover stones around the house next Easter).
If, like my mum, you don't consider chips real food, one large piece of quality cheese on a board with crackers plus beautifully placed grapes often appears visually appealing. A plate with some cured or cooked meats or fish displayed on it (only one type, unless you have a large budget), alternatively a handsome store-bought pie, similar to that pop up in specialty sections during festivities, is even more satisfying, while you really can't go wrong by serving artisanal pieces of Italian bread, because there's no need for spreading butter.
