An Expert's One-Hour Entertaining Guide: Effortless Entertaining for Last-Minute Visitors
In the festive time, while there is plenty happening which even lively individuals might occasionally look forward to a calm respite of January, it is very easy to overlook details. I believe I cannot be the sole one who has ever felt surprised awake at my desk by an inquiry by someone asking, "What time are we expected us tonight?" Fear not; if you're absent minded, or just prone to spontaneous plans, I've got you covered.
The Secret to Great Get-Togethers
Above all, though I cannot stress this sufficiently, if you have been planning long in advance or just 15 minutes, the best events are the simplest. All everyone expects are a good chat, a drink to enjoy, plus sufficient food so they don't end up chewing their arm during the bus home. If you're not you are throwing a lavish ball, no one anticipates professional bartending, Michelin-starred food or a live band.
The greatest parties tend to be the simplest. However, a theme is useful to disguise the fact you have just thrown the party on on the way back from the office.
Picking a Theme to Direct Your Preparations
Nevertheless, an overarching idea can be useful to conceal the fact you have just put the party on on the way after work. And by theme, think of such as a seasonal celebration. Going slightly focused (Swedish-style festivities, say, with mulled wine, spiced punch, cured seafood plus crispbreads, folk tunes selection; alternatively Latin American celebration, with holiday punch, refreshing lagers and margaritas, and plenty of tortilla chips, tomato dip & green spread, and upbeat tunes playing) can narrow your choices during the inevitable grocery run.
Practical Shopping to Support The Party
At the shops, pick a drink or two (an alcoholic option if you drink, a non-alcoholic one for some prefer not to) and a couple of snacks suited to the style, then buy as many as possible, instead of worrying about offering guests a wide selection. Nothing looks as generous and celebratory than abundance – I would always rather to enter by a sink stocked with chilled bottles with reasonably priced bubbly over a single glass with swanky bubbly. (Add some bags for chilling, too; you'll find seldom plenty of ice.)
Beverages and Punch Streamlined
If you feel the need to show off and serve a special beverage, then pre-mix a large batch in a pitcher so that you're not stuck messing about with drinks while it's time to enjoying yourself. Once the party begins, ask a partner or volunteer to monitor the drinks then replenish as necessary till it runs out. Follow suit for the soft drink; guests love to have a role during gatherings allowing them to enjoy the positive vibes.
For large-batch drinks, whatever recipe you choose (they abound via search), skip any recipe overly sugary – children present ought to have separate beverages – and if it's available, put a bottle of bitters within reach (don't add them in the mix since they are unsafe for those who avoid drinks altogether). Take care in presenting it so that the alcohol-free drink doesn't seem like an afterthought; just spend a minute to slice a few rounds of citrus to the punch.
Food That Delight Without Effort
In my view, I would avoid the store-bought platters of "party foods" that pop up at grocery stores during the holidays; they seem fussy, and frequently require using the oven (if you must go this route, be aware that all guests secretly favors garlic bread and/or mini sausages regardless). It's my firm opinion it's hard to top several large dishes of good-quality crisps (simple is universally liked), and, provided there are no allergies, a package of big and excellent value containers of mixed nuts available in the international aisle of supermarkets, and maybe a few ready-to-eat olives for color (try not to find stones in your pot plants in the future).
If, as my mother says, you feel snacks substantial fare, a single big slab of good cheese on a board and crispbreads plus beautifully placed grapes often appears painterly. A serving dish featuring salted or prepared salami or salmon laid out there (a single variety, except if you have a large budget), alternatively a nice ready-made pastry, of the type available on deli counters seasonally, is even more substantial, while you really will succeed by serving rustic pieces of Italian bread, because they don't need buttering.
