Felicity Cloake's One-Hour Entertaining Guide: Effortless Entertaining for Last-Minute Guests
During the festive season, while there's a lot going on which the most vivacious individuals may sometimes look forward to a calm respite of the new year, it is very simple to neglect details. I expect I'm not the sole one who's once been surprised awake at my desk because of a text from someone asking, "What time should we come over tonight?" Don't worry; whether you're absent minded, and just prone to spontaneous invitations, I have you covered.
The Golden Rule to Successful Gatherings
Firstly, though I cannot emphasize it enough, if you've been planning long in advance or only a short while, the greatest events are the most straightforward. What everyone really wants are pleasant conversation, a drink to enjoy, plus enough nibbles so guests do not feel like chewing something during the bus home. Unless you're throwing a lavish ball, nobody anticipates professional bartending, Michelin-starred food and entertainers.
The most successful gatherings are the most basic. However, a theme helps to mask the reality you've just thrown this thing together while coming home from work.
Picking a Theme to Direct Your Party Planning
Nevertheless, a theme works well to conceal the fact you've only thrown this thing on while returning after work. And with a theme, I mean such as Christmas. Going a bit more specific (Nordic holidays, say, with spiced drink, spiced punch, smoked fish and crispbreads, folk tunes selection; alternatively Mexican Christmas, with holiday punch, chilled brews or tequila drinks, along with lots of corn chips, salsa and avocado dip, with upbeat tunes playing) helps direct your options during the necessary supermarket sweep.
Practical Purchasing to Support Your Gathering
In the store, select a couple of drinks (an alcoholic option for drinkers, a non-alcoholic one for some don't want to) and a few appetizers suited to your concept, then purchase as many as you can afford, instead of fretting about giving people too much choice. Nothing looks more abundant and as festive as a bounty – I would always rather to be welcomed with a sink full of cold bottles with affordable bubbly over one glass of swanky champagne. (Include several packs of cubes, too; there is seldom enough ice.)
Cocktails and Punch Made Easy
If you feel the need to impress and provide a mixed drink, make sure to mix in advance a large batch in a jug so you aren't stuck messing about with it while it's time to enjoying yourself. Once the party begins, enlist a partner or volunteer to watch the drinks then replenish when needed until it runs out. Follow suit for the non-alcoholic punch; guests love to take on a job during gatherings so they may share in the goodwill.
On the punch front, whatever formula you go for (you can find plenty online), avoid any recipe overly sugary – young ones present ought to have kid-friendly options – and should you have one, place a bottle of bitters close by (refrain from putting any to the bowl since they are not suitable for individuals who avoid alcohol entirely). Take care with presentation so the alcohol-free drink isn't perceived unimportant; it only takes a short time to cut a few rounds of citrus for garnish.
Nibbles That Delight Without Preparation
In my view, I recommend passing on the readymade trays with "party foods" that appear in shops seasonally; they come across as overly complicated, and usually involve heating things up (should you opt for these, know that all guests quietly likes herb bread or small hot dogs regardless). I'm convinced nothing beats several sizable dishes with good-quality chips (simple pleases everyone), plus, assuming no allergies, one of those great-value bags with nuts often sold in the South Asian section at the market, along with some olives without stones for color (it's best to avoid to find pits in odd places next Easter).
In case, like my mum, you feel crisps proper food, one large piece of good cheese served simply and crispbreads and some beautifully placed grapes tends to seem visually appealing. A serving dish featuring preserved or ready-to-eat salami or salmon displayed there (a single variety, except if money is no object), or a handsome store-bought tart, of the type available at delis during festivities, is even more filling, while you really can't go wrong with artisanal chunks of flatbread, since they require no additional preparation.
