The Ultimate Quick-Fire Party Strategy: Simple Hosting for Spontaneous Guests
During this busy time, while there is so much happening which even lively people may occasionally look forward to the quiet respite in the new year, it's all too easy to neglect details. I expect I cannot be the sole person who's ever been surprised back to reality while at my desk because of a text from a friend wondering, "What time are we expected us tonight?" Fear not; whether you're absent minded, or just inclined toward last-minute gatherings, I have some solutions.
The Key to Memorable Get-Togethers
Firstly, and I cannot stress it sufficiently, whether you've been planning for months versus only a short while, the best parties tend to be the simplest. All everyone expects are a good chat, something to sip, plus sufficient nibbles so guests do not end up chewing an arm off during the ride home. If you're not you are throwing a lavish ball, no one expects a full bar, fancy catering and musical performances.
The most successful parties are the most basic. However, a theme helps to disguise the fact you've just thrown this thing together on the way back from the office.
Selecting a Concept to Guide The Shopping
Nevertheless, an overarching idea works well to hide that you have only put this thing on while returning home from work. By concept, I mean such as the holidays. Getting a bit more detailed (Nordic holidays, for instance, featuring glögg, aromatic cocktail, cured seafood and crispbreads, folk tunes selection; alternatively Latin American celebration, with holiday punch, chilled brews and margaritas, and heaps of tortilla chips, tomato dip & guacamole, and Luis Miguel playing) will focus the selection on the necessary shopping trip.
Practical Purchasing to Support The Party
At the shops, choose one or two beverages (an alcoholic option if you drink, one not in case some don't want to) plus a few nibbles that match your concept, and purchase as much of them within your budget, instead of fretting about giving people endless options. No thing looks as generous and celebratory than a bounty – I would always prefer to arrive by a tub full of chilled bottles of competitively priced bubbly over a single glass with fancy champagne. (Include some bags of ice, too; you'll find seldom sufficient ice.)
Cocktails & Punch Streamlined
If you must impress and serve a special beverage, make sure to mix in advance a sizable amount in a container so that you aren't stuck faffing around with it when you should be enjoying yourself. Once underway, enlist a significant other or friend to monitor it and replenish as necessary until it's finished. Do the same with the non-alcoholic punch; people enjoy to have a role at a party so they may enjoy the goodwill.
On the punch front, whatever mix you go for (you can find plenty via search), skip anything overly sugary – children there need kid-friendly options – and should it's available, plonk a bottle of bitters close by (avoid adding any in the mix as they are not suitable for those who do not consume drinks entirely). Put in some work with presentation so the non-alcoholic option doesn't seem neglected; it doesn't take a moment to add some slices of citrus for garnish.
Nibbles That Shine Without Fuss
In my view, I recommend passing on the pre-made platters with "party foods" available at grocery stores during the holidays; they come across as fancy, and usually require heating things up (if you choose to opt for these, remember that everyone secretly prefers garlic bread or mini sausages regardless). It's my firm opinion you can't beat two really big containers of good-quality chips (plain salted is universally liked), plus, assuming no dietary restrictions, one of those big and excellent value bags of mixed nuts often sold in the South Asian section at the market, with perhaps some olives without stones as a garnish (try not to discover pits in your pot plants months later).
If, similar to some, you don't consider crisps real food, one large piece of quality cheese on a board with crackers plus elegantly arranged fruit always looks artistic. A platter featuring cured or cooked prosciutto or seafood displayed on it (only one type, except if you're wealthy), alternatively an attractive ready-made pastry, similar to that appear on deli counters at this time of year, is even more substantial, while you really will succeed with rustic pieces of Italian bread, since there's no need for buttering.
