Felicity Cloake's One-Hour Party Plan: Effortless Entertaining for Last-Minute Company

Throughout the festive season, while there's so much happening which the most lively individuals may occasionally look forward to a quiet respite in January, it is all too simple to overlook details. I believe I cannot be the sole person who's once been startled back to reality at work by a text by a friend wondering, "What time are we expected over later?" Don't worry; if you are absent minded, or simply prone to spontaneous gatherings, I've got some solutions.

The Secret to Successful Parties

Firstly, and I can't stress it sufficiently, if you've organized long in advance or only a quarter-hour, the best parties tend to be the easiest. All anyone expects is pleasant conversation, a drink to enjoy, plus enough food so guests do not feel like gnawing something during the bus home. Unless you're a fictional millionaire, no one anticipates professional bartending, Michelin-starred food and entertainers.

The best gatherings tend to be the easiest. Still, a concept is useful to mask the fact you have just put the party together on the way after a long day.

Picking a Style to Direct The Preparations

Still, an overarching idea is helpful to conceal the fact you have only thrown this thing on while returning after work. And by theme, think of for example the holidays. Getting slightly more detailed (Scandinavian Christmas, for instance, featuring mulled wine, warm beverage, cured seafood plus flatbreads, folk tunes playlist; alternatively Latin American celebration, with ponche navideño, refreshing lagers and tequila drinks, and plenty of corn chips, salsa & green spread, and upbeat tunes playing) helps direct your choices on the inevitable supermarket sweep.

Practical Shopping to Support Your Gathering

While shopping, choose a couple of drinks (an alcoholic option for drinkers, a non-alcoholic one for some prefer not to) plus some snacks that fit the theme, and get as much of them within your budget, rather than fretting about offering guests endless options. Nothing appears as generous and as festive than a bounty – I'd always rather to enter with a sink stocked with iced containers of affordable sparkling wine than a small serving with swanky bubbly. (Chuck in some bags for chilling, as well; there is seldom plenty of ice.)

Cocktails and Party Beverages Streamlined

Should you show off and offer a mixed drink, then pre-mix a big quantity in a container so you aren't left messing about with drinks while you ought to be enjoying yourself. Once the party begins, enlist a significant other or volunteer to watch the drinks and top up when needed till it's gone. Do the same with the non-alcoholic punch; people love to have a role while socializing so they may experience some of positive vibes.

Regarding punch, whatever formula you choose (there are many via search), steer clear of anything overly sugary – any kids present ought to have separate beverages – and should it's available, put a bottle of bitters close by (don't add them to the bowl as they're not suitable for people who avoid alcohol altogether). Take care with how it looks so the alcohol-free drink isn't perceived like an afterthought; just spend a short time to add a few rounds of lemon or orange into the bowl.

Nibbles That Work With Minimal Effort

For me, I would avoid the store-bought assortments with "party foods" that pop up in supermarkets at this time of year; they feel fussy, and usually involve heating things up (should you do this, know that everyone truly likes toasted bread and/or mini sausages anyway). I truly believe it's hard to top two large dishes with decent crisps (plain salted will offend no one), plus, assuming no dietary restrictions, a package of large and economical containers of nuts often sold in the international aisle in stores, and maybe a few olives without stones as a garnish (try not to discover pits in your pot plants next Easter).

In case, like my mum, you feel snacks real food, one large piece of good cheese on a board with crackers plus artfully draped fruit often appears artistic. A platter featuring preserved or ready-to-eat meats or fish arranged there (just one sort, unless you have a large budget), alternatively a handsome store-bought pie, of the type that appear at delis seasonally, proves more filling, and you truly will succeed with artisanal chunks of Italian bread, since they don't need additional preparation.

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