The Ultimate 60-Minute Party Plan: Simple Hosting for Spontaneous Company
Throughout the busy season, while there's a lot going on that the most lively people might sometimes long for the calm respite of January, it is all too simple to neglect details. I expect I cannot be the only person who has once felt startled awake while at my desk because of a message by someone asking, "What time should we come over tonight?" Fear not; whether you are forgetful, or just inclined toward last-minute gatherings, I've got you covered.
The Key to Successful Gatherings
Above all, though I cannot emphasize it enough, whether you've been planning for a year or only a quarter-hour, the greatest events tend to be the simplest. What everyone expects is engaging talks, a drink to drink, and enough to eat so they don't feel like chewing something on the ride home. Unless you're Jay Gatsby, nobody expects professional bartending, gourmet catering or entertainers.
The best parties are the easiest. However, a concept is useful to cover up the fact you've just put the event on while coming home from work.
Selecting a Style to Direct The Party Planning
Still, an overarching idea works well to hide that you have only thrown this thing on while returning from the office. And by theme, think of something like Christmas. Going slightly focused (Swedish-style festivities, say, featuring spiced drink, aromatic cocktail, fish snacks plus flatbreads, Scandinavian music playlist; or Mexican Christmas, including holiday punch, cold beers or margaritas, along with heaps of corn chips, tomato dip and green spread, and Luis Miguel on the stereo) can narrow the selection on the inevitable supermarket sweep.
Strategic Buying to Support Your Event
In the store, select one or two beverages (one alcoholic for drinkers, a non-alcoholic one for others don't want to) and a few nibbles that fit the theme, and buy a generous amount as you can afford, rather than fretting about giving people too much choice. No thing appears more abundant and as festive as abundance – I'd consistently rather to enter with a tub full of chilled bottles of competitively priced sparkling wine than a small serving of swanky champagne. (Add some bags of cubes, too; there is seldom sufficient ice.)
Cocktails and Party Beverages Simplified
If you feel the need to impress and serve a mixed drink, then pre-mix a big quantity in a container so you're not left faffing around with it while you should be having fun. Once the party begins, ask a close friend or volunteer to keep an eye on the drinks then replenish as necessary until it's gone. Do the same with the soft drink; people love to be given a task while socializing allowing them to share in some of goodwill.
On the punch front, whichever recipe you pick (they abound online), avoid any recipe overly sugary – young ones there should have their own drinks – and should it's available, place aromatic bitters nearby (avoid adding them to the bowl as they are unsafe for people who do not consume drinks altogether). Put in some work in presenting it so the non-alcoholic option isn't perceived neglected; it only takes a short time to slice some slices of fruit into the bowl.
Snacks That Shine Without Fuss
For me, I would avoid the pre-made assortments of "party foods" available at grocery stores at this time of year; they come across as overly complicated, and frequently involve turning the oven on (should you opt for these, remember that everyone secretly favors garlic bread and/or cocktail sausages regardless). I truly believe you can't beat two large bowls of good-quality snacks (plain salted pleases everyone), and, assuming no dietary restrictions, some of those large and economical packets of nuts available in the South Asian section in stores, with perhaps a few ready-to-eat olives for colour (you don't want to discover stones around the house next Easter).
In case, like my mum, you don't consider crisps real food, a single big slab of quality cheese served simply alongside crackers plus elegantly arranged fruit tends to seem painterly. A platter with some preserved or ready-to-eat meats or fish laid out on it (a single variety, except if you're wealthy), or a handsome ready-made tart, of the type available at delis seasonally, is more filling, while you really will succeed with rustic slices of flatbread, because they require no buttering.
