An Expert's One-Hour Party Plan: Simple Entertaining for Spontaneous Guests
Throughout this busy time, while there's so much going on that even vivacious individuals may sometimes look forward to the quiet break in the new year, it is all too easy to neglect details. I believe I cannot be the only one who has once felt surprised awake at my desk by a message from a friend asking, "What time are we expected us later?" No worries; whether you're forgetful, and simply likely to make last-minute gatherings, I've got you covered.
The Secret to Successful Parties
Above all, and I cannot stress this enough, if you have organized for a year or only a quarter-hour, the most enjoyable events tend to be the simplest. What everyone really wants are a good chat, something to drink, and sufficient to eat that they do not end up chewing their arm during the bus home. Unless you are Jay Gatsby, no one expects professional bartending, Michelin-starred catering or entertainers.
The best parties tend to be the most basic. Still, a concept is useful to disguise the reality you have only thrown the party together on the way back from the office.
Picking a Theme to Guide The Shopping
That said, an overarching idea is helpful to conceal the fact you've only put the party on on the way home from work. By concept, I mean something like a seasonal celebration. Getting slightly focused (Swedish-style festivities, say, featuring glögg, aromatic cocktail, cured seafood and flatbreads, folk tunes playlist; or Mexican Christmas, including ponche navideño, chilled brews or cocktails, and lots of snacks, spicy sauce & avocado dip, with upbeat tunes playing) helps direct the selection on the upcoming supermarket sweep.
Smart Shopping for Your Gathering
At the shops, pick a drink or two (one alcoholic for drinkers, a non-alcoholic one in case others don't want to) and a few appetizers that fit your concept, then buy as many as possible, rather than stressing over giving people endless options. Nothing looks as generous and celebratory as abundance – I'd always rather to enter with a tub filled with iced containers of competitively priced sparkling wine than one glass with expensive champagne. (Include a few bags of ice, too; you'll find never plenty of ice.)
Drinks & Party Beverages Simplified
If you feel the need to demonstrate skills and serve a cocktail, make sure to prepare ahead a large batch in a pitcher so that you're not left busying yourself with drinks while you ought to be enjoying yourself. Once the party begins, request a partner or friend to monitor it and refill as necessary until it's gone. Apply the same with the soft drink; guests love to have a task during gatherings so they can share in some of festive spirit.
Regarding punch, whatever mix you go for (there are many online), skip any recipe excessively sweet – any kids there need their own drinks – and if it's available, place a bottle of bitters within reach (refrain from putting them to the bowl as they are inappropriate for individuals abstaining from alcohol entirely). Take care with presentation so the alcohol-free drink doesn't feel like an afterthought; just spend a moment to cut some slices of citrus to the punch.
Snacks That Shine With Minimal Preparation
Personally, I'd skip the pre-made platters of "party foods" that pop up at grocery stores during the holidays; they come across as fussy, and frequently involve turning the oven on (if you choose to do this, be aware that everyone secretly favors herb bread or mini sausages regardless). It's my firm opinion it's hard to top two sizable bowls of tasty crisps (simple pleases everyone), and, provided there are no dietary restrictions, some of those great-value bags of nuts typically found with global foods in stores, along with some pitted olives as a garnish (you don't want to find pits around the house in the future).
If, similar to some, you don't consider crisps real food, one big slab of tasty cheese on a board with crackers and some beautifully placed grapes always looks painterly. A plate with some cured or cooked meats or fish laid out on it (a single variety, except if money is no object), alternatively a nice pre-made pie, like those that appear at delis during festivities, is more substantial, while you truly won't fail by serving homestyle pieces of Italian bread, because they require no spreading butter.
