The Ultimate 60-Minute Entertaining Guide: Stress-Free Entertaining for Last-Minute Visitors
Throughout the festive season, when there is a lot happening which the most vivacious individuals may occasionally look forward to the calm respite of the new year, it's all too easy to forget details. I'm sure I'm not the only person who has ever felt surprised awake while at work because of an inquiry by a friend asking, "What time should we come over tonight?" Fear not; whether you are forgetful, and simply inclined toward spontaneous gatherings, I have your back.
The Secret to Great Get-Togethers
First and foremost, and I can't emphasize this sufficiently, whether you've been planning for a year or just 15 minutes, the best events tend to be the easiest. All everyone is hoping for are pleasant conversation, something to drink, and enough to eat that guests do not end up gnawing something on the bus back. Unless you are Jay Gatsby, nobody anticipates professional bartending, gourmet catering or a live band.
The most successful gatherings tend to be the easiest. However, a concept is useful to disguise the fact you've only thrown the party on on the way home from work.
Selecting a Concept to Focus Your Preparations
Still, an overarching idea works well to conceal the fact you've only put this thing on while returning home from work. By concept, think of something like the holidays. Going slightly focused (Swedish-style festivities, say, with spiced drink, aromatic cocktail, fish snacks plus crispbreads, folk tunes playlist; or fiesta-style party, with traditional drink, chilled brews and margaritas, and plenty of snacks, tomato dip and guacamole, and festive music on the stereo) will focus your options during the upcoming supermarket sweep.
Practical Shopping for Your Party
At the shops, pick one or two beverages (one alcoholic if you drink, one not for others prefer not to) and a few snacks suited to the style, then buy as much of them as you can afford, rather than worrying about providing too much choice. Nothing looks more welcoming and as festive than plenty – I'd consistently prefer to enter with a sink filled with chilled bottles with reasonably priced sparkling wine than a single glass with swanky champagne. (Chuck in a few bags of ice, as well; you'll find seldom sufficient ice.)
Cocktails & Party Beverages Simplified
If you must demonstrate skills and serve a mixed drink, then mix in advance a sizable amount in a container so you aren't left faffing around with drinks while you should be socializing. Once underway, ask a close friend or volunteer to keep an eye on the drinks then replenish as necessary until it's gone. Follow suit with the non-alcoholic punch; people love to have a task at a party so they may experience a share of festive spirit.
For large-batch drinks, whatever mix you pick (there are many via search), avoid any recipe overly sugary – any kids there need their own drinks – and if you have one, place flavor enhancers within reach (avoid adding any into the punch since they are inappropriate for people who avoid alcohol entirely). Put in some work with presentation so the soft punch isn't perceived like an afterthought; just spend a minute to cut several pieces of lemon or orange to the punch.
Snacks That Shine With Minimal Effort
For me, I recommend passing on the store-bought platters of "party foods" that pop up at grocery stores during the holidays; they feel fancy, and usually involve heating things up (if you must do this, know that all guests quietly favors toasted bread and/or small hot dogs regardless). I truly believe you can't beat several sizable containers with decent chips (plain salted is universally liked), plus, assuming no allergies, some of those big and excellent value bags with nuts typically found with global foods in stores, with perhaps a few olives without stones for colour (you don't want to find stones around the house months later).
If, similar to some, you feel chips proper food, one sizeable chunk of quality cheese on a board alongside crackers and some elegantly arranged fruit tends to seem visually appealing. A plate with some cured or cooked meats or fish laid out on it (a single variety, except if you're wealthy), alternatively a nice pre-made tart, like those that pop up on deli counters seasonally, is more satisfying, and you truly can't go wrong by serving rustic pieces of flatbread, because they require no buttering.
