Felicity Cloake's Quick-Fire Entertaining Guide: Simple Entertaining for Unexpected Company

In this holiday time, when there's plenty going on that the most vivacious individuals might occasionally anticipate the calm break in the new year, it is very easy to neglect details. I expect I cannot be the only one who's ever been surprised awake while at my desk by a text from someone asking, "What time do you want us tonight?" Fear not; if you are forgetful, and simply inclined toward impromptu invitations, I have some solutions.

The Secret to Memorable Gatherings

Firstly, though I cannot stress it sufficiently, if you have organized for a year or just 15 minutes, the most enjoyable parties are the easiest. What everyone is hoping for is engaging talks, something to sip, and enough to eat that they do not end up chewing an arm off during the ride home. Unless you are throwing a lavish ball, nobody expects extensive drinks, Michelin-starred food or a live band.

The best parties tend to be the most basic. That said, a theme helps to mask the reality you have just thrown the party together on the way back from the office.

Picking a Concept to Focus The Party Planning

Still, an overarching idea can be useful to hide the fact you've just thrown this thing together on the way from the office. And with a theme, I mean such as the holidays. Going slightly more specific (Scandinavian Christmas, say, with glögg, warm beverage, cured seafood and crispbreads, Nordic beats selection; alternatively fiesta-style party, with ponche navideño, cold beers and tequila drinks, and lots of corn chips, salsa and guacamole, and upbeat tunes on the stereo) will focus your choices during the inevitable shopping trip.

Smart Buying to Support Your Party

In the store, pick a couple of drinks (one alcoholic for drinkers, a non-alcoholic one for some prefer not to) plus a few appetizers suited to the style, and purchase a generous amount within your budget, rather than stressing over giving people a wide selection. No thing looks as generous and as festive as a bounty – I would consistently rather to enter with a sink filled with cold bottles with affordable sparkling wine than a single glass of swanky bubbly. (Include some bags of ice, too; there is seldom enough ice.)

Drinks & Large-Batch Drinks Made Easy

If you feel the need to show off and offer a mixed drink, make sure to prepare ahead a large batch in a container so you're not left faffing around with drinks while you ought to be socializing. Once underway, request a close friend or volunteer to keep an eye on it and refill as necessary until it's gone. Do the same with the non-alcoholic punch; guests enjoy to take on a task during gatherings allowing them to experience the festive spirit.

For large-batch drinks, whatever formula you choose (there are many on the internet), skip any recipe overly sugary – young ones there should have their own drinks – and if it's available, plonk a bottle of bitters close by (don't add any into the punch since they are unsafe for those abstaining from drinks altogether). Take care with how it looks so the soft punch doesn't feel like an afterthought; it doesn't take a minute to slice a few rounds of citrus to the punch.

Nibbles That Shine Without Preparation

Personally, I'd skip the store-bought platters with "party foods" that appear at grocery stores at this time of year; they feel fussy, and usually involve turning the oven on (should you go this route, know that all guests quietly likes garlic bread or mini sausages regardless). It's my firm opinion you can't beat several really big containers with decent crisps (salted pleases everyone), plus, assuming no allergies, some of those large and economical bags of nuts often sold with global foods of supermarkets, with perhaps some ready-to-eat olives for colour (try not to still be finding stones in odd places months later).

In case, similar to some, you think snacks proper food, a single large piece of good cheese served simply alongside crackers plus beautifully placed fruit tends to seem artistic. A plate with some salted or prepared meats or fish laid out on it (only one type, unless money is no object), or an attractive ready-made pie, like those that pop up on deli counters seasonally, proves more filling, while you truly won't fail with artisanal pieces of Italian bread, since they require no additional preparation.

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