The Ultimate 60-Minute Party Plan: Effortless Hosting for Spontaneous Company
During this busy season, while there is so much going on that even energetic individuals might sometimes long for the quiet break of the new year, it's all too easy to forget things. I expect I'm not the only one who has once felt startled awake while at my desk because of a text by a friend wondering, "What time do you want over later?" Fear not; if you're forgetful, or just prone to impromptu gatherings, I've got some solutions.
The Key to Successful Gatherings
First and foremost, though I can't stress it sufficiently, if you've been planning for a year or only a short while, the best parties tend to be the most straightforward. What everyone is hoping for is engaging talks, a drink to enjoy, plus sufficient nibbles that they do not end up chewing an arm off on the bus home. If you're not you are Jay Gatsby, no one anticipates a full bar, gourmet catering or musical performances.
The greatest parties are the easiest. That said, a theme is useful to cover up the fact you have just put the event on while coming back from the office.
Choosing a Concept to Direct Your Party Planning
Still, a theme works well to conceal that you have only thrown the party together while returning from the office. And by theme, think of something like Christmas. Getting slightly more detailed (Scandinavian Christmas, say, with spiced drink, warm beverage, smoked fish plus flatbreads, Scandinavian music selection; or Mexican Christmas, with holiday punch, chilled brews or margaritas, and lots of corn chips, salsa & avocado dip, and festive music in the background) can narrow your choices during the necessary supermarket sweep.
Practical Shopping to Support Your Party
While shopping, choose a drink or two (one alcoholic if you drink, one not for some prefer not to) plus a few appetizers suited to the theme, and purchase as many as possible, rather than fretting about offering guests too much choice. No thing looks more welcoming and celebratory than plenty – I'd always prefer to arrive by a container filled with chilled bottles of affordable crémant or cava over a single glass of fancy champagne. (Add a few bags for chilling, too; you'll find seldom plenty of ice.)
Cocktails and Party Beverages Streamlined
If you feel the need to show off and offer a cocktail, make sure to mix in advance a big quantity in a container so that you aren't left faffing around with drinks while it's time to socializing. Once underway, enlist a significant other or friend to watch the drinks then replenish when needed till it's finished. Do the same for the non-alcoholic punch; guests appreciate to have a task during gatherings allowing them to enjoy some of festive spirit.
On the punch front, whichever recipe you go for (they abound online), avoid any recipe too sweet – any kids present ought to have separate beverages – and if it's available, plonk aromatic bitters close by (don't add any in the mix as they are inappropriate for individuals who avoid drinks altogether). Make an effort in presenting it so the non-alcoholic option isn't perceived neglected; just spend a short time to slice a few rounds of fruit to the punch.
Food That Shine Without Effort
In my view, I recommend passing on the store-bought platters with "party foods" that appear in shops during the holidays; they seem fussy, and often require using the oven (if you choose to opt for these, know that everyone secretly likes herb bread or cocktail sausages regardless). It's my firm opinion you can't beat a couple of sizable dishes of decent chips (salted will offend no one), and, assuming no issues, some of those great-value packets with nuts available in the international aisle at the market, along with some olives without stones as a garnish (you don't want to find pits in your pot plants next Easter).
If, as my mother says, you think chips substantial fare, one big slab of good cheese on a board and crispbreads plus artfully draped grapes often appears visually appealing. A plate with some salted or prepared prosciutto or seafood arranged there (just one sort, except if you're wealthy), or an attractive store-bought pastry, similar to that pop up on deli counters at this time of year, is more satisfying, while you truly will succeed with homestyle pieces of flatbread, because they require no buttering.
