Felicity Cloake's 60-Minute Party Plan: Stress-Free Hosting for Unexpected Guests

In the holiday period, while there is a lot happening which even energetic people might sometimes anticipate the quiet respite in January, it is all too simple to overlook details. I expect I'm not the sole one who's once felt surprised back to reality while at my desk because of a message from someone asking, "What time are we expected us later?" No worries; if you're distracted, and simply inclined toward impromptu gatherings, I have some solutions.

The Secret to Great Gatherings

Firstly, and I can't emphasize this sufficiently, whether you've organized long in advance versus just a short while, the greatest events tend to be the most straightforward. All everyone expects is a good chat, a drink to drink, plus sufficient to eat that guests don't end up gnawing something on the ride back. If you're not you're throwing a lavish ball, nobody anticipates extensive drinks, gourmet catering and a live band.

The most successful gatherings are the most basic. Still, an idea helps to mask the reality you've just put this thing on while coming after a long day.

Picking a Concept to Focus Your Shopping

That said, a theme is helpful for disguising that you've only thrown the party together on the way from the office. And by theme, think of such as the holidays. Going a bit more specific (Swedish-style festivities, for instance, featuring glögg, spiced punch, cured seafood and crispbreads, folk tunes selection; alternatively fiesta-style party, with traditional drink, cold beers or tequila drinks, and lots of snacks, spicy sauce and green spread, with Luis Miguel on the stereo) will focus your options during the necessary shopping trip.

Practical Buying for The Event

While shopping, pick one or two beverages (an alcoholic option for those who do, one not for some avoid alcohol) plus a few nibbles that match the theme, and buy a generous amount as you can afford, instead of fretting about providing endless options. Nothing appears as generous and as festive as abundance – I would consistently prefer to enter by a container filled with iced containers of competitively priced bubbly than one glass of expensive champagne. (Chuck in some bags of ice, as well; you'll find never plenty of ice.)

Beverages & Punch Streamlined

If you feel the need to impress and offer a cocktail, make sure to mix in advance a large batch in a jug so that you aren't left faffing around with drinks while it's time to having fun. After starting, enlist a significant other or helper to watch it and top up as necessary till it's finished. Follow suit with the non-alcoholic punch; guests enjoy to have a job at a party so they can share in a share of festive spirit.

Regarding punch, whatever mix you pick (there are many online), skip any recipe overly sugary – children there need their own drinks – and if it's available, place a bottle of bitters close by (don't add them into the punch as they're inappropriate for those abstaining from alcohol entirely). Make an effort with how it looks so the non-alcoholic option doesn't seem like an afterthought; it only takes a moment to slice a few rounds of fruit into the bowl.

Snacks That Delight With Minimal Preparation

In my view, I would avoid the readymade platters of "party foods" that appear in supermarkets during the holidays; they feel fussy, and frequently involve using the oven (should you do this, know that all guests truly likes garlic bread or small hot dogs anyway). I truly believe you can't beat two sizable bowls of good-quality snacks (plain salted pleases everyone), and, assuming no dietary restrictions, some of those large and economical packets of nuts typically found in the South Asian section of supermarkets, along with some olives without stones as a garnish (you don't want to still be finding stones in your pot plants months later).

If, as my mother says, you feel snacks proper food, one large piece of tasty cheese on a board with crackers plus beautifully placed grapes always looks painterly. A serving dish featuring salted or prepared meats or fish displayed on it (only one type, unless you have a large budget), or an attractive ready-made pastry, like those available in specialty sections seasonally, is more filling, while you truly will succeed with homestyle slices of Italian bread, since they don't need additional preparation.

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