Felicity Cloake's One-Hour Party Plan: Stress-Free Entertaining for Last-Minute Guests

In this busy time, while there is a lot happening which even lively individuals might occasionally anticipate the quiet break in the new year, it is all too easy to overlook things. I believe I cannot be the only one who's ever felt jolted back to reality at work because of a message from someone asking, "What time do you want us tonight?" No worries; if you are distracted, or just inclined toward impromptu gatherings, I've got your back.

The Key to Successful Gatherings

Firstly, and I can't stress this sufficiently, whether you've planned long in advance or just a quarter-hour, the greatest parties tend to be the easiest. What anyone expects are pleasant conversation, a drink to drink, plus sufficient to eat that guests don't end up gnawing their arm during the bus home. Unless you're a fictional millionaire, nobody anticipates a full bar, Michelin-starred food and entertainers.

The most successful gatherings are the most basic. However, a concept is useful to disguise the fact you have just thrown the party together on the way home from work.

Selecting a Style to Guide Your Party Planning

Nevertheless, a theme is helpful for disguising the fact you have only put the party together on the way from the office. And by theme, think of for example a seasonal celebration. Going slightly more detailed (Swedish-style festivities, say, featuring spiced drink, spiced punch, cured seafood plus flatbreads, Nordic beats selection; or Latin American celebration, including holiday punch, chilled brews or cocktails, and lots of tortilla chips, spicy sauce & avocado dip, with Luis Miguel playing) can narrow your options on the necessary grocery run.

Strategic Shopping to Support The Event

While shopping, pick a couple of drinks (an alcoholic option if you drink, a non-alcoholic one in case some prefer not to) and a couple of appetizers suited to the style, and buy a generous amount as you can afford, rather than fretting about providing too much choice. No thing looks more welcoming and cheerful than abundance – I'd consistently prefer to be welcomed with a tub full of cold bottles with reasonably priced crémant or cava than a small serving of fancy bubbly. (Include a few bags of cubes, too; you'll find seldom sufficient ice.)

Drinks and Punch Simplified

If you feel the need to demonstrate skills and offer a cocktail, make sure to pre-mix a sizable amount in a jug so you're not left messing about with it when you should be socializing. Once the party begins, enlist a significant other or friend to watch the drinks then refill if required until it's gone. Follow suit for the non-alcoholic punch; guests appreciate to take on a job during gatherings so they can experience some of goodwill.

On the punch front, whichever mix you pick (there are many on the internet), steer clear of anything excessively sweet – children present should have their own drinks – and should you have one, put a bottle of bitters close by (refrain from putting them in the mix since they are inappropriate for individuals who do not consume alcohol entirely). Take care in presenting it so the alcohol-free drink doesn't seem unimportant; it only takes a moment to add several pieces of citrus to the punch.

Food That Delight With Minimal Fuss

For me, I would avoid the store-bought trays of "party foods" available at grocery stores seasonally; they come across as fancy, and often require turning the oven on (if you must do this, be aware that everyone secretly prefers garlic bread and/or small hot dogs regardless). I truly believe it's hard to top two sizable dishes of decent chips (plain salted is universally liked), and, provided there are no issues, one of those great-value bags of nuts available with global foods at the market, and maybe some olives without stones for colour (try not to discover stones around the house next Easter).

In case, similar to some, you feel crisps proper food, one large piece of tasty cheese on a board alongside crackers and some beautifully placed fruit often appears painterly. A serving dish with some preserved or ready-to-eat salami or salmon arranged there (only one type, except if money is no object), alternatively a handsome pre-made pastry, like those available at delis during festivities, is more satisfying, while you really will succeed by serving homestyle pieces of flatbread, because there's no need for spreading butter.

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