🔗 Share this article

In this busy period, while there's a lot happening which the most vivacious people may occasionally long for a quiet respite of January, it is all too simple to neglect things. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's once felt startled awake while at work by a message from someone asking, "What time should we come over tonight?" No worries; if you're absent minded, or simply likely to make impromptu plans, I have some solutions.

The Key to Great Parties

Firstly, though I can't emphasize this enough, whether you have planned for months or just 15 minutes, the greatest parties are the easiest. All anyone really wants are a good chat, a drink to sip, plus sufficient to eat so guests don't end up chewing an arm off during the bus home. Unless you are Jay Gatsby, nobody anticipates extensive drinks, gourmet food or musical performances.

The greatest gatherings tend to be the most basic. Still, a theme helps to disguise the reality you have just thrown this thing on on the way back from the office.

Picking a Style to Focus Your Preparations

That said, a theme can be useful for disguising the fact you've just put the party on on the way from the office. And with a theme, think of for example the holidays. Going slightly focused (Nordic holidays, for instance, featuring mulled wine, spiced punch, smoked fish and rye crackers, Nordic beats playlist; or Latin American celebration, including traditional drink, cold beers or margaritas, and heaps of tortilla chips, spicy sauce and guacamole, and festive music on the stereo) can narrow your options on the necessary grocery run.

Smart Shopping to Support The Gathering

While shopping, pick a drink or two (one alcoholic for those who do, a non-alcoholic one in case some prefer not to) plus a couple of snacks that match the theme, and get as much of them as you can afford, rather than fretting about offering guests too much choice. No thing looks more welcoming and as festive as abundance – I'd always rather to be welcomed by a sink filled with chilled bottles with affordable crémant or cava than a small serving of fancy bubbly. (Add several packs for chilling, too; there is never plenty of ice.)

Drinks & Punch Made Easy

If you must impress and offer a mixed drink, make sure to mix in advance a large batch in a pitcher so that you're not left busying yourself with it while you ought to be having fun. Once the party begins, request a partner or friend to keep an eye on the drinks then replenish as necessary until it's gone. Do the same with the soft drink; people enjoy to take on a role while socializing so they can enjoy the goodwill.

For large-batch drinks, whichever mix you pick (they abound online), avoid any recipe too sweet – any kids present should have kid-friendly options – and should it's available, place flavor enhancers within reach (refrain from putting them to the bowl as they're not suitable for people who do not consume drinks altogether). Make an effort in presenting it so the alcohol-free drink isn't perceived like an afterthought; it only takes a minute to cut a few rounds of lemon or orange into the bowl.

Snacks That Delight With Minimal Effort

For me, I recommend passing on the pre-made trays with "party foods" available in supermarkets seasonally; they come across as fussy, and usually require heating things up (if you must do this, be aware that all guests truly prefers toasted bread or cocktail sausages anyway). It's my firm opinion you can't beat a couple of large containers with good-quality crisps (plain salted pleases everyone), and, provided there are no dietary restrictions, some of those big and excellent value packets of nuts available in the South Asian section in stores, with perhaps some pitted olives as a garnish (it's best to avoid to discover stones in your pot plants next Easter).

If, like my mum, you don't consider crisps real food, one big slab of good cheese on a platter with crackers plus artfully draped grapes always looks visually appealing. A plate featuring preserved or ready-to-eat salami or salmon displayed on it (only one type, unless you have a large budget), or an attractive store-bought tart, of the type available in specialty sections during festivities, is even more satisfying, and you truly can't go wrong by serving rustic pieces of focaccia, because they require no spreading butter.

Final {Touches|Details|