Felicity Cloake's Quick-Fire Entertaining Guide: Effortless Entertaining for Spontaneous Guests

During the holiday time, when there is a lot happening which even lively people might sometimes look forward to the quiet break of January, it is all too easy to overlook details. I believe I'm not the only person who's ever felt jolted back to reality while at work because of an inquiry from someone wondering, "What time are we expected over later?" No worries; if you are forgetful, or just likely to make last-minute invitations, I have your back.

The Key to Successful Parties

Above all, and I can't stress this sufficiently, if you've planned long in advance versus just a short while, the best parties tend to be the most straightforward. What anyone really wants are a good chat, something to drink, plus enough to eat so they don't end up chewing something on the bus back. If you're not you're Jay Gatsby, no one expects professional bartending, gourmet food or musical performances.

The best parties tend to be the simplest. Still, a theme is useful to disguise the reality you've just put this thing together on the way after a long day.

Selecting a Theme to Guide Your Preparations

That said, a theme can be useful to hide the fact you have just put the party on while returning from the office. By concept, think of such as the holidays. Going a bit more detailed (Scandinavian Christmas, for instance, featuring mulled wine, spiced punch, cured seafood plus flatbreads, Nordic beats playlist; alternatively Mexican Christmas, including holiday punch, cold beers and cocktails, along with heaps of snacks, salsa & guacamole, with upbeat tunes playing) can narrow the selection during the necessary shopping trip.

Smart Buying to Support Your Gathering

While shopping, choose one or two beverages (one alcoholic for those who do, one not for others prefer not to) plus a couple of appetizers suited to the theme, then purchase as much of them as possible, instead of stressing over providing too much choice. Nothing appears as generous and cheerful than plenty – I would consistently prefer to enter with a tub filled with iced containers of reasonably priced bubbly than a small serving of expensive champagne. (Add a few bags for chilling, too; you'll find seldom plenty of ice.)

Cocktails and Party Beverages Streamlined

If you must impress and provide a mixed drink, make sure to mix in advance a big quantity in a pitcher so you aren't left faffing around with preparation when it's time to enjoying yourself. After starting, ask a close friend or helper to monitor it then top up if required until it runs out. Do the same with the non-alcoholic punch; guests appreciate to be given a task at a party allowing them to share in the positive vibes.

For large-batch drinks, whichever recipe you choose (you can find plenty online), steer clear of any recipe too sweet – young ones there need kid-friendly options – and should you own one, plonk flavor enhancers close by (avoid adding them to the bowl as they're not suitable for people who avoid alcohol entirely). Put in some work in presenting it so that the soft punch doesn't feel unimportant; just spend a minute to slice some slices of citrus into the bowl.

Snacks That Delight With Minimal Preparation

For me, I'd skip the store-bought trays with "party foods" available in supermarkets at this time of year; they come across as overly complicated, and frequently require using the oven (should you opt for these, know that all guests secretly prefers toasted bread or mini sausages regardless). I truly believe it's hard to top several really big containers with tasty crisps (plain salted pleases everyone), plus, provided there are no issues, a package of great-value packets with nuts available in the international aisle at the market, and maybe some olives without stones for colour (it's best to avoid to still be finding pits in your pot plants months later).

If, as my mother says, you feel snacks proper food, a single sizeable chunk of good cheese on a platter and crispbreads plus artfully draped grapes always looks painterly. A plate with some cured or cooked prosciutto or seafood displayed on it (only one type, unless money is no object), alternatively an attractive store-bought tart, like those that pop up on deli counters at this time of year, is even more substantial, while you truly won't fail by serving homestyle chunks of Italian bread, since they don't need buttering.

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