An Expert's Quick-Fire Entertaining Guide: Simple Entertaining for Last-Minute Visitors

In the busy time, when there's so much happening which the most energetic people may occasionally look forward to the quiet break in January, it's all too easy to overlook things. I believe I cannot be the sole one who's once been jolted back to reality while at my desk because of an inquiry by a friend asking, "What time should we come us later?" Don't worry; whether you are absent minded, or just prone to spontaneous invitations, I've got you covered.

The Golden Rule to Memorable Get-Togethers

Firstly, though I cannot emphasize it enough, whether you've been planning long in advance or just a short while, the most enjoyable events tend to be the most straightforward. All anyone is hoping for is a good chat, something to enjoy, plus sufficient food that guests do not end up gnawing something on the ride home. If you're not you are Jay Gatsby, nobody expects extensive drinks, gourmet catering or a live band.

The best parties are the simplest. However, an idea is useful to cover up the reality you have only put the party together on the way home from work.

Picking a Style to Focus Your Preparations

That said, a theme is helpful to hide that you've only put this thing on while returning home from work. And with a theme, I mean something like a seasonal celebration. Getting slightly more specific (Nordic holidays, for instance, featuring spiced drink, warm beverage, smoked fish plus flatbreads, folk tunes playlist; or fiesta-style party, including ponche navideño, chilled brews and cocktails, and lots of corn chips, salsa and green spread, and festive music playing) will focus your choices during the upcoming supermarket sweep.

Smart Purchasing for Your Event

In the store, choose a drink or two (one alcoholic for drinkers, one not in case others prefer not to) and a couple of nibbles that fit your concept, then buy as much of them as you can afford, rather than stressing over offering guests a wide selection. No thing looks more welcoming and celebratory than a bounty – I would always rather to be welcomed with a tub filled with iced containers of reasonably priced crémant or cava than one glass of swanky bubbly. (Add several packs for chilling, too; you'll find seldom plenty of ice.)

Drinks and Party Beverages Streamlined

If you must impress and serve a cocktail, then mix in advance a big quantity in a pitcher so that you aren't stuck faffing around with drinks while it's time to having fun. Once the party begins, request a significant other or friend to keep an eye on it then replenish as necessary till it's gone. Apply the same with the soft drink; people love to have a job at a party so they can experience the goodwill.

On the punch front, whatever mix you pick (they abound via search), skip anything too sweet – any kids there should have separate beverages – and should it's available, place a bottle of bitters close by (refrain from putting them to the bowl since they're unsafe for those who do not consume alcohol altogether). Take care in presenting it so that the non-alcoholic option isn't perceived unimportant; it doesn't take a short time to add several pieces of citrus to the punch.

Snacks That Work Without Fuss

In my view, I recommend passing on the pre-made assortments of "party foods" available at grocery stores at this time of year; they come across as fancy, and often involve heating things up (if you choose to opt for these, remember that all guests quietly likes herb bread and/or small hot dogs anyway). I truly believe you can't beat a couple of really big containers of decent crisps (salted will offend no one), and, assuming no issues, some of those large and economical containers of nuts typically found in the South Asian section of supermarkets, with perhaps some olives without stones for color (you don't want to discover pits in odd places next Easter).

If, similar to some, you don't consider crisps real food, one sizeable chunk of good cheese on a board with crackers plus elegantly arranged fruit tends to seem painterly. A plate with some salted or prepared salami or salmon laid out there (just one sort, unless you have a large budget), alternatively a nice ready-made pastry, of the type that pop up on deli counters at this time of year, is even more satisfying, and you truly won't fail by serving homestyle pieces of Italian bread, since they don't need additional preparation.

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