Felicity Cloake's 60-Minute Party Strategy: Effortless Hosting for Spontaneous Company

In this festive period, when there's a lot happening which even energetic individuals may occasionally anticipate the quiet break in January, it is all too easy to neglect details. I expect I cannot be the sole one who has ever been surprised awake while at work because of an inquiry by a friend asking, "What time do you want us tonight?" Don't worry; if you are absent minded, or simply likely to make impromptu plans, I've got you covered.

The Secret to Memorable Gatherings

Above all, and I cannot stress this enough, if you've been planning for months or just a short while, the best parties are the simplest. What anyone really wants is engaging talks, something to drink, plus enough nibbles so guests do not feel like chewing their arm on the ride back. Unless you are Jay Gatsby, nobody anticipates professional bartending, Michelin-starred catering or musical performances.

The best gatherings are the easiest. That said, a concept is useful to mask the reality you have just put this thing together on the way home from work.

Choosing a Concept to Direct Your Shopping

That said, a theme is helpful to hide the fact you've just thrown the party on on the way after work. And by theme, think of such as the holidays. Going slightly more detailed (Swedish-style festivities, say, with glögg, warm beverage, fish snacks plus flatbreads, folk tunes selection; alternatively fiesta-style party, including traditional drink, refreshing lagers or cocktails, along with plenty of snacks, spicy sauce and guacamole, with Luis Miguel on the stereo) helps direct the selection during the upcoming supermarket sweep.

Smart Purchasing for The Gathering

While shopping, pick a drink or two (an alcoholic option for drinkers, one not in case some avoid alcohol) and a couple of snacks suited to the theme, and get a generous amount as possible, rather than stressing over giving people too much choice. No thing appears as generous and celebratory than abundance – I would always prefer to arrive with a tub filled with iced containers of affordable bubbly over a single glass of expensive bubbly. (Include several packs for chilling, too; there is seldom enough ice.)

Cocktails & Large-Batch Drinks Streamlined

If you must demonstrate skills and serve a mixed drink, make sure to mix in advance a big quantity in a container so that you're not left faffing around with it while you should be socializing. Once underway, ask a close friend or helper to monitor it then top up if required till it's gone. Do the same for the soft drink; people appreciate to have a task during gatherings allowing them to share in a share of positive vibes.

On the punch front, whatever recipe you choose (they abound online), avoid anything too sweet – young ones present ought to have separate beverages – and if you own one, plonk a bottle of bitters nearby (avoid adding any into the punch as they're unsafe for people abstaining from drinks entirely). Take care with presentation so the non-alcoholic option doesn't feel like an afterthought; it only takes a short time to add several pieces of lemon or orange into the bowl.

Snacks That Delight Without Preparation

For me, I recommend passing on the pre-made assortments of "party foods" that pop up in supermarkets at this time of year; they feel fancy, and often involve heating things up (if you must do this, be aware that all guests truly likes toasted bread and/or small hot dogs anyway). I truly believe it's hard to top several sizable dishes with tasty crisps (salted pleases everyone), and, assuming no allergies, one of those big and excellent value packets with nuts typically found in the South Asian section of supermarkets, and maybe a few olives without stones for colour (it's best to avoid to discover stones in odd places in the future).

In case, like my mum, you think snacks proper food, a single big slab of tasty cheese on a platter with crackers and some elegantly arranged grapes often appears visually appealing. A plate with some preserved or ready-to-eat meats or fish arranged there (a single variety, except if you're wealthy), alternatively an attractive pre-made tart, like those that appear on deli counters during festivities, proves more satisfying, and you truly won't fail by serving homestyle slices of Italian bread, since they require no buttering.

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