Felicity Cloake's 60-Minute Entertaining Guide: Stress-Free Hosting for Unexpected Guests

During the festive season, while there's plenty happening that even lively individuals may sometimes anticipate a quiet respite of January, it's all too easy to forget details. I expect I'm not the only person who's once felt jolted awake at my desk by a message from a friend wondering, "What time should we come us later?" Fear not; if you're forgetful, or simply inclined toward spontaneous gatherings, I have your back.

The Golden Rule to Memorable Get-Togethers

First and foremost, and I can't emphasize it sufficiently, if you've organized for months versus only a quarter-hour, the best events tend to be the easiest. What anyone expects are engaging talks, something to sip, plus enough to eat that guests don't feel like chewing their arm during the bus back. Unless you are throwing a lavish ball, nobody anticipates extensive drinks, gourmet catering or musical performances.

The most successful gatherings tend to be the most basic. That said, a concept helps to cover up the fact you have only thrown the event on while coming after a long day.

Selecting a Theme to Guide Your Preparations

Still, an overarching idea works well for disguising the fact you've only put this thing together on the way home from work. By concept, I mean something like Christmas. Going slightly more detailed (Nordic holidays, say, with spiced drink, aromatic cocktail, cured seafood plus flatbreads, folk tunes selection; alternatively Latin American celebration, including ponche navideño, chilled brews and cocktails, along with plenty of corn chips, salsa and guacamole, with Luis Miguel on the stereo) can narrow the selection on the necessary shopping trip.

Smart Purchasing to Support Your Party

While shopping, choose a couple of drinks (one alcoholic for those who do, one not for others avoid alcohol) and some snacks that fit the style, then get a generous amount as possible, instead of worrying about providing a wide selection. No thing looks as generous and cheerful than abundance – I'd always rather to enter by a sink full of cold bottles of competitively priced crémant or cava than a single glass of swanky champagne. (Include several packs of ice, too; there is never sufficient ice.)

Cocktails & Large-Batch Drinks Made Easy

If you feel the need to demonstrate skills and offer a special beverage, make sure to mix in advance a sizable amount in a jug so you aren't left faffing around with it while you ought to be enjoying yourself. Once the party begins, ask a significant other or friend to keep an eye on it then refill when needed until it's finished. Apply the same with the non-alcoholic punch; people appreciate to take on a role at a party so they can share in some of positive vibes.

On the punch front, whatever mix you choose (there are many via search), avoid anything overly sugary – young ones present need kid-friendly options – and should you own one, place flavor enhancers nearby (refrain from putting any in the mix as they're unsafe for those who avoid alcohol entirely). Make an effort with presentation so that the alcohol-free drink doesn't seem neglected; just spend a short time to cut several pieces of citrus for garnish.

Food That Shine With Minimal Preparation

For me, I'd skip the readymade platters of "party foods" available in shops at this time of year; they come across as fussy, and usually involve turning the oven on (should you do this, know that all guests quietly prefers toasted bread and/or mini sausages anyway). I truly believe nothing beats a couple of large bowls with decent crisps (plain salted is universally liked), and, assuming no dietary restrictions, some of those big and excellent value containers of nuts typically found in the international aisle of supermarkets, along with some pitted olives as a garnish (you don't want to discover stones in your pot plants months later).

If, similar to some, you feel snacks substantial fare, a single large piece of good cheese served simply alongside crackers and some elegantly arranged fruit tends to seem artistic. A platter featuring preserved or ready-to-eat salami or salmon displayed there (a single variety, except if you're wealthy), or a nice pre-made pastry, of the type available in specialty sections at this time of year, proves more substantial, while you really will succeed with artisanal chunks of focaccia, since there's no need for spreading butter.

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