The Ultimate Quick-Fire Party Plan: Stress-Free Entertaining for Last-Minute Guests

Throughout this festive period, when there is so much going on which the most vivacious individuals might occasionally anticipate the quiet break of January, it's all too easy to overlook things. I believe I'm not the only one who's ever felt jolted awake at my desk by a text by someone wondering, "What time do you want over tonight?" Fear not; if you are distracted, and just inclined toward impromptu invitations, I have some solutions.

The Golden Rule to Memorable Parties

Firstly, though I can't stress this enough, if you have organized for months or only 15 minutes, the greatest events tend to be the simplest. All everyone is hoping for are a good chat, something to drink, plus sufficient to eat so guests don't feel like gnawing their arm during the ride back. If you're not you're Jay Gatsby, no one anticipates professional bartending, fancy food or entertainers.

The best gatherings tend to be the most basic. That said, a theme is useful to mask the reality you have just put this thing together while coming after a long day.

Picking a Style to Guide Your Preparations

That said, a theme can be useful for disguising the fact you've only thrown the party together on the way home from work. By concept, think of something like the holidays. Going a bit more detailed (Nordic holidays, say, featuring mulled wine, warm beverage, fish snacks and flatbreads, Scandinavian music selection; or fiesta-style party, with traditional drink, cold beers or cocktails, and heaps of snacks, salsa and guacamole, and festive music playing) can narrow your choices on the inevitable grocery run.

Smart Shopping for Your Gathering

At the shops, pick a drink or two (one alcoholic for those who do, one not for others avoid alcohol) plus some nibbles suited to your concept, then purchase as much of them as possible, rather than stressing over giving people too much choice. No thing looks as generous and celebratory as abundance – I would consistently prefer to be welcomed with a tub stocked with iced containers with competitively priced crémant or cava over one glass with expensive champagne. (Add a few bags of cubes, too; you'll find never enough ice.)

Drinks & Punch Made Easy

If you must show off and provide a mixed drink, then mix in advance a sizable amount in a pitcher so you're not left busying yourself with preparation while you should be socializing. Once the party begins, ask a significant other or volunteer to keep an eye on the drinks and top up as necessary till it runs out. Do the same for the alcohol-free option; people love to be given a job while socializing so they can enjoy some of festive spirit.

For large-batch drinks, whatever mix you choose (they abound on the internet), skip anything too sweet – children present should have separate beverages – and if you have one, put a bottle of bitters close by (refrain from putting them in the mix as they are inappropriate for those who do not consume alcohol entirely). Take care with how it looks so that the alcohol-free drink doesn't seem neglected; it only takes a short time to add some slices of lemon or orange for garnish.

Food That Work Without Fuss

Personally, I would avoid the pre-made assortments of "party foods" that pop up in shops at this time of year; they feel fancy, and frequently involve turning the oven on (if you choose to opt for these, know that everyone secretly favors garlic bread or small hot dogs anyway). It's my firm opinion it's hard to top a couple of large containers of good-quality chips (simple pleases everyone), and, provided there are no dietary restrictions, some of those big and excellent value packets of nuts typically found with global foods of supermarkets, with perhaps some ready-to-eat olives for colour (it's best to avoid to find stones in your pot plants in the future).

In case, similar to some, you feel crisps proper food, a single big slab of quality cheese on a platter and crispbreads and some beautifully placed grapes often appears artistic. A serving dish featuring cured or cooked salami or salmon arranged there (a single variety, except if you're wealthy), alternatively a handsome store-bought tart, like those that pop up at delis seasonally, is even more satisfying, while you truly will succeed with homestyle slices of focaccia, because they require no additional preparation.

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