When was the last time you had an impromptu get-together? There’s always a good reason not to. On Friday night, you’re tired from work. Saturday comes, and you just want to relax after a busy week. And on Sunday, well, it’s Monday tomorrow!
But there are really so many reasons to organise a do at short notice, from a surprise bank holiday heatwave to keeping the holiday vibes going after you’ve returned from a sunny beach trip abroad. To make sure your last-minute shindig is one to remember, here are a few tips to elevate your soiree without breaking a sweat.
Curate the guest list
Forget Facebook. In 2019 we WhatsApp. Forming a WhatsApp group for your party creates a space for invitees who don’t know each other to break the ice, and keeps your guest list to only people who know you well enough to have their number, not whoever you feel obliged to add as you scroll through every person you’ve ever met since 2006. If two invitees are exes, invite both, tell them to discuss who (if not both) should attend, and assure them they’ll both be ejected if they start rowing in the kitchen. As far as inviting colleagues goes, best to limit it to people in your after-work drinks crew.
Choose a second-in-command
Perhaps the most important tip is to select a good friend to help you keep an eye on food and drink, playlist coups, general tidying and other party admin to keep your own stress levels low. They can even subtly begin the party exodus on your command, so long as they’re the sort of pal you can turn to and say: “Right, I’ve had enough, get everyone out now.” We all need a friend like that.
Democratise the playlist
There’s nothing more irritating than guests commandeering the music, but once the drinks have started flowing, people will inevitably try their luck. Avoid this by inviting your guests to help with the playlist. Ask each to send a couple of suggestions when they confirm they’re coming, whack it all together on Spotify and then dilute it with your own picks – it’s your party, you deserve that.
Impress with a cocktail
While most of your friends are sure to bring a bottle or two to celebrate the occasion, providing your guests with something to drink is a sweet touch that makes people feel at home. An easy win is a batch of vodka cocktails that you’ve mixed in advance. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and combine Grey Goose Original Vodka, elderflower liqueur, pomegranate juice, blood orange juice, a splash of simple syrup and mix, before topping up with champagne to create the elegant Pomegranate Sparkler, which can be served in an artful mix of mismatched wine glasses and highballs if you’ve got them lurking at the back of your cupboard. Or for something with a bit of bite, try a sultry and just slightly sour Basil and Lime Gimlet – a simple blend of Grey Goose Original Vodka with lime juice and the peppery, sweet-scented kick of basil syrup, which can be served in just about any type of vessel you can get your hands on. For guests who aren’t drinking, put a bit of effort into non-alcoholic alternatives and whip up some virgin cocktails to be savoured.
Don’t be precious over glasses
You can get those plastic throwaway champagne flutes and martini glasses nowadays, but frankly it’s a waste of money and plastic. We’re in Britain, so chances are your household will have at least 20 perfectly useable mugs of varying taste levels in your cupboards, and anyone who judges you for using these shouldn’t be on the guestlist in the first place. There’s enough plastic being dumped into the world without you adding extra because you can’t be bothered to wash up at the end of your do – and that’s what the aforementioned second-in-command is for, anyway.
Encourage photography, not selfies
Instagram is a wonderful thing, but in the age of Stories, selfies and #squadlife, it’s easy to forget that photos used to be something you had to wait for. That is, you had to finish a roll of film, then go and get it developed, and all with no idea of what the results would look like. But that was part of the fun of course, and – dare I say it – encouraged people to take better, more spontaneous and authentic photos. So, rather than posing for endless posts, why not pick up four or five disposable cameras and distribute them among your friends to take pics throughout the evening? The classic Kodak single-use is still great for colour shots, or for a touch of perennial monochrome cool, try Ilford’s range of black and white disposables.
Make some nibbles to remember
It’s really easy to make simple food feel a bit fancy with just a few additions. Fill paper cups with salted popcorn mixed with spices like za’atar and sumac for a warming, Middle Eastern twist, or toss some walnut halves in a pan with soy sauce to make a crunchy salad topping brimming with umami. You can also roast broccoli with olive oil, salt, garlic, fresh chilli and lemon juice for plant-based finger food that’s surprisingly tasty – and won’t have your guests feeling lethargic a couple of hours after eating. A homemade dip is an easy way to impress too – tzatziki is a personal favourite, and I like to use Nigel Slater’s recipe, minus the dill.
Don’t forget the details
It’s the little things that make a party flow: lime wedges stored in the fridge, waiting to be plopped into drinks; wifi password shared before guests arrive; extra toilet paper; lots of – and I can’t stress this enough – kitchen roll; and sun cream! Try and pre-empt the sorts of details guests might need during the party, and have them out, ready and signposted. If nothing else, it’ll stop them interrupting you in the middle of dancing to Beyoncé.
Check out some more cocktail recipes at greygoose.com
#LiveVictoriously
