Party Foul: How to Throw An Impromptu Gathering Without Making a Big One
Last week, I decided to have a holiday party. To be more specific, I decided on Monday that I was going to have a holiday party on Thursday. I "convinced" my very easy going cousin that we should have a joint party because our mothers, who are sisters and inseparable best friends, wanted us to have one, and I selfishly wanted someone other my landlord to see my apartment.
I learned many things from having this get-together, most of them regarding party planning mistakes, but I also learned that it is possible to have an inexpensive, last minute gathering that is both presentable/documentable and enjoyable, despite those mistakes. So now I shall share with you both my happy secrets and miserable failures.
DON'T send your invites out three days beforehand. No matter how far in advance you send the invitations, you can still do the same, minimal amount of prep work. Luckily, I still had guests, but quite a few of the invitees already had festivities planned, and they missed out on my shrimp baguette thing and champagne cocktail.
DO send out a little invite. Whip one up in Photoshop or some free online program, or send an Evite. Facebook invites are fine too, but it's always nice to receive an actual invitation. If you're me, you will be forced to save it as a JPEG and insert it in an email because it's too late for snail mail.
DO try to find actual photos of the humans having the party for the invitation, and DON'T use photos of representative animals (that's my cousin's dog), otherwise you will get asked things like "Is your cousin a dog?"
DO repurpose household items as food and drink display vessels. For example, use thoroughly washed vases as carafes for mixers, or as an ice bucket for a bottle of white wine.
DO set out a variety of glasses, because it makes you look fancy. Vintage glassware is abundant at thrift stores, and as most everything I purchase, is around 99 cents an item.
DON'T spend hundreds of dollars on smoked meats and single malt scotch. Purchase snacks like cheese and crackers, nuts, and vegetables with dip. Pair it with a bottle or two or wine and a liquor option and you're likely to be fine, especially if you kindly suggest that guests bring something to eat or drink. You should be able to get the basics for under $100, or $50 if you use coupons and avoid rare cheeses. Also buy cookies. No explanation needed for that, just buy the cookies.
DO use crafts you've made previously, because you spent time making them and they're pretty.
DO provide one signature cocktail and one signature appetizer. Making one of each is not too arduous, and gives the appearance that you thought about the party, which gives the appearance that you are a decent host(ess). In case you're short on ideas - ridiculous i'm even saying that because the we have THE INTERNET - see my signature recipes below, lovingly created with years of food and drink knowledge as well as a refined palate.
Orange Pomegranate Fizz, or That Champagne Punch
An uncomplicated libation, this drink is comprised of a muddled orange slice, one part Campari, two parts pomegranate juice, and two parts champagne. I recommend using a dry champagne like Freixenet cava or brut, because at $11 a bottle, it's relatively inexpensive and tasty. You can make the drink individually, or make a pitcher of it with the same proportions, but squeeze or muddle extra orange slices.
Shrimp Toast Thingy
For lack of any name at all, I hurriedly chalk labeled this one "shrimp toast thingy," which isn't even slightly comical, so serve it nameless if you must. To make, cut up slices of french baguette, spread a thin layer or mayonnaise on each, top with a cucumber slice, followed by a medium to large shrimp, a dollop of cocktail sauce and some fresh parsley.
Sliced Baguette with Brie, Honey and Cracked Pepper
My good friend worked at a French restaurant that made a warm version of this and called it brie crostini, and it was delicious. This one isn't crostini'd or made by chef hands, but it's still creamy and flavorful. It's too easy to be a signature appetizer, but you can probably manage to do it in addition to the shrimp toast thingy, giving you a triad of customized, party appropriate fare.
Lastly, DON'T forget to take pictures. I forgot to do so, so the only photo I have is one my friend took of my other friend sitting on a bench.
Party On,
