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As much as we love to entertain, we don't always have hours to prepare for a dinner party. There are times we rush home from work and barely have time to rinse off and slap on a little lipstick before guests arrive. So we came up with these clever little tricks that allow you to beat the clock every time.
Stage 1: The Quickie Clean-Up (5 minutes)
Keep a large canvas tote bag or plastic bin on hand and shove all the miscellaneous clutter that's sitting around (mail, magazines, toys) into it. Stow the bag in a closet where it's easy to retrieve at the end of the night. Spend another couple of minutes vacuuming or sweeping (the Swiffer WetJet is great for quick cleanup of hardwood floors), and lightly dusting any furniture that needs it. Finally, spend a minute sprucing up your kitchen so it's "presentable" -- no dirty dishes in the sink, no day-old cat food on the floor, and so on.
Stage 2: Instant Atmosphere (3 minutes)
Now that your pad is spiffed up a bit, it needs a few festive touches to set the mood...
First, candles. Whether you display groups of pillars in varied sizes, or simple votives, bathe your living and dining rooms in a warm glow. Candles also do double duty to fill your home with a delicious fragrance.
Next, music. We like to create party playlists ahead of time so we can just pop in a disc. Or, if you have an iPod or CD changer, just hit shuffle mode.
Finally, class things up a bit with fresh flowers or a simple centerpiece to dress your coffee or dining table. Keep a stash of dried flowers or decorative twigs on hand for impromptu gatherings -- or make a simple centerpiece by filling a glass vase with dried lentils, rice, or coffee beans from your kitchen, then adding a few branches gathered from your backyard.
Stage 3: Apps in A Snap (3 minutes)
We collect cool little hors d'oeuvre servers -- like this condiment set from PotteryBarn. They're indispensable and enable you to throw out a handful of munchies that look "put together" rather than stuck in random bowls. Some of our fast faves include almonds, olives, hummus and mini-carrots, breadsticks, cheese straws, and mini-mozzarella balls.
Stage 4: Fast Food (5 minutes)
The quickest and easiest crowd pleaser of all time is Pasta & Salad. Put on a large pot of water to boil and open up some gourmet sauce-in-a-jar before guests arrive. Pour a bag of mixed greens in a bowl and sprinkle shaved Parmesan or crumbled blue cheese, grape tomatoes, slivered almonds, walnuts, or whatever you like on top. If you have the time, spend a minute to slice up some yellow pepper, mushrooms, or fresh pear. Have a fresh loaf of bread out and ready for slicing (we keep one or two in our freezer for last-minute gatherings). For dessert, treat guests to a scoop of gelato or ice cream with a cookie garnish.
Stage 5: Something To Sip (2 minutes)
Uncork a bottle of red wine and set it out to breathe. For non-drinkers, pour sparkling cider or juice into a decanter to fancify it a bit. Place wine glasses and cocktail napkins on the bar or coffee table and you're done.
Stage 6: Ready, Set... (2 minutes)
Set the table for dinner -- placemats, plates, utensils, glasses, napkins. Place a decorative touch on each plate -- a twig of rosemary, leaf, flower bud, or small soy sauce bowl filled with olive oil for dipping bread.
Get these tricks down and you'll be able to throw a flawless dinner together in a snap -- and still have a minute to put on a little lip gloss and a spray of perfume before the doorbell rings!
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