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5 ways to quick and easy entertaining

The no fuss way to enjoy friends dropping in - by Diana Moore
  • 27 Nov 2018
5 ways to quick and easy entertaining

One of the best things in life is spending time with friends and family. When kids are happy, friends want to stay and move from a casual get together into an easy evening with shared food, drinks and lots of laughter. Here's how to bring it all together in a jiffy.

1. Clear the decks

Top tips for quick and easy entertaining

Set the scene

Nicky Ryan

A quick tidy up is all that's needed to create some bench space to lay out the perfect cheese platter. Don't fuss too much, just create a few welcoming surfaces to serve from and work around the rest.

Flick on the fairy lights, put flame to a few candles and switch on your favourite playlist to set the mood for fun.

2. Have nibbles at the ready

Top tips for quick and easy entertaining

Keep them snacking

Cath Muscat
Top tips for quick and easy entertaining

What's in the fridge?

John Paul Urizar

Always keep a stock of non-perishable nibbles in your pantry for when friends drop in. Putting something in front of them to graze on whilst you talk them into staying is a sure-fire way to keep the good times rolling. Good staples include:

  • nuts - keep sealed in airtight containers
  • olives - jars are great to store for emergencies
  • stuffed vine leaves
  • popcorn for the kids
  • chick peas for a quick homus
  • bacon (keep in the freezer for a quick burst of flavour)

3. Ice is your friend

Top tips for quick and easy entertaining

Simple but special

Nicky Ryan

A little bubbly water goes a long way and plenty of ice cubes makes for a dash of decadence. Always keep citrus on hand in the fruit bowl - a wedge of lemon, lime or orange ups the ante with mood-shifting cocktails and citrus-garnished soft drinks. 

4. Keep it simple

Top tips for quick and easy entertaining

Roughly chopped and baked in 20 minutes, pumpkin add a burst of colour and flavour

Order in, or cook the first thing that comes to mind and use a favourite recipe you wont have to concentrate on too much. Use the ingredients you have on hand to create a shared meal, open a bottle of wine to share as you cook and pump up the music to enhance the mood.

Top tips for quick and easy entertaining

A simple bruschetta feeds a mob and can be assembled quickly

Cath Muscat

Recipe suggestion: Sauteed mushroom & camembert bruschetta

5. Share the load

It's all about staying together in the moment so accept all offers of help and enlist many hands to make light work of entertaining at home - kids, friends and family can all pitch in to enjoy the cooking process.

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Diana Moore
Diana Moore
Content expert, florist and interior decorator Diana Moore has been passionate about helping others make the perfect home ever since she moved into her own. From styling her local bar to feel like your best friend’s lounge room, to randomly restyling people’s bookshelves, Diana is a firm believer in making the best of what you have in front of you.

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