Last-Minute Party Hacks That Every Impromptu Host Needs

You’re spending an afternoon with friends when the group spontaneously decides to keep the revelry going—at your house. Images of dirty laundry and dishes may be dancing in your head. But before you panic, check out these simple tips that’ll make hosting an impromptu party a cinch. 

Light the mood. You probably don’t have time to set up string lights or a disco ball, so the next best mood-lighting hack? Candles. To dress them up, collect any uniform glassware, or mix it up with everything from mason jars to juice cups, fill them with a few teaspoons of water, and drop in the candles to create instant ambience.

Elevate your food. So you didn’t have time to cook or stylize your food (read: you ordered take-out). First replate the food in your best dining ware. Do not serve them in the plastic containers they came in. Then, to (literally) elevate your spread, arrange your dishes at various heights by inverting empty bowls on the buffet table, covering them with a patterned cloth napkin, and using them as stands for your food.

Make a sweet ending. Don’t have dessert? Spoon out some store-bought ice cream and pour two parts Patrón XO Cafe with one part heavy cream on the rocks and stir.