How To Throw A Party In Under 15 Minutes (Slideshow)

Listen, when you are throwing a party quickly, you'll likely need to fork out a little extra cash in order to cut time. Making your own invites can be very time-consuming. So bite the bullet and grab some invites from a cute site like Minted or Tiny Prints. No time for this either? Put a few shout-outs on Facebook or Twitter to give guests a heads up. 

Decorations can certainly set the mood for a party. Luckily, there are lots of easy, fast décor ideas that will look like they took hours. Try layering some flowers under an inverted wine glass, place a flameless candle on top and bingo! You'd set the mood with simple décor that took five whole minutes. 

This seems like simple, common knowledge. But really, preparing in advance will make the actual party day go far more smoothly. Slice cheeses, layer your platters, and prepare any dips. The more you do in advance, the less you'll do that day. 

Not only should party prep be easy but clean up should be a snap, too. Grab the plastic silverware and stack it in terra cotta pots for a unique utensil caddy. It will look classy and later, there won't be any dishes piled up in the sink! 

Don't have time to personalize your party? In three minutes, you can make your plain water bottles snazzy and interesting. Grab a roll of fancy duct tape and slap it over the water bottle's original label to make it look like it was custom made for your party. Have the kids pitch in and get creative with the designs!

You may want to have a plethora of drinks for your guests but really, you'll waste time and supplies by having dozens upon dozens of options. Instead, choose two signature cocktails. Lay out the ingredients and print out a recipe sheet. Guests can assemble the drinks themselves and at their leisure so you aren't stuck preparing. 

Desserts can really make a party. Instead of spending a ton of time making and frosting cupcakes, set up a station and allow guests to go for it on their own. Sprinkles and icing can go a long way, and they'll love it if you provide easier toppings. 

Petit fours are basically the bane of the dessert world. They take forever to make and can be a huge pain. Instead, make the "lazy person's" petit fours. Use a pre-made pound cake, candy coating and pre-made jam to assemble a semi-homemade treat. Or could could buy premade macaron shells and use your favorit pre-made filling. We aren't judging!

Of course, you aren't having a party without food. So go with simple options that satisfy and impress. Mozzarella skewers with tomatoes and basil are always a winning choice and take very little time to put together. 

Spa water is absolutely a thing these days. It's really just a fancy way of saying water filled with fruits and veggies. So grab a big carafe and some pre-sliced fruits and veggies (strawberries, melons, cucumbers) and set it out. Not only does it look elegant, guests will never guess that you were crunched for time!