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In this busy period, when there is a lot happening that even lively individuals might sometimes look forward to the quiet break in the new year, it's very simple to neglect things. I believe I'm not the sole one who has once been startled back to reality while at work because of a text from a friend wondering, "What time are we expected over later?" Fear not; if you're absent minded, and just prone to last-minute invitations, I've got your back.

The Secret to Successful Get-Togethers

Above all, though I cannot emphasize this enough, whether you've planned for months or only a short while, the best parties tend to be the most straightforward. What everyone really wants are pleasant conversation, a drink to enjoy, and sufficient nibbles so guests don't feel like gnawing an arm off on the ride home. If you're not you are Jay Gatsby, no one expects a full bar, Michelin-starred food and entertainers.

The most successful parties are the simplest. That said, an idea is useful to disguise the reality you've just put this thing together while coming after a long day.

Selecting a Concept to Focus Your Party Planning

That said, a theme works well to hide the fact you've just thrown this thing on while returning home from work. And with a theme, think of something like a seasonal celebration. Getting slightly more detailed (Nordic holidays, say, featuring glögg, aromatic cocktail, cured seafood plus crispbreads, Scandinavian music selection; alternatively Mexican Christmas, with ponche navideño, refreshing lagers and cocktails, along with plenty of snacks, salsa and green spread, with Luis Miguel in the background) can narrow your options on the inevitable grocery run.

Smart Purchasing to Support The Gathering

While shopping, choose a couple of drinks (an alcoholic option for drinkers, a non-alcoholic one in case some don't want to) and some appetizers that match your concept, then purchase a generous amount within your budget, instead of worrying about providing endless options. No thing appears more abundant and celebratory than a bounty – I would consistently rather to arrive with a tub filled with cold bottles with competitively priced bubbly than a single glass of swanky champagne. (Add several packs of cubes, too; there is seldom sufficient ice.)

Cocktails and Punch Made Easy

If you feel the need to impress and offer a mixed drink, then prepare ahead a big quantity in a container so that you're not left faffing around with it when you ought to be having fun. Once underway, request a partner or friend to watch it then refill if required till it runs out. Apply the same with the non-alcoholic punch; people enjoy to be given a role during gatherings so they can share in the goodwill.

For large-batch drinks, whichever mix you go for (there are many via search), steer clear of anything too sweet – any kids there ought to have their own drinks – and should you own one, place aromatic bitters nearby (avoid adding any to the bowl as they're not suitable for people abstaining from alcohol entirely). Take care with presentation so that the non-alcoholic option doesn't seem like an afterthought; it doesn't take a minute to cut several pieces of fruit for garnish.

Snacks That Delight Without Effort

Personally, I'd skip the pre-made assortments of "party foods" that pop up at grocery stores at this time of year; they feel fussy, and usually require turning the oven on (if you choose to go this route, be aware that everyone secretly prefers garlic bread or small hot dogs anyway). It's my firm opinion you can't beat a couple of large dishes with good-quality snacks (plain salted pleases everyone), and, assuming no dietary restrictions, one of those great-value bags of nuts available in the international aisle at the market, with perhaps a few pitted olives for color (you don't want to still be finding pits in your pot plants in the future).

In case, like my mum, you don't consider snacks real food, a single sizeable chunk of quality cheese on a board and crispbreads plus elegantly arranged fruit tends to seem painterly. A platter featuring salted or prepared prosciutto or seafood arranged on it (just one sort, except if you have a large budget), or a nice pre-made pastry, similar to that pop up in specialty sections during festivities, proves more satisfying, and you truly can't go wrong by serving artisanal chunks of Italian bread, because they don't need additional preparation.

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