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Throughout the festive season, while there is a lot happening that even lively people might occasionally anticipate a calm break in January, it's all too simple to forget things. I'm sure I'm not the sole person who has ever been jolted back to reality at my desk by an inquiry from a friend asking, "What time are we expected us tonight?" Don't worry; if you're absent minded, or just inclined toward spontaneous plans, I've got some solutions.

The Key to Memorable Parties

Firstly, and I can't stress this enough, whether you have been planning for a year or just a short while, the most enjoyable parties are the most straightforward. What everyone really wants are a good chat, a drink to enjoy, plus enough food that guests don't end up chewing something on the bus home. If you're not you are throwing a lavish ball, nobody expects extensive drinks, gourmet food and entertainers.

The best gatherings tend to be the simplest. Still, an idea is useful to cover up the fact you have just thrown the event together on the way after a long day.

Choosing a Concept to Guide The Preparations

Nevertheless, a theme works well to hide the fact you've only thrown the party together while returning after work. And by theme, think of for example a seasonal celebration. Getting slightly focused (Swedish-style festivities, for instance, featuring glögg, warm beverage, smoked fish plus flatbreads, Scandinavian music playlist; alternatively Mexican Christmas, with traditional drink, cold beers and cocktails, and heaps of tortilla chips, salsa and green spread, and festive music in the background) can narrow the selection during the necessary shopping trip.

Smart Shopping to Support Your Gathering

While shopping, select a drink or two (one alcoholic if you drink, a non-alcoholic one for some avoid alcohol) plus a few snacks that fit the theme, then purchase as many as you can afford, rather than worrying about offering guests too much choice. No thing looks as generous and as festive as abundance – I would consistently prefer to be welcomed by a container full of chilled bottles of reasonably priced bubbly over one glass of expensive champagne. (Chuck in several packs for chilling, as well; you'll find seldom sufficient ice.)

Drinks and Large-Batch Drinks Simplified

If you must show off and offer a mixed drink, then prepare ahead a large batch in a pitcher so that you aren't left messing about with preparation when you should be having fun. Once the party begins, ask a significant other or helper to keep an eye on the drinks then top up as necessary until it's gone. Follow suit with the alcohol-free option; guests appreciate to be given a task during gatherings allowing them to share in a share of positive vibes.

Regarding punch, whichever mix you choose (you can find plenty on the internet), steer clear of any recipe excessively sweet – any kids there need kid-friendly options – and should it's available, plonk aromatic bitters nearby (refrain from putting any in the mix as they are unsafe for people abstaining from drinks entirely). Make an effort with presentation so the non-alcoholic option isn't perceived unimportant; it only takes a minute to cut several pieces of lemon or orange to the punch.

Nibbles That Work With Minimal Effort

In my view, I'd skip the pre-made platters of "party foods" that pop up in supermarkets seasonally; they seem fancy, and frequently involve turning the oven on (if you must go this route, remember that all guests secretly favors garlic bread and/or cocktail sausages anyway). I'm convinced you can't beat two really big bowls with good-quality crisps (salted will offend no one), plus, provided there are no issues, a package of big and excellent value bags of mixed nuts often sold in the international aisle at the market, with perhaps a few ready-to-eat olives as a garnish (it's best to avoid to find stones around the house next Easter).

In case, like my mum, you think chips real food, a single big slab of tasty cheese on a board alongside crackers plus artfully draped grapes tends to seem painterly. A serving dish with some preserved or ready-to-eat meats or fish arranged on it (only one type, except if you're wealthy), alternatively an attractive store-bought tart, like those that appear in specialty sections seasonally, proves more filling, and you truly can't go wrong by serving artisanal pieces of focaccia, since they require no additional preparation.

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