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In this festive season, when there is plenty going on that the most energetic people may sometimes look forward to a quiet respite of January, it's very simple to overlook things. I believe I'm not the only person who has ever been surprised back to reality at my desk because of a text from someone asking, "What time should we come us later?" Fear not; if you are absent minded, and just prone to spontaneous invitations, I have some solutions.

The Key to Successful Get-Togethers

Above all, and I can't emphasize this enough, whether you have organized long in advance versus only a short while, the best events tend to be the easiest. All everyone really wants is a good chat, a drink to sip, and sufficient food so guests do not end up chewing an arm off during the ride home. Unless you're Jay Gatsby, nobody anticipates extensive drinks, gourmet food or musical performances.

The best gatherings tend to be the simplest. Still, a concept helps to disguise the fact you have just put the event together on the way back from the office.

Picking a Theme to Focus The Shopping

Still, an overarching idea can be useful to conceal that you've just thrown the party on while returning from the office. And with a theme, think of for example Christmas. Getting slightly more detailed (Nordic holidays, for instance, with glögg, spiced punch, smoked fish plus crispbreads, Scandinavian music playlist; or Mexican Christmas, with ponche navideño, refreshing lagers or tequila drinks, along with lots of snacks, salsa and green spread, with upbeat tunes on the stereo) helps direct your choices on the inevitable grocery run.

Practical Shopping for Your Party

While shopping, select a drink or two (one alcoholic for those who do, a non-alcoholic one in case some avoid alcohol) plus some snacks that match the theme, then purchase as much of them as you can afford, instead of stressing over providing too much choice. No thing looks as generous and celebratory as plenty – I would consistently rather to enter by a sink filled with iced containers with competitively priced bubbly over a single glass of fancy bubbly. (Chuck in some bags of cubes, as well; there is never sufficient ice.)

Drinks & Punch Streamlined

If you feel the need to demonstrate skills and offer a special beverage, make sure to prepare ahead a large batch in a jug so that you're not left faffing around with it while it's time to enjoying yourself. Once the party begins, ask a significant other or helper to watch the drinks then replenish as necessary until it's finished. Do the same with the non-alcoholic punch; people enjoy to take on a job at a party so they can experience the positive vibes.

On the punch front, whatever recipe you choose (they abound via search), skip any recipe too sweet – children present ought to have separate beverages – and if you own one, put a bottle of bitters nearby (refrain from putting any into the punch as they're inappropriate for those abstaining from drinks altogether). Make an effort with presentation so that the soft punch isn't perceived like an afterthought; just spend a moment to slice some slices of lemon or orange into the bowl.

Snacks That Shine Without Fuss

For me, I would avoid the readymade assortments of "party foods" available at grocery stores during the holidays; they feel overly complicated, and usually involve heating things up (should you do this, know that all guests secretly likes garlic bread or small hot dogs anyway). I truly believe you can't beat a couple of really big containers of decent chips (simple is universally liked), plus, provided there are no allergies, some of those large and economical packets of mixed nuts available in the international aisle in stores, along with some ready-to-eat olives for colour (it's best to avoid to still be finding pits around the house months later).

In case, like my mum, you feel snacks proper food, one large piece of quality cheese on a platter alongside crackers and some artfully draped grapes often appears artistic. A serving dish with some cured or cooked meats or fish arranged on it (just one sort, unless you're wealthy), alternatively a handsome store-bought tart, like those that appear at delis during festivities, is even more substantial, while you really won't fail with rustic pieces of flatbread, because there's no need for spreading butter.

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