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Throughout the festive season, while there's so much going on which the most vivacious individuals might sometimes long for the quiet break of the new year, it is very easy to forget details. I expect I'm not the only person who's once felt surprised back to reality at my desk by an inquiry by someone asking, "What time should we come over later?" No worries; whether you are absent minded, or just inclined toward spontaneous plans, I have you covered.

The Key to Great Parties

Above all, though I can't emphasize it enough, whether you have organized for a year versus just a short while, the best parties are the easiest. All everyone expects are a good chat, a drink to sip, plus sufficient nibbles that they don't feel like gnawing something on the ride home. Unless you are throwing a lavish ball, nobody anticipates a full bar, fancy catering and musical performances.

The most successful parties tend to be the easiest. However, a concept is useful to disguise the reality you've only put the event on while coming back from the office.

Choosing a Theme to Focus Your Preparations

Still, a theme can be useful to hide that you've only put the party together while returning after work. By concept, think of such as a seasonal celebration. Getting slightly more specific (Swedish-style festivities, say, featuring mulled wine, aromatic cocktail, smoked fish and rye crackers, folk tunes playlist; or fiesta-style party, including holiday punch, cold beers or tequila drinks, and lots of tortilla chips, tomato dip and guacamole, with festive music playing) helps direct the selection on the necessary supermarket sweep.

Strategic Shopping to Support Your Party

In the store, select one or two beverages (an alcoholic option for drinkers, one not in case others don't want to) and a few snacks suited to the theme, then get a generous amount within your budget, rather than worrying about providing endless options. No thing looks more welcoming and celebratory as abundance – I'd consistently prefer to enter with a sink filled with iced containers with reasonably priced sparkling wine over one glass of expensive champagne. (Add some bags of ice, as well; there is never enough ice.)

Beverages and Party Beverages Made Easy

If you must show off and offer a mixed drink, then pre-mix a sizable amount in a container so that you aren't stuck faffing around with it while it's time to socializing. After starting, enlist a close friend or helper to monitor the drinks then replenish when needed till it runs out. Do the same for the alcohol-free option; guests love to have a role while socializing so they can experience a share of festive spirit.

For large-batch drinks, whatever mix you pick (you can find plenty online), avoid anything overly sugary – any kids present ought to have kid-friendly options – and if you own one, plonk flavor enhancers within reach (don't add them in the mix since they are unsafe for those who avoid alcohol entirely). Put in some work in presenting it so that the non-alcoholic option isn't perceived unimportant; it only takes a short time to slice several pieces of lemon or orange for garnish.

Snacks That Shine Without Fuss

In my view, I'd skip the readymade assortments with "party foods" that pop up in shops at this time of year; they come across as overly complicated, and frequently involve using the oven (if you must opt for these, be aware that all guests quietly likes toasted bread or cocktail sausages regardless). I'm convinced nothing beats several really big dishes with good-quality crisps (simple will offend no one), plus, provided there are no allergies, a package of great-value containers with nuts often sold in the South Asian section at the market, with perhaps a few ready-to-eat olives for color (try not to still be finding pits in odd places months later).

If, similar to some, you feel chips real food, one large piece of good cheese on a board alongside crackers and some artfully draped grapes tends to seem painterly. A serving dish featuring salted or prepared meats or fish laid out there (just one sort, except if money is no object), alternatively an attractive pre-made tart, similar to available in specialty sections seasonally, is even more satisfying, while you truly can't go wrong by serving homestyle chunks of flatbread, since they require no additional preparation.

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