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In the holiday season, when there's so much happening that even energetic individuals might occasionally look forward to a calm respite of January, it's all too easy to neglect things. I believe I'm not the only person who's ever felt surprised back to reality at work by an inquiry from a friend asking, "What time are we expected us tonight?" Don't worry; whether you are absent minded, and simply likely to make impromptu invitations, I've got some solutions.

The Golden Rule to Memorable Get-Togethers

Firstly, and I cannot emphasize it enough, whether you have been planning for months versus only a short while, the greatest parties tend to be the most straightforward. All everyone really wants is pleasant conversation, a drink to enjoy, and enough food so they do not end up chewing an arm off on the ride home. If you're not you are a fictional millionaire, nobody expects professional bartending, gourmet catering or entertainers.

The best gatherings are the easiest. Still, a concept helps to disguise the reality you have just thrown the event on while coming after a long day.

Selecting a Theme to Focus Your Preparations

Nevertheless, a theme works well to conceal the fact you have just put this thing on on the way from the office. And by theme, I mean something like Christmas. Going slightly more detailed (Swedish-style festivities, say, featuring glögg, aromatic cocktail, cured seafood plus crispbreads, Scandinavian music playlist; or Mexican Christmas, with holiday punch, cold beers or margaritas, and heaps of corn chips, salsa & green spread, and Luis Miguel on the stereo) can narrow your options during the inevitable shopping trip.

Smart Shopping for Your Event

At the shops, select a couple of drinks (one alcoholic if you drink, one not in case some don't want to) and a few snacks suited to your concept, then purchase as much of them as you can afford, rather than stressing over offering guests too much choice. Nothing appears more welcoming and celebratory as plenty – I would always rather to arrive by a container filled with cold bottles of competitively priced crémant or cava than a single glass of fancy champagne. (Chuck in some bags of ice, too; there is seldom sufficient ice.)

Drinks & Punch Made Easy

If you must demonstrate skills and serve a special beverage, make sure to pre-mix a sizable amount in a pitcher so that you're not stuck messing about with drinks when you ought to be having fun. Once the party begins, enlist a close friend or volunteer to monitor it then replenish when needed until it runs out. Follow suit for the non-alcoholic punch; people enjoy to be given a job at a party so they can experience a share of positive vibes.

Regarding punch, whichever recipe you go for (they abound online), avoid anything excessively sweet – any kids there should have separate beverages – and should you have one, plonk flavor enhancers within reach (refrain from putting them into the punch as they are unsafe for people who do not consume alcohol entirely). Take care with presentation so that the soft punch isn't perceived neglected; just spend a short time to add a few rounds of citrus into the bowl.

Snacks That Work With Minimal Preparation

Personally, I would avoid the pre-made trays of "party foods" that appear in supermarkets seasonally; they feel fussy, and usually require heating things up (if you must go this route, remember that everyone quietly favors garlic bread and/or cocktail sausages regardless). It's my firm opinion you can't beat a couple of large bowls with good-quality crisps (simple will offend no one), and, assuming no dietary restrictions, one of those large and economical containers with nuts typically found in the South Asian section of supermarkets, with perhaps a few olives without stones for color (you don't want to still be finding pits around the house next Easter).

If, as my mother says, you don't consider chips substantial fare, a single large piece of good cheese on a board alongside crackers plus artfully draped grapes always looks visually appealing. A platter featuring salted or prepared meats or fish arranged on it (only one type, unless money is no object), or an attractive ready-made tart, like those that pop up at delis at this time of year, is more substantial, while you truly can't go wrong by serving artisanal slices of flatbread, since there's no need for buttering.

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