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In this festive period, while there is plenty going on which even vivacious people might occasionally anticipate a quiet break of the new year, it's very simple to forget details. I'm sure I cannot be the sole person who's once been surprised awake at work by a text from a friend asking, "What time are we expected over later?" No worries; whether you are forgetful, or just prone to spontaneous invitations, I have you covered.

The Key to Successful Parties

Above all, though I cannot emphasize it sufficiently, whether you have been planning for months or just a short while, the most enjoyable parties are the easiest. All everyone expects is pleasant conversation, something to enjoy, plus sufficient to eat that they do not feel like gnawing their arm during the bus home. Unless you're throwing a lavish ball, no one anticipates a full bar, Michelin-starred catering or a live band.

The greatest gatherings are the easiest. That said, an idea helps to mask the reality you've only put this thing together while coming back from the office.

Picking a Concept to Direct Your Party Planning

Nevertheless, an overarching idea works well for disguising the fact you have just thrown this thing on on the way home from work. And with a theme, think of such as Christmas. Getting slightly more detailed (Swedish-style festivities, say, featuring spiced drink, spiced punch, fish snacks plus flatbreads, folk tunes selection; or Latin American celebration, with ponche navideño, refreshing lagers or margaritas, and plenty of corn chips, spicy sauce & guacamole, with festive music in the background) helps direct your options on the inevitable shopping trip.

Smart Purchasing for Your Gathering

At the shops, pick a couple of drinks (an alcoholic option for drinkers, a non-alcoholic one in case others don't want to) plus a couple of nibbles that fit the theme, and buy a generous amount within your budget, rather than worrying about giving people too much choice. No thing looks more abundant and as festive than a bounty – I would always prefer to arrive by a tub stocked with chilled bottles of reasonably priced sparkling wine over one glass of expensive bubbly. (Include several packs for chilling, as well; you'll find seldom enough ice.)

Drinks & Party Beverages Streamlined

Should you demonstrate skills and offer a special beverage, then prepare ahead a large batch in a pitcher so that you aren't left busying yourself with drinks while you should be having fun. After starting, request a significant other or helper to keep an eye on it and replenish when needed till it's gone. Do the same with the non-alcoholic punch; guests enjoy to take on a role while socializing so they can experience the goodwill.

Regarding punch, whichever formula you go for (they abound on the internet), skip anything overly sugary – any kids present ought to have their own drinks – and if you own one, place a bottle of bitters nearby (avoid adding any to the bowl as they are unsafe for those who do not consume drinks altogether). Put in some work with how it looks so that the non-alcoholic option isn't perceived unimportant; it doesn't take a short time to cut some slices of citrus into the bowl.

Food That Delight Without Fuss

For me, I recommend passing on the store-bought assortments with "party foods" that appear in supermarkets during the holidays; they come across as overly complicated, and often require heating things up (if you choose to go this route, be aware that all guests secretly likes toasted bread or small hot dogs anyway). It's my firm opinion it's hard to top two large containers of tasty snacks (plain salted pleases everyone), plus, assuming no issues, one of those great-value containers of nuts typically found with global foods in stores, with perhaps some olives without stones for color (you don't want to still be finding stones in your pot plants months later).

If, as my mother says, you think crisps proper food, one large piece of quality cheese on a board and crispbreads plus artfully draped fruit tends to seem painterly. A platter with some salted or prepared prosciutto or seafood displayed on it (just one sort, unless money is no object), alternatively a nice ready-made pie, of the type that appear in specialty sections at this time of year, is more satisfying, and you really can't go wrong by serving rustic slices of focaccia, since they require no spreading butter.

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