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Throughout the festive season, when there's so much happening that even energetic people may occasionally long for a calm break of the new year, it's very easy to neglect things. I'm sure I cannot be the sole one who's ever been startled back to reality at work because of a message by someone asking, "What time do you want us later?" Don't worry; if you are absent minded, or just likely to make last-minute plans, I've got some solutions.

The Secret to Great Parties

Above all, and I cannot stress this enough, whether you've been planning for months versus only a short while, the greatest parties tend to be the simplest. All anyone really wants is engaging talks, a drink to sip, plus sufficient to eat that guests don't feel like chewing their arm during the ride back. Unless you're throwing a lavish ball, nobody anticipates extensive drinks, gourmet catering and entertainers.

The most successful parties tend to be the simplest. That said, a theme helps to mask the reality you have just put the event on on the way back from the office.

Selecting a Theme to Direct Your Party Planning

Nevertheless, a theme is helpful to conceal the fact you have only thrown the party together while returning after work. By concept, I mean such as Christmas. Going slightly more detailed (Swedish-style festivities, for instance, with mulled wine, aromatic cocktail, cured seafood and rye crackers, folk tunes selection; or Mexican Christmas, with traditional drink, chilled brews and tequila drinks, and lots of tortilla chips, spicy sauce & guacamole, and Luis Miguel in the background) will focus your options during the inevitable supermarket sweep.

Smart Shopping to Support Your Gathering

While shopping, pick a drink or two (one alcoholic for those who do, a non-alcoholic one in case others don't want to) plus a couple of appetizers that fit your concept, and purchase as many as possible, instead of stressing over offering guests endless options. No thing appears more welcoming and cheerful than a bounty – I would consistently prefer to arrive by a container filled with iced containers of reasonably priced bubbly over a single glass of swanky champagne. (Include a few bags of ice, as well; you'll find seldom enough ice.)

Drinks & Large-Batch Drinks Simplified

If you must demonstrate skills and offer a special beverage, make sure to pre-mix a sizable amount in a jug so you're not left busying yourself with drinks when it's time to enjoying yourself. After starting, enlist a significant other or friend to watch the drinks then refill as necessary till it runs out. Apply the same with the alcohol-free option; people love to take on a role at a party so they may enjoy some of festive spirit.

Regarding punch, whichever mix you choose (you can find plenty online), steer clear of any recipe excessively sweet – any kids present should have kid-friendly options – and should you have one, plonk flavor enhancers within reach (refrain from putting any into the punch as they're inappropriate for those abstaining from alcohol altogether). Make an effort with how it looks so that the non-alcoholic option isn't perceived like an afterthought; it only takes a minute to cut a few rounds of fruit to the punch.

Food That Shine With Minimal Fuss

For me, I'd skip the readymade trays with "party foods" available at grocery stores at this time of year; they seem overly complicated, and usually involve turning the oven on (if you must go this route, know that everyone quietly prefers garlic bread and/or cocktail sausages regardless). It's my firm opinion you can't beat a couple of really big dishes of tasty crisps (plain salted is universally liked), and, provided there are no dietary restrictions, one of those big and excellent value packets of nuts typically found in the South Asian section of supermarkets, and maybe a few olives without stones for color (try not to still be finding stones around the house in the future).

If, as my mother says, you think snacks real food, one large piece of quality cheese on a platter alongside crackers and some artfully draped fruit always looks visually appealing. A platter featuring cured or cooked prosciutto or seafood laid out there (just one sort, except if money is no object), or an attractive store-bought tart, like those that appear in specialty sections at this time of year, proves more filling, and you really can't go wrong by serving rustic slices of focaccia, because they don't need additional preparation.

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