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In the busy season, while there's so much happening that the most lively people may sometimes look forward to a calm break in January, it is very simple to overlook things. I'm sure I cannot be the only one who's ever felt startled back to reality while at my desk by a message from a friend asking, "What time do you want us tonight?" Don't worry; whether you are distracted, and simply likely to make impromptu plans, I have you covered.

The Key to Great Parties

First and foremost, and I can't stress it enough, if you've organized for months versus just a short while, the most enjoyable events tend to be the most straightforward. All anyone expects is a good chat, a drink to enjoy, plus sufficient food so they don't feel like chewing something during the bus back. If you're not you are Jay Gatsby, nobody anticipates a full bar, fancy catering or musical performances.

The greatest parties are the easiest. That said, an idea helps to cover up the fact you have only thrown this thing on while coming after a long day.

Picking a Theme to Guide Your Preparations

Nevertheless, an overarching idea works well for disguising the fact you have just put this thing on on the way from the office. And with a theme, I mean something like the holidays. Going slightly more detailed (Nordic holidays, say, with glögg, warm beverage, fish snacks and flatbreads, folk tunes playlist; or Latin American celebration, including ponche navideño, refreshing lagers or cocktails, and lots of snacks, tomato dip and avocado dip, and Luis Miguel in the background) helps direct your choices during the upcoming shopping trip.

Strategic Purchasing for Your Event

While shopping, choose a drink or two (an alcoholic option for drinkers, one not in case some prefer not to) and some snacks suited to the style, then purchase as much of them as you can afford, rather than worrying about offering guests a wide selection. No thing appears more abundant and cheerful as abundance – I'd always rather to arrive by a tub full of iced containers of reasonably priced bubbly than a single glass with swanky bubbly. (Chuck in several packs for chilling, too; there is never sufficient ice.)

Drinks and Party Beverages Streamlined

If you feel the need to demonstrate skills and provide a cocktail, then pre-mix a large batch in a jug so that you aren't left busying yourself with it while you should be enjoying yourself. Once underway, enlist a close friend or volunteer to watch the drinks and replenish when needed until it's finished. Follow suit for the soft drink; guests appreciate to have a task while socializing so they may experience some of goodwill.

Regarding punch, whichever formula you choose (you can find plenty on the internet), avoid any recipe too sweet – young ones there need their own drinks – and should you own one, place a bottle of bitters within reach (don't add any into the punch since they're unsafe for those who avoid drinks altogether). Make an effort in presenting it so the alcohol-free drink isn't perceived neglected; it doesn't take a minute to add several pieces of fruit into the bowl.

Snacks That Shine With Minimal Effort

Personally, I recommend passing on the pre-made platters with "party foods" that pop up in shops seasonally; they seem fancy, and often involve heating things up (should you go this route, be aware that all guests secretly favors garlic bread or small hot dogs regardless). It's my firm opinion it's hard to top a couple of really big bowls of tasty chips (plain salted will offend no one), plus, assuming no allergies, some of those large and economical packets of mixed nuts available with global foods in stores, along with some ready-to-eat olives for colour (you don't want to discover stones around the house in the future).

If, like my mum, you don't consider chips real food, a single sizeable chunk of good cheese on a platter and crispbreads and some elegantly arranged grapes often appears artistic. A platter with some preserved or ready-to-eat prosciutto or seafood displayed there (only one type, except if you have a large budget), or a nice ready-made pie, of the type that pop up in specialty sections during festivities, is even more filling, while you truly can't go wrong by serving rustic slices of focaccia, since they require no spreading butter.

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