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In the festive period, when there's a lot going on which the most vivacious individuals might occasionally long for a calm respite in January, it is very easy to overlook things. I expect I cannot be the only person who's once felt surprised back to reality at work because of a text by a friend asking, "What time do you want over tonight?" Fear not; whether you're distracted, and just prone to spontaneous plans, I've got your back.

The Golden Rule to Great Parties

First and foremost, and I cannot emphasize this enough, whether you have been planning for a year or just 15 minutes, the best events tend to be the most straightforward. All everyone is hoping for is a good chat, a drink to enjoy, and sufficient nibbles that they do not end up chewing their arm during the bus back. Unless you are Jay Gatsby, no one anticipates extensive drinks, gourmet catering or entertainers.

The greatest parties tend to be the simplest. Still, a concept is useful to cover up the reality you've just put the event on on the way home from work.

Selecting a Theme to Focus Your Party Planning

Nevertheless, a theme works well to hide that you've only put the party on on the way home from work. And with a theme, I mean such as Christmas. Going slightly more specific (Swedish-style festivities, say, featuring mulled wine, spiced punch, smoked fish plus rye crackers, Nordic beats playlist; or Latin American celebration, with holiday punch, cold beers and margaritas, along with heaps of corn chips, spicy sauce and green spread, with festive music on the stereo) will focus the selection during the necessary supermarket sweep.

Strategic Purchasing for The Party

At the shops, pick a couple of drinks (one alcoholic for those who do, one not for some don't want to) plus a few appetizers that match the style, and get as many as possible, instead of stressing over providing too much choice. No thing looks more welcoming and celebratory as a bounty – I'd always rather to arrive with a container full of cold bottles of competitively priced bubbly than a single glass with swanky champagne. (Chuck in some bags for chilling, as well; you'll find never enough ice.)

Beverages & Large-Batch Drinks Made Easy

Should you demonstrate skills and provide a cocktail, make sure to pre-mix a big quantity in a pitcher so you're not left faffing around with drinks when it's time to socializing. Once underway, enlist a significant other or helper to keep an eye on the drinks and top up as necessary till it's finished. Do the same for the soft drink; guests appreciate to take on a task during gatherings so they can share in some of goodwill.

For large-batch drinks, whatever recipe you pick (they abound on the internet), skip any recipe overly sugary – young ones present should have their own drinks – and should you own one, place a bottle of bitters close by (don't add them into the punch as they are unsafe for those who do not consume alcohol entirely). Take care with how it looks so that the soft punch doesn't seem unimportant; just spend a moment to cut some slices of fruit into the bowl.

Nibbles That Delight Without Effort

For me, I'd skip the readymade assortments of "party foods" that appear in supermarkets during the holidays; they feel overly complicated, and frequently require using the oven (should you do this, know that all guests truly likes toasted bread or mini sausages anyway). I truly believe it's hard to top several large dishes with good-quality chips (salted will offend no one), and, provided there are no allergies, one of those large and economical packets of mixed nuts often sold in the international aisle in stores, along with some pitted olives as a garnish (try not to find pits in odd places next Easter).

If, similar to some, you think chips real food, one sizeable chunk of tasty cheese on a platter alongside crackers and some beautifully placed grapes always looks visually appealing. A serving dish with some salted or prepared meats or fish laid out on it (only one type, except if you're wealthy), alternatively a nice ready-made tart, similar to that appear at delis during festivities, proves more filling, and you really will succeed with rustic chunks of focaccia, since they require no additional preparation.

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