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In the holiday period, while there's a lot going on that the most energetic individuals might sometimes look forward to the calm respite of the new year, it's very simple to forget things. I expect I cannot be the only one who's ever felt jolted back to reality at my desk because of a text from someone wondering, "What time are we expected us tonight?" Fear not; whether you're distracted, and just inclined toward last-minute invitations, I've got some solutions.

The Secret to Memorable Gatherings

Above all, though I can't emphasize this enough, whether you've organized for a year or just 15 minutes, the best parties are the simplest. All everyone expects is engaging talks, something to sip, plus sufficient food that guests don't feel like gnawing their arm during the ride home. Unless you are throwing a lavish ball, no one anticipates professional bartending, fancy catering or a live band.

The greatest gatherings are the simplest. However, a theme is useful to disguise the fact you've just thrown the event together while coming home from work.

Picking a Theme to Direct The Preparations

Still, a theme can be useful to conceal that you have only thrown this thing together while returning from the office. And by theme, I mean for example Christmas. Going slightly more detailed (Nordic holidays, for instance, featuring spiced drink, aromatic cocktail, cured seafood and flatbreads, Scandinavian music selection; alternatively fiesta-style party, with holiday punch, chilled brews and margaritas, and heaps of corn chips, salsa and green spread, with upbeat tunes in the background) helps direct the selection during the necessary supermarket sweep.

Strategic Purchasing to Support The Gathering

At the shops, choose a drink or two (one alcoholic for those who do, a non-alcoholic one for some avoid alcohol) plus some snacks suited to the theme, and purchase as many as you can afford, instead of stressing over giving people endless options. Nothing looks more abundant and as festive as plenty – I'd always prefer to be welcomed with a container filled with cold bottles with affordable bubbly than one glass with swanky bubbly. (Include several packs for chilling, too; there is seldom enough ice.)

Cocktails and Large-Batch Drinks Simplified

If you must demonstrate skills and offer a cocktail, then pre-mix a large batch in a pitcher so you're not stuck busying yourself with drinks while it's time to socializing. Once underway, request a close friend or helper to keep an eye on it then replenish as necessary till it's finished. Apply the same for the soft drink; people appreciate to take on a task at a party so they can share in some of positive vibes.

Regarding punch, whichever recipe you go for (you can find plenty online), skip anything overly sugary – children present should have separate beverages – and if you own one, plonk flavor enhancers within reach (avoid adding them in the mix as they're not suitable for people abstaining from alcohol entirely). Make an effort with how it looks so the alcohol-free drink doesn't seem like an afterthought; it doesn't take a moment to cut a few rounds of fruit to the punch.

Snacks That Work With Minimal Preparation

For me, I would avoid the store-bought assortments with "party foods" available at grocery stores during the holidays; they come across as fancy, and usually involve using the oven (if you must go this route, remember that everyone secretly likes herb bread or mini sausages regardless). It's my firm opinion it's hard to top several sizable containers of tasty crisps (salted will offend no one), plus, assuming no dietary restrictions, some of those large and economical packets with nuts often sold with global foods in stores, along with a few ready-to-eat olives for colour (try not to find pits in your pot plants next Easter).

In case, similar to some, you feel chips real food, a single big slab of quality cheese on a board alongside crackers plus beautifully placed grapes often appears painterly. A platter with some preserved or ready-to-eat prosciutto or seafood laid out on it (just one sort, unless you're wealthy), alternatively a handsome pre-made pastry, like those that appear in specialty sections seasonally, proves more substantial, and you truly won't fail with artisanal slices of flatbread, since they require no buttering.

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