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During the holiday time, when there is plenty happening which even energetic people might sometimes long for a calm break in the new year, it's very easy to forget things. I expect I cannot be the only person who has ever been surprised back to reality at my desk by a message by someone asking, "What time should we come over tonight?" Fear not; if you're forgetful, and simply prone to spontaneous plans, I have some solutions.

The Golden Rule to Memorable Gatherings

First and foremost, and I cannot emphasize it enough, whether you've planned for months or just a quarter-hour, the greatest events are the most straightforward. What anyone expects is a good chat, a drink to drink, and enough nibbles so they do not feel like gnawing their arm on the ride home. If you're not you're throwing a lavish ball, nobody anticipates a full bar, gourmet catering and musical performances.

The most successful gatherings are the most basic. However, a theme is useful to mask the fact you have just put the party together while coming after a long day.

Selecting a Concept to Focus Your Party Planning

Still, an overarching idea is helpful for disguising the fact you've just thrown the party together while returning after work. And by theme, think of for example Christmas. Getting slightly more detailed (Scandinavian Christmas, for instance, with mulled wine, warm beverage, fish snacks and crispbreads, Nordic beats selection; alternatively Latin American celebration, with traditional drink, refreshing lagers and tequila drinks, along with lots of tortilla chips, tomato dip & green spread, with upbeat tunes on the stereo) will focus the selection during the upcoming shopping trip.

Smart Purchasing for Your Party

While shopping, choose one or two beverages (an alcoholic option if you drink, one not for some don't want to) plus some snacks suited to the style, then get as many as you can afford, rather than fretting about offering guests too much choice. No thing appears more abundant and cheerful as plenty – I'd always prefer to enter by a tub full of iced containers of competitively priced bubbly than one glass with swanky champagne. (Add some bags of cubes, too; you'll find never sufficient ice.)

Cocktails & Large-Batch Drinks Simplified

Should you show off and serve a mixed drink, make sure to mix in advance a big quantity in a container so you aren't left busying yourself with drinks when you should be enjoying yourself. Once underway, enlist a close friend or volunteer to watch it then refill if required until it's finished. Apply the same with the soft drink; people love to take on a task while socializing so they can enjoy some of festive spirit.

Regarding punch, whichever formula you go for (you can find plenty via search), avoid any recipe overly sugary – any kids present need kid-friendly options – and should you own one, place a bottle of bitters nearby (avoid adding any to the bowl as they're unsafe for people who avoid drinks entirely). Put in some work with how it looks so the soft punch isn't perceived like an afterthought; it only takes a short time to cut several pieces of lemon or orange for garnish.

Food That Shine With Minimal Fuss

In my view, I would avoid the readymade trays of "party foods" available at grocery stores seasonally; they feel fussy, and frequently involve turning the oven on (if you choose to go this route, remember that everyone truly prefers herb bread and/or small hot dogs regardless). I'm convinced you can't beat two sizable dishes with decent snacks (salted will offend no one), plus, provided there are no dietary restrictions, some of those large and economical containers of mixed nuts available with global foods of supermarkets, along with some pitted olives for color (you don't want to still be finding pits in odd places months later).

In case, like my mum, you think snacks substantial fare, one large piece of quality cheese served simply and crispbreads plus beautifully placed fruit often appears painterly. A serving dish featuring cured or cooked salami or salmon arranged on it (only one type, except if you have a large budget), or a nice ready-made tart, similar to that pop up in specialty sections seasonally, is more satisfying, and you truly won't fail with artisanal chunks of flatbread, because they require no spreading butter.

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