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Throughout the busy time, while there's so much going on which the most energetic people may occasionally anticipate a quiet respite of January, it's all too simple to forget things. I'm sure I'm not the sole one who's once been jolted back to reality while at my desk by an inquiry from someone wondering, "What time do you want us later?" Fear not; whether you are absent minded, or just likely to make impromptu plans, I have some solutions.

The Golden Rule to Successful Gatherings

Firstly, and I cannot emphasize this sufficiently, if you've planned for a year or just a short while, the most enjoyable parties tend to be the simplest. All everyone is hoping for is a good chat, a drink to drink, plus sufficient to eat so they do not end up gnawing something on the ride home. Unless you're throwing a lavish ball, no one anticipates extensive drinks, Michelin-starred catering and entertainers.

The greatest parties tend to be the simplest. However, an idea helps to cover up the fact you've only put this thing on while coming back from the office.

Picking a Theme to Focus The Preparations

That said, a theme works well for disguising that you've only put the party together on the way from the office. And by theme, I mean such as a seasonal celebration. Getting slightly more detailed (Swedish-style festivities, for instance, featuring mulled wine, spiced punch, fish snacks and rye crackers, Scandinavian music playlist; alternatively fiesta-style party, with holiday punch, chilled brews and cocktails, along with heaps of snacks, spicy sauce and green spread, with upbeat tunes on the stereo) helps direct your choices during the necessary supermarket sweep.

Practical Purchasing for The Event

At the shops, choose a drink or two (an alcoholic option for those who do, one not in case others don't want to) plus a few nibbles that fit your concept, and get as many as possible, rather than stressing over providing too much choice. Nothing looks more welcoming and celebratory than plenty – I'd always prefer to be welcomed with a container stocked with iced containers with reasonably priced bubbly over a single glass of swanky bubbly. (Add a few bags of ice, as well; you'll find never plenty of ice.)

Beverages & Large-Batch Drinks Made Easy

If you must show off and serve a mixed drink, make sure to pre-mix a big quantity in a container so you're not stuck messing about with drinks when you ought to be socializing. Once the party begins, ask a partner or volunteer to watch the drinks then top up as necessary till it's finished. Follow suit with the alcohol-free option; people appreciate to be given a role during gatherings so they may share in the goodwill.

For large-batch drinks, whichever mix you pick (there are many via search), skip anything excessively sweet – any kids there should have separate beverages – and if you have one, plonk a bottle of bitters nearby (refrain from putting them to the bowl as they're inappropriate for people abstaining from drinks altogether). Put in some work with how it looks so the non-alcoholic option isn't perceived neglected; just spend a moment to slice a few rounds of lemon or orange into the bowl.

Nibbles That Work Without Fuss

For me, I recommend passing on the store-bought trays of "party foods" that pop up at grocery stores at this time of year; they seem overly complicated, and frequently require turning the oven on (if you choose to do this, know that everyone secretly favors toasted bread and/or cocktail sausages regardless). I'm convinced it's hard to top two large containers with good-quality snacks (simple pleases everyone), and, provided there are no allergies, some of those big and excellent value containers of mixed nuts available in the international aisle of supermarkets, and maybe some olives without stones as a garnish (you don't want to discover pits in your pot plants next Easter).

If, like my mum, you don't consider chips proper food, one sizeable chunk of tasty cheese on a board and crispbreads plus elegantly arranged grapes often appears painterly. A platter with some preserved or ready-to-eat prosciutto or seafood arranged on it (only one type, except if you have a large budget), or a nice store-bought pie, of the type that pop up in specialty sections during festivities, is even more substantial, while you truly won't fail by serving artisanal chunks of Italian bread, since they require no spreading butter.

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