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Throughout this busy season, when there's so much happening that the most vivacious individuals might occasionally look forward to a calm break in January, it is all too easy to forget things. I'm sure I'm not the sole one who's ever been startled awake at my desk because of a text from a friend wondering, "What time do you want us tonight?" Fear not; if you're forgetful, or simply prone to last-minute invitations, I've got your back.

The Golden Rule to Successful Gatherings

First and foremost, though I cannot emphasize it enough, if you have organized for a year or only 15 minutes, the best parties are the simplest. All anyone really wants are a good chat, a drink to sip, and sufficient food that they don't end up chewing an arm off on the ride home. Unless you are Jay Gatsby, no one anticipates a full bar, Michelin-starred catering or musical performances.

The most successful parties tend to be the simplest. Still, a theme is useful to mask the reality you've just put the party together on the way home from work.

Choosing a Style to Focus Your Preparations

Nevertheless, a theme can be useful for disguising that you have just put this thing on on the way home from work. By concept, think of something like Christmas. Going a bit more detailed (Scandinavian Christmas, for instance, with mulled wine, aromatic cocktail, cured seafood and rye crackers, Scandinavian music selection; alternatively Mexican Christmas, including traditional drink, chilled brews or tequila drinks, along with plenty of tortilla chips, salsa & guacamole, with festive music on the stereo) will focus your choices during the inevitable supermarket sweep.

Strategic Shopping for The Gathering

In the store, pick a couple of drinks (one alcoholic for drinkers, a non-alcoholic one for some don't want to) plus a couple of appetizers that match the style, and get as many as possible, instead of fretting about offering guests a wide selection. Nothing looks more welcoming and celebratory as plenty – I would always rather to arrive by a tub stocked with chilled bottles with competitively priced bubbly than a single glass of expensive champagne. (Add some bags of ice, as well; there is never plenty of ice.)

Cocktails & Large-Batch Drinks Streamlined

If you feel the need to impress and offer a special beverage, then prepare ahead a big quantity in a container so you're not left messing about with it when you ought to be having fun. After starting, ask a close friend or friend to keep an eye on it then refill when needed till it's gone. Apply the same with the soft drink; guests appreciate to take on a role at a party so they may enjoy the positive vibes.

For large-batch drinks, whatever mix you choose (you can find plenty online), steer clear of anything excessively sweet – children present ought to have their own drinks – and if it's available, place a bottle of bitters within reach (refrain from putting them into the punch as they're not suitable for individuals who do not consume alcohol altogether). Put in some work with presentation so the alcohol-free drink isn't perceived unimportant; it only takes a short time to slice a few rounds of citrus to the punch.

Food That Work Without Effort

For me, I would avoid the pre-made assortments with "party foods" that pop up in supermarkets during the holidays; they seem fancy, and frequently require using the oven (if you choose to go this route, be aware that everyone truly favors herb bread or cocktail sausages anyway). I'm convinced nothing beats several sizable bowls of decent chips (salted is universally liked), plus, assuming no allergies, some of those great-value packets with nuts available in the South Asian section at the market, and maybe some olives without stones as a garnish (try not to discover stones in your pot plants months later).

If, as my mother says, you feel snacks proper food, one big slab of quality cheese on a board with crackers plus artfully draped fruit often appears artistic. A plate featuring cured or cooked salami or salmon displayed there (only one type, except if money is no object), alternatively an attractive pre-made pie, of the type that appear on deli counters during festivities, is even more substantial, while you really won't fail with homestyle slices of flatbread, because they don't need additional preparation.

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