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Throughout the busy period, while there's plenty happening which even energetic individuals might sometimes look forward to the quiet break in January, it is all too easy to forget details. I'm sure I'm not the only person who has once felt surprised awake at my desk because of a text by a friend asking, "What time do you want over tonight?" No worries; if you're forgetful, or just inclined toward impromptu plans, I've got you covered.

The Secret to Successful Gatherings

First and foremost, though I can't stress this enough, if you've organized for months or just a quarter-hour, the most enjoyable events are the easiest. What anyone is hoping for is a good chat, something to sip, plus enough to eat that they do not end up chewing their arm during the ride home. Unless you are throwing a lavish ball, nobody anticipates a full bar, fancy food or a live band.

The most successful gatherings are the most basic. That said, a concept is useful to disguise the fact you have only thrown this thing on while coming after a long day.

Selecting a Concept to Focus The Shopping

Nevertheless, a theme can be useful to conceal that you have only put this thing together while returning after work. By concept, I mean something like a seasonal celebration. Going slightly more specific (Scandinavian Christmas, say, with spiced drink, spiced punch, cured seafood and rye crackers, Scandinavian music playlist; or Latin American celebration, with ponche navideño, chilled brews or cocktails, along with plenty of corn chips, spicy sauce and avocado dip, with festive music playing) can narrow your choices during the necessary supermarket sweep.

Smart Purchasing for The Party

While shopping, select a drink or two (one alcoholic for drinkers, one not in case others don't want to) plus a few nibbles that fit your concept, then get a generous amount as you can afford, rather than worrying about giving people too much choice. No thing looks as generous and celebratory as plenty – I would always rather to enter by a sink full of chilled bottles with reasonably priced crémant or cava over one glass with swanky champagne. (Chuck in several packs of ice, as well; there is never plenty of ice.)

Drinks and Punch Simplified

If you feel the need to impress and provide a special beverage, make sure to mix in advance a big quantity in a container so that you aren't stuck faffing around with it while it's time to enjoying yourself. Once the party begins, enlist a significant other or helper to keep an eye on the drinks and replenish if required till it's gone. Do the same for the soft drink; people enjoy to take on a job at a party so they can enjoy some of goodwill.

On the punch front, whichever recipe you go for (there are many via search), skip anything overly sugary – children present ought to have kid-friendly options – and if you have one, place a bottle of bitters nearby (avoid adding them in the mix as they are not suitable for those who do not consume alcohol entirely). Make an effort in presenting it so that the non-alcoholic option doesn't seem like an afterthought; just spend a short time to slice several pieces of lemon or orange into the bowl.

Snacks That Delight Without Effort

In my view, I recommend passing on the store-bought platters with "party foods" that appear at grocery stores seasonally; they feel fussy, and frequently involve using the oven (should you opt for these, know that everyone truly favors herb bread and/or small hot dogs anyway). It's my firm opinion it's hard to top a couple of really big dishes with good-quality crisps (simple will offend no one), and, provided there are no issues, one of those big and excellent value containers of nuts typically found in the South Asian section at the market, along with some ready-to-eat olives for colour (it's best to avoid to discover stones in your pot plants next Easter).

If, as my mother says, you don't consider chips real food, one big slab of quality cheese on a platter and crispbreads plus beautifully placed grapes always looks artistic. A platter featuring salted or prepared salami or salmon displayed there (only one type, except if money is no object), alternatively a handsome store-bought tart, similar to that pop up in specialty sections seasonally, is more substantial, while you really will succeed by serving rustic pieces of focaccia, because they require no buttering.

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