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During this festive time, when there is plenty happening which even energetic people may sometimes anticipate the calm break in the new year, it's very simple to forget things. I believe I'm not the only one who has ever felt jolted awake at work because of a message from a friend asking, "What time should we come us tonight?" No worries; whether you're absent minded, and simply inclined toward spontaneous plans, I have some solutions.

The Key to Successful Gatherings

Firstly, and I can't stress this enough, whether you've organized for a year versus just 15 minutes, the greatest events tend to be the most straightforward. All everyone is hoping for are a good chat, a drink to sip, plus sufficient food so guests do not feel like gnawing their arm on the bus back. Unless you're Jay Gatsby, nobody anticipates a full bar, fancy food and entertainers.

The greatest gatherings tend to be the easiest. That said, a concept helps to cover up the reality you've just put the event together on the way home from work.

Selecting a Concept to Focus The Shopping

Nevertheless, an overarching idea is helpful for disguising the fact you have only put the party on while returning from the office. And with a theme, I mean such as Christmas. Going slightly focused (Scandinavian Christmas, for instance, featuring glögg, spiced punch, smoked fish and crispbreads, Nordic beats playlist; or Mexican Christmas, including holiday punch, chilled brews or tequila drinks, and plenty of tortilla chips, salsa & avocado dip, with Luis Miguel playing) will focus your choices on the inevitable shopping trip.

Strategic Buying for The Party

In the store, choose a couple of drinks (one alcoholic for drinkers, a non-alcoholic one in case some avoid alcohol) and a couple of snacks suited to your concept, and purchase a generous amount within your budget, instead of fretting about offering guests endless options. Nothing looks more abundant and as festive as a bounty – I'd consistently rather to enter by a tub filled with cold bottles of competitively priced crémant or cava over one glass with fancy bubbly. (Chuck in a few bags of cubes, as well; there is never enough ice.)

Beverages and Large-Batch Drinks Simplified

If you feel the need to show off and provide a cocktail, then mix in advance a large batch in a jug so that you're not stuck faffing around with it when you should be having fun. Once the party begins, request a significant other or friend to watch it then replenish if required until it's gone. Apply the same with the soft drink; guests love to take on a task while socializing so they may share in the goodwill.

For large-batch drinks, whatever formula you pick (you can find plenty online), avoid anything excessively sweet – young ones present ought to have separate beverages – and if it's available, place flavor enhancers nearby (don't add them into the punch since they're not suitable for those who avoid alcohol entirely). Take care with presentation so the soft punch doesn't feel like an afterthought; it only takes a minute to slice several pieces of fruit to the punch.

Food That Work With Minimal Fuss

For me, I recommend passing on the pre-made trays with "party foods" that appear at grocery stores during the holidays; they come across as overly complicated, and often involve turning the oven on (if you must go this route, be aware that everyone secretly prefers toasted bread and/or small hot dogs anyway). It's my firm opinion you can't beat several sizable bowls of tasty snacks (plain salted will offend no one), plus, assuming no dietary restrictions, one of those large and economical packets with nuts typically found in the South Asian section of supermarkets, with perhaps a few pitted olives for color (it's best to avoid to find stones around the house next Easter).

In case, as my mother says, you feel crisps substantial fare, a single big slab of quality cheese on a platter with crackers plus beautifully placed grapes tends to seem artistic. A platter featuring preserved or ready-to-eat meats or fish laid out there (a single variety, except if you have a large budget), alternatively an attractive store-bought pastry, similar to available in specialty sections seasonally, proves more substantial, and you really won't fail by serving homestyle chunks of focaccia, since they don't need buttering.

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