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During this holiday season, while there is so much happening that even lively people might sometimes anticipate the quiet break in January, it's very simple to neglect things. I believe I'm not the only person who's ever felt jolted awake while at work because of a message from a friend asking, "What time do you want us later?" Fear not; whether you are distracted, and just inclined toward last-minute gatherings, I've got your back.

The Secret to Successful Get-Togethers

Firstly, though I cannot emphasize this sufficiently, if you've organized for a year or just a short while, the best parties tend to be the easiest. What anyone really wants is engaging talks, a drink to enjoy, and sufficient to eat so they don't feel like gnawing an arm off on the ride back. Unless you're throwing a lavish ball, nobody expects professional bartending, gourmet food and musical performances.

The most successful gatherings are the simplest. However, a theme is useful to cover up the reality you have just put the event on while coming home from work.

Choosing a Theme to Direct The Party Planning

Still, an overarching idea is helpful to conceal the fact you have just put this thing on on the way home from work. And by theme, think of something like Christmas. Getting slightly focused (Scandinavian Christmas, for instance, featuring mulled wine, warm beverage, smoked fish plus rye crackers, Nordic beats selection; alternatively Mexican Christmas, including traditional drink, refreshing lagers or margaritas, along with plenty of snacks, salsa & green spread, with festive music in the background) can narrow the selection during the inevitable grocery run.

Strategic Shopping for Your Party

While shopping, select a drink or two (one alcoholic for those who do, one not in case some avoid alcohol) plus a couple of snacks suited to the theme, then get as much of them as you can afford, rather than fretting about giving people too much choice. Nothing appears more welcoming and as festive as a bounty – I would always prefer to arrive with a container filled with iced containers with reasonably priced sparkling wine over a single glass with expensive bubbly. (Add a few bags for chilling, too; you'll find seldom enough ice.)

Drinks & Punch Simplified

If you feel the need to impress and offer a mixed drink, make sure to prepare ahead a sizable amount in a jug so you aren't left busying yourself with preparation while you should be socializing. Once underway, ask a close friend or friend to watch it then top up when needed until it's finished. Apply the same with the non-alcoholic punch; people love to have a job while socializing allowing them to share in a share of festive spirit.

For large-batch drinks, whatever formula you choose (they abound online), avoid anything excessively sweet – young ones present should have kid-friendly options – and if you own one, put aromatic bitters nearby (refrain from putting them to the bowl since they're not suitable for those abstaining from drinks entirely). Make an effort with how it looks so that the soft punch doesn't feel like an afterthought; it only takes a short time to slice some slices of lemon or orange to the punch.

Snacks That Delight Without Effort

For me, I would avoid the readymade assortments of "party foods" that pop up in shops seasonally; they come across as fussy, and often involve using the oven (if you must opt for these, be aware that everyone secretly favors toasted bread or small hot dogs anyway). It's my firm opinion nothing beats a couple of sizable containers of decent snacks (plain salted pleases everyone), plus, assuming no allergies, some of those large and economical bags with nuts typically found in the international aisle of supermarkets, and maybe some ready-to-eat olives for colour (it's best to avoid to still be finding stones in your pot plants in the future).

In case, as my mother says, you don't consider snacks real food, one large piece of quality cheese served simply alongside crackers plus elegantly arranged grapes often appears visually appealing. A platter with some salted or prepared salami or salmon arranged on it (only one type, except if money is no object), alternatively an attractive pre-made pie, like those that appear at delis at this time of year, is more filling, and you truly can't go wrong by serving artisanal chunks of flatbread, since there's no need for spreading butter.

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