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In this holiday time, while there's so much going on that even vivacious individuals may occasionally look forward to the calm respite of the new year, it's all too easy to overlook things. I expect I cannot be the only one who has ever felt surprised back to reality at work because of a text by a friend wondering, "What time are we expected over tonight?" Don't worry; if you are distracted, or just likely to make last-minute plans, I've got some solutions.

The Key to Great Get-Togethers

Firstly, though I cannot stress this enough, whether you've been planning for a year or only a quarter-hour, the best parties tend to be the most straightforward. All everyone really wants are engaging talks, a drink to enjoy, plus sufficient to eat so they do not end up chewing their arm on the ride back. If you're not you are throwing a lavish ball, nobody expects professional bartending, Michelin-starred food or musical performances.

The best parties are the most basic. That said, a concept is useful to disguise the fact you have just put the event on while coming home from work.

Picking a Concept to Guide The Shopping

Still, an overarching idea can be useful for disguising the fact you've only put this thing on on the way home from work. By concept, I mean such as Christmas. Going slightly more detailed (Scandinavian Christmas, for instance, with mulled wine, warm beverage, cured seafood plus crispbreads, Nordic beats playlist; or Mexican Christmas, with ponche navideño, cold beers and tequila drinks, and plenty of tortilla chips, spicy sauce & avocado dip, with Luis Miguel playing) can narrow your choices during the upcoming shopping trip.

Strategic Buying for Your Event

At the shops, pick one or two beverages (one alcoholic for drinkers, one not in case others don't want to) and a few snacks suited to your concept, and get as much of them as possible, rather than fretting about providing too much choice. Nothing appears as generous and celebratory as a bounty – I would consistently prefer to be welcomed with a container full of iced containers of reasonably priced sparkling wine than a single glass of swanky champagne. (Add several packs of ice, too; there is seldom enough ice.)

Cocktails and Party Beverages Simplified

Should you show off and serve a special beverage, then mix in advance a large batch in a container so you're not stuck faffing around with drinks when you should be having fun. Once the party begins, ask a close friend or volunteer to watch it then replenish when needed until it's gone. Apply the same with the soft drink; people enjoy to be given a role while socializing allowing them to share in the festive spirit.

On the punch front, whichever mix you go for (there are many online), steer clear of any recipe overly sugary – young ones there should have separate beverages – and if it's available, put a bottle of bitters nearby (avoid adding them in the mix as they are not suitable for people who do not consume drinks altogether). Take care with presentation so that the alcohol-free drink doesn't feel like an afterthought; just spend a moment to slice a few rounds of fruit into the bowl.

Food That Work Without Fuss

In my view, I recommend passing on the pre-made trays of "party foods" available in supermarkets seasonally; they seem fancy, and usually involve heating things up (if you choose to go this route, be aware that all guests truly likes toasted bread or cocktail sausages regardless). I'm convinced it's hard to top several really big containers with good-quality snacks (salted pleases everyone), plus, provided there are no allergies, a package of large and economical containers with nuts typically found with global foods at the market, and maybe a few pitted olives for color (it's best to avoid to still be finding stones in your pot plants in the future).

In case, as my mother says, you feel crisps real food, a single large piece of good cheese on a board with crackers and some artfully draped grapes often appears artistic. A platter with some cured or cooked salami or salmon arranged on it (just one sort, except if money is no object), alternatively a handsome store-bought pastry, like those available on deli counters seasonally, is even more filling, and you truly can't go wrong by serving artisanal chunks of flatbread, since they require no buttering.

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