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Throughout this festive season, while there's so much going on that even lively people may occasionally anticipate a calm respite in the new year, it is very simple to overlook things. I'm sure I'm not the only person who's once felt startled back to reality while at work because of a message from a friend asking, "What time are we expected over tonight?" Fear not; if you are absent minded, and just likely to make spontaneous plans, I've got some solutions.

The Key to Successful Get-Togethers

Firstly, though I can't stress it sufficiently, if you've organized for months or just 15 minutes, the best events are the easiest. All anyone expects are engaging talks, a drink to drink, and enough food so they do not feel like chewing their arm during the bus home. If you're not you are a fictional millionaire, nobody expects extensive drinks, gourmet food or entertainers.

The most successful gatherings tend to be the most basic. Still, a theme is useful to mask the fact you've just thrown this thing on on the way back from the office.

Choosing a Theme to Focus Your Preparations

Still, a theme can be useful to conceal the fact you've only put this thing on while returning home from work. And by theme, I mean something like Christmas. Getting slightly more specific (Scandinavian Christmas, say, featuring glögg, warm beverage, cured seafood and rye crackers, Scandinavian music playlist; or Mexican Christmas, including traditional drink, cold beers or cocktails, along with heaps of tortilla chips, tomato dip & guacamole, and festive music in the background) will focus your choices on the upcoming supermarket sweep.

Strategic Purchasing for Your Gathering

In the store, pick one or two beverages (an alcoholic option for drinkers, a non-alcoholic one for others avoid alcohol) and some nibbles that fit your concept, then get as much of them within your budget, rather than worrying about providing a wide selection. No thing appears more abundant and cheerful than plenty – I would always prefer to arrive by a tub stocked with chilled bottles with affordable sparkling wine over one glass of expensive champagne. (Include some bags of cubes, too; you'll find never sufficient ice.)

Beverages and Large-Batch Drinks Made Easy

If you feel the need to impress and provide a special beverage, make sure to prepare ahead a large batch in a pitcher so that you're not left messing about with drinks while you should be enjoying yourself. After starting, enlist a partner or friend to monitor the drinks and refill if required until it's finished. Follow suit with the non-alcoholic punch; guests appreciate to take on a role at a party so they can enjoy a share of goodwill.

For large-batch drinks, whichever mix you pick (you can find plenty on the internet), steer clear of anything overly sugary – any kids present ought to have kid-friendly options – and if you have one, place flavor enhancers within reach (avoid adding any in the mix since they're unsafe for individuals who avoid alcohol entirely). Make an effort with presentation so that the non-alcoholic option isn't perceived unimportant; it doesn't take a moment to cut a few rounds of citrus into the bowl.

Nibbles That Shine With Minimal Effort

In my view, I would avoid the store-bought trays of "party foods" that pop up in supermarkets during the holidays; they feel fussy, and usually require using the oven (if you must go this route, be aware that all guests secretly prefers garlic bread and/or cocktail sausages anyway). I'm convinced it's hard to top a couple of large dishes with decent crisps (plain salted will offend no one), plus, provided there are no dietary restrictions, some of those large and economical bags of mixed nuts often sold in the international aisle of supermarkets, with perhaps some pitted olives for color (it's best to avoid to find stones in odd places months later).

If, like my mum, you don't consider chips real food, a single large piece of tasty cheese served simply and crispbreads plus elegantly arranged grapes tends to seem artistic. A plate featuring salted or prepared prosciutto or seafood arranged there (a single variety, unless you're wealthy), alternatively an attractive pre-made tart, like those available at delis at this time of year, is even more filling, and you really can't go wrong with artisanal chunks of focaccia, because they don't need spreading butter.

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