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During this holiday period, when there's plenty going on which the most energetic individuals may sometimes look forward to the calm respite in the new year, it's very simple to forget things. I'm sure I'm not the sole person who's ever been surprised back to reality at my desk because of a message by a friend asking, "What time do you want us later?" Don't worry; if you are absent minded, and simply prone to last-minute invitations, I have your back.

The Key to Successful Parties

Above all, and I can't stress this sufficiently, if you've been planning for a year versus just 15 minutes, the greatest events are the easiest. What everyone is hoping for are pleasant conversation, something to sip, plus sufficient to eat that they do not end up gnawing their arm during the ride home. Unless you're Jay Gatsby, no one expects a full bar, gourmet catering and musical performances.

The best parties tend to be the easiest. However, an idea is useful to cover up the reality you've only thrown the party together on the way back from the office.

Picking a Concept to Guide The Shopping

That said, a theme can be useful for disguising the fact you have only put the party together on the way after work. By concept, think of such as Christmas. Going slightly focused (Scandinavian Christmas, for instance, featuring mulled wine, warm beverage, cured seafood plus flatbreads, folk tunes selection; alternatively Latin American celebration, with holiday punch, chilled brews and tequila drinks, and plenty of snacks, salsa and guacamole, with Luis Miguel in the background) will focus your choices on the inevitable shopping trip.

Strategic Shopping for Your Gathering

In the store, choose one or two beverages (one alcoholic if you drink, one not for some don't want to) plus a couple of nibbles that fit your concept, and get as much of them as possible, instead of stressing over offering guests endless options. No thing looks more abundant and celebratory than a bounty – I'd consistently rather to arrive by a tub full of iced containers of affordable bubbly than a single glass of fancy champagne. (Add some bags of ice, as well; there is never enough ice.)

Cocktails & Party Beverages Made Easy

If you must show off and serve a cocktail, make sure to mix in advance a sizable amount in a jug so you aren't stuck busying yourself with drinks when you ought to be enjoying yourself. After starting, ask a close friend or volunteer to monitor it then refill when needed until it's finished. Apply the same with the non-alcoholic punch; guests appreciate to have a job at a party so they can experience some of festive spirit.

Regarding punch, whatever formula you go for (there are many on the internet), steer clear of anything excessively sweet – any kids present ought to have separate beverages – and should you own one, plonk aromatic bitters nearby (avoid adding any to the bowl as they are inappropriate for people who avoid drinks entirely). Put in some work in presenting it so the soft punch doesn't seem unimportant; it only takes a minute to slice some slices of lemon or orange to the punch.

Nibbles That Delight With Minimal Fuss

In my view, I'd skip the pre-made trays with "party foods" that appear in shops at this time of year; they seem overly complicated, and usually require turning the oven on (should you opt for these, remember that everyone secretly likes herb bread or cocktail sausages anyway). I'm convinced you can't beat a couple of sizable dishes of good-quality snacks (salted is universally liked), plus, assuming no dietary restrictions, a package of great-value bags with nuts typically found in the South Asian section of supermarkets, with perhaps a few olives without stones for color (try not to discover stones in odd places months later).

If, like my mum, you think chips proper food, one sizeable chunk of quality cheese on a platter alongside crackers and some elegantly arranged fruit always looks painterly. A serving dish with some salted or prepared salami or salmon laid out on it (a single variety, except if money is no object), alternatively a nice ready-made tart, like those available on deli counters at this time of year, is more filling, while you really will succeed by serving artisanal chunks of focaccia, because there's no need for additional preparation.

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