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Throughout this holiday season, when there's a lot happening that even vivacious individuals may sometimes look forward to the quiet break in the new year, it's very simple to overlook things. I believe I'm not the sole person who's ever been startled back to reality at my desk because of a text from a friend asking, "What time do you want over tonight?" Fear not; if you are distracted, or simply prone to spontaneous invitations, I've got your back.

The Secret to Memorable Get-Togethers

First and foremost, and I cannot stress it enough, whether you have planned long in advance or only a short while, the best events tend to be the easiest. What everyone really wants is a good chat, a drink to sip, and enough nibbles that they don't feel like gnawing an arm off on the bus back. If you're not you're Jay Gatsby, nobody expects extensive drinks, fancy food and entertainers.

The best gatherings are the most basic. Still, a concept helps to mask the reality you've only thrown the party on on the way back from the office.

Picking a Style to Direct The Preparations

That said, a theme can be useful to conceal the fact you've just put the party on on the way after work. And with a theme, I mean something like a seasonal celebration. Getting slightly more specific (Scandinavian Christmas, say, with spiced drink, warm beverage, cured seafood and crispbreads, folk tunes selection; alternatively fiesta-style party, with ponche navideño, cold beers or margaritas, along with lots of tortilla chips, salsa and avocado dip, and Luis Miguel in the background) will focus the selection during the inevitable grocery run.

Strategic Shopping for The Party

While shopping, select one or two beverages (an alcoholic option for those who do, one not for others don't want to) and some nibbles suited to the theme, and buy as many as you can afford, rather than fretting about offering guests a wide selection. No thing appears as generous and as festive than a bounty – I'd consistently prefer to enter by a sink filled with cold bottles with competitively priced bubbly than a small serving of expensive bubbly. (Chuck in several packs of cubes, too; there is seldom plenty of ice.)

Beverages and Punch Simplified

If you must show off and serve a mixed drink, then pre-mix a big quantity in a jug so you aren't stuck faffing around with it when it's time to enjoying yourself. Once underway, request a partner or friend to watch the drinks then refill if required until it runs out. Follow suit with the non-alcoholic punch; people love to be given a role while socializing so they may experience a share of goodwill.

Regarding punch, whatever recipe you choose (there are many on the internet), avoid any recipe excessively sweet – children there should have separate beverages – and if it's available, put flavor enhancers close by (avoid adding any in the mix since they're not suitable for individuals who avoid alcohol altogether). Take care with how it looks so the alcohol-free drink doesn't feel neglected; it doesn't take a moment to cut a few rounds of lemon or orange into the bowl.

Snacks That Work With Minimal Preparation

For me, I recommend passing on the store-bought platters with "party foods" that appear at grocery stores during the holidays; they come across as fussy, and usually require using the oven (should you opt for these, remember that everyone quietly prefers toasted bread or small hot dogs regardless). I truly believe nothing beats several really big dishes of decent chips (salted pleases everyone), plus, provided there are no dietary restrictions, one of those large and economical packets of nuts often sold in the international aisle of supermarkets, along with a few pitted olives for color (you don't want to find stones around the house next Easter).

In case, like my mum, you think crisps proper food, a single sizeable chunk of tasty cheese on a board and crispbreads and some artfully draped grapes always looks painterly. A plate featuring cured or cooked salami or salmon arranged there (just one sort, except if money is no object), or an attractive ready-made tart, similar to available at delis seasonally, proves more filling, and you truly will succeed with homestyle chunks of flatbread, because they don't need additional preparation.

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