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In the holiday time, when there's plenty happening that even lively people may sometimes long for the quiet respite in the new year, it is very simple to overlook details. I expect I'm not the only person who has once been jolted back to reality at work by a text from someone asking, "What time should we come us tonight?" No worries; if you are distracted, and just prone to spontaneous plans, I've got some solutions.

The Secret to Great Parties

Above all, and I can't emphasize this enough, whether you've been planning long in advance versus only a quarter-hour, the best parties tend to be the easiest. All anyone is hoping for are pleasant conversation, a drink to enjoy, plus sufficient food so guests don't feel like chewing something during the ride back. Unless you are throwing a lavish ball, nobody expects extensive drinks, fancy food or musical performances.

The greatest gatherings tend to be the simplest. That said, a theme is useful to disguise the fact you've just put this thing together on the way back from the office.

Choosing a Theme to Focus The Shopping

Nevertheless, a theme can be useful to hide that you've just put the party on on the way home from work. And by theme, think of something like the holidays. Getting a bit focused (Scandinavian Christmas, for instance, with glögg, warm beverage, fish snacks plus crispbreads, folk tunes selection; or Latin American celebration, including holiday punch, cold beers or margaritas, and heaps of tortilla chips, spicy sauce and avocado dip, and festive music playing) can narrow your choices on the upcoming supermarket sweep.

Strategic Purchasing for Your Party

While shopping, choose a couple of drinks (one alcoholic for drinkers, one not in case others don't want to) plus a few nibbles that match the theme, and get as many as you can afford, instead of fretting about providing a wide selection. No thing looks more welcoming and as festive than plenty – I'd consistently rather to enter with a tub stocked with chilled bottles of affordable bubbly than a small serving with fancy champagne. (Chuck in some bags of ice, as well; you'll find seldom enough ice.)

Drinks and Party Beverages Streamlined

If you must demonstrate skills and serve a mixed drink, make sure to pre-mix a big quantity in a jug so that you aren't stuck faffing around with it when you ought to be enjoying yourself. Once the party begins, ask a partner or volunteer to monitor it then top up as necessary until it's gone. Apply the same with the soft drink; people appreciate to have a job while socializing so they can share in a share of goodwill.

On the punch front, whichever formula you pick (they abound via search), steer clear of any recipe excessively sweet – children there need kid-friendly options – and if you have one, put a bottle of bitters nearby (refrain from putting any into the punch as they are not suitable for those who do not consume alcohol altogether). Make an effort with how it looks so that the alcohol-free drink doesn't feel unimportant; just spend a short time to slice some slices of lemon or orange for garnish.

Nibbles That Shine With Minimal Fuss

In my view, I'd skip the pre-made platters of "party foods" available at grocery stores at this time of year; they seem overly complicated, and often involve turning the oven on (if you must go this route, know that all guests quietly likes herb bread and/or mini sausages anyway). I truly believe nothing beats two large dishes of decent crisps (plain salted is universally liked), and, assuming no issues, some of those big and excellent value packets with nuts available in the international aisle at the market, with perhaps some olives without stones for colour (you don't want to discover pits in odd places in the future).

If, like my mum, you feel snacks substantial fare, a single large piece of tasty cheese on a platter with crackers plus beautifully placed grapes often appears painterly. A serving dish featuring cured or cooked salami or salmon displayed on it (just one sort, unless you have a large budget), alternatively a nice pre-made tart, similar to available on deli counters during festivities, proves more satisfying, while you really will succeed with rustic slices of flatbread, because they require no buttering.

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