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During this holiday season, when there's plenty going on which the most energetic people might occasionally long for a calm respite in the new year, it's very simple to forget details. I'm sure I'm not the sole person who has ever been jolted back to reality at my desk because of an inquiry by someone asking, "What time are we expected over later?" Don't worry; whether you're distracted, or simply prone to impromptu invitations, I have you covered.

The Key to Memorable Get-Togethers

Above all, and I can't emphasize it enough, whether you have planned for a year or just a short while, the best events are the easiest. All everyone really wants are engaging talks, something to enjoy, and sufficient food that they do not end up chewing something on the bus home. If you're not you're Jay Gatsby, no one expects professional bartending, Michelin-starred catering or musical performances.

The most successful parties tend to be the most basic. Still, a concept is useful to cover up the reality you have only thrown the party on while coming after a long day.

Choosing a Concept to Focus Your Preparations

Still, a theme works well to conceal that you have just thrown this thing together on the way after work. And with a theme, think of something like the holidays. Going a bit more detailed (Swedish-style festivities, for instance, with spiced drink, aromatic cocktail, smoked fish and rye crackers, folk tunes selection; alternatively Mexican Christmas, with traditional drink, cold beers and margaritas, and lots of corn chips, salsa & guacamole, and upbeat tunes in the background) will focus your choices during the inevitable grocery run.

Smart Buying for The Event

While shopping, select a couple of drinks (an alcoholic option if you drink, a non-alcoholic one for others prefer not to) plus a couple of appetizers that fit the theme, and purchase as much of them as possible, rather than worrying about offering guests a wide selection. No thing looks more welcoming and as festive as a bounty – I would always prefer to be welcomed by a sink full of cold bottles of reasonably priced bubbly over a single glass with fancy champagne. (Chuck in some bags of cubes, as well; there is never enough ice.)

Drinks & Punch Made Easy

Should you impress and offer a cocktail, then prepare ahead a large batch in a container so you're not left busying yourself with preparation when it's time to having fun. Once the party begins, ask a significant other or helper to monitor it and replenish when needed until it's finished. Apply the same with the non-alcoholic punch; guests enjoy to be given a task while socializing allowing them to experience the goodwill.

Regarding punch, whatever mix you go for (there are many via search), skip anything overly sugary – any kids present need separate beverages – and should you have one, plonk aromatic bitters nearby (avoid adding them in the mix since they're unsafe for individuals who avoid alcohol entirely). Make an effort with how it looks so that the non-alcoholic option doesn't feel neglected; it only takes a minute to cut a few rounds of citrus to the punch.

Food That Work Without Preparation

For me, I would avoid the pre-made platters of "party foods" that pop up at grocery stores seasonally; they feel fussy, and usually involve using the oven (if you choose to do this, know that everyone quietly favors garlic bread and/or small hot dogs anyway). It's my firm opinion you can't beat a couple of really big containers of decent chips (simple pleases everyone), plus, assuming no dietary restrictions, a package of big and excellent value bags of nuts often sold with global foods of supermarkets, with perhaps a few pitted olives for color (you don't want to discover pits around the house next Easter).

If, similar to some, you don't consider chips real food, a single sizeable chunk of quality cheese on a board alongside crackers plus elegantly arranged grapes tends to seem artistic. A plate with some preserved or ready-to-eat prosciutto or seafood arranged there (just one sort, except if you're wealthy), or a nice store-bought pastry, of the type that appear in specialty sections seasonally, is even more substantial, and you really can't go wrong with rustic pieces of focaccia, since there's no need for spreading butter.

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