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During this festive season, while there's so much happening that the most lively people might occasionally anticipate the quiet break of the new year, it's all too simple to overlook details. I expect I'm not the only one who's ever been surprised awake at work by a text by a friend asking, "What time should we come us later?" Fear not; if you're absent minded, and simply prone to last-minute invitations, I've got your back.

The Secret to Great Parties

Firstly, and I can't emphasize it enough, whether you have organized for a year or just a short while, the most enjoyable events are the simplest. What anyone is hoping for is engaging talks, a drink to drink, and sufficient nibbles so guests do not feel like gnawing something during the ride home. Unless you are throwing a lavish ball, nobody expects a full bar, Michelin-starred food and a live band.

The most successful parties are the most basic. Still, a theme helps to disguise the fact you've only put the event together while coming home from work.

Selecting a Style to Guide The Party Planning

Still, a theme works well for disguising the fact you have only put the party together on the way from the office. By concept, think of such as a seasonal celebration. Going slightly focused (Nordic holidays, for instance, featuring glögg, aromatic cocktail, fish snacks and rye crackers, Scandinavian music selection; alternatively fiesta-style party, including ponche navideño, cold beers and margaritas, along with plenty of corn chips, salsa & guacamole, and Luis Miguel in the background) will focus the selection on the inevitable supermarket sweep.

Smart Purchasing to Support The Event

While shopping, choose a couple of drinks (an alcoholic option if you drink, one not for some don't want to) and a few snacks that match the style, and purchase as much of them as possible, rather than stressing over offering guests too much choice. No thing appears more abundant and cheerful than abundance – I'd consistently prefer to be welcomed with a tub stocked with iced containers of competitively priced crémant or cava over a single glass of expensive bubbly. (Include a few bags for chilling, too; there is never enough ice.)

Cocktails and Punch Made Easy

If you must demonstrate skills and provide a mixed drink, make sure to pre-mix a sizable amount in a pitcher so that you're not stuck faffing around with drinks when it's time to enjoying yourself. Once the party begins, ask a close friend or helper to watch the drinks then top up if required till it's gone. Apply the same with the soft drink; people love to be given a role while socializing so they may enjoy the festive spirit.

For large-batch drinks, whichever recipe you go for (there are many on the internet), steer clear of anything excessively sweet – young ones there should have separate beverages – and should it's available, put a bottle of bitters within reach (avoid adding them in the mix as they're inappropriate for individuals who do not consume alcohol entirely). Put in some work with how it looks so that the non-alcoholic option isn't perceived like an afterthought; it doesn't take a short time to cut several pieces of citrus into the bowl.

Food That Delight Without Effort

For me, I would avoid the readymade assortments with "party foods" available in supermarkets seasonally; they seem overly complicated, and often require using the oven (if you must do this, remember that everyone truly likes herb bread and/or small hot dogs anyway). I truly believe it's hard to top several large containers of decent snacks (plain salted will offend no one), plus, provided there are no dietary restrictions, some of those big and excellent value containers with nuts available with global foods at the market, with perhaps some olives without stones for colour (you don't want to discover stones in odd places months later).

If, like my mum, you feel crisps substantial fare, one big slab of good cheese on a platter alongside crackers plus beautifully placed fruit often appears artistic. A plate with some cured or cooked salami or salmon arranged on it (a single variety, except if money is no object), alternatively an attractive store-bought tart, similar to that appear on deli counters at this time of year, is more filling, while you really will succeed by serving rustic slices of focaccia, since they require no buttering.

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