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In the busy season, when there's plenty going on which even lively people might sometimes look forward to the quiet respite in the new year, it is all too simple to forget details. I expect I cannot be the sole one who has ever felt jolted back to reality while at work because of an inquiry from someone asking, "What time should we come over tonight?" Fear not; whether you are distracted, and simply inclined toward impromptu gatherings, I have your back.

The Secret to Memorable Gatherings

First and foremost, though I cannot emphasize this enough, whether you've organized long in advance or just 15 minutes, the greatest parties tend to be the easiest. What everyone expects are pleasant conversation, a drink to enjoy, and sufficient to eat so they do not end up gnawing their arm on the ride home. Unless you're Jay Gatsby, nobody anticipates professional bartending, Michelin-starred catering or a live band.

The best parties are the simplest. However, a concept helps to cover up the reality you have just thrown the party on on the way back from the office.

Choosing a Style to Guide Your Preparations

That said, a theme can be useful to hide that you've just thrown this thing on while returning after work. By concept, I mean something like the holidays. Getting slightly more specific (Swedish-style festivities, for instance, with glögg, warm beverage, cured seafood and flatbreads, Nordic beats playlist; alternatively fiesta-style party, including traditional drink, cold beers and cocktails, and lots of tortilla chips, tomato dip & avocado dip, with Luis Miguel on the stereo) will focus your options on the inevitable supermarket sweep.

Strategic Shopping for Your Party

While shopping, choose one or two beverages (one alcoholic if you drink, one not for some don't want to) plus some appetizers that match the style, then buy as much of them as you can afford, instead of fretting about giving people a wide selection. No thing looks more welcoming and cheerful as abundance – I'd always rather to be welcomed with a sink filled with iced containers of competitively priced bubbly than a small serving of fancy champagne. (Include some bags of cubes, too; there is never plenty of ice.)

Beverages and Party Beverages Streamlined

Should you show off and serve a special beverage, then prepare ahead a big quantity in a container so you aren't stuck messing about with drinks when you should be enjoying yourself. After starting, enlist a partner or helper to monitor it then replenish as necessary until it's finished. Do the same for the alcohol-free option; guests love to be given a role at a party allowing them to share in a share of goodwill.

On the punch front, whatever mix you go for (they abound on the internet), steer clear of any recipe overly sugary – any kids there need kid-friendly options – and should you own one, put aromatic bitters close by (avoid adding any to the bowl since they're unsafe for people who avoid alcohol altogether). Make an effort with how it looks so that the non-alcoholic option doesn't feel like an afterthought; it only takes a minute to slice several pieces of citrus to the punch.

Food That Delight Without Fuss

For me, I would avoid the readymade platters with "party foods" that appear in supermarkets during the holidays; they seem fussy, and usually require heating things up (if you choose to do this, know that all guests quietly prefers herb bread or small hot dogs anyway). I truly believe it's hard to top two large containers with tasty chips (simple is universally liked), and, provided there are no issues, one of those great-value packets with nuts available with global foods at the market, with perhaps some olives without stones as a garnish (you don't want to still be finding pits around the house next Easter).

If, like my mum, you think crisps proper food, a single sizeable chunk of tasty cheese served simply and crispbreads and some artfully draped fruit always looks artistic. A plate featuring salted or prepared salami or salmon displayed there (just one sort, except if money is no object), alternatively a nice store-bought pie, similar to available in specialty sections seasonally, proves more substantial, and you really won't fail with homestyle pieces of Italian bread, since they don't need additional preparation.

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