Over the years, I’ve learned that party planning is both an art and a science.

Sure, you can pull together a casual dinner in a few hours. Your friends won’t mind if you forgot to pick up ice or didn’t plan any activities beyond chatting around the dining table. They’re not looking to be impressed—they’re just happy to catch up!

But with a few weeks of forethought and preparation? You can host the kind of gathering that people rave about for months.

We’re talking formal invitations, a theme, decorations, tons of yummy food and beverages, music, and maybe even dancing. If Emily Post herself showed up at your front door, she’d be smitten.

Of course, when planning a party like this, something always flies under the radar. No matter how many checklists you make, no matter how excited you are to host—there’s always something. For me, it’s dessert.

I always forget about dessert.

Which is tragic because… sugar. A great meal can always be topped off with a healthy dose of sugar. (Just ask Mary Poppins.)

And this is why I love (and rely on) Mary’s Mountain Cookies. Not only are their treats delicious, but they’re also versatile. I’m convinced they have a cookie for every occasion.

Dinner party, birthday party, office party—you name it, Mary has a cookie for it. There’s a two-ounce size, a five-ounce size, and even a sandwich cookie “Avalanche” for those times when unfrosted just won’t cut it.

In other words, forget that last-minute trip to Target to grab dessert. Once you’ve tried Mary’s treats, it’s impossible to go back to the mass-produced stuff.

For the record, I wasn’t paid to write any of this. I genuinely love Mary’s Mountain Cookies (especially around the holidays). Anyone who can keep my house stocked with treats has my undying gratitude. Plus, as a realtor in McKinney, I enjoy supporting our small businesses.

So, stop by Mary’s next time your party planning aspirations don’t quite go to plan. They’ve rescued me plenty of times, and I know they’ll be glad to do the same for you.