Four Must-haves at Your Next Holiday Party

'Tis the season for holiday festivities. It's time to embrace the spirit of the season by entertaining friends, family and coworkers. If you're throwing a soiree this winter, don't forget to keep a stock of these key elements at the ready.

A varied beverage selection

You don't have to lay out a liquor spread that rivals your local bar, but you do want to represent the varied tastes of your guests. Take advantage of the excellent seasonal libations to help your guests enjoy themselves more fully. Epicurious.com has great beverage recipes that can be made in advance, so on the night of the big event you're mingling with guests, not stuck behind the bar.

Eggnog can be made with or without alcohol. If you choose to make it alcoholic, bourbon or dark rum will complement, not counteract, eggnog's heaviness.
Champagne cocktails please every palate. Make yours in a large punch bowl before your guests arrive to minimize time spent mixing drinks.

Seasonal beers give beer-drinkers something to cheer about and embody wintry spices and flavors. Sam Adams mixes six of their seasonal beers in a case you can buy at your grocery store for the ultimate in variety.

Sangria, while traditionally thought of as a summer drink, is still a crowd-pleaser and favorite of party hosts. A sturdy grape like Beaujolais will blend well with other flavors and thrives when it's chilled.

Apple Cider can be purchased either alcoholic or nonalcoholic. It doesn't require much effort; just heat before guests arrive and serve it in a big mug with a cinnamon stick.

Crudite and Cheese Plate

Raw vegetables give guests something to munch on while they mingle; they also appeal to healthy eaters and vegetarians. Pick three or four vegetables you like and arrange them on a plate with two or three dressings-low-fat ranch and some sort of vinaigrette should be among them-and a warm dip like spinach and artichoke dip.

Cheese plates offer more flexibility. The best cheese plates contain four to six selections that range in flavor from mild to robust and in texture from hard to soft, but you should pick what you like. Pair them with complementary accoutrements like honey, sliced green apples, dried unsweetened fruit, nuts and plenty of crackers or toasted rounds. Grocery stores like Whole Foods let you try before you buy, and their associates can help you pick something to complement the cheeses you select.

Water

This is the most commonly forgotten beverage at a party. Water helps cleanse the palate between dishes and drinks, and a hydrated guest is a happy one. And water is an easy option for teetotalers that won't have anything to do with your alcoholic beverage offerings. Water is also useful to help sober up guests who have had a bit too much to drink.

Sweets and Coffee

No soiree is complete without holiday sweets. They're easy to pick up from a local bakery or grocery store. Fruit pies and tarts, gingerbread cookies, pound cake, ginger snaps, chocolate truffles-pick a few of your favorites and serve with cocktail napkins or small plates and a cup of hot coffee (Bailey's Irish Cream optional).

These suggestions can be either frugal or extravagant, depending on the type of party you throw. Apple juice can substitute for hot apple cider, and home-baked goods can be less expensive than store-bought ones. Similarly, a gourmet grocery store will have cheese and wine for purchase that will impress any gourmand. Employ a friend or two to give you a hand in the kitchen, or make your party a potluck and have every guest bring their favorite winter beverage or snack. However, the most important component of a successful holiday party is the spirit of the season.