How do you get ahead for the holidays?

I stock up on items for impromptu entertaining (such as wine, Champagne, hot chocolate, cinnamon sticks, crackers, cheese, olives, and nuts) so I never have to scramble when frequent unexpected company drops in. We light a fire, put on some music, and voila — an instant, no-fuss holiday get-together.

This tip comes from Real Simple reader REBECCA CUSANELLI, Naperville, Illinois