A $10 bottle of Prosecco, the Venetian sparkling white wine, should always be chilling in the refrigerator. It's more delicious than champagnes that cost twice as much, and it's all you need to celebrate a friend's promotion or a clean mammogram at a moment's notice. (Also keep a pack of birthday candles in the utensil drawer. A single candle plunked into a blueberry muffin can make all the difference to an almost-forgotten birthday girl.) And try to find something to celebrate every six months. "Champagne and sparkling whites are very frail, and have a shelf life of only six months to a year," says Willie Gluckstern, author of Wine Avenger (Fireside, $12). He recommends any Prosecco by Zardetto ($9.50, www.wine.com).

Toasting with flutes is a must. A flat, wide-mouthed glass or fruit-cocktail cup disperses the bubbles instantly. "And what's the point in celebrating without bubbles?" says Gluckstern.