Ask yourself this: do you really want to spend all the time (and effort) it takes to mix a fancy cocktail for each of your guests. Do that, and you'll miss the party. Trust me, I know--at a recent party my cocktail ambitions got the best of me and I spent the entire party muddling and shaking. Instead, make punch. It's festive, it's best made in advance, and nothing says "Let's Party!" like a big bowl of the stuff. I've listed five of my favorite potent punches that were stars of past holiday parties. Just don't blame me if you end up enjoying the punch a little too much.

Related: Bon Appétit's 31 Favorite Winter Cocktails

More from Bon Appétit:

• 27 Winter Party Appetizers

  
  

• Bon Appétit's Top 25 Christmas Menus

• 31 Stunning Holiday Desserts

  
  

• Bon Appétit's 31 Favorite Holiday Cookies

• 6 Fun and Festive Brunch Menus

Bob HiemstraReal Simple readers offer small-budget Christmas-gift ideas and other insights on how to keep holidays from wrecking your financial plan.


Coupons, coupons, coupons! I begin early, and I'm diligent. Start collecting them, make your list, then try to use at least one coupon for each person. The savings will be dramatic. The trick? Don't buy more just because you saved money.
Donna Panzarino
South Hempstead, New York

Shop with a plan. I never leave the house without concrete ideas and a list of what I am buying and for whom. And don't hit the stores willy-nilly. Go to the departments and aisles that have the items on your list, and do not detour to other areas of the store. You save money and precious time.
Patti Byrne
High Ridge, Missouri

My friends and I exchange birthday gifts but not holiday gifts. Instead, we get together at someone's house to enjoy a glass of wine and wrap presents together. By limiting gift buying to family, it's much easier to stay within my budget.
Dana

The expectations are high. The preparations are exhausting. The extended family is growing. And the holidays are imminent. If the stress of the season hasn't gotten to you yet, it may soon. One way to deal with it is to avoid old habits and patterns that have led to conflict in the past. Read on to learn how to rid yourself of six habits that can sabotage the season.






1. Being Inflexible

As families grow, it becomes less likely that everybody can be in one place for the holidays. It's a tough decision, especially when family members live far and wide and everyone wants to celebrate with the kids. If relatives decide to spend the holidays away from you this year, believe them when they say it was a difficult decision. Instead of getting angry, follow these tips to make the best of the situation.

2. Not Taking Time for Yourself

Believe it or not, your family will understand if you aren't around 24/7 while they're visiting. If you take a time-out every now and then or take a day off

"I'm going to be asked by my aunt, yet again, why I'm not married, and am tired of answering the question with 'Because I haven't met anyone yet.' Because the look on my aunt's face when I say that is, like, triumphant. 'Oh dear,' she says, shaking her head. 'I guess, well,' and here she smiles, 'no one's really good enough. Such a shame. How old are you now?'"

"My brothers are going to tease me about gaining weight. I need a quick answer that doesn't humiliate me. Help!"

"My mother will put down my boyfriend-a fabulous carpenter just starting out--with little snyde comments like, "And what do you do again, dear?"

Okay darling earth girls, time to get smart-now, before Christmas.

Answers to stupid questions require planning ahead, lest they make you so mad you lose your cool.. Here are three tried-and-true ways to answer the world's most obnoxious questions. Note that they share a theme, and that it's the theme you're to remember.

1. ANYONE WHO ASKS YOU WHY

For the Holidays, my parents got me a few little things and a nice, crisp $100 bill. I have tons of things on my wish list (all exceeding this $100) like J Brand Skinny Jeans ($189), Tory Burch Aviator Sunglasses ($175), Tory Burch Flats ($195-$235), and the perfect dress(es) to wear with leggings, perhaps for New Year's, from Urban Outfitters (about $60-$80 each)...the list seriously goes on and on and on...

Should I splurge for the items that double my $100 limit and add a little extra cash of my own? Or should I stay within my budget and go for a dress or 2 from Urban? What would you do? What are you hoping for during the Holidays?

Click below to check out my wish list of items below:
It's been hard to find time to write lately, but keep on checkin' back for more!!

FOLLOW YOU GOT PAM'D:

'Tis the season of eggnog, Christmas cookies and decadent holiday drinks from Starbucks-at least in my house. 'Tis also the season when Americans put on half of our annual weight gain-two pounds a year-so give or take a pound between Thanksgiving and New Year's. (Find out my secrets to putting off the holiday pudge here.)

It's no wonder our waistlines expand when you see just how calorie- and fat-laden some of our favorite holiday foods are (check them out below). And for those who refuse to give up those holiday favorites (for my husband, it's eggnog and for me it's holiday cookies!), try some of the healthier versions I suggest below.

1. Eggnog: One recipe I found online had 600+ calories and about 40 grams of fat in just half a cup. A Starbucks 16-ounce eggnog latte has 500 calories-that's almost twice the calories of a regular-size (2-ounce) Snickers bar. Instead, try this eggnog recipe for just 142 calories and 4 grams of fat.
2. Pecan Pie: Pecans are chock-full of

triple ginger cookiesDid everyone have a lovely weekend? Did your weekend include anything fantastic or earth-moving, like getting a brand new front-load washer and dryer that makes little musical sounds (rather than deafening buzzes) when a cycle is complete? How about rockin' out for two nights straight to the Beatles Rock Band with your hubs? Hmmmm.... did you make any cookies?

Clearly, you have some catching up to do. And while I can't buy you a new washer or teach you to play the guitar on expert (because really - who does that? oh right - me!), I can give you a virtual shove in the general direction of your kitchen. Because, for the next week or so, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. I will lure you with cookies.
bucket o' cookies
Is it working yet?!

ginger cookies, among others What about now?

Alright. Let's start with my favorite, and if you act right (as my mom used to tell us in the k-mart - "Straighten up and act right!"), I'll give you some more. But since I'm callin' the shots around these parts, I get first pick - and I'll pick one of

Also on InStyle.com 10 Chic Party Hairstyles Most Dramatic Celebrity Hair Transformations 10 Beauty Bargains From the Pros Get Great Skin At Any Age 5 Makeup Risks Worth Trying