You don’t need me to remind you the holidays are here (as if you could forget). While it’s easy to bemoan the crass commercialization and artifice, it’s also easy to overlook the opportunities for all sorts of gatherings and the real joys that come with them. Let’s just stipulate that in the hierarchy of pleasures, people come first. Now that we agree on that, good food and drink can help make any party better. Here are some suggestions for several possible types of gatherings. The suggestions are not rigid: if you see something you like better in another, go for it. Above all, these should be gifts to yourself.

Romantic for Two

“Love is all around,” as they sing in “Love, Actually,” one of my favorite Christmas movies (another is “The Ref,” not nearly so sentimental). Why not take advantage with a special dinner for two? Whatever menu you decide, sparkling wine to start is a must. You could drink it throughout the meal, or switch to red or white, or both. Don’t worry about finishing, just seal and pop the extras in the fridge. If all goes well, you may want to continue the celebration the day after.

SPARKLING INEXPENSIVE France is awash in good sparkling wine, whether from Vouvray, Burgundy or Alsace. Émotion, a Crémant d’Alsace from Domaine Agapé, is about $20.

MIDRANGE Michel Loriot makes a terrific Réserve Brut Champagne for about $35. Louis Roederer Brut Premier is an excellent mainstream Champagne for about $40.