Whether a whole gang drops unexpectedly on your doorstep, or you forgot that the friend or cousin you see every year has a newly acquired passel of stepchildren, it is almost impossible not to be blindsided at least once during the season—even if you are a host or hostess with “the mostest.” Here are some thoughts on last-minute gifts, snacks and drink ideas that, like unexpected guests at holiday time, can seem to come out of the clear blue. For tips I asked my mother-in-law, the most gracious and (seemingly) well-prepared hostess I know.

Always have pre-wrapped presents on hand for unexpected occasions. There’s almost nothing more awkward than having a present for everyone in the room save one person. Gift baskets from Bath & Body Works come in pretty much every scent and flavor, and can be found at almost any drug store. Wrap them up in some tissue paper, tulle or netting and attach a blank gift card for last-minute, covert completion.

Gift cards/certificates are even easier, though also more impersonal, and can be given to almost anyone regardless of age or gender. Most stores have them and they usually come in a holiday envelope you can decorate with ribbons and bows. What’s more, if the need to use them doesn’t arise, you can always spend them yourself at a later date.

Buying extra toys never hurts, because no one wants to be the ogre who forgets a little kid on Christmas or Hanukkah. Games, action figures, even coloring books—they’re all inexpensive and simple to pick up. You can get a small token sure to delight a small child at any drugstore, or even at the supermarket if you don’t have another reason to stop at the Tree House or another toy store. Just watch that toys are age-appropriate, generally meaning no small parts for children under five years old. It’s easy to forget the ages of those nieces, nephews and cousins you only see once or twice a year, so try to get a range of age-recommended items.

To avoid resorting to taking ornaments off of your own tree to give as gifts in a pinch, buy extra ornaments to keep wrapped up in a box. Again, these are gifts that can be given to pretty much anyone, and if they don’t get used this season you can move them up and into your ornament arsenal to replace those that inevitably get broken throughout the years.

Baskets of party favors can substitute for gifts, too, depending on the relationship you have with your guests. From Pier One to the Dollar Store, small decorative boxes can be purchased super cheap and filled with miniature Hershey’s Kisses or other candies. Another idea is a basket of dipped pretzel rods: Just melt white and/or dark chocolate in the microwave and dip one end of the pretzel rod into the mixture. Let cool, wrap the candy-coated end in cellophane and tie with a ribbon.

For entertaining, easy appetizers to have at all times are olives, cheese and crackers, and mixed nuts. For something sweet, keep a box or two of cream puffs in your freezer. An instant and elaborate-looking dessert can be made by drizzling them with chocolate syrup and dusting with powdered sugar. These babies defrost in no time.

No one should expect you to have anything other than beer and wine on hand, but for fun there is an easy SoCo punch that can be made with frozen concentrate juice, Southern Comfort and 7-Up. Or whip up some eggnog by mixing the store-bought stuff with rum, whiskey or brandy—a little water helps to thin it out. The addition of some fresh grated nutmeg makes it almost as good as homemade (and no raw eggs!).

All in all, presentation is as important as content. A beautifully wrapped gift or party favor speaks for itself, even if what’s inside isn’t exactly the perfect present.

Chocolate-dipped

Pretzel Rods

1 bag of pretzel rods

12-oz. bag semisweet or white chocolate chips

2 tablespoons butter

Put chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on high for 1 minute, 30 seconds. Stir, and if the chips are not melted, heat for 30 more seconds and stir again.

Dip a spatula into the melted chocolate. Roll the pretzel rod in the chocolate on the spatula so it is half-covered.

Lay each chocolate-dipped pretzel on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper. Let sit for 30 minutes before serving. Do not refrigerate.

SoCo

Artillery

Punch

6-oz. can frozen orange juice

12-oz. can frozen lemonade

6 oz. lemon juice

21/2 cups Southern Comfort

64 oz. 7-Up

Mix all ingredients in a large glass bowl (float an ice ring, too).