It’s time to up our wine drinking game.

Serious wine drinkers decant their reds for at least an hour before sipping to let them breath. The less patient among us can speed the process along with the Vinturi Wine Aerator. The gadget developed in Napa changes the air pressure in wine as it is poured through. Within seconds, red wines come out on the other side of the aerator tasting smoother with a softer aftertaste.

You don’t have to be one of those drinkers who swirl and spit and recognize notes of leather and tobacco to recognize that the Vinturi helps wine taste its best. —Jaelyn Molyneux

$35 at Twisted Goods, Market Mall, 3625 Shaganappi Tr. N.W., Calgary, 403-247-6691, www.twistedgoods.ca

When the weather outside is frightful plan a pajama party in with girlfriends and games.

Wear
No one will be judging what you wear so throw on the comfiest clothes you have and keep your toes toasty with faux fur booties ($16) from Restoration Hardware. Southcentre Mall, 100 Anderson Rd. S.E., Calgary, 403-271-2122, www.restorationhardware.com

Drink
Keep it casual by serving beer, but instead of picking up a generic 12-pack, buy the Case of the Month ($65) at Zyn and sample the curated collection of a dozen domestic and imported brews. January’s case runs the gamut from the sweet Ommegang Witte to the spicy Birrificio New Morning. 1543 17 Ave. S.E., Calgary, 403-543-8900, www.zyn.ca

Eat
Make it a pizza party by preparing Jim Lahey’s no-knead pizza dough from his book My Bread ($27.27). The dough rises overnight in time to top and bake to each person’s tastes. At www.amazon.ca

Play
Card game Apples to Apples is an old favourite with easy instructions. It’s all about matching unconventional nouns with wacky adjectives. It doesn’t require any special skill set, but there is an element of judgment, which is when hilarity ensues. $34.99 at Revolution Games & Music, 100, 3400 14 St. N.W., Calgary, 403-282-5200, www.revolution-games.com —Jaelyn Molyneux

The presents are wrapped, the cards sent out and you’re set for Santa. But sadly, cookies and milk won’t do for the rest of the gang.

This holiday, give yourself a kitchen break and grab a turkey dinner to go from The Main Dish.

Order by tomorrow and pick-up by Christmas Eve, and Santa will have nothing on you as you feast on roasted turkey breast, vegetables, cheddar and garlic mashed potatoes, herb stuffing, house-made gravy and cinnamon orange cranberry sauce ($14.99).

Bon appétit.

The Main Dish, 903 General Ave. NE, Calgary, 403-265-3474, www.tmdish.com

Whether you’re hosting, gifting or attending, herewith, five wines to get you into the holiday spirit.

Pedal Pusher
From the little bike on the label to its versatility and Chilean roots, the earthy/fruity Cono Sur Pinot Noir ($9) is our organic pick for the eco-conscious person in your life. At Real Canadian Superstore Liquor Store, www.superstore.ca

California Cool
A blend of Napa and Sonoma grapes, Ghost Pines Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied perfection ($16) and ideal paired with a hearty meal. At Real Canadian Superstore Liquor Store, www.superstore.ca

One Love
The Malbec is the universal crowd pleaser and that includes impressing feisty holiday guests. Altos Las Hormigas winery in Argentina does Malbec best. And when the snow melts, think of the full-bodied red for your next picnic (las hormigas is Spanish for ants). $16.80 at Highlander Wine and Spirits, 2919 Richmond Rd SW, Calgary, 403-233-2629 and 2033 16th Ave. NW, Calgary, 403-777-1922, www.highlanderwine.com

Pretty In Pink
She’s got a new movie coming out so it’s only fitting to celebrate with a bottle of the Sofia Coppola Blanc De Blancs ($36.35). The fruity and light sparkling white is a blend of Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat and perfect to share with your bestie, even on a cold winter night. At Highlander Wine and Spirits, 2919 Richmond Rd SW, Calgary, 403-233-2629 and 2033 16th Ave. NW, Calgary, 403-777-1922, www.highlanderwine.com

The Rebel
When you’re hosting the party, go big with the Four Vines Maverick Zinfandel. Rich with blackberry fruit and a hint of velvet vanilla oak, this full California red ($37.49) is sure to impress. At Kensington Wine Market, 1257 Kensington Rd. NW, Calgary, 403-283-8000, www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

Even the hostess with the mostess have been known to cheat when it comes to preparing fun and fabulous meals.

But the new cookbook from chef and TV host Bob Blumer, Glutton for Pleasure makes it a breeze to (honestly) take credit for all the culinary creations at your next dinner party.

Known for creating quirky dishes from common ingredients, Blumer includes some of his favourite easy-to-make, and always forgiving recipes.

The Cam ’n’ Pear Quesadilla is to die for while the Love me Tenderloin is mother-in-law material, and the Blistered Corn and Asparagus Pizza is a staple on Friday’s menu. The book also includes Blumer’s anecdotes from 20 years in the business and advice on topics such as the art of presentation and kitchen Feng Shui.

Go ahead and indulge.

$29.95 here.

Dress to impress, the food that is, by serving your creations in Le Creuset’s Mini-Cocottes at your next dinner party.

A petite version of the French classic, the dishes are ideal for individual portions and come in eight different hues.

And as party season looms, pick up the limited edition set of four ($100) at the new, and first, Canadian standalone store.

Le Creuset, Chinook Centre, 6455 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, 403-262-1128, www.lecreuset.ca

Cheese plates and veggie platters are classics, but for your next party, go worldly with EthniCity Catering.

Operated by the Centre for Newcomers, the catering collective creates edible delights from around the world including East Asian flavours, Latin American staples and South Asian items. Impress your guests with pakoras ($2.29) to start, followed by fatouche salad ($3.99) and a main dish of chicken korma with rice ($7.49). The aforementioned classics are also available but your guests will be too busy noshing on samosas and baked fatayer.

EthniCity Catering, 125-920 36th St. NE, Calgary, 403-537-8809, www.ethnicitycatering.ca

When it comes to growing up, you’re not truly there until you’ve hosted your first Thanksgiving.

But since the bird is enough of a project without having to worry about all the rest, this year, give thanks for Manuel Latruwe’s Thanksgiving 2 Go.

The Belgian Patisserie and Bread Shop has crafted a large menu of “We Make-You Bake” hors d’oeuvres, quiches, breads and desserts.

If the turkey is taking a little longer than expected, keep serving the shrimp croquettes ($18.15) or a mushroom goat cheese quiche ($14 for large). Fill your guests up with turkey-shaped sourdough and if all else fails, wow them with the cappuccino cake, an almond-coffee cake soaked in amaretto syrup with chocolate crème brulee and cappuccino mousse ($7.50 to $67.50).

Gobble, gobble indeed!

The shop requires 48 hours notice on all orders. Manuel Latruwe, 1333 First St. SE, Calgary, 403-261-1092, www.manuellatruwe.com

In a perfect world, our personal chef would create every meal and we’d have a catering team on hand for entertaining.

That culinary dream just got a little closer with new store CRMR At Home. Known for its three mountain lodges, the Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts (CRMR) group also includes four Calgary restaurants.

The specialty store offers sauces, stocks, meat pies, breads, pastries and other items from the CRMR restaurants. Think: Cilantro’s famous gorgonzola and pear pizza and the restaurant’s divine mussel sauce, Divino’s fig jam and CRMR elk and buffalo. High-end Italian glassware, kitchenware and Global knives are also on-hand.

As for that entertaining, the store also provides catering services.  

Now sit back and let someone else do the work.

CRMR At Home, 330 17th Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-532 0241, www.crmr.com/athome

The in-laws are coming for dinner and you’ve already served your famous lasagna. Twice. Save yourself from your mother-in-law’s critique with ready-to-go dishes from Red Tree.

Pair the organic quinoa patties ($4.95 each) and chickpea salad with red pepper vinaigrette ($4.95) as a first, and then serve the perfectly formed pasta bundles with turkey meat ($6.95) for the main.

What your mother-in-law doesn’t know can’t hurt you.

Red Tree, 1245 Kensington Rd. NW and 2129 33 Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-242-3246, www.redtreecatering.com