If there's ever a time to break out the bubbly, New Year's Eve is it. But if you don't want to be called an amateur, you're going to want to go one step beyond popping the cork. Yes, even if you're popping the cork with a saber. (Okay, if you pop the cork with a saber, you're officially off the hook for any more theatrics.)

Instead of passing out glasses of champagne, or thinking that mimosas are somehow "exotic" at night, instead take a gander at these five champagne recipes and surprise your guests with your ingenuity and taste.

Then you can start practicing with your saber for next year's New Year's Eve party.

Hangover-curing hydrotherapyOh Goop. I don't know whether to avoid you or give you a wet, slobbery, commoner's hug. Sometimes Gwyneth Paltrow's weekly newsletter dazzles me with its usefulness and sparkles. Other times it just makes me feel resentful and 99-percenty. This week's newsletter actually puts me somewhere in the middle. It's all about to recover from a hangover -- and how to prevent one. Useful!

And yet...as I scanned through the newsletter something jumped out at me: All Gwynnie's gurus are making this hangover business way more complicated than it needs to be! Are there any hidden gems of that a broke, regular person like me can use? Let's review the highlights.

Santa and I just had a little pow-wow, and there's something he'd like you to know: He's getting a little sick of the cookies. Oh I know, yours are THE BEST and your kids decorated them with ultimate frosting cuteness. But the Jolly One can only eat so many cookies in one night. Actually, Santa wants a cocktail. And maybe a ham sandwich.

It's unorthodox, but Santa might appreciate a different kind of snack. Something with protein. Something with a little kick to keep him going. It's a long night! Why not? Apparently, alternative snacks for Santa is a growing trend. Cooking Light asked its readers what snacks they leave out for Santa, and there were some surprising answers. I have a few suggestions of my own.

So you want to throw a holiday party -- but you don't have a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills budget? No problem. Everyone deserves to party, even the 99 percent. You don't have to resort to serving potato chips and beer, either -- unless that's your thing. Here are 8 tips to ring in a festive holiday party without breaking the bank!

Whether you're in need of an amazing hostess gift or shopping for the liquor connoisseur on your list, it's that time of year to indulge. Sure you could shell out for a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black and wow your hostess with your expensive taste. Or you could turn a bargain bottle of booze into an amazing, unique, flavor-filled present. 

Infused vodka, bourbon, tequila, rum, gin, and anything else you can sip has become the rage at specialty cocktail bars where you can spend at least $15 per drink. But it's so easy and inexpensive to do it yourself, you'll never go back to boring old vodka again.

Whatever your favorite spirit happens to be, there's a great match for an infusion. Start now, and you'll have bottles filled to the brim with holiday cheer and a guaranteed invite to all the holiday parties next year.

Here's how you make your own infused alcohol for great holiday gifts.

Get Yer Booze HereYour afternoon office Starbucks run will never be the same, ladies and gentlemen. As the coffee captain will start offering beer and wine in select locations starting in January, at 2 p.m. We can only hope they serve up a brewski in one of those opaque paper cups so your boss will never know why your team is suddenly super creative, giggly, and yet kind of dopey.

Of course Starbucks is really doing this whole expansion because their nighttime business is obviously not as brisk as their morning shifts. Adding booze is a great way to keep 'em coming in and probably spending more. In spite of the even more dramatic deterioration of the bathrooms, I, for one, think turning the baristas into bartenders is a great idea for these 7 reasons:

As cheesy as it may sound, there's nothing like being home for the holidays. And I don't necessarily mean that one house that is your main address. Anywhere can feel like home, if you have the right people around you. Still, it doesn't hurt to have the right accoutrement -- aka holiday supplies! -- around, as well ... especially if you plan on entertaining! There really are certain must-have items every home must have this time of year. Here, 10 you should check your cupboards and shelves for STAT -- or else run out and pick up -- to better celebrate the "hap-happiest season of all!"

You know how there are some people out there who believe the world is going to end in 2012? I really didn't believe them with their ancient calendar and their Mayan prophesies, but I'm starting to come around. There's new, almost indisputable evidence that the planet as we know it will implode next year. Hanson is putting out a beer. Yes, Hanson, as in "MMMbop" Hanson. The floppy-haired brothers are all grown up now and have traded in their sippy cups of milk for cold pints of beer. And it sounds like they're serious about getting in on the adult beverage game.

The youngest bro Zac, 26, said in an interview that everyone thinks they're joking, but they're not. He insists they're putting out a beer, and they're gonna call it ... oh my. I can't. OK. They're going to call it MMMHop IPA.