If you’re weighted down by Christmas wine anxiety, you’re not alone. Picking the right bottles for the holiday can be more stressful than cooking the meal. Relax. Following a few simple rules, or choosing from your list of favorites will help you make it to 2020 with minimal frustration and maximal ease.

Work the numbers. You’ll need at least one bottle per adult guest and several in reserve. Running out of wine would be as bad as running out of food. Chances are you’ll need those additional bottles, and your holiday season has begun so you are confident those extra bottles will be shared in the near future.

Don’t spend more than $25 per bottle. Pouring an expensive, bold wine at a noisy Christmas table is a mistake, that happens all too often. Too many beloved, traditional dishes— sweet potatoes with or without marshmallows, stuffing, pecan pie, stuffed shells—kill the subtleties or complexities of the wines. And, usually, no one at a large, boisterous gathering will pay much attention on such wines that they deserve. Remember, your aunt may put ice cubes in her glass, try not to cringe! Everyone enjoys wines in a different way. There is a time and place for every wine, especially at holiday gatherings.

Don’t worry too much about matching wines to your guests, who are likely to be as diverse as the dishes at this feast. But do be thoughtful. Being thoughtful of the people who are attending is a comfortable approach to supplying wine for your guests. Why push reds on your sister, who’s persuaded they give her headaches? Your environmentally conscious brother-in-law will appreciate it if one wine is made from organically grown grapes, your Auntie likes White Zinfandel. Some guests may enjoy craft brews and ciders more than wine.

While most guests will be happy as long as their glasses are full, pouring a variety of wines, from sparkling to red, is a basic consideration as a host. Go for food-friendly options that pair nicely with all those sweet, tart and earthy tastes on a traditional holiday table. The most versatile wines have generous fruit and are low in tannin, oak and alcohol, with plenty of juicy acidity to refresh taste buds.

Opting for a Crémant from the Loire Valley is a great low-cost, high quality bubbles, made from the Chein Blanc grape, to serve at the beginning of the meal. A beautiful Viognier pairs perfectly with the salads and of course the first choice in red wines is the Pinot Noir grape. But this year why not try something deliciously different? A Dolcetto from the Alba region of Italy offers a rich, round, soft and fruity flavor profile. It nearly always has a deep ruby and purple color and intriguing aromatics of cherries, plums and spice. Some of your guests will not want to be so adventurous, so always pick up a Cabernet Sauvignon for those guests that prefer a bigger, bolder wine.

Serve the wines buffet-style, so everyone can pick and choose. Encourage people to experiment, dump what they don’t like in a bucket and explore new styles. Wine conversations are far more entertaining than political shouting matches—and a great way to divert a relative’s inquisition as to why you’re still single or when are you going to have children.

Savor the meal. Savor the moments. Happy Holidays.