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What Would Joan Do?

So you've got a party coming up, a gift due, or a difficult-to-please significant other. How can you tell what to serve or what little treat will please? Myers-Briggs tests are all very well, but really, if you're looking for the perfect party eats, why not go for another kind of typing — the kind that gets you out of the secretarial pool? Our handy Mad Men archetypes can help frame your true inner-party soul, as well as your gift-giving conscience. Just find the character who fits like a good suit should and you're golden.

PEGGY OLSON

This working girl may be on a budget, but she's got big-city aspirations. She starts her shindigs with the WINE-OF-THE-MONTH SPECIALS from the venerable Wine and Cheese Cask (407 Washington Street, Somerville, 617.623.8656, thewineandcheesecask.com), four quite quaffable selections, all under $10 — and frequently much less. Even bound for Manhattan, Peggy would do well to capitalize on her ethnic outer-borough know-how. She picks up treats from the mezze bar — yummies like WHIPPED FETA with sweet and hot peppers or beet tzatiki ($3/one; $9/five) — at Sofra Bakery and Cafe (One Belmont Street, Cambridge, 617.661.3161, sofrabakery.com), and throws in a few sandwich-size STUFFED FLATBREADS ($7). While there, she can add a gift copy of Ana Sortun's cookbook, SPICE ($34.95), to her cart. Heading back to Brooklyn? Make the folks think you've finally learned something useful by bringing HOMEMADE PIEROGIS ($42/six dozen). Chicopee-based Millie's (800.743.7641, milliespierogi.com) offers a half a dozen varieties, from prune to kielbasa, available for mail-order delivery. Handmade, just not by your busy hands!