I AM a supermarket addict. I can't walk past one without going in for a look.

When I see a hypermart, my knees buckle. The variety of things to see, buy and smell is mind-blowing.

And I've come to realize this - the bigger the hypermart, the cheaper the products (usually); and I love a good bargain.

So imagine my happiness a decade ago when Carrefour opened its doors at Suntec City.

It was my own private wonderland.

Today, I'm glad to say Carrefour is still relevant and a driving force in the supermarket industry.

What sets it apart is its range of products. They have enough in-house brands to keep you coming back.

And best of all, the prices are moderate - you can throw a thoroughly European soiree at a tiny price.

Here are some ideas for a celebration on a budget.

Remember this is not for a sit-down meal, but snacks for people to grab and mingle.

Have lots of chocolates lying around

Chocolates are universal snacks, loved by most. (I can never really trust a person who willingly rejects chocolate.)

In Carrefour, look out for the Selection range of chocolates.

These are simply divine.

The orangettes ($8.50) are very addictive and you should buy a couple of packets for your guests to nibble on.

Keep the truffles ($6.95) in the fridge until you are ready to serve, or they might end up a gooey mess.

When you have chocolate, get a drink to go with it.

Drinks in hand

If you are old enough to drink, you can make a kir royal. This is creme de cassis (blackcurrant liquor) with champagne.

For a party, you might not want to get the most expensive drinks, so look out for housebrands.

From Carrefour, you can get De Courance champagne at $37 (originally $44) and the creme de cassis at $19.50 (usually $23).

The quality of the liquor is not substandard, so don't fret.

But if you want a non-alcoholic drink, there is the granadine syrup. Add one part syrup with five parts water, and throw in lots of ice. This gorgeously dark-pink drink looks classy and tastes delicious.

Have some biscuits handy for parties

And now that organic is the new buzzword, get the Bio range of products.

This is an in-house brand, so again, the prices will not make you - pardon the pun - go green with dread.

The petit beurre is a delicious biscuit with a chocolate layer, going for $6.

This range is special because it is certified organic and this can be a good conversation starter at the party.

A spread of cheese

Cheese is always classy, and getting a wedge of cheese on the table will be visually nice.

But for an exotic touch, get goat cheese ($5.50 per pack of eight).

Goat cheese can be quite expensive, but if you get the housebrand, it should be fine.

These goat cheese comes in a disc, so you toast it lightly and lay them on a bed of lettuce.