It's that timeless holiday party scenario: You're about to make out with a girl under the mistletoe, and here comes your nogged-up neighbor getting all up in your face with a blade.

This is what happened at a party in Sacramento recently, and a man ended up playing the hero by fending off his holiday-spirit-less neighbor with a two-foot tall plastic candy cane.

The 49-year-old attacker was intoxicated when he went over to his neighbor's house with a kitchen knife and started waving it in the direction of guests congregated on the lawn. Several people had their clothing cut before one man decided to fight back, using an ornamental candy cane to hold off the assailant until the police arrived.

Yesterday we reported on the story of a man who fought his dad with a three-foot Christmas tree. Any predictions on what will be this merry season's next weapon of choice?

Christmas-ornament fighting techniques may not be one of the skills every man should know, but looks like that knowledge turned out to be a life saver for our man in Sacramento. Don't let yourself get caught unprepared -- check out our gallery of 100 essential skills every man should know.

100 Essential Skills Every Man Should Know

    1. Handle a blowout
    http://www.ehow.com/video_1863_change-flat-tire.html

    Getty Images

    2. Drive in snow
    http://www.ehow.com/how_2061016_drive-through-blizzard.html

    Jupiter Images

    3. Check trouble codes
    http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_video/how_to_scan_your_car.htm

    Everett Collection

    4. Replace fan belt
    http://www.howtodothings.com/automotive/a3038-how-to-replace-a-fan-belt.html

    Robyn Beck, AFP / Getty Images

    5. Wax a car
    http://www.ehow.com/video_1327_wax-car.html

    AP

    6. Conquer an off-road obstacle
    http://www.wikihow.com/Go-Off-Roading-in-an-SUV

    Everett Collection

    7. Use a stick welder
    http://www.millerwelds.com/education/articles/articles16.html

    AP

    8. Hitch up a trailer
    http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/howto/articles/44921/article.html

    AP

    9. Jump start a car
    http://artofmanliness.com/2008/09/11/how-to-jump-start-a-car/

    Corbis

    10. Perform the Heimlich
    http://www.heimlichinstitute.org/page.php?id=34

    Charles Krupa, AP