Simple Seasonal Stress Stoppers

STRESS STOPPERS

• Instead of spending money on stuff your family doesn't need, consider a collective gift - a day of horseback riding, say, or a weekend trip. Or give each child the gift of time with a special one-on-one outing.
• Give parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles the same gift: a family photo book you design at http://www.kodakgallery.com/ or http://www.shutterfly.com/. It's highly personal and comes in different styles to fit every budget. You can personalize each book - by changing the dedication on the title page, for example - with a few mouse clicks.
• Set up a wrapping station on a folding table in the basement, so supplies are ready when you have a few moments to wrap. Or let your kids wrap gifts and send cards. Relatives will be charmed!
• Have your techie teen create an address database for your greeting-card list, then order stamps by phone )800-782-6724) or online (http://www.usps.com/). Create personalized photo cards at an online photo service such as http://www.kodak.gallery.com/ or http://www.shutterfly.com/ (they'll even mail them for you.) Even easier, send e-cards. You'll find a great selection at www.Hallmark.com , http://www.bluemountain.com/, http://www.americangreeting.com/ and http://www.daysprings.com/.
• Buy premade sough and spend more time on the fun part - decorating the cookies with your kids. Bonus: if they're less tasty than homemade, you'll be less likely to eat a dozen.
• Stop doing all the decorating yourself - make it a family affair. Play holiday music, serve up eggnog and cookies and get everyone involved.
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