New Zealand holiday parks – holiday for all

Everywhere there are NZ camper, motorhomeFully motorized camping tent with the supply of housing units, and in some cases, motel style as well. The variety of accommodation in this park make it ideal for family adventures. If you're planning a summer vacation to enjoy all things related to water resources, taking into account areas such as Taupo, Wanaka and Christchurch.

Affordable
The cost of living in this type of accommodation is much cheaper than you mightspend in a hotel or resort in a popular area and you can do more work for less money. Even if you're on vacation, Friendly budget accommodation are quite expensive pleasant experience will always be safe and most respected. New Zealand could be at rates that are in the area are around NZ $ 14.00 per adult per night up to NZ $ 100.00 per couple per night for motel-style accommodation.

Resorts offerDiversity

If you travel to New Zealand, you can choose from several parks to travel without difficulty. Almost everywhere in New Zealand has a holiday park nearby. So if camping or traveling in an RV, all you have to do is pull up to the park to participate and take on holiday.

This option is Fun

There are many on-site activities and things to do than to entertain your family. While you could goand see the rest of New Zealand, spending a day at the Holiday Park is a great way to relax, while with some good family fun. Many parks offer facilities such as playgrounds, children's pool, game rooms and more, and are often in the park or forest, such as type settings away.

These are all good reasons to consider this type of vacation accommodation for your next New Zealand. If you book well in advance enough, you have no problemsexact accommodation you want, when you choose these parks as well. Your vacation is all a good time, and these places may not allow anyone or group to do all this without spending a fortune.

Algarve water parks: Aqualand is wonderful slides and chutes, and there are a number of other interesting family holiday in the Algarve business of providing entertainmentParks and Krazyworld as Zoomarine.

Aqualand

Aqualand Algarve, near Albufeira, has some of the best adventure trips for families in Europe. The Banzai Boggan, you sit on a table and prepare for them, surfing Lot 23 meters down a vertical slide, building speed down on the pool bottom.

Other slides cut at this water park includes the Kamikaze Algarve trip – the highest in Portugal – where 36-feet deep Ruined 1995Meter slide in four seconds, and the Anaconda corkscrew, a water slide more, which looks like a snake.

Quiet attractions include a ride on the relaxed slow River Congo, a semi-Olympic swimming pool, rapids, white water rafting on a ring inflatable slides, a surfing beach with waves simulated and the mad rush, where friends can compete against each other to down a multiple lane water slide.

If you leave are Algarve-family children are small then there is much tochildren, including a mini park with slides, showers and giant pencils, all in a pool of shallow water.

Zoomarine

Zoomarine is a fun, educational oceanography. It 'was like a first class amusement park, which also allows the visitor the historical relationship between created for exploring the Algarve and the sea.

The Zoomarine, makers of power leaving a world of dolphins, seals, sharks, turtles, exotic birds and waterfowl, crocodiles and tropical fish. Zoomarinealso has restaurants, shops, pools, walks, lakes and gardens and high quality of dolphins, seals and sea lions.

Go Karting in Almancil

If you want to leave the family to try something a bit 'different from your Algarve, why not try go-karting. Almancil Karting is a very popular Algarve holiday attraction and draws a quarter of a million visitors a year, and is the only of its kind in this part of Portugal. Almancil Karting has a track 760 m,designed to replicate the Brazilian Circuit of Jacarepagua, as well as other activities, like a mechanical bull, trampolines and electric boats.

Lagos Zoo

The hotel is situated in its own landscaped gardens near Bensafrim Lagos Zoo has over 250 animals from more than 50 different species. A nice choice for a family day holiday in the Algarve, the zoo also has a 60m long tunnel flight for the observation of exotic birds, and children, several experiences closely with afarm animals and pets.

Krazyworld

The Krazyworld Algoz in the Krazy golf, swimming pool, a children's farm, pony rides, quad, an amusement park and a crocodile park Krazyworld is for kids and an excellent family holiday Algarve great experience. to make a real mix of things Krazyworld has also created a large pool in beautiful gardens with sun beds, a reptile, horses and a large elephant.

Online research – the best set in sizes from children to adults, your best chance of success is the online search. Few transactions are exactly the same pattern in many sizes and even if they do, it is necessaryNose various departments. The shops are arranged in sections for women, men, children and infants. PJ is the exact same size in each division, is looking for an exhausting search. To save time and effort, and perform a simple search online. There are some companies that will be the perfect Christmas snowman pajamas in a variety of formats. Try searching for "Christmas pajamas matching" or "matching family holiday pajamas," or "Family MatchingPajamas "to create a choice for you.

Find a great fabric – Christmas are usually in my pajamas, cozy, warm fabrics like flannel or cotton. Sometimes pajama set is a blend of cotton and flannel. Check the product description for your life favorite pants (elastic waist and is the most convenient) and the feeling of the fabric, how easy or difficult. Select your fabric according to family preferences comfort.

Looking for a unique style – with many JammieChoices out there now, you should be able to find a unique design accommodation will enchant adults and children. Snowmen are always fun and are the most popular. consciousness in which one lives and preferences of the comfort of your family. If you are living in a hot climate that is hot all year, even in winter, choose a short-sleeve top and shorts style boxer. This holiday vest and short sentences are better suited to any climate, where members of the family prefers a loose, fresh. If you live in aNorth, winter weather, you choose a long sleeve flannel pajamas series that children will always be warm and cozy.

Gift giving becomes difficult when the recipient has expectations. Children do this always. This is not what I wanted. How come you got this one? I don’t like the color. Adults say a polite thank you while thinking about where to return the gift. In fact, children and spouses make their disappointment obvious. An acquaintance looks for some value and purpose in the gift, puts it back in the box, writes a thank you note, and saves it for the yard sale 3 years later.

Three emotions seem to be the best guidance for gift-giving.

Give without expectation

The ancient saying, It is better to give than to receive works. Satisfaction fills your heart when exchanging gifts does not matter. Find ways to give to those who cannot give back. Working at a food kitchen on Christmas Day, or helping workers tidy up a shelter for the homeless will give you insights and joy unknown before.

Every community has elderly people sitting alone during the Holidays. You will find them at table with their memories, but not much of an appetite. Bring them a home-cooked meal, or invite them to your table for dinner. Ask the local clergy or check with your municipal officials, Do you know of anyone who lives alone and would like a meal or company? These simple acts of kindness to those who cannot give back will bring you unspeakable joy and satisfaction.

Give without excess

Diamonds get dirty; silver turns dull. Despite the commercial for a high-end luxury vehicle, giving a gift-wrapped car seems excessive to me. How many of us can afford that expense? Too many holiday shoppers will spend what they do not have to give what they cannot afford. Banks will soon require repayment minimums that burden you more.

It takes 30 seconds to rip wrapping paper, about 20 minutes to clean-up the living room of gift-wrappings, 20 minutes to bring it to the curb or the dump, 20 minutes to get it stored in drawers or shelves. Gift-giving ends quickly. The size or cost of your gift will not make the moments more memorable. You might be the only one thinking about your holiday excesses next July when the 7th credit card statement must be paid.

Give with energy

T.S. Eliot’s poem, The Journey of the Magi tells the story of three wise men bringing gifts to a small manger in Bethlehem. They traveled long distances over dry, barren sand. Eliot says it was just the worst time of the year…finding the place; it was (you may say) satisfactory.

Gift giving is not always simple joy. At times, it is hard and demanding. Attempt gifts that come from your hand and talents. Write a letter, paint a painting, scrub the kitchen floor or clean the dirty prints off every entry door. Set someone free from the mundane with an energy that gifts from this year to the next. Make gifts of new habits with an energetic love for someone special.

Ray Randall serves clients as a registered investment advisor with his firm, Ethos Advisory Services, Essex, Massachusetts Ethos Advisory Services. He has wide experience within the financial services industry, writes a weekly newsletter for http://www.ethosadvisory.com Ethos Advisory Services, and coordinates the developments at http://www.echievements.com Echievements.com. Ray holds a Masters Degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Hamilton, MA. You may call Ray (617-275-5565).

Randy! I yelped. My engagement ring is gone.

It was Valentine’s Day, and my husband, Randy, and I were on our way from my niece’s wedding, which had taken place in one town, to the reception, which was being held in another city about fifteen miles away.

If there hadn’t been other cars behind us, I think my husband might have been tempted to slam on the brakes.

Of course, one of the things I have always admired about Randy is his ability to remain unruffled during a crisis. Like that time one winter when the landlord had arranged for contractors to build a sloped roof over the flat roof of a house we were renting, and the next thing you know, the snow trapped between the two roofs started melting, and then gallons of water began dripping into the house and THEN the ceiling caved in?

Or that summer when I had agreed to help teach a one-week summer school course at the university for high school students and had come down with a terrible case of the stomach flu on Monday, and Randy had cheerfully agreed to take my place. All week he divided his time between teaching the class and then rushing home to see if I needed anything?

Or the Thanksgiving right after my father had died and we were hauling home some of my parents’ furniture?all that I had left in the world of both of them because my mother had died seven years earlier?and it had started to rain part of the way through our 250-mile journey. Randy stopped the pick-up truck we had borrowed from a friend to cut his shoelaces into pieces so he could tie the tarp down better to keep the furniture dry?

In each of those instances, my husband had been an unshakeable source of strength who came to my rescue.

And he didn’t disappointment me this time.

Where did you have the ring last? Randy asked as he calmly kept driving.

I thought back over the hectic events of the day ?

Let’s see?just before we left the church, I was busy buttoning up my niece’s train?and before that I was occupied with watching the ceremony and trying not to cry?and before that I had been busy pinning on corsages and boutonnieres while the photographer impatiently breathed down my neck, never mind that he was late getting to the church?

When HAD I last noticed I was wearing the blue topaz ring with the delicate gold swirl around the stone?

That was part of the problem. I was not accustomed to seeing the ring on my finger. A few years earlier, I had decided I would only wear it for special occasions. Between cold weather in the winter and gardening in the summer, I put on hand lotion about ten times a day, but if I don’t take the topaz ring off every time, then the little crevices get all disgusting, and yet, I was afraid I would lose the ring if I kept taking if off?

THAT’S IT! I exclaimed. Hand lotion!

My husband gave me a sidelong glance. Huh?

Just before we got to the church, I took off my ring and laid it in my lap so I could get some more hand lotion, but I didn’t put it back ON.

By this time we had nearly reached the reception hall.

Check the floor, Randy suggested.

I frantically thrust aside the floor mat?but there was no ring.

Then I groped under the seat. No ring there, either.

Randy quietly asked the next logical question. Did it somehow fall into your purse?

I hurriedly checked my purse. Nope. No ring.

Could it have fallen into your coat pocket?

My coat had big, horizontal pockets?but?no ring.

All right, Randy said, as he searched for a place to turn around, that must mean it fell onto the ground when you got out of the car.

Fell on the ground!

I could feel my throat growing tighter. What if somebody drove over it? I wailed.

Don’t get yourself all worked up for nothing, Randy said soothingly.

For NOTHING? But ? it’s my ring?the one you gave me when you asked me to marry you?

Actually, Randy didn’t give me the ring. Santa Claus did. In a crowded mall. In front of a group of parents who were there with their kids. When Randy got down on one knee, everyone applauded?

We’ll find your ring, my husband said. Don’t worry.

Although the drive back to the church seemed to take twice as long, we finally reached the parking lot.

Now, let’s see, Randy murmured, we were parked over there?

And before I could manage to unbuckle my seat belt, he had stopped the car, thrown open the door and?

Here it IS! my husband shouted triumphantly, scooping the ring off the ground.

If I’d felt like crying tears of consternation before, I felt like sobbing with relief now.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Randy said with a smile. Hold out your hand.

As he slid the ring onto my finger, however, I noticed HIS hands were shaking. And not just a slight tremor.

I pointed this out to him.

Yes, well, he said, it’s not every day your wife loses her ring in a parking lot and then you spend the next half hour hoping it didn’t get stuck in somebody’s tire treads.

I stared at him in disbelief.

Oh, sure. For years I’ve been under the impression that the man didn’t have a nerve in his body ? that nothing ever rattled him.

And now this.

Then again, it also means that I have discovered one more reason to admire my husband. Even when he’s rattled, he can still think calmly in a crisis.

If only he could teach me to do the same thing.

About The Author

LeAnn R. Ralph is the editor of the Wisconsin Regional Writer (the quarterly publication of the Wisconsin Regional Writers’ Assoc.) and is the author of the book, Christmas in Dairyland (True Stories from a Wisconsin Farm) (August 2003). She is working on her next book, Give Me a Home Where the Dairy Cows Roam, which will be available later in 2004. Share the view from Rural Route 2 ? http://ruralroute2.com

bigpines@ruralroute2.com

There was a particular woman who started a conversation about some special food that she was looking for: ?They remind me of my country,? she said. And then she found some and was very proudly showing them to my son and me. She was ecstatic and told us that although she is an American citizen, she truly misses her beloved Scotland, especially at this time of the year.

Scotland, New Zealand, El Salvador, Switzerland, Brazil? it matters not where the person is from. Holidays are very hard times for those of us who are foreign-born and who have family ties and connections in another country. We miss our family members, we miss our customs, we miss our friends and, very important, we miss our own cuisine.

Christmas and New Year?s celebrations are sorely missed, especially because many times, we can?t go back to our countries and meet those we love the most to spend such special time. This can be a sad time.

And it is not only from our side. Our people living somewhere else also put a little pressure: ?Are you coming for Christmas?? they asked filled with hope. See? They miss us too. We feel guilty, we feel, lonely, we feel abandoned, we feel sorry, we feel divided.

So what must we do to make the season something special, even though we don?t feel too good about it? Here are some suggestions:

1.Keep in touch with your loved ones, by phone, Skype (free!), email, etc. This is crucial.

2.Try to emulate your own traditions. Set up a Christmas tree or put up decorations that are meaningful to you and that remind you of your own culture.

3.Prepare something special that you used to eat. Make it from scratch if you can?t buy it. I used to bake my own Pannetones before I could find them in the stores. It is not the same, but it will do.

4.Pamper yourself. Give yourself some meaningful little presents that will make you feel good.

5.Find like-minded people to share special moments, so that you don?t feel lonely.

6.Eat and drink to your heart?s content but stop before you feel bad about it.

7.Separate some time for the sacredness of the season. Pray, chant, dance in honor of Spirit and as a jubilation for the clean slate that is given to us every 365 days.

Happy Holly Days and a Blessed New Year to you!

? Maria Moratto 2005

About the author

Dr. Maria Moratto holds 5 degrees and is a life and spiritual coach/educator. She promotes coaching, seminars and courses in developing the perfect life?s blueprint, which includes attracting abundance and loving relationships, time management, stress management, diversity, goal setting, career search and change, values clarification, leisure, self-improvement, college life, communication and learning styles, spirituality, natural health and lifestyle.

She is also writing two books: one on successful relationships and the other on attracting the perfect lifestyle; both coming soon. Visit her website at http://www.rx4bliss.com and sign up for a no-cost e-zine that is short, informative, and fun. Go to her blog at: http://www.rx4bliss.blogspot.com for great discussions on these topics. Visit http://www.thedollarbillgame.blogspot.com to participate in a great prosperity game.

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Old socks … pieces of fabric … home-made baker’s clay … felt and old buttons … torn and tattered table linens … stored Christmas cards and wrap … bits of ribbon and lace and bias tape … with a little imagination and time, you can turn a ton of ordinary household items into enduring Christmas treasures. Here are three family-style projects to get you started — two easy garlands, and an quick and lovely quilt!

* Garlands galore

If you think that crumpled but still-shiny foil gift-wrap is just too pretty to toss away, you’re right! Cut it into strips about an inch wide and three inches long. Use any colors you have handy, and mix in other less-than-perfect wrap as well. When you’ve got a bagful of foil strips, glue the ends together to form a glitzy new garland for your tree!

For homey appeal, trace your hand, mitten-shaped, on a piece of cardboard and cut out the pattern. Transfer the pattern to pieces of red, green, brown and burgundy felt, then cut out. Decorate the felt with snowmen … button figures … glitter-and-glue designs … gingerbread people … angels and stars. Do a primitive straight stitch in a contrasting color, all around the outer border of your felt mitten. Turn your creations into a sweet and simple hanging garland by securing the felt designs with old clothespins to a length of raffia or twine … the effect is charming in the kitchen or laundry room!

* Make a Faux Christmas Quilt for Hanging

This is a great family activity and can even be framed for seasonal display!

Gather up all the bits and pieces of fabric in your sewing basket, or the old clothes in the closets … the more colorful, the better. Cut out color-based fabric squares about six inches square and set the stack aside, sorted into solids and patterns. Make a separate stack of pieces from solid whites, yellows, pastels and other light colored materials and trim them to about five inches square.

Keep any smaller or odd-shaped remnants separate.

Use pieces of cardboard to draw and cut out a variety of simple holiday shapes about three inches high — trees, angels, candy canes, hearts, stars, whatever says Christmas to you. Trace the patterns on the backside of the smaller or odd-shaped pieces, and cut out. Stitch the Christmas shapes onto the five-inch white or pastel squares, then center that piece on a complementing color panel and stitch.

When you’ve completed a dozen of these panels, line them up three across and four down, approximately 18 inches wide by 24 inches long. Stitch them to a piece of plain unbleached muslin, leaving three inches of space at the top. When your panels are sewn onto the muslin, fold the top over and stitch across to form a pocket, through which you’ll slide a plain wooden dowel or even a sturdy hickory stick.

Hang and enjoy!

Kate Sheridan is a Michigan freelance writer, photographer and homesteader whose writings on the fun and foibles of country living may be found at http://www.gardenandhearth.com/RuralLiving.htm.

But what if we did follow through? What if we could make a resolution that changed our lives for the better? What if we made a tiny adjustment in our perspective and it allowed us to be happier, feel freer, and enjoy a more mindful existence?

Well, get ready to make a commitment – it’s as easy as embracing the idea of simplicity. Yes, simplicity.

The start of the New Year is the perfect time to make some changes. Resolve to get back to basics. I’m not advocating a cabin in the woods with no heat or electricity, just a small step to the left of the consumer frenzy. Where do you start? Right at home in your own headspace – by making a conscious decision that your time and daily experiences are more important than money and stuff.

Reduce your clutter: Unless you use it regularly, or it holds a high degree of sentimental value, it should go. Choose a charity and schedule a pick up. Just think of how much easier your house will be to clean, and how much easier it will be to find things once you’ve thinned out your belongings.

Decrease distractions: Cell phones, voice mail, two-way walkie-talkies, online instant messenger, and palm pilots are all tools created for convenience. Left unchecked, however, they can start running your life. Be sure your not becoming a slave to advanced technology. Oh, and turn off that darn TV too.

Learn to say no: This tiny two-letter word is your best defense against becoming overextended. Start using it – no one will think any less of you if you do.

Learn to say yes when others offer help: Stop with the Superwoman fallacy. There is no harm in accepting help when offered, or even in asking for it when needed. In fact, most people are happy to be of assistance.

Cut down on compulsive buying: Shopping has become a sport in this country and credit card debt is hitting an all time high. Before you break out your plastic to get that new Prada handbag ask yourself – do I really need this? Will this improve my life? Is this thing worth the time I will have to put in working in order to pay for it? If the answer is no then don’t buy it.

Relinquish some control: You can’t speed up the driver in front of you, make the check out line at the supermarket move more efficiently, or govern the happiness of others. Just let it go. Take some deep breathes in traffic, practice your Kegel Exercise while waiting at the grocery store, and lead your life with integrity. Don’t carry the weight of the world on your shoulders – it’s too heavy.

Reduce decisions: While having a choice is a good thing, too many options can be overwhelming. Whether you are contemplation a major purchase, or deciding what to cook for dinner, limit your self to two options. Choose one, then be happy with your decision – second guessing never helped anyone.

Enjoy the little things in life: Read a book, take a walk, have a bubble-bath, start a snowball fight with your kids, eat together as a family at the kitchen table, garden, snuggle, pursue a hobby, listen to music, write a letter, meditate, and follow your passions. Partake in everyday pleasures – all the things that don’t entail shopping, spending, or crowds – and spend quality time with the ones you love.

Living simply is not about depravation; it’s about living well. Our lives are complicated, in part, because we make them that way. Resolve to make 2005 the year of simplicity, and greet the coming months with a relaxed and peaceful spirit.

Deborah Martin is a Chicago born writer, life coach, and motivational speaker. She is Co-Founder of The Woman Project. Deborah holds a master’s degree in psychology and is a licensed professional counselor. She is a certified teleclass leader and offers teleclasses and workshops on a variety of subjects. Her new e-book, How To Keep Your Kids Off Drugs: A Parent’s Guide, will be available in January. For more information please visit her website at http://www.dreamlearncreate.com.

The rabbit and eggs were actually symbols of fertility, immortality and new life to commemorate Christ’s resurrection. In Germany, colored eggs were left in children’s baskets and the custom was brought to America with German immigrants in the later 19th century.

Easter can be a fun time of year to celebrate the renewed growth of spring no-matter what religious beliefs you may have. Here are some idea’s to use for an Easter celebration party.

TABLE DECORATIONS

Turn a recycled white sheet into a spectacular Easter tablecloth by sponge painting bunnies, baskets and eggs in bright spring colors. Be sure to use textile paints so the tablecloth can be washed and used another year. Fabric paints are also available in squeeze applicators with glitter colors for decorating the sponged Easter eggs. Paint will need to dry at least 24 hours prior to use.

Make a festive napkin ring by threading a sewing needle with narrow elastic thread and stringing jelly beans onto it. You may need to put a little vegetable oil on the needle to help it slide threw the candy. Tie off the ends to form a circle and slide it over the rolled napkins for a cute way to dress up the table. Add a solid colored doily under the plates for a festive way to dress up the table.

You can serve creamy lemon pie or light strawberry custard, strawberry almond pastry or let the kids decorate personalized tulip cookies. The menu options are endless but I suggest you keep the choices light and festive. Tableware does not need to match but keep to a color theme of bright spring colors or soft pastels.

EASTER CRAFTS

Little girls love making their own Easter bonnets. Cut a large 12 1/2 circle out of heavy artist poster board using a compass as your guide. Attach a wide satin ribbon to the middle of the circle with hot glue, leaving long trailing tails to tie the bonnet on. Have lots of decorative options available for embellishing the hats. Kids can make flowers colored miniature cupcake baking cups or doilies. You can also use adhesive dots, paint, glitter, pleated paper ribbon, lace reminates or tulle to make decorate the bonnets.

Each child can make their own gingham Easter bunny or duck out of fabric, yarn and cotton batting or fiberfill. Have the shape of the animals pre-cut for the children and place the right sides of the fabric out. Let the kids stitch yarn around the edge of the shape leaving a 1 opening to stuff the cotton filling. An adult can blind stitch the hole closed and help glue on buttons for the eyes and pom-poms for the nose. Use pinking sheers to finish the edges.

Adults can also enjoy a Easter garden party. Invite friends to bring perennials for their gardens to exchange with other plants. Provide each guest with labels, paper bags or plastic nursery containers. Let them take home the same amount of plants that they brought getting an affordable start on beautiful blooms.

About The Author

Author Rachel Webb designs 100% Magnetic Fridge Calendars that write-on/wipe-off, an affordable way to organize your schedule! http://www.Note-Ables.com E-Mail Rachel@Note-Ables.com & mention this publication for a $2 off coupon!

All year long, they have purchased gifts at bargain prices. Their favorite family photo is duplicated onto 1000, addressed greeting cards. They can?t wait to flip the switch illuminating their house which is permanently wired with twinkle lights and they have a file of menus carefully clipped from last year?s Thanksgiving edition of Oprah magazine.

Sometimes I am envious of this achievement, sometimes I hate them for it (not really) and sometimes I even get caught up competing with them. The real freedom comes when I chose to give up the entire holiday tradition completely.

Don?t get me wrong, I still celebrate, but differently. Memorable? You betcha!

That?s impossible, you argue. Generations of family traditions, thrown out the window? That?s right?and I?m challenging you to try it?offer a new tradition this year?steeped in values, simmering with love, and bursting with opportunities to connect with the best part of who we are. It could be the best gift you have ever given yourself, your friends and family.

Here are my tried and true approaches for a life-changing, no stress holiday season:

Volunteer: Sign up to serve Thanksgiving dinner at the local soup kitchen. You will have a profound experience, I promise.

Become a bigger family: Announce at your church or school that you are organizing a potluck Thanksgiving for singles and for families who would like to be part of a bigger group i.e. anyone who wants someone to eat with on Thanksgiving. Encourage people to bring their favorite holiday dish.

You would be amazed at the people who come?.divorced parents whose children are visiting ?the other parent,? single adults, single parent families, and people who can?t face the stress of preparing and cleaning up a huge dinner by themselves.

Take a trip: Take a trip at Christmas. Take your family or a special friend and go somewhere you?ve never been. Explore. Christmas decorations are everywhere? religious services abound. Resorts often have lots of empty condos at Christmas. (It?s the week after Christmas that is in big demand.)

Select an area restaurant for a deluxe Christmas Eve dinner remembering that nothing is open on Christmas Day.

Enjoy games, books, and puzzles together.

For children, emphasize the search: Give less expensive gifts and hide them. Leave rhyming clues to maximize the fun.

Entertain foreign guests: Call the local colleges and universities and request foreign students as guests for the holiday. They are such fun and bring fascinating stories about their lives at home and at the school. Sometimes they even contribute a treat from their homeland!

Remember those who work on holidays: Take some cut up veggies and a dip to an office where people work throughout the holiday?such as a fire station, a police station, or a nurses station at the hospital. Usually sweets abound, but nutritious nibbles make for a thoughtful gift.

Wrap little novelties for a nursing home of Alzheimers patients. Sit and visit a while with patients who can still connect. Women love used costume jewelry.

Propose a special family project such as helping the Battered Women?s Shelter. You can collect toiletry donations from big hotels or hold a clothing drive.

Honor a favorite relative by giving a goat to a family in Uganda in his or her name. Go to http://catalog.heifer.org.

These are a few ideas to get you going. The hardest part is choosing to do something different. Focus on enjoying your family rather than pleasing them. Simplify your preparation, and give love at a time that carries loneliness and heartbreak for so many. Instead of stress, you will find yourself full of gratitude.

? Ana Tampanna

Ana Tampanna, The Alligator Queen, is author or the The Womanly Art of Alligator Wrestling. To learn more about her books in addition to her speaking and coaching services, visit her site at http://www.alligatorcoach.com/index.html.