* Restaurant Rendezvous Take turns choosing a favorite restaurant to host your family meetings. For this option, choose an afternoon or evening in middle of week, or at off-peak times, to avoid heavy crowds. End meeting before dessert arrives, so everyone can indulge their sweet tooth happily.

* Hobby Haven I know of several families who hold their meetings at places that cater to their favorite hobbies. For instance, one family conducts their meeting at a bowling alley. Once meeting is over, they enjoy bowling together. Another family combines their gathering with their love of books, by meeting at a café in their favorite bookstore. And yet another family I know holds their weekly meeting after a joyful round of put-put golf. This option combines family communication and fun.

However, and wherever, your family decides to host meetings, remember this all-important point: Always end each meeting with a hug!

There are some free activities you can find online as well. For boys and girls, I particularly like http://www.makingfriends.com You can print them out for your kids or grandkids. Or you can even slip them in a card for someone else to enjoy. They can print, cut and make their own paper dolls. These are fun because kids or adults can present a play with their creations, retell a story or glue them to cards for gift giving.

Now when I go to my gift chest I am ready to wrap and don't have to put my life on hold to find a gift. Don't forget to keep your gift chest well stocked but not over-stuffed and overflowing! Try not to buy big bulky items that will use up all your space.

Make sure to keep a budget on gifts and don't overspend. By keeping your gift chest well stocked you can actually save some money by being able to get items on sale throughout year and not buying a more expensive item on impulse because you're already late for party!

Copyright - Stacie Dahl 2003 About author: Stacie is a WAHM with 4 little kiddos and owner of Blankie Bundles, an online gift boutique specializing in babies and young children's gifts. Visit: http://www.blankiebundles.com