--->Kid's Café Set up old card table and let children play restaurant. Have children make up or use play money and menus. Children that can't write yet can draw food items on menus. Give them some paper plates, cups, plastic silverware, a little notebook and they're open for business. Take turns being waiter, customer and busboy (or girl ).

--->Go Camping This too can be played in or out of doors and possibilities are endless. If you have a smaller pop-up tent, it can be set up in living room. If you're taking this activity outdoors, you can hang an old sheet over a clothesline securing with rocks at bottom. Have children draw or cut out windows if you're using an old sheet. (Remember to keep for next camping trip.) Set up some lawn chairs around your faux fire and tell stories, sing songs, make smores in microwave or any other favorite camping activity. Go all way and sleep there tonight!

--->Movie Night Go to your favorite video rental store and have your child help pick out a movie for whole family. Have children make tickets for show, play money, popcorn, baggies of dried fruit, paper cups of juice or any other favorite snacks. Set these items up for "sale" and have each family member "purchase" their tickets and munchies. Then sit back and enjoy show!

*Protect your child's naptime and playtime.

*Spend floor-time with your child every day.

5. Commercialism.

*Create family traditions that involve giving to those in need.

*Focus on low-cost or no-cost holiday traditions.

*Help keep children's expectations realistic. For example, you might say You'll get about same amount of presents as you did on your birthday.

6. Bills!

*Decide on a holiday budget for entertaining and gifts.

* If credit cards make overspending too easy, stick to cash for holiday purchases.

7. Loss.

* If you have lost a loved one, holidays may intensify your grief. Explore ways to cope at www.griefnet.org/library/articles/hfa-tips.html or www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=FL00055.

*If holiday blues persist or seem particularly intense, don't hesitate to reach out for professional help. Your physician or clergyperson can give you a referral.

8. Post-holiday let-down.

*Spread out fun at least through end of school vacation by planning an outing or a fun time at home for each day.

*Have a party and finish your leftover holiday sweets night before school resumes.

A little forethought and planning can go a long way towards making you glad holidays are coming - instead of just glad when they're over. Your wisdom holds key to holiday joy.

© 2004 Norma Schmidt, Coach, LLC