I figure at least two of these are valuable lessons that can add happiness to a person's life. Little Lady teaches me self-actualization lessons daily now, and I am learning to listen with head and heart.

How often do we value wrong things? The things that cost most? How hard to we work to earn all that extra income to buy things we simply do not need. Anyone reading this probably has more than she will ever need, and yet don't we all want more anyway?

Suppose we chose to have less of things money can buy, and instead chose to have more time? More time to spend with our family? More time to spend with ourselves? More time to just be? What if we are giving up red balloon chasing after ball?

My wife and I made a big decision a few months ago. We gave up condo in city for a big ol' house in country. Our red balloon was space to raise a family in a much less noisy and stressed-out environment. The ball we gave up was "glamour" of city living and a fancy condo.

Assuming we can make a living from my book, my ezine, my web site and whatever other work-from-home projects I take on, we get to keep red balloon.

I invite you to look carefully at your life. Ask what truly brings you meaning. Then ask yourself if you could have more of that if you spent less time and effort on activities that don't bring you meaning but just fill your time.

Enjoy your red balloon.

If a lot of people are included in your cookie exchange, then printing recipes for everyone to cut and paste in their booklets might just be a lot easier.

The decor for your party should be Holiday oriented, of course, but with a slant toward baking. Garlands of scented gingerpeople could hang from arches and doorways and a centerpiece could include miniature baking utensils found in toy stores. Tiny cake boxes, spoons, measuring cups, etc. add a whimsical touch.

To serve your cookies, divide a large table into sections with ribbons that have wooden spoons attached to ends so that ribbons are weighted down and don't move as people encircle table. You could ask your guests to pre-package their cookies in individual wrap so that everyone can take just one - or in small packages as they see fit - just make sure that there are enough of each type of cookie so everyone gets to take some home.

Keep your menu simple and informal. You could provide decorative canisters or paper bags that you have enhanced with Holiday cheer for taking home all those goodies.

A cookie exchange is a wonderful way to get your Holiday baking started - and you get a wonderful array of cookeis to serve to your family and friends or just to munch on as you sit by a fire or watch snow fall and cold winds blow. ENJOY! ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 November