This doesn’t have to be so. Who says you can’t enjoy the yuletide season like kids can? This article will give you a few tips on how to celebrate Christmas with less of the stress and more of the ho, ho, holiday fun.

I bet you’ve heard this a gazillion times, but I guess once more doesn’t hurt until you take it to heart: do your Christmas shopping early. Beat the mad rush and escape your kid’s heartbreak when you find out that the very last (insert name of their wanted toy] that sells like hotcakes here) has been won in a duel by another overzealous parent. So Shop early and avoid the scuffle.

And no, Christmas doesn’t mean you have to be a Stepford wife whipping up delicious Christmas goodies from scratch. Doing this will definitely eat up time on your hands to actually enjoy the things you cooked or baked. Order your food ready-made, pop it in the oven for a few minutes, and no one will ever know. It’s your little secret, everyone’s happy, and Christmas will be full of merrymaking from then on.

If you need help with your holiday preparations, then by all means, ask for it. Is Christmas not a season of goodwill to all men? (And Women?) More often than not, you will come out with better relationships, a long overdue chat, or discovering kindred hearts. There’s no better time of the year.

Learn to let loose and let the small things go. Trust me, no one will care about whether the food’s a little late as long as they’re enjoying each other’s company. Hey, it’s Christmas. In fact, you might get carried away by the excellent time spent with each other yourself. Just don’t forget, there’s still food cooking back in the kitchen. I mean, Christmas will cause you to be a little more cheerful and forgiving than most other days. Your guests are really there for the joy of your company - not just for the food.

K.I.S.S. works real well. In other words, keep it simple, sweetheart. Sure, your guests will no doubt be impressed by excellent Christmas decorations, but the whole point of Christmas is to enjoy each other, and pretty soon, after some interesting conversations, they won’t even notice the Christmas tree is not a real tree. Don’t go overboard on the decorations and preparations. Simple pine-tree scented candles can do wonders to your Christmas-inspired ambience.

Here are some other can’t-miss gifts for Christmas for a newborn:

Piggy Bank: A piggy bank can be so much more than a place to hold loose change - a hand-painted and personalized bank is a collectible gift that will be treasured for a lifetime. It will also come in handy when the child is older as a great way to teach a young child how to start saving and managing his money.

Classic Baby Toys: Nostalgia is the new “new.” Parents love to see their kids play with the toys of their own youth. Shop around for old-school Fisher Price people and buildings, wooden ABC blocks, shape sorters, Care Bears, jack-in-the-boxes. If you know the parents well it should be fairly easy to figure out what classic toys they enjoyed as children.

Diaper Cakes: If you ask new parents what they spend the most money on they will almost always tell you it is diapers. A diaper cake is a thoughtful gift - the cakes are made up of either disposable or cloth diapers and resemble a tiered cake - think wedding cake for babies. They almost always include other accessories such as toys, bibs, clothes, socks, pajamas, rattles or blankets and often a keepsake as a little gift for mom. Diaper cakes are also perfect for baby showers or to present on arrival home from the hospital.

Educational Toys: Every parent loves educational toys. Why not maximize playtime by learning a motor skill? There
are plenty of toys geared toward fine motor development or that have striking contrasting patterns for baby to look at and talk to. Teethers and blankets with tags or a satin stripe of a blanket offer various sensations when baby rubs them or puts them in his mouth.

Books: Another great idea, and something I always buy for new babies, is a book. Parents are swamped with toys and clothing on the birth of a baby and at Christmastime - toys break or children get bored with them, but you can start building a library that the whole family can enjoy for years. Soft, squeaky or washable books are perfect for babies and real little kids, but don’t be afraid to buy books that are a little ahead of where baby is - he will grow into it soon enough and it will live on his bookshelf longer.

1) Protect your account numbers - Most stores only print the last four or five digits of the charge account on your receipt. However, some stores haven’t caught up with technology. If the merchant makes an impression of your charge card, be sure to ask for any carbons that are part of the receipt. “Dumpster divers” can lift account numbers from discarded carbons to steal your identity and your account information.

2) Protect Your Social Security Number - If you are asked to provide a SSN when making a purchase, challenge the cashier as to why they need this information. Request that some other form of ID be used instead of your SSN. There is no valid reason for them to request this information. You provided it when you applied for your account so they should already have this on file.

However, if you’ve opened a new account, don’t be surprised if the cashier asks to see some form of picture ID, such as a driver’s license. Don’t view this as an imposition, remember that the store is actually taking steps to protect you - making sure that you are the account holder.

3) Keep an eye on your charge cards and receipts - Don’t let your charge card leave your sight. Most cashiers will keep your card so that they can verify the signature on the receipt. However, sometimes they simply swipe your card, then hand it back to you or put it on the counter for you to retrieve. Check that the card you’ve been given back is yours and not someone else’s. Occasionally, mistakes can happen, especially when the store is busy.

Also, make sure that you take your receipts with you. You’ll need them to verify your purchases when your bills come in January and February.

4) Watch for pickpockets - Professional pickpockets love the holiday shopping season. Open backpacks, large shopping bags and unstrapped purses are a pickpockets dream. “Be wary of the distractions around you, because that’s what the pickpockets like. They usually work in teams,” said Edward Gross, a Chicago police officer. “They usually work in teams. For example, one of the team members fakes a fall and when an innocent person tries to help that’s when the other pickpocket lifts the victim’s wallet.”

5) Use a credit card and a secure site when shopping online - Paying by credit card is the safest way to pay online. It protects your legal right to dispute charges for goods or services never received, never ordered or misrepresented.

1. Set a budget. This seems like a simple step, but many people fail to do this before starting their holiday shopping. Figure the total amount you can afford to spend on gifts and then divide that number by the total number of people on your list. This gives you the average amount that you should spend on each person. Try and stay within this limit for each person on your list.

2. Compare Prices. With the internet, it is easy to compare prices on most products. Some websites even offer customer comments which can give you valuable information on quality, ease of use, customer service, and overall ratings for many products. Some of the best websites for this are nextag.com, epinions.com, pricegrabber.com, and shopping.com.

3. Go to websites that give major discounts. These websites offer products at discounts of 50% or more. Selection and quantity may be limited but, if they have what you are looking for, you can save a lot of money. Some of the best websites for this are www.overstock.com and www.incrediblediscountgifts.com.

4. Shop at Thrift stores or Consignment Shops like the Salvation Army stores. You can find unique items at bargain prices, but be sure to check the quality of all merchandise. Remember, all items are sold “as is” and there are no returns.

5. Make your own gifts. Family members and friends will appreciate the time and thought that you put in to the gift, especially if it’s personalized just for them. Some ideas are photo collages, scrapbooks, and framed photos or personalized gift baskets filled with the recipients favorite coffees, teas, candies, jams, and baked goods.

6. Watch for Sales, Coupons, and Discounts in your local paper and online. On the internet just type in “Coupon Code”, “Sale”, or “Discount” into search engines like Google or Yahoo.

While giving does fill your heart with joy and help those who are less fortunate than us, many have taken this motto to extremes when it comes to buying Christmas presents for their children, spouses and other family members.

It is not uncommon for families to run up tremendous high-interest credit card debt to buy their children elaborate and expensive gifts such as computers, stereos and designer clothes as Christmas gifts.

Just take a look at the commercials that air constantly during the Christmas season. They all have one goal in mind: to motivate you to spend as much money as you can during the holidays.

I can remember one commercial in particular that advertised a leading high-end car manufacturer. The husband opened up his gift from his lovely wife to reveal a set of keys. When he went outside to look in the drive, there was a very expensive, sleek and seductive sports car. Seriously, who has been good enough all year to deserve a $50,000 luxury sports car? But the message is clear, give the very best. The same angle is used on men when it comes to buying expensive jewelry for their wives. It’s never ending.

Now, I’m not saying that advertisers are to blame for our ballooning Christmas debt. They are simply armed with the knowledge that more consumer spending takes place during the holidays, and they want a piece of the pie.

The fault then lies with our own inability to curb our holiday spending. It seems that even if we do not have the money to finance a lavish Christmas, we will still purchase one using our high-interest credit cards and worry about paying it off later. And worry we do.

If this scenario sounds familiar, it doesn’t have to be that way yet again this Christmas. You can take a few simple steps to alleviate Christmas debt altogether.

Here’s how:

· Spread your holiday spending throughout the year. If you’re one of those people who love to lavish your family members with expensive gifts during the Christmas season and you don’t want to stop the practice, you can avoid a debt hangover by spreading your purchases throughout the year instead of all at once a few weeks before Christmas.

· Set a holiday budget. Decide what you can reasonably afford to spend during the holidays and do not go above that amount even if it means sacrificing gifts along the way.

· Buy only for those closest to you. Contrary to what you might believe, you do not need to buy gifts for all 27 of your nieces and nephews. Buy for those in your household first, and then, if you have any left over, buy for those closest to you. You should also avoid buying for everyone at work. Just because someone buys for you that does not mean that you need to return the favor. Simply send a Thank You card and remember to put them on your Christmas card list.

· Remember that the best gifts come from the heart and not the department store. Likely many in your family would enjoy spending more time with you during the holiday season instead of watching you run from store to store trying to find the perfect gifts. Why not opt to spend more time together this year and keep gift giving to a minimum?

· Homemade gifts mean more and are less expensive. Wouldn’t it warm your heart to know that your beloved Aunt or Grandma baked your favorite Christmas treat especially for you? You wouldn’t have to know that yours was just a sampling of a large batch that she also distributed to her beautician, neighbors and friends. It didn’t cost her much money, and it won’t cost you much either to do the same for your friends.

Avoid Holiday Hazards

As you get your house ready for the holidays, keep your pets in mind. There are some holiday items that could be very dangerous for your pet.

* Mistletoe or holly can be harmful if ingested by your pet. Keep these plants out of your pet’s reach.

* Lilies are often used in holiday arrangements and bouquets, but they can be very dangerous for your cat. Certain types of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats, even in small amounts.

* Make your holiday decorations pet safe. Avoid glass ornaments, which can break and cut tiny paws.

* Dangling electrical cords can be enticing to curious pets, especially rabbits, kittens, and puppies. If electrical cords are chewed, they could electrocute your pet. Make sure to keep cords out of your pet’s reach.

* Keep batteries out of your pet’s reach. Batteries contain caustic material and if ingested, can cause chemical burns on the tongue, mouth, muzzle, and stomach of your pet.

Keep a Pet Friendly Kitchen

Pet owners may be tempted to give table scraps from holiday meals to their pets as a special treat. There are some types of people foods that can make pets very sick.

* Excessively rich or fatty foods can trigger pancreatitis (inflammatory disease of the pancreas) in pets.

* Chocolate can cause increased heart rate, tremors, or excitation, depending on the type and the quantity ingested.

* Ingestion of uncooked bread dough can be life-threatening. The animal’s body heat will cause the dough to rise in the stomach. Alcohol is produced during the rising process, and the dough may expand several times its original size.

* Some types of grapes and raisins have been shown to cause kidney failure in dogs when eaten in quantity. The basis for kidney failure following consumption of grapes or raisins is unclear, but this is being studied closely in the veterinary community.

* Other potentially dangerous food items for pets include moldy or spoiled foods, coffee grounds, onions, alcoholic beverages, macadamia nuts (dogs), and avocado (birds).

* Keep your pet birds safe from kitchen hazards too. Birds are extremely sensitive to any strong odor or smoke. Smoke from burning foods or overheated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coated cookware can be deadly for birds.

Keep your Guests on a Leash

Have a plan for your pets when you host a holiday party. Unfamiliar guests can make some pets very nervous. If your pet does not do well with crowds and loud noise, make sure you set aside a safe and quiet haven for it to retreat to, if necessary. Make sure to bring your pet fresh water, food, toys, litter box, and pet bed so your pet can relax during the party. Toys offer a multitude of activities for pets and will help to reduce anxiety and relieve boredom.

Remember your pet or your favorite pet lover during the holidays

This year, don’t forget to be sure you have the perfect gift for your favorite pet. Remember the four “F”s: Food (rawhide, bones, natural treats), Fashion (fashionable collars or leashes), Fitness (balls, plush toys, catnip, interactive toys), and Fun (seasonally inspired toys and treats).

Try these 10 special yet simple activities to be enjoyed with loved ones:

* Fill your home with the warm, beautiful light of candles. During the holidays, candles are available in all shapes, sizes and styles — often decorated with glitter and sequins for an even more glimmering effect. Cluster them together in a fireplace as an alternative to a crackling fire.

* Create festive table decorations — a fun and easy project to do with the kids! Grab some plain salt and pepper shakers, slather on some glue, then add glitter, sequins, silver stars and puffy paint . . . voila, these shining shakers are sure to add decoration — with function — the table.

* Top the tree with something extraordinary. Have an older guest and a younger one create the focal point of the room by topping the tree together with an eye-catching decoration. This season, Swarovski introduces a crystal Tree Topper, a beautiful large crystal star surrounded by six smaller stars creating the appearance of a large snowflake. Available in either chrome or gold plating, the tree topper creates a beautiful crown for a Christmas tree, a centerpiece for a holiday table or mantle decoration.

* Wrap silver or gold garland around lampposts, pillars and staircase banisters and drape tinsel on mirror frames and mantles. Add bows for some additional color and sparkle.

* Bake cookies! Use fun holiday-themed cookie cutters to create different shaped treats and decorate them with colored sugars and glossy icing.

* Catch the light. Swarovski’s Little Star Ornament can be displayed anywhere from the mantle to a chandelier against a window. Fill your home with these miniature six-point stars to bring cheer into every room. Hang multiples of the same crystal ornament from a mantle, interspersed with greenery, colorful berries and candles creating a personalized holiday display.

* Cover throw pillows with festive slipcovers or purchase simple ones and add on beads in holiday colors. All that is required is a needle and thread, some beads, trim and lots of creativity.

* Fashion napkin holders out of crystal ornaments and now place them around fancy cloth napkins to top off a festive holiday table.

* Sprinkle glitter on flat surfaces to make a holiday table, mantle, shelf, windowsill twinkle.

* To make the new tradition of decorating together even more special, give memorable gifts to each participating member this year. Swarovski’s 2003 Annual Edition Ornament is an eight-point star which beautifies the home by catching light through its 207 crystal facets. This collectors item includes a silver plate engraved with the year is suspended from the ornament’s navy blue ribbon. The ornament, which is updated each year, is a perfect gift to mark the years and start a holiday gift-giving tradition.