Christmas Gift Idea: Homemade Jelly, Jam and Preserves

Jelly, jam and preserves make the best inexpensive homemade Christmas gifts. You will need to have the right equipment on hand to make them. You'll need baking sheets, canning jars with lids, a colander, several pots and pans, a food processor or blender, some paring knives, tongs, slotted spoons, a strainer for removing seeds from fruit such as strawberries and blackberries, and a wire rack for cooling. You will also need ingredients such as sugar and pectin, the ingredient which makes the product firm and solid.

Before you begin to make your jam, jelly or preserves Christmas gift, wash your jars out with hot soapy water, or wash them in the dishwasher. You may keep them hot on the dishwasher's dry cycle or set them on baking sheets and transfer them to the oven set to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the lids sterile by simmering them in water. Never bring them to a full rolling boil. You can also make jam, jelly and preserves with some bread makers.

It's best to use the freshest fruit possible. Try obtaining your fruit from local growers, since they tend to fresh off the vine; fruit shipped from out of state is often picked green and has already been sitting for weeks before it even reaches you. You can also try picking your own fruit at a local farm or orchard. Since most fruit is harvested in the summer or fall, it's best to get started on your canning well in advance of the Christmas season. Carefully wash your fruit before beginning the canning process. Then chop and pit it, removing any blemishes or bruises. If the fruit you need is not in season, you can easily make your jam, jelly or preserves from frozen fruit.

After you complete your jam, jelly or preserves and place it in the jars with the lids tightly screwed on, you must sterilize them by boiling them in water which covers the jars by one or two inches. When completed, the button on the top of the lid should be down, just as in jars which you would purchase from the grocery store. If the lid is not down, then this is a sign that your product did not sterilize and seal properly, and you will need to repeat the process.

Be very careful when making jam, jelly or preserves. There is a lot of heat involved in this process, and you can easily be burned. Try wearing heat-resistant gloves and long sleeves to protect your hands and arms.

When your jelly, jam or preserves are finished, decorate them by placing attractive cloth over the lids and binding with a ribbon. Complete your homemade Christmas gift by placing the jars inside a gift basket. You can buy the basket, make it yourself, or purchase one from a thrift store, garage sale or Craigslist.

Apricot Jam Christmas Gift Idea

3 pounds apricots (you can substitutes nectarines, plums or peaches)
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup water
7 cups sugar
Fruit pectin

Start with fresh or frozen apricots (they should have no added sugar). Wash the fruit thoroughly under cool water. Jam can be made in small batches only, so don't increase the recipe. Follow the above instructions for sterilizing the jars. Keep the lids in the lightly boiling water while you're making the apricot mixture.

Peel the apricots. To make peeling easier, boil the fruit for about a minute, then remove and soak in ice water. The skins should come off easily.

Carefully chop and pit the apricots, removing any brown areas. Place them in a food processor or blender with the water and process until they are smooth. Measure about four cups of apricots into a large pot. Add the sugar and the lemon juice and stir. Boil over high heat and continue to stir. Add the amount of pectin recommended by the manufacturer and boil hard about one minute longer, and stir constantly. Remove the mixture from the heat. Place the jam in the jars with a metal ladle. Do not fill all the way to the top, but leave a space of about one eighth of an inch. Use a freshly washed damp towel to remove any spills from the outside of the jars. Use the tongs to remove the lids from the gently boiling water, and place on a towel to dry. Screw the lids on the jars tightly and sterilize in boiling water for five to eight minutes.

Apple Preserves Christmas Gift Idea

6 cups tart apples such as Rome, Macintosh or Granny Smith
1 cup water
1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
Fruit pectin
1/2 cup thin lemon slices
2 teaspoons of nutmeg
4 cups sugar

Peel and slice the apples. Place them in the saucepan with the water and lemon juice. Cook over low heat for ten minutes with the cover on. Add the pectin according to package instructions and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Add the sugar and the lemon slices. Bring back to a full boil, and boil hard for one minute, stirring constantly.

Remove the apple mixture from the heat and add the nutmeg. Ladle into the jars, leaving a space of one quarter inch at the top. Remove the lids from the boiling water and allow to cool. Dry them and screw them on tightly. Boil the jars in water for ten minutes.

Blackberry Preserves Christmas Gift Idea

3 pounds fresh or frozen blackberries
7 cups sugar
Fruit Pectin

Remove any stems or caps from the blackberries. If using frozen blackberries, allow them to thaw before beginning. Wash thoroughly under cold water and allow to drain. Process the blackberries in a food processor or blender. Push through a strainer to remove the seeds. Place four cups of blackberries into a large pot and add the sugar. Bring this mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for one minute, stirring continually. Transfer to hot jars, and place the lids on tightly. Boil the jars in water for five to ten minutes.

Raspberry Jelly Christmas Gift Idea

3 quarts raspberries
7 1/2 cups sugar
Fruit pectin

Place the raspberries in a jar and crush them. Boil the jar in a saucepan until the juice is released. Place some cheesecloth in a strainer and place over a large sauce pot. Pour off the juice. Remove the cheesecloth and place the cooked raspberries into the strainer and allow to drain into the pot. You should have four cups of juice. Don't try to push the juice out of the raspberries. Gradually add the sugar and bring the mixture to a low boil. Add the fruit pectin and boil. Ladle into sterilized jars and tightly screw on the lids.

Jalapeno Jelly Christmas Gift Idea

1 green bell pepper
16 jalapeno peppers
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 1/4 cups sugar
Fruit pectin
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar

Chop the green bell pepper and twelve of the jalapeno peppers. Process in a food processor until well chopped. Place in a large pot and add the vinegar. Boil over low heat for fifteen to twenty minutes. Push the mixture through a strainer or through cheesecloth until you have one up of juice. Put the juice back into the pot, and add the sugar and salt. Boil to a full rolling boil for a minute. Add the pectin according to package instructions.

Seed and chop the remaining four jalapeno peppers. Stir them into the jelly mixture, then ladle the jelly into sterile jars with one quarter inch of empty space at the top. Seal the jars tightly.

"How to Make Apricot Preserves," URL: (http://www.ehow.com/how_17979_make-apricot-preserves.html)
"How to Make Blackberry Preserves," URL: (http://www.ehow.com/how_17892_make-blackberry-preserves.html)

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/453235/christmas_gift_idea_homemade_jelly.html?cat=74

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Ten Free Christmas Gift Ideas

Sometimes we find ourselves short on Christmas cash, yet we still have several people left on our Christmas lists. If this happens to you this Christmas, give some thought to these ten free Christmas gift ideas.

1. Coupons: You can easily make coupons this Christmas for your friends, family, and coworkers, for free. To create these free Christmas coupons, open a word processing program and search for clipart that will match your coupon. For example, if you want to give your child a free Christmas coupon that entitles them to a month without having to take out the trash, you could search for trash can. Once you have selected a clipart image, type your message next to the coupon, selecting a nice font to add character to your free Christmas coupon. Once you have made the number of free Christmas coupons that you need, print them out and put them in an envelope. I highly suggest decorating the envelope to make the gift even more special. For example, if you have stickers around the house that your child would like, decorate the envelope that way. If the free coupons are for your partner, decorate the envelope with hearts and love quotes that can be found online.

2. Homemade Treats: Homemade treats make the perfect free Christmas gift. If you have a well stocked pantry, you can easily make a free Christmas gifts. Choose easy recipes, last Christmas I chose four recipes, I split the recipes up and packaged them in Christmas tins, but you could easily put the treats on paper plates and wrap them with plastic wrap. The people, I gave these free Christmas treats to, were thrilled. They liked the candy and cookies more than previous Christmas gifts that weren’t free. Free Christmas gifts that come from the heart mean more than something hastily picked up at the local department store.

3. Collage: Whether it’s for your friends or family, a collage of pictures makes a great free Christmas gift. A great idea is look online for pictures of celebrities that your loved ones like. Print the pictures out on photo paper and assemble them on large piece of cardboard. You can easily take part of a large shipping box and use it to assemble your pictures on. I think it looks great to overlap the pictures. This way the cardboard is completely covered and all you see are the pictures. You can do the same thing with family pictures. This makes a great free Christmas gift.

4. Offer Your Services: If you specialize in something, you can easily give a free Christmas gift this year. For example, if you own a bakery, offer to make your friends cakes for their Christmas parties. If you are a mechanic, offer to change your friend’s oil for free. Your friends will greatly appreciate your services and it will be free.

5. A Romantic Dinner: This is a great free Christmas gift idea for boyfriends/husbands. Prepare your girlfriend/wife a meal from scratch on a night that you know will be really hectic for her. For example, if she calls to tell you that she’s going to go and finish up the Christmas shopping that evening, have dinner ready when she gets home. She’ll love you for it. Another idea, for friends, is to cook a romantic dinner for them. Arrive at their house with food from your own pantry and fridge. If your friends have a dining room, set it up with candles and turn down the lights. If your friends don’t have a dining room, set up their living room in a very romantic way. Maybe pushing the coffee table out of the way and placing a blanket and several pillows in the floor and candles around the room. Have your friends sit down and enjoy each others company while you go into the kitchen and prepare them a wonderful dinner. I would suggest preparing a dessert at home and leaving it for them on the kitchen counter and slipping out while they enjoy their dinner, making sure they have everything they need before you leave. This is a free Christmas gift idea that cannot miss.

6. A Night Off: Do your friends have a really hectic life? Work, kids, soccer practice, etc? Give your friends the nights off. Offer to take their children to soccer practice and then take them to your house for dinner. This will allow your friends to relax after work. A night of relaxation is a wonderful free Christmas gift.

7. Errands: Does your partner have several errands to do on the weekend? Do they have to get the oil changed, go grocery shopping, get the kids hair cut, etc? Let them take the weekend off. Get the grocery list from them, take the car and get the oil changed and pick up the groceries. Then get something to eat out town. Bring your partner something to eat and including a pint of their favorite ice cream. This free Christmas gift will get you lots of brownie points.

8. Crafts: Are you good at a certain craft? Do you know how to do cross-stitch or crochet? Make your loved ones a free Christmas gift using the hobby that you love. A free homemade Christmas gift that your loved ones can keep forever means so much. When you put so much time into a gift, your recipients do not think about the fact that the Christmas gift was free.

9. Book of Quotes and Poems: We all have notebooks lying around the house. This Christmas create a free Christmas gift that will show how much you really do care. Go online and search for quotes and poems that match the relationship you have with this person. For example, if you are making this book for your girlfriend/wife search for love quotes and poems. Then decorate the outside of the book with hearts and maybe rose petals that have been pressed in a book. To put this much time in a Christmas gift especially for your girlfriend/wife will mean more than you ever imagined. Free doesn’t have to be junk. A free Christmas gift can be very meaningful. It just takes time.

10. CD: Everyone has favorite songs. Make your loved one a CD that has all their favorite songs on it this Christmas. If it’s for someone extra special, put songs on there that remind you of them. This is another great Christmas gift that is free. It just requires searching for the music and burning the CD.


Free Christmas gifts must come from the heart or they are nothing more than junk. You really must think about these Christmas gifts and the person you are giving them to. Make a free Christmas gift as special as the person you are giving it to.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/63527/ten_free_christmas_gift_ideas.html?cat=46

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Holiday stress

Holidays are supposed to offer relaxation and recuperation, but some people find them disappointingly stressful. One of the main reasons is the changing face of the Australian holiday. While many people used to take four weeks or more of leave from work, most people now take shorter breaks and choose destinations close to home. With less time to enjoy, many people compensate by organising jam-packed itineraries, which can lead to exhaustion and disillusionment.

The 'holiday of a lifetime' myth can create stress
Since Australians are taking shorter and fewer holidays, the pressure to have the 'perfect' holiday is higher than ever. Such expectation can lead to stress and disappointment. Suggestions include:

1. Ease the pressure, if possible, by planning a few short breaks over the year. That way, the annual holiday won't take on so much importance that it fails your expectations.

2. If possible, take longer holidays. You are more likely to feel relaxed after three weeks away rather than one.

3. Action-packed itineraries can leave everyone exhausted and frazzled - the recuperative powers of 'doing nothing' while on holidays are underrated. Make sure you allow enough time for lazing on the beach, reading books and dawdling over good food.

Sidestep potential problems
Holidays can be marred by misfortune, but you can avoid many potential pitfalls with forethought and commonsense, including:

1. Buy adequate travel insurance. Make sure it covers the needs of every family

2. Be sun-smart and avoid sunburn by covering up and wearing sunscreen.

3. Don't undertake risky adventure sports (such as parachuting) unless you are experienced.

4. If you're keen on adventure sports, use the correct equipment and go with a trained professional.

5. If traveling overseas, carry copies of important documents and items (such as passports, travelers cheques and credit cards) in case of theft.

6. Take measures to avoid food poisoning - for example, don't eat at buffet restaurants.

Traveling with young children
uggestions include:

1. Involve older children in the planning for the holiday.

2. Ask your travel agent for family-friendly suggestions. For example, you may like to consider two-bedroom accommodation, or a hotel with child-minding services.

3. Balance everyone's needs. When visiting attractions with older children, try the 'trade off' method - activities for adults in the morning, balanced with activities for children in the afternoon.

4. Keep it simple. Complicated trips involving lots of travelling, jam-packed itineraries or too many visits to adult-orientated attractions can be difficult on children and aggravating for parents.

Spending time together can be stressful
A family naturally expects to have a good time on holidays. However, it is worth remembering that most families only spend a few hours per day together because of work, school and recreational pursuits. Habits that are usually just annoying could become major sources of irritation when you spend every waking minute together on holidays. Suggestions include:

1. Consider your accommodation options. It may be better to rent a two (or more) bedroom unit rather than a large bunkhouse, so that everyone can have some time to themselves when they want.

2. Not every event has to be experienced as a family unit. Consider splitting the family into two 'teams' - for example, dad with one child and mum with the other - so you can explore attractions separately. Swap over the next day.

3. Use negotiation to settle disputes. Trying to enforce calm by using the saying 'because I said so' will only make children grumpy and parents fed-up.

Step-families can experience holiday tension
Around four per cent of Australian families are step-families, while blended families (where partners each have children from prior relationships) account for about three per cent. In some cases, holidays for these families can be extremely difficult. Suggestions include:

1. Appreciate that it may take five to eight years or so before everyone is comfortable enough with holidaying together to really enjoy it.

2. Together, acknowledge that this is a new family that needs 'new' traditions, including where and how you go on holiday. Work as a group to come up with ideas that suit everyone (expect to compromise).

3. Anticipate and allow each person to miss and grieve the holiday traditions of their original family. Where possible, accommodate wishes.

4. Keep the communication lines open. Talk to each other about feelings, wants and disappointments.

5. Don't brush over conflicts while on holiday. Use this time to help work out the dynamics of your new family.

6. Set limits. The stability of your marriage must take precedence, since your new family is at risk without your commitment to each other as partners.

Where to get help
1. Your doctor
2. Travel agent
3. Family counsellors.

Things to remember
1. Rather than spend four weeks or so on holiday, Australians are increasingly taking shorter breaks and choosing destinations close to home.

2. With less time to enjoy, many people compensate by organising jam-packed itineraries, which can lead to exhaustion and disillusionment.

3. Take the needs of each family member into account when planning a holiday.

4. Keep expectations realistic - a few weekends away during the year will reduce the pressure on the annual holiday to be 'perfect'.

Source: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Holiday_stress?OpenDocument

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Christmas can be stressful

Although Christmas is meant to be a happy and joyful time, this isn't how everyone feels at this time of the year. Christmas can be a stressful and depressing time for many people. Some people find that the Christmas spirit can be undermined by:

1. Financial and time pressures
2. Isolation
3. Family tensions
4. Separation and divorce
5. Bereavement
6. Becoming a step-family
7 Reflecting on another year gone by.

Financial and time pressures
The expense of gifts and food, the pressure of shopping and the expectations of the season can make Christmas an extremely stressful time. General suggestions include:

1. Budget for Christmas so that you don't overspend. This may mean putting money away each week throughout the year.

2. Do your Christmas shopping early, perhaps in November.

3. Shop online or use mail order catalogues to avoid the crowds at shopping centres.

4. Consider a simpler version of Christmas lunch this year, such as a buffet where everyone brings a plate, or else delegate as many tasks as you can.

5. Seek advice from a financial counsellor if you are experiencing severe money troubles. Centrelink offers free advice for people on benefits.

Isolation
Some people find themselves alone at Christmas time. The reasons could include relocation to a city far from relatives, a marital break-up or family estrangement. The emphasis on family, friends and shared good times during the 'festive season' can make these people feel depressed and unloved. Suggestions include:

1. If separated by distance, keep in constant touch by phone, mail and email.

2. Christmas shopping for loved ones can help you feel connected, even though you may be half a world away. Make sure you post your gifts in early December to avoid the Christmas mail rush.

3. Make plans for Christmas Day. If you have no one to share the day with, consider volunteering for charity work - for example, you could help organisations such as The Salvation Army give Christmas lunch to people in need.

4. Attend community celebrations such as Carols by Candlelight and neighbourhood picnics.

5. Use the strength of your feelings to change your situation. If you are estranged from loved ones, perhaps you could attempt to reconcile with relatives and old friends (if possible), or else take steps to widen your social network.

Family tensions
All families experience tension to some degree. Part of the reason why Christmas time can be so stressful is the unrealistic expectation of coming together as a happy family on this one day of the year. Suggestions include:

1. Keep realistic expectations. If your relatives tend to fight throughout the year, they will fight on Christmas Day as well.

2. Appreciate that everyone is under stress to a certain degree. For example, one relative may have worked overtime to get everything done before their office closed for Christmas and may be feeling exhausted and harried. Another may be anxious because they overspent on their credit cards. As far as possible, be understanding of people's situations.

3. Consider breaking up the celebrations to keep 'warring factions' apart. For example, you could see one group of relations on Christmas Eve and another on Christmas Day.

4. Family members involved in after lunch activities (such as cricket on the back lawn) are less likely to get into arguments. Plan for something to do as a group after lunch if necessary.

5. Use relaxation techniques, distraction and group activities to help steer around stressful situations.

6. Avoid overindulging in alcohol - the reduced inhibitions could contribute to (or cause) an unnecessary argument.

Separation or divorce
It can be hard for a 'fractured' family to face its first Christmas. Perhaps the parents have separated or divorced, or a family member is overseas and unable to attend the traditional celebrations. Suggestions include:

1. Allow yourself to feel your emotions. If you prefer to put on a brave face for others, give yourself enough time alone to help deal with your feelings.

2. Talk about it as a family. Sharing your thoughts and feelings (and tears) can help you feel closer.

3. If children are involved, the separated couple should try hard to be civil during the festive season, or at least limit their disagreements to times when their children are out of earshot.

4. Arrange, if necessary, to stagger the Christmas celebrations so that the children can spend (for example) Christmas Day with one parent and Boxing Day with the other. To keep it fair, you can swap arrangements the year after.

5. Avoid the Christmas rush and send presents, cards or letters to loved ones overseas at the start of December. Appreciate that phone calls may be difficult to make at Christmas because of high demand.

Step-families
Around four per cent of Australian families are step-families, while blended families (partners who each have children from prior relationships) account for about three per cent. In some cases, Christmas for these families can be extremely difficult. Suggestions include:

1. Get together as a family and decide (early in the year, so there's plenty of time) what you would all like to do for Christmas. Make sure the children have their say.

2. Stagger the celebrations so that each child gets to spend time with both their natural parents and their step-parents.

3. Try not to take arrangements too personally. For example, if your ex-partner says they can only see their child for a brief breakfast on Boxing Day, that doesn't necessarily mean they don't care. Instead of getting angry, organise a more substantial get-together for your child and ex-partner next Christmas.

4. Appreciate that now is not the time to sort out long-standing grievances. Christmas is stressful enough as it is - wait until things have settled down in the New Year, if you can.

5. Talk to friends or a counsellor if you need help to sort through your feelings.

Bereavement
Significant occasions, such as birthdays and Christmas, are always difficult for a bereaved family. Suggestions include:

1. Deciding to ignore Christmas altogether could exacerbate your grief. However, depending on your family's needs, you may wish to try something different this year - for example, if you've always had lunch at home, perhaps have it at a restaurant instead. Alternatively, sticking to your family's traditions may be more helpful. The important thing is to discuss your preferences as a family.

2. Expect and appreciate that people show their grief in different ways. One person may want to reminisce, while another could prefer to remain tight-lipped.

3. If you feel you can, talk together about your loved one. Sharing memories and tears can help you come to terms with Christmas without them.

4. You may like to spend some time alone so you can think about your loved one. Talking out loud to them or writing them a letter can be helpful.

5. Don't feel guilty if you find yourself having a good time - sharing a few laughs with family or friends doesn't mean you don't love or miss that special person.

6. Ask friends for their support. If they don't know how to help you, tell them.

7. It might be beneficial to talk to someone neutral, such as a bereavement counsellor.

Looking back without joy
The close of another year often prompts people to reflect on their achievements - or disappointments - over the previous 12 months. Some people mourn the loss of another year of their lives. Suggestions include:

1. Make a conscious effort to list all the positive things you did or experienced during the year.

2. If possible, mend fences. Contact those people you miss and make steps towards reconciliation.

3. Appreciate that your feelings may be due to a combination of Christmas-related factors, including money worries, the pressure of last minute shopping and unrealistic expectations of festive cheer. Remind yourself that many of these negative feelings will pass once the New Year is underway.

4. Remember that most New Year's Eve resolutions are unrealistic, made during times of sad reflection. This year, try to come up with positive and achievable goals for the upcoming 12 months.

Where to get help

1. Your doctor
2. Financial planner
3. Psychologist
4. Your local community health centre
5. Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria Helpline Tel. (03) 9886 9377
6. Australian Psychological Referral Service Tel. (03) 8662 3300 or 1800 333 497

Things to remember
1. Ease Christmas stress by drawing up a budget, shopping early and taking steps to avoid overspending.

2. Don't expect a hassle-free Christmas - realistic expectations can prevent disappointment.

3. Discuss your Christmas plans as a family, and appreciate that doing things a little differently this year could help everyone deal with loss, divorce or new family arrangements.

Source: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Christmas_can_be_stressful?OpenDocument

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Christmas - tips to reduce the stress

Christmas is typically one of the most stressful events of the year. The expense of buying gifts, the pressure of last minute shopping and the heightened expectations of family togetherness can all combine to undermine our best intentions. Some practical suggestions can help you reduce your 'Christmas stress'.

Budgeting for Christmas
For many of us, the Christmas aftermath includes massive credit card bills that can take months to clear. Christmas doesn't have to be a financial headache if you plan ahead. Stress reduction strategies include:

1. As early as you can in the New Year, work out a rough budget of expected Christmas costs. Don't forget 'hidden' expenses such as food bills and overseas telephone charges.

2. Calculate how much disposable income you have between now and Christmas. A certain percentage of this can be dedicated each week (or fortnight or month) to covering your expected Christmas costs. Don't be discouraged if the amount seems small. If you save $5.00, $10.00 or $20.00 per week over a year, it can provide you with a hefty nest egg.

3. If your nest egg isn't enough to cover your estimated expenses, perhaps you may need to refigure your Christmas budget to a more realistic amount.

4. If you have trouble keeping your hands off your Christmas nest egg, consider opening a 'Christmas Club' account.

Presents
If you have a large circle of extended family or friends to buy gifts for, it can be very costly. You might be able to reduce the stress and cost of Christmas for everyone if you suggest a change in the way your family and friends give presents. For example, you could suggest that your group:

1. Buy presents only for the children.
2. Have a Kris Kringle, where everyone draws a name out of a hat and buys a present only for that person.
3. Set a limit on the cost of presents.

Christmas shopping
According to a recent study by Roy Morgan Research, around 60 per cent of Australians dislike Christmas shopping, just 20 per cent plan their shopping expeditions, and the majority of us (nearly 75 per cent) often come home without a single purchase for our efforts. Stress reduction strategies for successful Christmas shopping include:

1. Make a list of all the gifts you wish to buy before you go shopping. If you wait for inspiration to strike, you could be wandering aimlessly around the shopping centre for hours.

2. Buy a few extras, such as chocolates, just in case you forget somebody or you have unexpected guests bearing gifts.

3. If possible, do your Christmas shopping early - in the first week of December or
even in November. Some well-organised people do their Christmas shopping gradually over the course of the year, starting with the post-Christmas sales.

4. Buy your gifts by mail catalogue or over the Internet. Some companies will also gift-wrap and post your presents for a small additional fee.

The Christmas lunch (or dinner)
Stress reduction strategies include:

1. If you are cooking lunch at home, delegate tasks. You don't need to do everything yourself.

2. Consider keeping it simple - for instance, you could always arrange for a 'buffet' lunch, where everybody brings a platter.

3. Buy as many non-perishable food items as you can in advance - supermarkets on Christmas Eve are generally extremely busy.

4. You may need to order particular food items (such as turkeys) from your supermarket by a certain date. Check to avoid disappointment.

5. Consider doing your food shopping online. The store will deliver your groceries to your door. (Keep in mind this option is more expensive than visiting the supermarket yourself.)

6. Book well in advance if you plan to have lunch at a restaurant. Some restaurants may be fully booked for months before Christmas, so don't wait till the last minute.

Relationships
Stress, anxiety and depression are common during the festive season. If nothing else, reassure yourself that these feelings are normal. Stress reduction strategies include:

1. Don't expect miracles. If you and certain family members bicker all year long, you can be sure there'll be tension at Christmas lunch.

2. Avoid known triggers. For example, if politics is a touchy subject in your family, don't talk about it. If someone brings up the topic, use distraction and quickly move onto something else to talk about.

3. Use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or focusing on your breath, to cope with anxiety or tension.

4. Family members involved in after-lunch activities (such as cricket on the back lawn) are less likely to get into arguments. Plan for something to do as a group after lunch if necessary.

5. People under stress tend to 'self-medicate' with alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs. Try to remember that drugs can't solve problems or alleviate stress in the long term.

The little extras
Other ways you might be able to reduce the stress include:

1. Write up a Christmas card list and keep it in a safe place so that you can refer to it (and add or delete names) year after year.

2. Plan to write your Christmas cards in early December. Book a date in your diary so you don't forget.

3. Christmas cards with 'Card only' marked on the envelope can be posted at a reduced rate during November and December.

4. Overseas mail at Christmas time takes longer to arrive. Arrange to send cards or presents in the first half of December, to avoid disappointments (and long queues at the post office).

5. For great savings, buy Christmas necessities (such as cards, wrapping paper, ribbons and decorations) at post-Christmas sales.

General health and wellbeing
Some other ways to keep your stress levels down include:

1. Try to be moderate - it may be the season to be jolly, but too much food and alcohol is harmful, and drink driving is a real danger and illegal. If you can't (or don't want to) step off the social merry-go-round, at least try to eat and drink in moderation.

2. Get enough sleep - plan for as many early nights as you can.

3. Keep moving - keeping up your regular exercise routine can give you the fitness and stamina to make it through the demands of the festive season.

Where to get help
1. Your doctor
2. Financial planner
3. Your local community health centre.

Things to remember
1. Save a percentage of your disposable income throughout the year to provide a nest egg for Christmas expenses.

2. Make a list of all the gifts you wish to buy and shop early.

3. Don't expect miracles - if you and certain family members bicker all year long, you can be sure there'll be tension at Christmas lunch.

Source: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Christmas_tips_to_reduce_the_stress?OpenDocument

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The secret to surviving the holiday buffet

Yes, there are ways to enjoy the goodies — without gaining weight

There is probably no greater diet danger zone than the holiday buffet. It's hard to resist grabbing a huge plate and piling it up with buttery breads, cheeses, meats, cakes, cookies and pies.

Although it might seem as if we’re swimming against stream when it comes to the delicious — but calorie-laden — holiday table, there are a lot of people who seem immune to overloading their plates. They have fun at buffets, parties and dinners without gaining weight. What’s their secret?

To better understand how some people survive the pitfalls of all-you-can-eat dining, researchers at my Cornell University Food and Brand Lab observed 213 normal weight and overweight diners at buffets across the country. We found that heavier diners are more likely than slimmer diners to sit closer to the buffet, use larger plates and serve themselves immediately instead of browsing the buffet.

In the study, heavy folks grabbed a plate almost as soon as they arrived and immediately started serving themselves. The normal weight diners were more likely to scout things out first. When they did pick up a plate they were seven times more likely than the heavy eaters to take the smallest plate available. Some specifics:

- 71 percent of normal-weight diners browsed the buffet before serving themselves, compared to 33 percent of obese diners.

- 27 percent of normal-weight patrons faced the buffet compared to 42 percent of obese diners.

- 16 percent of obese diners sat at a booth rather than a table compared to 38 percent of normal weight diners.

- Normal-weight people chewed their food an average of 15 times per bite versus overweight people who chewed only 12 times. In fact, speedy eaters are three times more likely to be overweight than people who eat more slowly and who don’t eat until they’re full, recent research found.

- Overweight diners sat an average of 16 feet closer to the buffet than normal-weight diners, presumably to shorten the trip when they go back for seconds … or thirds.

Have your cake and eat it
There are three main problems with a buffet, not only at the holidays, but anytime of the year. Those huge tables of food are prime examples of what I call the 3 C's of disastrous dieting:

Convenience: Food is all around and it’s often with arm-reach.

Caloric: Whether sweet or salty, buffet foods are often higher in the indulgence factor than good sense.

Choices: There is a lot of variety, which increases how much you eat because your taste buds don’t burn out on one thing.

The bottom line of the buffet is you really can have your holiday cake and eat it, too. You just need to browse the food to find what you really want, use a small plate and eat slowly. To avoid the temptation of going back for seconds, sit as far away from the table of food as possible. If you don’t face the goodies, you are less likely to spot something else you want to pile on the plate.

In my book, "Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think," I also describe a trick that seems to work well for many holiday buffet-goers. It’s called the Rule of Two. You can choose anything you want at the buffet, but you can never have more than two items on your plate. If you want to load it up with nuts and cake, go ahead. If you want to go back for seconds and load it up again with chips and carrots, go ahead. Although this sounds like a recipe for disaster, it actually works quite well for people for three reasons:

1. You tend to take the two types of food you want most. People who love desserts don’t work their way up to desserts. They’ll start with the desserts, and then stop.

2. You tend to not overfill you plate. Putting only two things on our plate helps keep our serving sizes somewhat small because we psychologically don’t want to overload on a particular item.

3. You tend to not go back more than two times. In one study we did on the Rule of Two, 83 percent of people only made one or two additional returns to the buffet.

Using some of these easy rules can help you take the focus off the food and pay more attention to what really makes the holidays special — your family and friends.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27891075/

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