Instead of driving all over creation trying to spy other neighborhood’s light displays,  why not take a walk with your family right after it gets dark and enjoy your own few blocks?

Conversation lulls at your extended family gatherings got you down? Or are you hoping to diffuse a potentially volatile topic (ours was about nuns over Thanksgiving dinner, some people adore them, others think they’re less than nice) ? How about handing everyone a pad of paper and asking them to compose a holiday haiku to share? Read some fruitcake-themed ones to get you started. Even little kids can figure out the 5-7-5 syllable format.

Simple craft projects can also create some harmony among the masses. I like making gift tags for the following year’s packages out of this year’s holiday cards. All you need are scissors and a hole punch. Just make sure the back side of the image you are cutting out doesn’t already have writing on it. It’s a great way to recycle and be creative at the same time.