This will be a running list, so keep checking back to see what tips have been added.

1.  When wrapping gifts, think outside the (gift) box.  Have some old scraps of material in a Christmas-y pattern?  Wrap it up like a hobo bag.  Or maybe some brown paper?  Use markers or stamps and paint to decorate the paper before wrapping.  This activity could be used to keep kids entertained (with supervision, of course).  Let dry thoroughly!  Use what you have on hand for unusual packages.  It'll keep 'em guessing.

2.  If planning a party or casual get-together, go potluck!  That way you don't have to cook all the dishes (maybe just the main course), it doesn't cost much, and guests take their dishes back to their house to do!

3.  Back in the old days ("the old days depends on which generation you're in!) people used to make Christmas decorations themselves because money was scarce.  Have some popsicle sticks?  Make stars or snow flakes with some glue and glitter.  You can also make snowflakes with folded paper and scissors.  Just fold the paper and cut out what doesn't look like a snowflake!  I like to have a small get-together with friends and their kids and make Christmas tree ornaments.  Again, use what you have on hand and be creative!  The kids love it and they will remember them for years to come!

It comes only once a year (thank goodness!).  Homes, storefronts and people are decked to the nines.  Brightly lit and ornamented trees appear out of nowhere!  What is this madness, you ask?  It's Christmastime!

I love Christmas.  It's my favorite time of year, but I'm glad it only comes once a year!  There are gifts to buy, cookies to bake, parties to attend.  How does one keep their sanity at this often insanely hectic time of year?  Here are a few helpful hints:

• Prioritize.  Do what you and your family love. There is no law that says you have to attend every party, buy a gift for everyone, or decorate every corner of your house.  Decorate the tree with the ornaments that mean the most to you.  Bake only your very favorite cookies.

• Set limits.  Make a gift budget.  Make a list of who you will buy gifts for and Put a "cap" on the amount you will spend on each gift.  Decide this ahead of time.  Knowing that our daughter will receive gifts from grandparents, aunts, and uncles on both sides of the family, we give her only three;  an outfit of clothes, something fun, and something educational.  If you have a large family, drawing names is helpful...and fun!

• Be creative.  Enjoy some old traditions, but incorporate some new ones, too!  Have a movie marathon where you show your favorite Christmas movies.  Invite family and friends.  Have them each bring a snack to share.

• Last, but not least, do something for those less fortunate than yourself.  Get the kids involved, too.  This activity tends to change your perspective.  It doesn't have to cost much.  You will come away feeling more grateful for what you have, and the good feeling that comes from helping others. 

It's not going back to eastern standard time (setting clocks back an hour) I have a problem with.  It's setting them forward and losing an hour.  There is precious little time in the day as it is.  With all the things I'm involved in, I can definitely use the extra hour of sleep!  I have always pondered "where the time goes". 

     It seems we are so busy these days just trying to get through life and get everything done that we need to get done.  I don't really have much room to talk here, but from experience (and constant struggle!) I have learned that a little organization goes a long way.  By nature, I'm kind of a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of gal.  It takes some concentrated effort on my part to get and stay organized.  It seems I'm always looking for something, be it my eyeglasses, my purse, or some important piece of paper.  Here are a few tips I use to organize my world so I spend less time looking for things and more time doing the things I want to do.

     If you don't already have one, invest in a small file cabinet and create a simple filing system to control all the paper we seem to generate these days.  Make a manilla folder for things like bills, receipts (especially for work expenses!), certificates, and other important papers.  The simpler it is, the easier it will be to maintain it.

     Do a load of laundry every day, including folding it and putting it away.  Leaving it the dryer doesn't count.  That way you and your family will always have something clean to wear.

     Even though my family is small (just the 3 of us!) I find that making a weekly menu of what I want to fix for dinner is a big help when time to go to the grocery store.  Check your pantry and fridge/freezer for ingredients you have on hand.  Make a list of the ingredients you need for that week, plus your staple items like milk, bread, butter, eggs, etc.  If you pack lunches for your spouse, your kids, or yourself, add those items to your list.  You will spend less time in the store and save money because impulse buying is kept to a minimum.

Consider using a crock pot to fix meals.  Put everything in the crock pot in the morning, or even the nght before,  and let it cook all day.  When you get home your meal is ready, the kitchen hasn't turned into a sauna, and the clean-up is easy.

     Finally, consider the clothing and shoes you will need for the next day and lay them out.  Have your spouse and kids do the same (see? here is where doing that laundry every day comes in handy!).  This saves time whether getting ready for church, work, or school.  If everything is in one spot, you will spend less time hunting for them and you can arrive at your destination in plenty of time, clean and neat, without any ruffled feathers.  The amount of stress you save will be worth the little extra effort.