When you were a child, this was the time of year you couldn't wait for. The holiday season, from Halloween all the way through New Year's Day, seemed like one long feast for your eyes and taste-buds. And, of course, the anticipation of Santa's visit was the fuel that kept you giddy, the whole time.

Now, you're grown, with small children of your own, and the season seems more like one long military operation: "OK, we survived Halloween. Now, let's plan our assault on Thanksgiving."

A look of horror covered the five-year-old's face, as he blared "Eeeewwww!", backing away, fearfully. "Honey", his embarrassed mother chided, "That's not nice." "What is it!?", the terrified youngster cried.

"It's my fruitcake", the hostess of the Christmas party muttered, her forced smile barely hiding her displeasure, as she pulled the offered slice away. Needless to say, it was several years, before the offending child's family was invited back to the boss's annual soiree.

What's not to love about Thanksgiving? It's the start of a four-day weekend. You don't have to get up too early. Sometime in the afternoon, you gather with family to share a huge, delicious meal, with guaranteed leftovers. There's football and a long nap for dad, fellowhip and fun for everyone else. Best of all, except for the food, no shopping is required to have a wonderful day. For that reason, alone, adults love Thanksgiving.

You smile to yourself, as you hang the mistletoe in a prominent doorway or from the bottom of a chandelier, every holiday season. You think about all the times you were kissed under it-or all the times you wanted to be kissed, but weren't. And this year, just as it crosses your mind that you have no idea why this strange plant became a Christmas tradition, your child watches you and asks: "What is that?" "Mistletoe", you answer, hoping that will satisfy him.

For families with small children, gearing up for Christmas is like running a triathlon. There's list-making, shopping, party planning, wrapping, gift-hiding, travel planning, tree-choosing, tree-trimming, cookie-baking, toy assemblingit seems endless and impossible, until that blissful morning-December 26th, when parents everywhere wake up for the first time since Thanksgiving, without wondering what they've forgotten to do.

Your friends, relatives and neighbors are eagerly looking forward to your annual Christmas photo cards. But how do you make this year's holiday card really fresh and original? Here are seven ideas to help you make your new photo Christmas cards stand out.

Christmas dinner. Is any other meal of the entire year, save the requisite Thanksgiving feast, more anticipated? In industrialized nations, food has evolved from being simple sustenance. It's now a celebration; eating is an important part of our social fabric. Gathering around a bountiful table with friends and family is part of what makes the holiday season so special.

Uh-oh. The holidays are fast approaching, your child is at the age where she knows what it means, and she's already making wish-lists. And the wish you feared the most is the one at the top. She wants, she craves, she'll die if she doesn't get-a Christmas puppy! Whatever fears you harbored about preparing for the Magical Morning just got magnified, ten-fold. As if your life isn't hectic enough, your angel now wants to add an eating-pooping-barking machine to the household.

Decorating for the holidays can be a fun experience, which allows your imagination to run wild. Many simple and inexpensive Christmas centerpieces can be made, which add a touch of elegance to your home and could be the start of a new family tradition.

Everyone knows that life today is more hectic than ever before. Families are often very busy and family fun time is at a premium. This is never more apparent than at Christmas. Everyone wants Christmas to be magical and special, but many of us feel that it has become commercial and impersonal. The solution, though, is so simple that many families are surprised. Inspirational Christmas stories can help you recapture the magic of an old-fashioned Christmas, but with a modern twist. Just consider: