Celebrate the Holidays After the Holidays

The suggestion to be flexible about with whom to spend holidays is excellent. When the children were grown with families of their own, we started the "tradition" of having a party on January 6th (Twelfth Night). This enabled friends and family to have one last party after the hectic regular holidays. The parties were formal or informal, depended on how I felt by that time! One good tip: Buy holiday party accessories after Christmas/New Year's to take advantage of the slashed prices. Just don't wait too long, because the stores will clear their shelves for Valentine's!

By Carolyn C. Cooke from Green Cove Springs, FL