Guide to a Stress-Free Holiday

‘Tis the season…to have a nervous breakdown? Get tips and advice on how to manage holiday parties, family feuds, travel hassles, and more.

Entertaining Advice

How Do You Take the Stress Out of Holiday Entertaining?
Readers share tips that will lower your stress and lift your spirits.

Prevent Family Feuds

Solutions for 10 Difficult Sibling Scenarios
Use these tactics to turn sibling rivalry into sibling revelry.

How to Avoid a Holiday Family Squabble
’Tis the season for...family fights? Learn how to manage 15 classic difficult family personalities.

Holiday Travel Essentials Checklist

Beth Whitman, author of Wanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo (wanderlustandlipstick.com) offers her sanity-maintaining must-haves for holiday travelers.

• An efficient carry-on bag. Look for one that’s roomy enough for essentials but small enough to fit in the overhead bin, like the Timbuk2 Checkpoint bag ($250, timbuk2.com).

  Related: 6 Tricks to Fit Everything in One Suitcase

• A bulky outfit for the plane. Save space in your suitcase by wearing your heaviest clothes and shoes en route. Bundling up will also keep you warm on a chilly flight and help you avoid exceeding the baggage weight limit for checked pieces.

  Related: Are You a Good Packer?

• Noise-canceling headphones. When you want to sleep, drown out crying babies and other distractions with these earphones. If you travel a lot, they’re especially worth their cost.

View The Entire Checklist