How do you de-stress during the holidays?

My husband's large extended family of eight brothers and sisters makes it financially implausible to give gifts to everyone. Instead, I make and freeze sugar-cookie dough in early November and bake cookies for all the children and my coworkers. For the adults, I start a whiskey cordial in midfall that takes six weeks to cure, so it's ready by the holiday season. My husband and I either set a dollar limit of $100 to spend on each other or save up to buy one gift together for our house (this year it's a Stickley dining-room table and chairs). Planning ahead and simplifying creates more time to share the holidays with family and friends.

This tip comes from Real Simple reader DEANNA RASCH, Fairview Park, Ohio