How do you de-stress during the holidays?

A Thanksgiving of gratefulness can mean a simple buffet dinner at a local restaurant. A Christmas of renewed hope can mean just two kinds of Christmas cookies. We must make our own traditions by tailoring family customs to our personalities and schedules. If you feel resentful and stressed about a tradition, stop doing it. Your family might be shocked when you start making changes, but do it without guilt, because they'll see how much calmer you become.

This tip comes from Real Simple reader MARY E. LUESLEY, Atlanta, Georgia