How do you de-stress during the holidays?

I have five loving woman friends with whom I meet on a regular basis. Last year we decided to make our holiday gathering a more relaxing one by hiring a masseuse to come to one of our homes. The one-hour massages took place in a quiet part of the house while the rest of us sat by the fire in our robes, listening to soothing music, eating light snacks, and drinking tea. We came off the massage table feeling pampered and relaxed, and I even spent the night so I wouldn't have to drive. It was a wonderful gift to give to ourselves and to share with one another, and we didn't have to leave town, spend a small fortune, or feel guilty about it.

This tip comes from Real Simple reader DONNA CARRIGG, Elk Grove, California