We'll have a small Thanksgiving, as my daughter will be with her boyfriend's family and they're a boisterous bunch. So a couple of Cornish game hens and some green bean casserole.

We'll probably open presents Christmas Eve, depending on when my daughter works. (She's in retail and may be working 12 hour shifts.) Then she'll spend Christmas with her boyfriends family and we'll have another small quiet dinner.

Between Thanksgiving and the beginning of December I might be more anxious than usual. My second husband died the beginning of December so even though it's been a long time it can be rough.

We avoid all the shopping and commercialization during the holiday season. We pretty much shop online for everything and give gift cards and cash to the kids. A lot less stress that way.