One after another, the holidays in December and January add warmth to the cold winter. Unfortunately, they can also add stress for busy families. But they don't have to. Here are some tips to keep your family cool and calm, so the holiday memories are warm and colorful.

Stay cool, calm and collected...
From Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Boxing Day through the New Year, families come together to share and build memories. That's why December is known as National Stress-Free Family Holidays month. How can busy families do that? Organize, plan, and decide if you really need to do everything you have planned. Keep the tone warm by staying cool. Frantic parents may be trying too hard and defeating the goal of building warm memories.

Keep a Planning Calendar.
Set dates to complete key tasks and record upcoming events. A calendar will help organize your plans in order of when each task must be done. For example, select the date that you will:

Select party invitations - The Crayola.com Coloring & Activities has great party invitations for Christmas, Chanukah, and Seasons Greetings.

Send party invitations.

Select and send holiday cards. The Crayola.com Card Creator has great cards for every holiday.

Create holiday decorations - Check out the Print & Celebrate Holidays in the Coloring & Activities and holiday ideas in Arts & Crafts.

Plan the party and or holiday meal menus and prepare shopping lists.

Make handcrafted gifts - Search for "Gifts to Make" in Arts & Crafts.

Complete gift and party supply purchases.

Make travel arrangements and check out Crayola.com tips for traveling with kids.

Wrap holiday gifts - You can make your own wrapping paper.

Bake traditional foods and holiday.

Identify which of these tasks you will do with your children.
Enjoy a feeling of accomplishment as each of the tasks on your calendar are completed.

Ask for help
You don't have to do all the cleaning, cooking and shopping alone. Can you hire a cleaner, caregiver, or caterer? Which jobs can you assign to other family members? How can you divide the work or make your list less overwhelming?
Be sure you enjoy your own holidays and parties. Encourage peace and caring for others this holiday season. Let family and friends know that the gift of time helping each other is as precious as wrapped gifts.
Crayola.com wishes you safe, heart-warming holidays.