• My personal holiday rule is simple: When in doubt, leave it out. There is so much to do, and we want to cover it all, but my best memories of holidays involve the people who I spend time with, not the place setting or the exact perfect gift. Happy Holidays, JoAnn
• Commit to spending one or two unscheduled nights per week during holiday break, just hanging out with your kids. You can enjoy the toys they might have gotten for Christmas, read, play games or just relax in each other’s company. They will return to school (and you to work) less stressed. -- E.G. in Massachusetts • Try this chef’s trick for a juicy bird: After seasoning, cover the bird with cheesecloth or muslin secured with string. Baste over the cloth every 15 minutes. In the last 20 minutes, remove the cloth so that the skin can crisp.
