PREPARING THE BIG FEAST
Uh-oh. In one fell swoop, you’ve gone from the kiddie table to the head of the table, and the whole clan is descending upon your house for the annual holiday feast. What to do? Fear not: Rick Rodgers, host extraordinaire and author of the über-helpful cookbook Christmas 101 (HarperCollins, 2007), has plenty of pointers to help get you through it.
By Beth Maher

GREAT BUDGETING TIPS FOR GIFT BUYING!
By Diana Cawfield, 2’s finance expert

SAVE THE EARTH
Keep your celebrations environmentally friendly with these great tips.
By Beth Maher

IN-LAW ETIQUETTE
Dealing with your in-laws over the holidays can be a less-than-merry affair. Manners expert Peter Post, great-grandson of Emily Post, offers helpful advice.
By Katie Drummond

MERRY MOVIE CLASSICS
Cuddle up with these festive flicks to get you in the holiday mood.
By Catalina Margulis

ALTERNATIVE XMAS PLAYLIST
Compiled by Beth Maher

WEB TIME-WASTERS
So, it’s day three, er, day two—okay, day one—at the in-laws and you already need a reprieve from Uncle Roger, Grandma Betty and the brother-in-law. Why not sneak off to the computer and check out these sites?

OFFICE HOLIDAY PARTY ETIQUETTE
’Tis the season for the office party, and while the Santa-inspired soiree may be your chance to schmooze your way up the corporate ladder, the open bar (read body shots off a co-worker) can lead to disaster. 2 offers these tips to get you through the evening safely—and guarantee that you’ll still have your job the next morning.
By Hailey Eisen

SURVIVING SANTA
A holiday calendar packed with endless party hopping can—and will—test your togetherness. Instead of making like two ships passing in the night, check out these tips to keep it together—literally.
By Michaelle LeManne