While there is no definitive quick fix for the stress most of us experience at the holidays, we can start by reining in expectations and keeping things simple. For instance, instead of letting holiday gift-giving make you fret and break your budget, why not craft some fragrant, low-cost, guilt-free gifts that nurture body and soul? Gifts from the heart, made with your hands, are much more meaningful to both the recipient and the giver.

When children are young, their parents marvel over all their milestones. They make note of the date when their baby first smiles, starts to crawl, walks and says their first word. You would think all of those things would happen before the youngster learns to read, but not necessarily.

When they’re young, it’s easy to come up with holiday gift ideas for your kids, but as they get older, the task becomes more and more challenging, just like the school work they’re bringing home. This holiday season, why not surprise your kids with a gift that can really make their lives easier.

Looking for ways to pamper the woman in your life that will make her eyes light up? How about getting her something she really needs . . . an excuse to take more time to relax and pamper herself. Whether that means lunch with the girls, a manicure, or some peaceful moments in front of the TV watching her favorite program.

A lot has changed through the years about the father-child relationship. Remember those old TV shows where Dad would call Junior into the study for a man-to-man-talk?

Wish you had your own personal shopper this holiday season? Take the guess work out of gift giving with suggestions from Hillary Mendelsohn, noted shopping authority and author of “The Purple Book.”

When it comes to gift-giving for someone as important in your life as dear old Dad, are you stumped over what to get? Here are some great ideas.