It’s the holiday season, which means you’ll probably shop, wrap, bake, cook, clean and decorate yourself into a frenzy. Here are some tips to help suppress the stress that can threaten good cheer:

¢ Long lines: Take your purchases to a less-crowded register near the back or on an upper floor of department stores. Unfortunately, lines are inevitable. Breathe deeply and compose a holiday e-mail in your mind.

¢ Crabby clerks: If anything takes the ho-ho-ho out of the holidays, it’s overworked, grumpy clerks. Immunize yourself. Try being sympathetic. Tell them you understand how difficult their job is, and thank them for doing it.

¢ Other people’s kids: Kids can be like puppies – they’re noisy, adventurous, and want to check out strange surroundings. Give them room to play with movies, toys, an art box filled with construction paper, scissors, and decals that they can plaster on a designated window.

¢ Money: Since the gift list is always bigger than the checkbook balance, vow to spend within your means this year. Concentrate on thoughtful giving, not lavish spending. Make a note when someone mentions a novel she’d like to read or an old movie he’s never seen. Agree to a gift moratorium with your spouse, immediate family or friends.

¢ Cooking for company: Buy prepared foods and dress them up before the company arrives. Add cream cheese and a teaspoon of vanilla to a sugar cookie mix; it will taste like made-from-scratch. Stock up on festive red plastic or paper plates, cutlery, cups and napkins.

Source: December issue of Better Homes and Gardens