by Skyla Chrisison

Created on: September 25, 2009

It's right around the corner. You know, that time of year when the kids are home all day with either the crazy excitement of an upcoming visit from the fat man or a cranky post-holiday sugar crash. Yep! The holidays are coming. Traveling, entertaining guests, or even playing it low key at home can be a challenge with little people following you around the house. The constant chanting of, I'm bored! while you are trying to wrap those last minute gifts can send even Super Mom running in the opposite direction . But with some advanced preparation and a few magic tricks up your sleeve, you can glide through the holidays with ease and grace. Just follow some of these tips from the pros!

If you're traveling, novelty is your best friend. Pack your child's carry on for them (no peeking before travel day!) and fill it full of things they've never seen before. A quick stop at your local dollar store can go a long way! Look for small, travel sized activities that can keep them busy for a while. For younger children, fill a bag with dried noodles, yarn, and a plastic craft needle. They can string a noodle necklace for grandma for a half hour or so. Or consider a magnetic alphabet, a cookie sheet, and a pad of paper. Make it a challenge to see how man words they can spell, keeping record on their note pad, before you reach your destination. And don't forget your old friends play dough, floam, and silly putty! They can provide hours of imaginative play for your youngsters. But remember: no seeing the carry on until you are on the plane or in the car!

If you are staying at home, plan ahead and have activities that are age appropriate ready to go when boredom strikes. A busy child is a happy child and a happy child makes for happy parents. Use plastic boxes or shoe boxes as activity stations. Fill each box with all of the supplies needed for one activity and keep them in a place where children can easily access them on their own. Consider filling a box with supplies to make a hand crafted gift for Nana and Uncle Jim. Perhaps some stamps and an ink pad along with some old paper grocery bags could be turned into gift wrap. Whatever it is, make it seasonal and special. Getting to do things that are out of the ordinary are what keep their attention.

Don't forget to make some time to spend together. Holidays are a time for building traditions and you can't do that if everyone is parked in front of the TV or computer in separate rooms. Traditions can be things as simple as reading

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