You’ve got cookies to bake. Presents to buy … and wrap. Parties to prepare for … and attend. The holidays can be a very busy time.

And now the kids are home … all day … every day … for two whole weeks.

Love them, yes. But how do you make sure they have a happy — and safe — holiday season while you’re doing all that other stuff, too?

Making the right activity choices might keep you on schedule and keep your kids Christmas vacation full of holiday spirit.

Family Cookie Baking

One time-honored tradition that kids have enjoyed for generations is cookie baking. There are plenty of fun, easy and kid-friendly recipes that can choose from.

You can bake from scratch … and, these days, you can bake from a mix or even pre-made cookie dough!

The key is to let the kids do the things they can do safely … age appropriately, of course … and help them enjoy the process. I baked my first cookie when I was about three and I can still remember the taste. Memories like these are golden.

Wrapping Gifts

Kids can help with packaging the cookies as gifts, too. Also, there are some children who are naturals at wrapping Christmas gifts in general, too. (Yes, I was one of those — by the time I was 7, I was even wrapping my own gifts, which my mother had covered in brown paper so I would still be surprised on Christmas day.)

Make a fun day out of it. Gather all the supplies: wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbons, bows, tape, etc. Then let the kids have fun wrapping the gifts.

Greeting Cards

Have the kids help you make your greeting cards a little more memorable. They can help sign them, address them or, better yet, make them.

Instill the Value of Charity

Do you you donate food, toys or other gifts during the holiday season? Many charities, including local hospitals, run Adopt-a-Family Christmas gift giving campaigns.

Why not have the kids help you gather and deliver your donation? This is a wonderful way to teach your children about giving, budgeting money, and people who are in need.

You receive the ages of the children in the family. You can assign each child their own child to give to and shop for. When you get to the store give them the money they have to spend along with the wish list from the child. Your child will see how hard it is when you really want to buy something for someone, but you do not have the money. Your child will also make choices about what is really a good purchase. Watching their faces when they finally make their choice is priceless. It is a much different experience leaving the toy store on that day.

Another idea is to find the nearest homeless shelter or food kitchen and ask what they do for holiday dinners. You will find that there are many volunteer opportunities for the entire family. The true meaning of Christmas can be found when you and your family go to the local food kitchen to pass out Christmas dinners to those less fortunate. Many of the people that come to eat are families. Tell the shelter you want to help and they will find a way that works for you.

I hope these few tips will help you make the most of your kids’ Christmas vacation … and maybe add to the wonderful memories they will eventually share with their children.

November is right around the corner … have you made your holiday season travel plans yet? If not, you better get to it. The earlier you make your arrangements the less stress you’ll experience later and the more money you will save.

Speaking of saving money, here are 10 money-saving tips for easier holiday travel.

1. Schedule Ahead of Time
You should always schedule your trip ahead of time. Plan the exact day you plan to depart, as well as the day you plan to make your return trip. The longer it takes you to reach your destination, the more likely you are to overspend your planned budget. Make as few stops as possible to help prevent this from happening.

2. Traveling by Plane
If you are traveling by plane, be sure to take advantage of low cost airfare and hotel packages by planning early. If you make your reservations ahead of time, you can take advantage of the rapidly decreasing early bird specials many airlines offer.

Also, if you purchase an airfare/hotel package, you can get discount rates. It is important to remember that a fee may be assessed if the reservations are changed or canceled.

3. Do You Have Frequent Flyer Miles?
Use them to reduce your travel costs.

4. Car Rentals
If you are renting a car for your holiday travel, you can still find great deals. Shop over the internet, and make your reservation early. You should always avoid renting a car near the airport. The rates are often higher, plus extra surcharges can apply at car rental agencies near the airport.

5. Use Public Transportation
If you are visiting a big city during the holidays, you can avoid car rental costs all together. Most big cities have public transportation available, such as buses or subways. Public transportation will save you a ton of money, as opposed to renting a vehicle, and you can usually get all around many cities using public transportation.

6. Take Care of Your Vehicle
If you are going to use your own vehicle for your holiday trip, you should make sure the tires are properly inflated ahead of time. If the tires are not properly inflated, you will use more fuel on your trip, and wear out the tread on your tires more quickly. You should also make sure your engine is well-tuned to make for an easier trip. Saving gas is saving money; and saving money makes for easier, less stressful holiday travel.

7. Bring Your Own Food
When you can, bring your own food for during the travel time. That way you’ll not only avoid the high costs of restaurants at the airport or along the highway, you’ll more likely eat healthier. You can also reduce travel time this way … no lounging around looking at a menu and waiting to be served!

8. Time Your Restaurant Visits
If you do dine out during your holiday trip, do it during the week. Menu prices are often more expensive on the weekend. And if you dine before 4pm, in most places you can receive the lunch rate. The food is often the same as it is for dinner, but the lunch portions are a little smaller … and cost less.

9. Visit Visitor Centers
Even when you are traveling back to your home town, take advantage of visitor centers. You can often find great restaurant coupons there, as well as discount coupons for inexpensive holiday activities. Visitor centers can really make holiday travel easier, and save you a buck or two, as well.

10. Bank At Your Own Bank
If you didn’t bring enough cash on your trip and have to stop at an ATM, make sure it is from a branch of your own bank. Now is not the time to rack up silly “out of network” banking fees.

Holiday travel can be expensive and stressful, but following these 10 tips can reduce the stress, along with the expenses.