It's beginning to look a lot like . . . Yikes! The Holidays!!!

SMU experts offer tips for enjoying the holidays while avoiding the stress and tribulations.

kids at Christmas

It is the season of comfort, kindness and joy . . . when our thoughts turn to stress, family, lists and shopping, and the word we hear most often — "coping." Following are some suggestions for helping make the season a little merrier and brighter.

Kids at Christmas
   
Nagging Children and "Must-Have" Gifts
Children will be working overtime this season to seal the deal on this year’s “must-have” holiday gifts. SMU Marketing Professor Rick Briesch, a father of four, offers 10 tips for parents.
presents
   
The Wrapping Matters
A now-classic study by SMU marketing professor Daniel Howard holds that giving a gift that has been lovingly wrapped does influence the recipient to value it more.
holiday stress
   
Coping with Holiday Stress
Hal Barkley, Director of Counseling in SMU's Simmons School, says not to panic during the holidays — you can survive this. He offers 10 tips for staying calm(er).
family
   
Blended Families
With divorce and remarriage “the new normal” in many American families, holidays can be a time for both happiness and struggle for children. Sarah Feuerbacher, director of SMU’s Center for Family Counseling, offers ten tips she’s learned from counseling blended families.
holiday job hunt Job Hunting During the Holidays
The holiday season is no reason for job seekers to lose their momentum. Here are five tips from SMU’s Hegi Family Career Development Center to make the most of the holidays and ring in the new year with a new job.

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