Coping with the stress and tribulations of the holiday season

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 on how to cope with the season.

	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.
	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.
	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).
	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.
	Something to Sing About SMU Music Professor Martin Sweidel offers his top picks for the holiday season, from Ella Fitzgerald to Paul Simon.
	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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