First of all...thanks, Escamillo, for your input. I will definitely keep that in mind.

kat/katlaughing, it is so kind of you to post all of those suggestions. Is your family Scandinavian?

Actually, my son is seventeen. One of the reasons the holidays are so draining for me is because it's very important to my son to be able to spend the holidays with his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. This involves a trip, sleeping on couches, etc.

He's had some pretty traumatic holidays as well, and I want him to have as many good associations with them as possible while he's still growing up. So as long as it's important to him, we'll spend the holidays with family.

Maybe in a few years, he'll take his Little Mommy to the beach for Christmas *smile*.

Your Swedish Tea Ring sounds wonderful. Is it very hard to make?

Carol