America celebrates Thanksgiving next Thursday, gathering family and friends around the dining table. This week in the Houseworks Holiday Plan, we'll see to it that the celebration takes place in a clean and organized dining area.

Holiday prep chores observe the holiday, together with the traditional Black Friday sales. We'll prepare for the holiday meal, celebrate Thanksgiving, then shop! Finally, this is the week we plan holiday entertaining, so put on a festive mood as we follow the Houseworks Holiday Plan.

Dining Space Week Assignments Read more »

Is giving only about "stuff"--or is it a reflection of the heart? Plan to make a gift of yourself this holiday season.

This week in the Christmas Countdown, we've focused on gifts and giving--and 99% of the time, we've seen this effort in terms of "things." Stuff. Boxes and parcels and bags. Stocking stuffers. But have we considered making a true gift: a gift of ourselves?

In the days to come, we'll begin planning the American Thanksgiving holiday. Will we also begin to ponder those things for which we are thankful? Out of gratitude comes grace, and from abundance comes true giving.

Challenge yourself and your family to make a difference, this holiday season and beyond--to make a true gift of yourselves. Teach someone a new skill. Tackle a service project as a family. Visit an assisted living center, or take part in a church ministry.

Nearly half-way there: time to do a little status check on the progress of the Christmas Countdown. I hope that most of us feel a bit more prepared, a bit better organized. We've met together for three weeks, and we've covered a lot of ground.

Still, it's natural to feel a bit of panic today. From here on out, time will fly with a vengeance. Rehearsals, parties, holiday activities will rain down upon us.

During the next three weeks, the Countdown slows the pace to match the season. Because we're doing more in other areas of our life, the Countdown will lighten the load.

Ahead lies Get Cooking Week, appropriately so as we begin to prepare for Thanksgiving. Beyond that, we Decorate, then prepare to Celebrate.

Get ready to settle into a slower rhythm! Because ready or not, the holidays are nearly here. This year, though, we are riding high and in control ... organized for the best holiday season ever! Read more »

Looking to keep the jingle in the holiday season this year, but still celebrate with style? Try these tips from ParentDish.com to prune holiday expenses while keeping the joy.

We love this one:

Discover holiday magic. Think of low-cost ways to celebrate. Let your children sleep under the Christmas tree. On a snowy evening, fill a thermos with hot cocoa, bundle up and take a walk to look at decorations around the neighborhood. If it's too cold to head outside, make a CD of your family's favorite holiday music or find a low-cost arts-and-crafts project that will keep your kids busy for hours.

Sound familiar? That's because our own Organized Christmas editor, Cynthia Ewer, was among the experts interviewed for the story. Check it out:

Trim the Tree, Trim Your Budget Read more »