Morwenna Pearce demonstrates how to beat the strain of the festive season. The kids' presents have knocked you back into the red; your youngest offspring became a vegetarian just minutes after you ordered the turkey; and Aunty Ethel has decided to spend Christmas with you at the last minute; how will you cope? Few of us need reminding that the festive season is easily one of the most stressful, but there are ways of beating the bedlam.

KEEP IT SIMPLE: 1. If you can't see everyone on Christmas Day, make arrangements for Christmas Eve, Boxing Day or the New Year -- you can't be in 15 different places at once.

2. Trying out for the Martha Stewart masterchef award on Christmas morning is never a good bet. Stick to what you can do, and don't try to be overelaborate.

KEEP THE KIDS INVOLVED: 3. Get them to help ice the cake, making the mince pies, decorating the tree, etc., keeping the tasks as entertaining as possible.

4. Have them make the decorations: paper chains are always a good bet, or for the more adventurous, how about trying to make a fairy for the top of the tree? 5. Most kids will agree to a spot of washing up, providing you let them stay up an extra half hour -- there's nothing wrong with a little bribery in the right places.

6. Have your Santa stories at the ready, to placate over-excited little ones! SHOPPING: 7. Try to avoid shopping with the children; I dare you to make it around the toy store without any tantrums.

8. Buy early, and buy in bulk if possible.

9. You don't have to serve Champagne with the turkey, Asti, Cava, or any other sparkling white wine will be equally palatable and a fraction of the cost.

10. If you're on a budget, use artificial flavourings for Irish coffee, and funnel cheap sherry and port into decanters.

THE DINNER: 11. Keep a chalkboard in the kitchen and jot down ingredients as you think of them.

12. Make a table plan to separate warring relatives: try using personalised crackers instead of name-plates, to make it look less deliberate.

13. If space is an issue, have a separate table for children -- it's often more fun for them this way.

SAFETY FIRST: 14. Keep well-stocked in low alcohol drinks for those who are driving home.

15. Ensure individual tree and house light bulbs are in good condition.

16. Keep numbers handy for an emergency plumber and the doctor -- just in case.

17. Keep kitchen floors clear, clean and slip-free.

18. Use non-flammable decorations.

19. Don't drink and drive.

RELAX: 20. Feel like kicking the cat or filing for a divorce? Try deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation for effective strain relief.

Kids can decorate the tree