Got visions of Norman Rockwell Thanksgivings and sugar-plum Christmases, with everyone gathered ’round the piano heartily hugging and singing songs of good cheer? Reality check: reunions often include family where members don’t all get along, gift lists strain budgets, and kids are home from school with “nothing to do.” A little pre-planning can turn potential humbugs into tidings of great joy. Here’s some holiday advice from your fellow Coronadans: Each year my three children and I make multiple batches of caramels to give to teachers, friends, and neighbors. Then on Christmas Eve we make and decorate sugar cookies. We’ve developed our own styles and every year there is a competition for the newest design as well as the old favorites. On New Year’s Eve we make cinnamon rolls to entice us out of bed in the morning. We even keep track of whose turn it is to punch down the dough each year.

Susan Keller
4th Grade Teacher
Village Elementary School

Holiday camps are great because they give children something fun, active and social to do, and give parents a break whether they are working or holiday shopping. There’s no video games, TV or other inactive time; instead there’s swimming, games, contests, art, songs and more! You can register at 522-7342.

Stacy Berman
Coronado Community Center

During the holidays many of us may find ourselves exhausted from enjoying all the season has to offer. This may include parties, extra shopping, gift wrapping, decorating, and specialty cooking as well as overeating. Pushing ourselves when we are exhausted is stressful to the immune system. Chronic stress is a primary factor leading to disease of all sorts. The following easy and effective practice can make a difference in how to navigate the holiday season, without taking a toll on your health. Take a brief moment each day to draw attention to your breath. As you become aware of your breath, notice if you feel energized and ready to move on to what is next in your day; or if you feel tired, sleepy, or slow. If you are feeling fatigued, your body is telling you that you need a break! Be sure to acknowledge that and (drum roll please) give yourself permission to take a nap, move at a slower pace or decrease any unnecessary stimulus. Even if schedules are tight and there is not much wiggle room for rest; simply acknowledging and honoring your state provides support for your well being. Slowing down is important and allows our organism to de-activate and return to a rested and ready state. The rested and ready state will return organically getting us ready for action once again. As we become familiar with and honor our body’s unique rhythm of activation and de-activation, we will begin to relieve chronic stress and discover a heightened sense of well being.

Cheri Paquin, Owner
Bamboo Yoga and Bodyworks Studio

IF YOU CAN’T TAKE THE HEAT IN THE KITCHEN…Then use our grocers’ kitchens instead! You’ve got lots of options for letting the pros do the cooking, then just heating it up and taking a bow. Deli Manager Jesse Martinez says “The dinners save you time; it only takes two to two-and-a-half hours to warm up the meat. It’s not hard on your wallet and it’s easy to prepare. Even I can do it.” The market’s “Ultimate Turkey Dinner,” includes the bird, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, cranberry sauce, a dozen rolls and pumpkin pie and is $54.99. Or you can choose Prime Rib with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and vegetables for $69.99.

You can order holiday meals at Boney’s Bayside Market 72 hours prior to pick-up and pick up meals on shorter time frames as long as they have enough birds on hand. Boney’s Diestal turkeys are natural, organic and very tasty and come with stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie for $99. Additional side dishes can be purchased at the deli. Boney’s will hold a tasting for all the items in the package on Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “It’s the easiest way to make a Thanksgiving dinner,” says owner Debi Boney.

Ready, set, mulch! When the rush of the holidays starts to get to you, take some time out to do yourself and your garden some good! This time of year is an excellent time to mulch. Mulch flowerbeds, shrubs and tree beds. The exercise is a sure-fire way to work off stress. You can buy mulch at a nursery, and bark is a popular material. But you can also find mulch in your own backyard. Lawn clippings make excellent mulch, as do tree clippings. (I’ll sometimes ask the tree trimmers in town if I may have some; after all, if we don’t take it, they’ll just have to haul it to the landfill). There are so many reasons to mulch. Mulching repels weeds (they need sunlight to grow) and helps your garden retain water. It enriches the soil with nutrients; as the organic matter gradually decomposes it keeps the soil loose and promotes root growth. Mulch also keeps tree roots cool from the sun’s rays — yes, even in the winter months. It will keep your feet clean and make every corner of your garden accessible to you, even when it’s damp. Mulch provides an attractive topcoat for gardens and the exercise will keep you in great shape, too!

Shannon Player, President
Crown Garden Club

The Christmas Eve tamale feast is a longheld tradition in some cultures. Once a year, generations of women still gather, grinding the masa and spice before painstakingly crafting each tamale by hand. This year, make Miguelito’s part of your holiday tradition. They’ll handle the painstaking part – you just manage the feast! (619) 437-8578.

“Miguelito’s tamales are made in the traditional style. Why do all the work at home when we are happy to do it for you here?” - Gabino Romero, general manager