You can use food to teach your family about traditions from around the world. Kids will delight in preparing Kourabiedes—traditional Greek Christmas cookies. Younger ones can help by kneading the dough, forming the cookies into the traditional crescent moon shapes or sprinkling the finished goods with powdered sugar.

Kourabiedes By Chef George Kyrtatas

Ghalia Organic Desserts. This Los Angeles-based bakery creates organic confections, from Maple Pecan Cheesecake and Cranberry Apple Tart to Pumpkin Ginger Molasses Cookies and Candy Cane Brownies. They ship anywhere in the U.S. and provide gift options.
Note: special accommodations can be made for food allergies

Allison's Gourmet. Choose from a variety of organic and vegan treats. Highlights for the month of December include Peppermint Brownies and Gingerbread Spice Cookies. Products are shipped nationwide and the company offers gift baskets, samplers and monthly delivery clubs.
Note: egg & dairy free.

Natural Feast. All-natural, gourmet pies made for those with special dietary needs and food allergies. Look in your grocer's freezer for varieties like Chocolate Mousse and Apple Cranberry.
Note: gluten, egg, dairy & cholesterol free.

Wholly Wholesome. Available at stores nationwide, these all-natural frozen desserts are easy to prepare (either thaw or cook in the oven) and will fill your home with that "just baked" aroma. Products range from Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough to Cherry Pie.
Note: some allergy-free options.

•Reduce: Instead of buying new platters, servings trays or decorations for parties, borrow from a friend or family member.

•Reuse: Use colored newspaper comics or scarves instead of wrapping paper. Or save this year's wrapping paper to reuse again next year.

•Recycle: Buy holiday cards and tags made from recycled paper.

When we first pulled into Sayulita, our first impression was, "Oh boy, what did we get our selves into?" Only 30 minutes north of Puerto Vallerta, we felt like we had traveled into another place and time, far from the manicured resorts we were used to. The dirt roads and street-patrolling roosters faded away quickly as we entered our beachfront home for the week--Las Hamacas. This beautiful six family complex offered us most of the amenities that we desired, including daily maid service. —Read More