I will be attending my first tree-trimming party this Sunday, and I have five others in the next two weeks.

I am thrilled! After all who doesn't like taking big sips of eggnog and smooching under the mistletoe!? But at the same time I'm worried I will spend so much on ingredients that I won't have much left over to buy gifts this holiday season.

A friend of mine and I are already making paper snowflakes to hang on the holiday tree. I am sure he will be making something spectacularly delicious to bring as well. Ideally I would like to bake a treat for all the upcoming get togethers and am considering the Bittersweet Chocolate and Walnut Fudge (see recipe below) recipe from our Edible Holiday Gifts story. Being the host of a party can get pricey, but being an invitee can be, too. I don't want to appear a cheap-o guest.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE AND WALNUT FUDGE

Bon Appétit | March 2005

Yield: Makes 35 pieces

Espresso powder makes this creamy fudge taste more

By Melody Warnick

The most wonderful time of the year, huh? So why do the holidays sometimes feel like a month-long panic attack? "During the holidays, people have such high expectations for things to be perfect," says Jon Abramowitz, PhD, professor of psychology and director of the Anxiety and Stress Disorders Clinic at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. In other words, we take on too much, then feel anxious and stressed out when reality doesn't measure up to the flawless fantasy in our heads.

The best way to dodge holiday stress: Take a time-out. A break from the hubbub re-energizes and refocuses you, making you able to avoid holiday stress (or at least handle it better). Plus, it doesn't take much time. Whether you have 15 minutes or just one, here's how to catch a break that will restore your sanity and your ability to savor the season.

15 Minutes

Be a uni-tasker. Even if you're a veteran multitasker, taking on too much at once can make you feel frenzied

Related: The Twilight Saga: New Moon stars in sexy, SELFy vampire autumn fashions

MORE FROM SELF:

• 12 winter skin myths busted--what you need to know about your skin!
• How to shop for, spray and store your fragrances!
  
• 20 superfoods for weight loss
• Sex calendar: Get inspired to get busy!

Brush off that mixer because the holidays are here and the Christmas cookie baking season has begun! I just can't wait for the steady whirl of my KitchenAid mixing with the sounds of Perry Como singing holiday classics and the sweet smell of freshly baked cookies. Note to self, must make sure I have plenty of milk!

With so many delicious cookie recipes to choose from, our Taste of Home editors have put together this handy Christmas cookie guide that is sure to have your oven fired up in no time.










Gingerbread Star Tree
Servings 36

Ingredients

• DOUGH:
• 1-1/3 cups packed brown sugar
• 1-1/3 cups molasses
• 2 cups cold butter, cubed
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 8 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons ground ginger
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 4 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground allspice
• 2 teaspoons ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• ROYAL ICING AND DECORATIONS:
• 7-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided

More From StyleCaster:

The Newest Target Collection You'll Die Over!
And Our Top 5 Dream Target Collaborations

Which Celebrities Deny Plastic Surgery?
And Find Out Which Model Finally Fessed Up!

Give the Gift of Beauty
Our 10 Favorite Makeup Products--All Under $75!

Get Your Perfect Hair Now!
(And Trust Us, It Has Little to Actually Do With Your Hair)

Hot Holiday Hair Accessories!
Think You Can't Pull Off a Hair Bow? We Think You're Wrong!

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook! And download the StyleCaster Daily Looks Widget!

Get StyleCaster on-the-go with our ALL NEW iPhone App!

Some of our favorite gifts this year pack the double gift-giving punch of being great to receive, and giving back to some very worthwhile causes, too - so you don't have to choose between putting presents under the tree and supporting a good cause.

And if you want to supplement your do-gooder gifts with the seasons hottest items, look no farther than our sold out gift guide.

toms shoes black glitter slip-ons

TOMS Shoes has a "one for one" business model: you buy one pair of shoes, they donate a pair. They do this year-round, but this pair of black glittery slip-ons ($54) seems particularly holiday-appropriate.

Tabitha Bag for TBACT

We like the casual chicness of The Bag Ladies' Tabitha Bag ($240), which comes in several colors and benefits The Campaign for Bulgaria's Abandoned Children.

DKNY and HSN Believe tee

HSN and DKNY Jeans have joined forces to create a capsule collection that benefits St. Jude's Children's Hospital. We like the double meaning behind this "believe" tee ($29). Roll it up and tie it with a pretty ribbon for a

Thanksgiving is now just a gluttonous memory, but if you're anything like us, the tryptophan hangover you're still nursing has put you in the mood for some more holiday treats and additional merrymaking. Philosophy predicted this turn of events and has an array of delights on offer for the season. From its Cookie Exchange gift set, which features a shampoo, shower gel, and two bubble baths in flavors like Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin, to the Bake Shoppe-a house-shaped box that includes a Sweet Creamy Frosting Lotion and Raspberry Mousse Lip Shine-you get to indulge in all of the yuletide confections, without all of the calories. Our weakness is molasses cookies, so we're keeping the Gingerbread Man hot salt scrub in our shower, should any cravings prove too hard to ignore.

Photo: Courtesy of Philosophy

MORE FROM STYLE.COM

129 Gifts That Will Take a Bite Out of Holiday Shopping

The History of Eyebrows from Bleached to Bushy and Back Again

The Seventies Make

More on InStyle.com

• Hollywood's Hottest Nail Color

• Rachel Zoe's Top 10 Fall Must-Haves

• 16 Bargain Fall Accessories Under $100

• Fall Boots You Can Wear Anywhere

• Top 10 Accessories to Instantly Update Your Outfit