Photo: Conde Nast ArchivePRESENT PRETENSE: n./phrase, pron. prez-uh nt pree-tens: The act of stretching the facts, feigning excitement, or practicing selective truth-telling to avoid awkwardness frequently associated with the giving and receiving of gifts.

Sure, you know all about present tense (as in, things that are happening right now), but what about present PRE-tense? That, my dears, is a whole 'nother animal. Present pretense is that thing we all do around the holidays when giving and receiving gifts gets way too sticky and it becomes much easier just to....well...put on pretenses. Yeah, I mean lie. Here are a few of my favorite scenarios in which present pretense must frequently be employed:

1. Your co-worker got you a gift but you didn't get her one. The rules of present pretense dictate that you must pretend you're a step ahead of her. "Oh, I didn't realize we were ready to exchange gifts already! Yours is still being personalized...." and then you hustle to get her monogrammed stationery,

The holiday season is upon us. Are your family get-togethers full of meaningful traditions? Or, are they full of conflict? Perhaps they are just dull and boring. Whether you celebrate Hanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, New Year's or another winter event, the holiday season is supposed to be a special time - a time to connect with family and enjoy each other's company. Family traditions can help make the holiday season meaningful and fun. Practicing family traditions strengthens the bond among family members. Creating new traditions helps blended families feel more connected to each other.

If your holiday celebrations leave a lot to be desired or if your family conflict is interfering with the festivities, it's time to make some changes. You can begin some new traditions that will bring the joy and meaning back to holidays.

Here are 12 ideas for new holiday traditions to make the holidays more meaningful.

1. Memory Jar -Have everyone in the family write down 1-3

Here are a few more holiday treats to share with your friends...

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It's better to give than to receive, but it's also a lot more complicated. What do you give the fussy mother-in-law, the too-cool 'tween, the buttoned-up co-worker? BHG.com has the answer: delicious homemade food gifts! Besides the personal touch, these tasty tokens of holiday goodwill are wallet-fr

'Tis the season to get creative with your gift wrapping. Here are five secrets that will make your packaging extra special this holiday season.

1. It's not just what's on the inside that counts:
The best wrapping says something about what's hidden inside. Of course you don't want to give it away, but the best presents under the tree are the ones that pique your giftee's curiosity. Select gift wrap and embellishments that hint at what you're giving. Look for colors, textures, and patterns that tell a story and make your friends and loved-ones excited to see what's inside.

2. Gift toppers need not be store-bought:
A quick survey around your home will yield ample gift topping solutions. Why not use Baker's Twine to tie an old cookie cutter atop a gift for the epicurean on your gift giving list? An extra ornament or two can be strung on with Luxe Ribbon for a festive look that will delight anyone.

3. Think outside the box...literally:
Add a little mystery to

By: Mignon Fogarty (aka Grammar Girl) for readersdigest.com

As the holidays approach, we'll be putting pen to paper more than any other time of the year. Read these four tips from Grammar Girl to make sure you are giving the gift of proper grammar this holiday season.

PLUS: Download your FREE Reader's Digest Digital Christmas Edition

1. Are they your sisters-in-law or your sister-in-laws?
Many families have big gatherings at the holidays. It may be the only time of year you see all your siblings and their spouses at the same time. You make "in-law compounds" plural by making the noun part plural since the women are primarily sisters, and the -in-law part just further describes what kind of sisters they are.
- Sisters-in-law
- Brothers-in-law
- Fathers-in-law
- Mothers-in-law

2. Is gifting a verb?
Many people find the verb gifting annoying and wonder why others can't use the perfectly good word giving.

Gift has actually been used as a verb for 400 years, but it had fallen out of

So here are some charities that could use a little help this year

- Janine Quarles, BettyConfidential.com

Over the years, Americans have been extremely generous: The Chronicle of Philanthropy, which keeps track of donation statistics, says that in 2008, donations across the nation totaled $307 billion, with 75 percent of that coming from individuals. But because of the economic downturn, the publication expects giving for the whole of 2009 to drop by 9 percent, leaving foundations and nonprofit organizations to cut back on their services.

And it's safe to assume that many of those who do give may be donating less while hoping their money will do the most possible good. To make their charitable dollars stretch as far as possible,

Six sexy gifts that will have him saying ho, ho, ho!

- Carrie Seim, BettyConfidential.com

Ho-ho-holiday Apron (price: $19.99)

Play Santa's Little Helper in a sexy holiday apron - with nothing underneath. This apron from ToysRUs (who knew?) is far cheaper than a novelty "sexy Santa" outfit and serves the same seductive purpose. Plus, no coal in your stocking if it ends up balled up on the floor like so much wrapping paper.

It comes in adult sizes and includes a Santa hat, so you'll be seductive Mrs. Claus from head to tantalizing toe. Or search for vintage holiday half-aprons on Etsy and eBay for that sexy look of yesteryear.

Sexy Cookies (price: how are your