No matter how much we don't want to admit it, the holidays can leave us in what my Grandma used to call "a tizzy". Yet despite a whirlwind of last minute side-dishes and extra uncles coming for Thanksgiving it is possible to take a moment to breathe or even (dare I say) enjoy the holidays?

*Remember to delegate: Most people love to help out at big family events, and consider it a privilege to be able to share their culinary gifts. Don't be afraid to have people share the load. If you really just don't like making rolls, by all means cut yourself some slack and have someone else worry about it. Have an over-eager cousin who really wants to help but who has a reputation for burning water? Have them bring the centerpiece or extra drinks. Every little bit helps!

*Still try and keep a routine: Dread the holidays because of the inevitable toddler meltdowns or the standard toy-store row with your husband? Try and keep the most important parts of your routine. Naps, snacks and "quiet time" will keep everyone in the family happy and awake enough for that second round of secret Santa. Even if it's just having your husband pull into a rest stop for a half hour so the kids can take a nap or find a corner sofa in Nanny's house for a five-minute story, remember that "happy" doesn't mean "go-go-go all the time"!

*Make new traditions, and chuck the unwanted: Just because your Great-Great-Grandma Ruth always served a green-bean casserole every Thanksgiving for 87 years doesn't mean you have to! Especially if greenbeans make you gag or your husband starts groaning at the mention of picking up the annual can of french fried onions. I love traditions as much as the next girl but traditions that are done for the sake of doing them can be a huge pain in the fruitcake. My husband and I decided to throw out traditional Christmas Eve foods years ago and now we have wonderfully easy (and yummy) white gravy on toast the night before Christmas. If, for some reason, one of your dinner guests seems shocked that Great-Aunt Patty's eggnog isn't gracing the table this year, tell them they are free to make it and bring it themselves.

*Keep stock: While some days in the next two months are cooking marathons, some days you won't have the energy to lift a whisk. So try to plan ahead and when you have the energy make doubles of things and freeze them. The freezer is our friend, ladies! These wonderful muffins keep in an air-proof tin for a few days and can be frozen. With a light taste and seasonal sweetness, make room for these holiday muffins!

Cranberry Muffins

Ingredients

*1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

*1 teaspoon baking soda

*1 teaspoon baking powder

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1 teaspoon apple pie spice

*2 bananas, mashed

*3/4 cup white sugar

*1 egg, lightly beaten

*1/3 cup vegetable oil

*1/3 cup dried cranberries

*1/3 cup sliced almonds

*1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*1/3 cup packed brown sugar

*2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*2 tablespoon butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups (you can use paper muffin liners but the tops won't be as crunchy).

2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder, apple pie spice and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and oil. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Add vanilla extract and mix. Fold in the cranberries and almonds. Spoon batter into the muffin cups.

3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 2 tablespoons of butter until mixture resembles crumbs. Sprinkle topping over muffins.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 17 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

*Image credit: Family Fun Magazine