Dear Just Be: I have a large family gathering for Christmas Eve and don't know if we should open gifts tonight or wait until morning. Help!

Ahhh...the age-old question....when do most people open their Christmas gifts? Christmas Eve? Christmas Day?

While I was growing up my parents allowed my brother and I to open gifts that had arrived from out-of-state (from aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc) on Christmas Eve. All other gifts had to wait until Christmas morning. I am not entirely sure of the reasoning behind this tradition, but my brother and I always liked being able to open something on Christmas Eve, but saved much of our anticipation for the following morning.

But there are many cultural traditions that may help answer this question....

If your family members are from Argentina, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Quebec, Romania, Uruguay, Sweden or Switzerland you may want to opt to open gifts on Christmas Eve in keeping with those countries traditions.

However, in Italy, the United Kingdom, Ireland, English Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia people typically open gifts the morning of Christmas Day. The tradition in some Latin American countries is to stay awake until midnight on Christmas Eve and open presents at that time.

Aside from cultural preferences, you may want to keep in mind the other activities planned for Christmas Eve. Will you have a large meal? Are you planning to attend a church service? Will there be enough time for everyone to open gifts? You may want to ask guests if they have a preference and make sure everyone is aware of the tradition you will be following.

Whatever you decide, we here at Just Be want to wish you and yours a "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Dear Just Be: I'd like to treat my family to homemade eggnog...do you have an easy recipe?

So many of us have long-time family traditions at the holidays and one of those in my family was to sit around the fireplace on Christmas Eve and enjoy a small glass of eggnog together. We'd have Christmas music playing in the background while we played a family game or we'd watch a family Christmas show on the television. Whatever we did that evening it didn't really matter; we were guaranteed the treat of eggnog while we enjoyed each others company.

A number of years ago I stumbled upon this fairly easy to make eggnog recipe and it was a hit with my family and friends. I hope you enjoy it as well!

6 beaten eggs
2 1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup cream
4 teaspoons cinnamon

Stir together first 3 ingredients in large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Simmer until mixture is thick enough to coat spoon. Stir in vanilla and 2 tsp cinnamon (or nutmeg or both). Remove from heat and cool. Chill until very cold, about 4 hours. Meanwhile whip together cream and 2 tablespoons sugar until peaks form. Fold into eggnog mixture.

Pour into small tumbler glasses and sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg before serving.

Dear Just Be: Any last minute gift ideas?

Christmas is just three days a way, but who is counting?

Well, you probably are counting if you haven’t finished your holiday shopping. If you are one of those looking for last minute gifts then your time is valuable.

Below is a list rather than a paragraph for you to view of the top last minute gift ideas (in no particular order). Happy shopping!

1. Groupon
2. Gourmet Monthly Clubs
3. Gifts for you Now
4. iCARD
5. Kazoo Toys

6. Golf Week

Dear Just Be: Isn't today the Winter Solstice? What does that mean and are there any traditions associated with the event?

Yes, December 21, 2009 marks the Winter Solstice, which is the longest night of the year. North Americans view this event as the beginning of winter. Traditions surrounding the Winter Solstice go back as far as ancient times and the day was (and is) celebrated with fires, singing, dancing and festivals.

The Winter Solstice is a time of transition in the annual war of light vs darkness, cold vs warmth, and abundance vs shortage. To mark this day, bring light and warmth into your home- burn candles and make a fire (or turn on a fire pit outside.) Show appreciation for forthcoming abundance by giving to a food drive, shelter or other organization in need. And test your knowledge of the day by taking this Solstice Quiz.

So rejoice that this shortest day of sunlight, for from here on out we will incrementally have longer days (that is until the summer solstice in June) to enjoy being outside!

For a more specific and scientific explanation of the Winter Solstice, visit the Farmers' Almanac.

Dear Just Be: I need to relax this holiday season but I can't fit in the time to see a massage therapist. Any pointers?

We've all heard that stress and tension can lead to health issues, and that is not a "gift" any of us want this holiday season. So as you feel your stress levels rising and the tension in your neck and shoulders getting worse, take a break - for even a few minutes, and take care of yourself. Allowing ourselves to just a few minutes of relaxation is a gift we can give ourselves and it doesn't cost a cent. (In fact it may prevent other health problems and in fact save you money in the long run!)

First, find a quiet place (even if it is in the bathroom) and sit or lay down in a comfortable position. Focus on breathing; taking deep breaths,inhaling through your nostril and exhaling through your mouth. Let your body relax.

Pay attention to your body....where do you feel tension or tightness? Focus on that area and tense the muscle for 10 seconds and the relax the same muscle for 15 seconds. Repeat this for every uncomfortable muscle from your feet to your head. Some examples of this method include, curling your toes to tense the muscle and then letting of or spreading your toes apart to relax or clenching a fist and then releasing your fist.

Another great technique is to give yourself your own foot massage. Rest one foot on the opposite leg and rub from your toes to your ankle. If you wear high heels, continue the massage up your calves. Sit with your knees bent and feet on the floor. Grasp one ankle, placing your thumb just above your Achilles tendon. Press your thumb into the bottom of your calf muscle, hold for 5 seconds, and release. Move an inch up your calf and repeat the pressure. Continue pressing and releasing until you get to your knee, then switch legs.

Especially important this time of year, when there are many parties to attend and we tend to overeat, is to rub your belly after eating. Place one or both of your palms on your tummy and rub in a clockwise direction. This will aid in digestion and help prevent uncomfortable feelings later.

If you have time and space, grab a tennis ball, place it on the floor and lie on it either between your shoulder blades, in your lower back or hip region. (These are areas called trigger points.) Just lay on the ball, rolling around a bit, to help release the muscle. It may hurt a bit, but shouldn't cause too much pain. If it does cause too much pain, then stop.

You can also use the tennis ball as a tension release in your hands. Squeezing the ball revives tired hands and fingers (from those long computer sessions, or from wrapping gifts!)

Do you experience tension in your shoulders? Give yourself a big bear hug, squeezing and releasing your shoulders three times. You can continue down your arms, repeating this motion, until you reach your wrists.

For more ideas visit Readers Digest.

If you aren't feeling yourself or up to par, you won't be able to enjoy the end of the year festivities. So be sure to take time for yourself and give yourself a small 5-10 minute gift of relaxation and massage!