A few years ago, you couldn't walk into a bookstore without running into stacks of new books touting ways to simplify the holidays. These books don't seem to have as much presence in the stores this year, so I'm guessing the whole concept was just a fad or the organizing experts have just plain given up trying to get us to change.

Not too long ago, I was interviewed by a local magazine about how Baby Boomers celebrate the holidays. The interviewer and I went round and round on a couple of issues, like whether Boomers are downsizing OR doing more of everything and whether our traditions are changing because of where our children are in their lives.

I eventually told the writer that there's no easy way to categorize Baby Boomers. We run the gamut from raising small children to having children off on their own to welcoming grandchildren into the fold; from taking care of our parents to seeking out more education; from looking forward to retirement to changing careers.

The official age range for boomers (42 to 60) covers a multitude of life events. So to make blanket statements about what Boomers do -- and will do -- is probably not a smart idea, even for an expert (!) like me.

So, whatever your age, decide for yourself how you want to celebrate the holidays, and, ultimately, your life. Our generation has never had a problem forging new paths. Do what pleases you and those you love and if that means just plugging in a ceramic table-top tree or being your neighborhood's version of the Griswolds, go for it.

By Teresa K. Flatley