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Eastport-South Manor High School’s marching band was one of 45 high school bands from Nassau and Suffolk Counties that participated in the 2009 Newsday Marching Band Festival held at Hofstra University.

I’m hoping that this year the holiday season is a little more laid back and not as crazy as it has been in the past. I am thinking ahead to the next few weeks and keep telling myself to just take it slow and pace myself. I plan on taking a little shortcut here and there to make things a little easier.

It will be a beautiful Christmas at my house no matter what, and the kids will be happy to see a stress-free Mom at the helm. I decorated the house simply but beautifully, and got two “thumbs up” from the kids. Here are a few things to help make your holiday preparations go a little more smoothly and to make you feel a little bit like an angel:

Ring the bell at the Salvation Army kettle at the King Kullen in Eastport. If you’ve never done this, please call Joyce Kelley at 325-1582 and sign up to ring the bell for an hour or two.

Shop locally. Try the new wine boutique in town (A Grape Pear) for a special bottle of wine or a gift certificate, or the new jewelry store across the street for something extra special. There’s a new gift shop in town and the Pinto Pools Christmas Shop in East Moriches has everything on sale at 50-percent off.

The Eastport Music Scene has a full line of musical instruments and music-related gifts including T-shirts, sheet music, guitar straps and more. They also offer lessons. Maybe someone on your list would love a gift of some music lessons?!

The Eastport South Manor Music Booster will be selling music-related gifts at all of the school holiday concerts, so bring some extra spending money and shop for some great stocking-stuffers and other gifts while you wait for the shows to begin. Some of the items in the boutique will include hats, mugs, ornaments, jewelry, silver charms, magnets, stationery and cell phone (or iPod) pouches!

Get your fresh-cut or live Christmas tree at Stables Garden Center on Montauk Highway in East Moriches and bring along a donation of some nonperishable food. Stables is an official drop-off location for Island Harvest. Anyone who makes a food donation at Stables will receive a free Christmas ornament. Complimentary hot cocoa and cookies will be served! They are located at 80 Montauk Highway in East Moriches, right down the road from Pinto Pools.

There will be a tree and menorah lighting on the Village Green in Westhampton Beach on Saturday, December 5, beginning at 6:30 p.m. There will be music and Santa and lots of holiday cheer. All are invited to attend!

Please drop off coats and winter clothing at bins located around town. There are several at the transfer station and others located in various shopping centers. Before Santa arrives with the new stuff, make some room in your closets and drawers and help out someone who really needs some warm clothing for the winter.

Treat yourself to a holiday concert! The Choral Society of the Moriches will present “The Messiah” on Sunday, December 13, at 3 p.m., at the Immaculate Conception Church in Quiogue, and at the Presbyterian Church in Center Moriches on Sunday, December 20, also at 3 p.m. These are free concerts and everyone is welcome to attend.

Enjoy and evening out with the kids at a “Meet the Authors and Illustrators Night” that will take place at the Eastport South Manor High School on Tuesday, December 8, at 6 p.m. This event will take place in the gym and will feature authors, illustrators and poets. This event is being sponsored by district children in kindergarten through the sixth grade.

Well, there is a 23 percent chance that we will have a white Christmas. Just in case you were wondering.

Be careful out there these next few weeks. Do a random act of kindness for someone every day from now till Christmas. Your kindness will be returned to you. You’ll see ...