You might think stress-free holidays are a bigger myth than Santa Claus.

We'd like to believe neither are.

Our survival guide will help you master fundamental tasks (how to wrap a gift, spruce up your holiday wardrobe, avoid holiday weight gain) and de-stress during the holidays (a full day at the spa or a quick respite in your own home).

Follow these tips, and you'll be a believer, too.

GRACIOUSLY ACCEPT A BAD GIFT

Wow! A secondhand pair of socks! You ... shouldn't have?

"Just fake it" when you receive a lousy present, said etiquette instructor Cathy Corey of Leawood, Kan. "It's not worth hurting anybody's feelings."

Instead of the gift, focus on the giver's consideration.

"Say, 'Thank you so much; I appreciate your thoughtfulness.' The person put some thought into it. It could have been a lame thought, but at least they knew to bring you a gift."

Don't try to win an Oscar for your performance. "Be as natural as you can be, without over-thanking them," Corey said. "When you start going goofy, people are going to see through it."

Most important, follow up with a thank-you note. "The sooner, the better."

WRAP A GIFT

Fold under raw edges for a seamless finish.

Use double-sided tape instead of invisible tape, which — let's face it — isn't invisible.

To create a perfect bow, measure 14 to 16 inches of ribbon for the tail; hold in place at the top of the package and wrap the remaining ribbon around the package lengthwise. Twist at the top, and wrap widthwise. Match the existing tail's length with the remainder of the ribbon and snip. Tie the tails in a bow.

Source: ehow.com

AVOID HOLIDAY WEIGHT GAIN

You can leave the gut for Santa without depriving yourself at holiday parties, said Mitzi Dulan, sports nutrition consultant for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Royals.

"My philosophy is enjoying," Dulan said. "Don't go to a party just eating celery sticks. Enjoy the treats, too."

Pack most of the space on your party plate with nutritious fruits and vegetables. Include a small portion of healthy fats and protein such as nuts and cheese. Add bite-size helpings of yummy hors d'oeuvres and desserts. And most important, "if you don't love it, don't eat it."

Dulan also recommends stopping once you're satisfied. "Don't stuff yourself or make yourself feel sick. That could save you several hundred calories."

CHILL OUT WITH A FIVE-MINUTE YOGA BREAK

You don't have to be a yogi to simmer down with the Supported Relaxation Pose, said Heidi Valenzuela, instructor at YogaXoga LLC (yogaxoga.com). The position calms the nervous system, improves circulation, relieves stress and helps to slow and steady your breath.

Sit on the floor near a chair or ottoman. Lie on your back, and gently lift your legs so that your knees, calves and feet are resting in the chair seat. Ensure that the chair seat is deep enough to allow your legs to rest comfortably and that your thighs are perpendicular to the floor and calves are parallel to the floor.

Allow your arms to rest by your side. Relax your shoulders and back. Close your eyes, soften your jaw and rest for five to 10 minutes or as long as you feel comfortable.

As you get up, move slowly and rest on one side before sitting.

BOOK A FULL DAY AT THE SPA

Take time out from the holiday chaos for a day of beauty and relaxation.

Book your massage and facial first.

Schedule a steam after to rinse off oils from the massage and facial.

Order a manicure and pedicure next to avoid smudged polish.

Plan a hair wash and style last, so you're ready for a night out.

Source: Sarah Galliher, operations manager at Bijin Salon & Spa

SPRUCE UP YOUR HOLIDAY WARDROBE

Decorate yourself with these glam essentials suggested by Suze Yalof Schwartz, executive fashion editor-at-large at Glamour magazine.

Shiny, seamed Wolford tights.

"It instantly dresses up every boring dress you have. So chic, and they last a long time."

A fabulous clutch, dripping with silver or gold details.

One great oversized beaded or pearl necklace. "Any type of jewelry, clear crystal or turquoise." Schwartz recommends Kara Ross and Honora.

Bonus tip: "I always add one thing to an outfit that doesn't need to be there, whether it's a necklace, belt or scarf."

THROW A LOW-STRESS HOLIDAY PARTY

Take a breather during your next bash with these ideas from Jenny Steffens, owner of Occasions KC.

Serve all cold food, such as fresh seafood and sushi on huge blocks of carved ice. "This is a presentation lavish enough for a holiday party and unique enough to be remembered," Steffens said. "The 'stress-free' concept behind this is that there is minimal refilling and no fear of things getting cold. Also, it is a way of avoiding those ugly chafing dishes."

Hire a mobile bar. "Instead of having only one bar location in your home, have a butler hold a tray of poured Champagne as guests enter. This tip helps avoid the congestion at the bar at the beginning of the evening and helps set a festive mood for the party."

Enlist a friend to troubleshoot. "Regardless of the size of your event, you should hire someone to take care of anything that might come up such as problems with the music, lights, parking, noise, the staff, etc. This takes a huge burden off of the host. This doesn't have to be a professional; it could be a young neighbor or friend."

Book a surprise. "Whether it is a thoughtful parting gift — scones for breakfast the next day, a CD of the music that was played, etc. — or a surprise such as a children's choir or carolers to sing, these small touches can take pressure off of the other aspects of your party and allow you to enjoy entertaining."

UPDATE YOUR HOLIDAY PLAYLIST

"There are only so many Christmas or holiday songs, and it seems every artist comes out with his or her own rendition of them," said Wade Nelson, a disc jockey at Complete Music and Video. "And those 'renditions' are often bland and unimaginative."

Instead, skip the usual suspects and:

Mix genres. "There is no mix of holiday music I would consider engaging and refreshing, unless you mix completely different genres of music, like the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, alternating with Frank Sinatra, Dolly Parton, Twisted Sister, etc.," Nelson suggests.

Mix tempos. "People often get sucked into the slow songs because they touch a heartstring," said Jennifer Sinnett at prodjkc.com. "But generally I try to keep it one-fourth slow songs and three-fourths upbeat, especially if entertaining."

Mix traditional with contemporary. "I find that at holiday parties, playing the standards and a few new selections is what audiences want to hear," said DJ Eric, owner of All Occasions DJ Service. "I have found customers do not want to hear the same selections at their party they have been hearing all season. Remixes are also fun to listen to."

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