HOLIDAY TIMESAVERS Stress-cutting shortcuts

PREWIRED CHRISTMAS TREES
Artificial trees have been around for decades, but only in the past few years did someone get the brainy idea to make them easy to use. The latest models come prewired with your choice of lights: traditional multicolor bulbs, minilights and fiber optics.
And you don't need an engineering degree to assemble them. Most come in three sections, stand included, with hinged branches that fold up for storage. Assembly -- and disassembly -- takes minutes, not hours. Honest.
At Wal-Mart, a 7-foot aspen fir with 900 minilights was tagged at just over $100. And at Lowe's, we found one predecorated, too: a 7.5-foot tree with 500 clear lights, fiber optics, branches frosted with fake snow and holly leaves and berries. The tree, with stand, was priced at $299. Now, if only it smelled like a freshly cut pine.
PREFAB GINGERBREAD HOUSES
These first showed up on the Home Shopping Channel -- prebaked, preassembled gingerbread houses awaiting your finishing touch. Your kitchen won't have that warm aroma of baking gingerbread -- but it won't be a mess, either.
Kids of all ages can decorate the houses, which come packaged with a cardboard base, decorating bags, icing and candy trim.
The houses are made by Wilton, the cake-decorating people, and are available at most craft and discount stores. Prices range from $9.99 to $12.99. Decorating instructions are included but, hey, break the rules. Put those gumdrops wherever you please.
A CANDLE IN THE WINDOW
Electric or battery-powered candles are the clear choice for safety reasons. But here's a brighter idea: new electric candles with light sensors that turn themselves on at dusk and off at dawn. They're available at most discount and hardware stores for about $3 each.
In times of war, a candle in the window has traditionally represented thoughts of loved ones serving far from home. But the custom has various other meanings and is practiced around the world.
In Colonial America, a candle signaled a warm welcome and hospitality. Some people, particularly those who live in historic districts, light candles in their windows year round.
For Christians, the candle takes on a spiritual meaning during the holidays, symbolizing Christ as the light of the world.
THE LATEST WRAP
Why wrap at all? Look for brightly colored gift boxes in all shapes and sizes that are just as festive as boxes wrapped in paper. Add a ribbon and a bow, and you're done. And, just like gift bags, these boxes fold flat and are reusable.
HAVE AN ONLINE HOLIDAY
Internet greeting cards just get better and better. Not only are they quick and easy to send, but the animation has improved and so have the options. On some sites, you can buy gift certificates from national retailers to include with your greetings.
Drawback: Personalized messages are limited to about 500 characters, so you'll have to keep your annual brag letter very short. (A plus if you're the recipient.) Some sites, such as BlueMountain.com, now charge an annual membership fee, but many are free.
For starters, check out Hallmark.com, Regards.com and 123greetings.com. Beware of the pop-up ads on these free sites that'll try to sell you everything from home loans to the latest computer software.
LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE DIALING
Who says every part of a holiday meal has to be cooked at home? Thankfully, there are plenty of area restaurants and catering places to lend a hand, not to mention a dish or two.
Many restaurants and specialty stores offer whole or partial meals for your holiday parties, including Honeybaked Ham Co. Check local listings for stores and pricing.