The weeks between Thanksgiving and Jan. 1 can be demanding for drivers. Even if you can arrange to be home for the main event, the holiday spirit can be elusive if you're in a truck stop in Memphis on the night of your children's school play or your church's decorating party.

Rather than feeling left out, consider changing your fix on the holidays to include new traditions that accommodate the road life. Ramona Creel of www.onlineorganizing.com, recommends shifting your focus from what you're missing to new activities that can be meaningful to you and the whole family.

Here are some suggestions:

Change the Focus

Move the family's big get-together from the traditional December events to an occasion later in the year, such as a July 4 picnic or a fall reunion or another time when you know you can be there.

Be Present

For the kids in the family, record on a cassette tape holiday stories, such as the "Trucker's Night Before Christmas" by David R. Davis, "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" by Dr. Suess or other favorites. Then wrap the books and tapes and arrange to have them opened and played on holiday nights when you're away. The kids will love having you "read" with them, even though you're miles away.

Remember the Meaning

Instead of loading down family with gifts, give a donation to a charity in the name of a family member or friend. Remember that charitable organizations are often swamped with volunteers on the holidays themselves, but need help during the days leading up to them. Make these off-season volunteer opportunities family occasions by having everyone help out.

Take Part

Look for ways to participate, even on the road. Take over writing the family holiday cards and mail them along your route. Bring along supplies and make decorations that reflect the areas of the country you drive through.

Be Involved

If you're going to miss a family event such as a performance or show, ask someone to videotape it for you so you can watch later. Better yet, if it involves the little kids in your life, ask them to give you a live, encore performance.

Take Charge

Create new traditions such as watching a holiday video together or taking the family to a favorite community event when you are home.

Slow Down

Plan for quiet times, even if it's by telephone, when you and your family talk about the things you're grateful for this holiday season and the personal goals you'd like to achieve in 2004.

Take Care

Take care of yourself. During the holidays, there's a tendency to overdo everything - eating, drinking, socializing, shopping, decorating. Make this the year you focus on the aspects of the season that leave you energized and avoid or at least minimize the ones that create stress.

By taking time to plan now for the holidays, you'll enter the new year less stressed and with better memories of the holidays.