Tips For Teens: How to Have a Great, Inexpensive Holiday

During the holidays, it is a good idea to have some activities that keep teens close to home and entertained, says Natasha Darras, 16, a rising star on the high school golf circuit in southern California.

"It's great being a teen but sometimes it is a comfort to think about my favorite childhood memories and re-live them. For instance, a great activity to do with friends is to build a gingerbread house," says Natasha.

Dedicate the day to going to the store, buying favorite candies, come home and get started. While the gingerbread is cooking, turn up the holiday music and start decorating. In no time you will be devouring the gingerbread and having a great girls' night in. It's an awesome way to hang out with good friends and a great tradition. Don't forget, nothing goes better with gingerbread than hot chocolate."

Natasha's hot chocolate recipe:

Melt your favorite dark chocolate mint chocolate bar in a double boiler. Heat the milk until just before it boils then put the two together. Stir. What a delectable treat.

Natasha's Gift Ideas:

Presents don't have to be expensive. None of us have any money but we want to show each other how much we love and appreciate great friends.

Write down 20 things you like about a friend, from the ways she helps you when you're down, to remembering homework. Take your list, cut into strips, put in the balloons; fill with helium. Deliver all the colorful balloons to your friend's door.

Make a photo album scrapbook of everyone and your adventures. Use your favorite pictures, write captions and sayings that only your friends know. Or decorate a frame and add your favorite photo as a gift.

Take a newspaper, decorate it will glitter, construction paper and make a photo collage.

Buy a box of popcorn and Junior Mints. Wrap them up with an invitation for movie night at your house. When you watch the movie together, microwave the popcorn and drop the Junior Mints on it while it's steaming hot and let them melt over the popcorn. Enjoy!

Have a great holiday season and remember to do at least one thing to touch the heart of someone less fortunate than you.