By Sarah Jackson Herald Writer

It begins.

Shopping centers are already choked with eager consumers. Christmas trees are popping up left and right. And then, of course, there's that inescapable thrum of the holiday hustle and bustle drumming in your head. Now as Thanksgiving approaches and you rush to throw the perfect party, reunite with family and assemble a superb selection of gifts, it's hard to keep things in perspective. Try one of these five holiday helpers as you plow ahead, for better or for worse, into the holiday season. Stop by your favorite spa Make an appointment for yourself or treat a stressed-out friend or family member for the perfect present. While you're there, you can also explore gift options for the rest of the stressed-out folks on your list. Be it a massage, facial or manicure, spa treatments can help reinvigorate you when you need it most.

Plus, Lynnwood is now home to a new Olympus Spa, 3815 196th St. SW, Suite 160. This women-only destination near the new Lynnwood features therapeutic whirlpools, radiant energy rooms, cleansing skin scrub and moisturizing sessions as well as two types of saunas. While you're there, you can enjoy healthy Asian food and a traditional Korean tea ceremony. Call 425-697-3000 to make a reservation. You'll find photos and other details at www.olympusspa.com. Convention Center

Just say 'No, thank you.' Sure, you want to please everyone. It's the giving season, after all. But invitations to holiday parties and events with friends and co-workers can overwhelm you if you agree to attend them all. It's OK to respectfully decline, send a card or a small gift or make plans for a date in the new year instead. When choosing where to go and who to see, think about what's important to you. Can you miss your friend's party and, instead, schedule a quiet trip to the coffee shop later so you can enjoy some relaxing quality time? Stick to your routines. If you're working to drink plenty of water while eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day while also going to the gym, force yourself to stay focused. Really. It isn't easy, of course, but now more than ever it's important to fill up on healthful foods, instead of holiday decadence full of refined sugars that will delight you in the short term but will send you crashing into a stress hole in the long term. Plus, it's all destined to fatten you up like a Christmas goose. Fight back with fruit. Eat a banana or an apple or your favorite healthy snack and you'll have less room for that mountain of holiday treats. When you do belly up to the buffet of homemade goodies, choose small portions of one or two things - not seven - and enjoy them slowly. You have to stop eating at some point; just stop even earlier.

Get help You can't do everything yourself, though you may be tempted to try. Team up with someone in your family to share the load of the holiday deadlines. At the very least, solicit moral support and sympathy. If you agree to make the holiday dinner, arrange for another family member to take over when it's cleanup time so you can kick back and relax. If you're in charge of writing the holiday letters, get someone to proofread them and offer thoughtful input. If the house has to be immaculate to impress your mother-in-law, ask family and friends to join you in a cleaning party. Break out the hot cider or mulled wine and it won't seem so bad. Streamline gift giving. If you find a great gift, and it isn't too expensive, consider giving that same item to a few other people on your list. Perhaps an awesome new tool or garden gadget? Maybe a great book? How about some tasty smoked salmon? Have you considered giving floral centerpieces? Gift cards can also be a great quick fix if you're in a gift pickle. If you aren't familiar enough with your recipient to choose a specific store, look for the American Express gift card at most Safeway and Rite-Aid locations. They can be used anywhere American Express is accepted and recipients are much more likely to spend the card on something for themselves rather than pay the PUD bill with cash or a check.