Christmas is here, with its hustle, bustle, and commercialism. But Christmas is also a time for families, for remembering our heritage, and for thinking of others.

One of the best family-oriented sites on the Net is Family.com. You'll find activities for families in categories such as indoor, outdoor, or inexpensive, even divided into age group. You'll also discover recipes, travel tips, and parenting advice. It's a top-notch site that will keep you busy for hours.

Do you need a humorous look at family life, especially after the stress of the holiday season? Visit Happy Families, an interactive site where you can share your own stories or read stories of others. Post your favorite kids' sayings, or tell about that nightmare vacation of yours. Do you have a weird relative? Give the other readers a good laugh by telling about him or her. Under Family Feature, you'll find both serious and humorous articles that will remind you of how great it is to be part of a family.

Another site devoted to families is the Family Internet. Anything that might be of interest to families is available at this site, such as the 1998 Bowl Schedule, financial news, the latest scoop in the entertainment arena, and even information on the Y2K problem. You can also search the Web for the best prices in categories such as books, software, sports, and CDs.

FamilyResource.com is an impressive site that offers a wide range of topics in areas such as career, health, parenting, and senior years. Read book reviews, or click on advice where you can ask questions of experts in families and parenting. You can even participate in online chats to meet others with similar interests.

Most families come across "bumps" in the path of life where they might need some extra help. Visit Facts for Families to learn how to deal with a wide range of difficulties, such as bedwetting, TV violence, learning disabilities, depression, and preparing for adolescence.

All Family Resources is devoted to providing resources and services to help you enrich your family life. You'll find forums where you can post comments or ask questions, "free stuff" for families like printable books and online games, and information in a wide range of categories including family law, read/write, emergencies, and cuisine.

Finally, the Family Education Network offers parenting and education resources according to age group. You'll find school vacation ideas to keep the kids from getting bored, expert advice, and interactive polls.

Robin Nobles is a freelance writer who can be reached at robinnobles@robinsnest.com.

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