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In my latest column for HealthCentral, I share holiday hacks that make this magical time accessible to your RA self:

“THE HOLIDAY SEASON can be very stressful and not just because we’re packing a lot of extras into an already full life. For some, it’s the extra expense, others dread holiday meals marred by conflict and fights, and for those of us who live with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the holidays can be rife with opportunities to face what you can no longer do. Holiday traditions are full of moments that use your entire body, from small fiddly tasks needing hand and finger dexterity (hanging ornaments, anyone?), to standing and walking long distances (hello, mall shopping), or the kind of stamina we simply may not have anymore (when cocktail hour goes on for hour number three). Constantly being reminded of how RA has changed your life can transform all those sweet moments of re-visiting old traditions and rituals to something that hurts your heart (and hands) to the point of breaking. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In this column, I’ll discuss ways you can hack holiday traditions to create new ones that are just as magical.

Decorating the tree. Is there anything more evocative of the season then a beautifully decorated tree? Getting there is work for anyone, but when RA affects all 27 joints in your hands and fingers, getting your lights and fragile decorations on the branches can be an exercise in agony. If you’re the person who’s normally in charge of creating this annual piece of art, consider a pre-decorated tree, then add a few of your most-favorite ornaments. Another option is delegate the task to the kids in the family. My mother did when my sister and I were old enough. Because of my RA-related disability, I couldn’t place the ornaments, but I could tell my sister where to place them for me. When the tree was done, we called my mother into the living room and every year without fail, she told us it was the most beautiful tree she had ever seen.

If the kids in your family are younger, get an adult to do the star (or angel) on the top, the lights, and heirloom ornaments, then set the kids loose. Even if all the decorations are askew and clumped in one area, their faces will shine with pride when you tell them that it’s the most beautiful tree you have ever seen. And just like this annual tradition remains a treasured Christmas memory for my sister and I, it will become a special moment to remember for the children you love.”

Read nore of my RA holiday hacks on HealthCentral.