DEAR HARRIETTE: My parents are coming to visit me for Christmas in New York City, and I really wanted to do something nice for them by booking an Airbnb or hotel so they could have their own space and be comfortable. I tried to plan everything myself to make the visit special, but I ended up waiting too long. Now the prices are sky-high – completely out of my budget – and I’m panicking. I feel embarrassed because I had plenty of time to prepare, and I don’t want my parents to think I’m irresponsible or that I don’t care about making their trip enjoyable. I’m also stressed because my apartment is small, and having them stay with me for several days is going to be cramped and uncomfortable for all of us. I’m torn between telling them the truth and trying to scramble for a last-minute deal that I can barely afford. I just don’t know how to navigate this without disappointing them or putting myself in a financial hole. How do I handle this situation gracefully and still make their holiday visit feel special? – Expensive Christmas DEAR EXPENSIVE CHRISTMAS: This may be the most expensive time of the year for tourists in New York City. Even if you had booked sooner, prices would have been high because tourists flock to the city at this time. Try to widen your search to cities in New Jersey that are an easy train ride to Manhattan. You may find a better deal there.

Dear Doctors: I started taking voice lessons from an instructor in her 30s who works with younger singers. I’m 72 and have COPD and asthma, and I am recovering from bronchitis. I can’t always reach the notes she thinks I should, and she says I give up too easily. Can I ask her to focus on the vocal range I already have, or is that copping out?

DEAR HARRIETTE: My adult daughters absolutely refuse to call or visit their father, and it’s become a constant point of tension in our family. I’m still married to him, and while they love me, they make it clear they want nothing to do with him. They grew up watching me handle almost everything in the household all while working full time. Meanwhile, their dad was emotionally distant and rarely helpful, and he often acted like any family responsibility was an inconvenience. Now that they’re older, they tell me that he’s selfish and that I deserve better. They insist I should divorce him and “start fresh,” but they don’t understand how complicated that feels at my age. I’ve spent decades with this man. I don’t want to be lonely, and I don’t want to divide the family even further, but the idea of starting over is overwhelming. At the same time, I’m tired of being stuck in the middle. My daughters think I’m making excuses for him, and my husband gets defensive whenever I bring up their feelings.

• There’s no need to buy shredded paper or gift-bag filler from a store when you can easily make your own. Older paper shredders are great for turning scrap paper or junk mail into filler. You can also invest in a pair of shredder scissors, which let you manually create long paper strips. Use the homemade paper fill to cushion fruit in gift baskets or to protect fragile items when shipping.