DEAR READERS: Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble, gobble, and let the football begin! You may be entertaining now, later on or for the new year. Here are a few Heloise hints to help save money and enjoy the event, too:
• Make your centerpieces and buffet decorations from fresh, colorful fruits, vegetables, nuts and greenery. I love decorative gourds.
• There are plenty of free music-streaming services online, on cable and satellite. I tune in to a radio channel that plays holiday music all day. I keep it low in the background for just the right touch.
• Try to shop with a plan. Who gets what, who might like what, or gee, let's see what we can find for Uncle Ted.
• An easy and low-cost way to have guests over is a hors d'oeuvres drop-by between 5 and 7 p.m., or just desserts from 7 to 9 p.m.
• Using several slow cookers is a simple way to simmer and serve.
• If you hate cleanup, stock up on holiday plastic- and paperware. No one will bug you -- it's your event.
DEAR HELOISE: I can dispose of almost anything by placing it curbside. Put the item you want to get rid of on your curb with a note: "It Works! It's Free!"
It will literally disappear.
-- Keith N.,
Costa Mesa, Calif.
DEAR READER: Keith, how right you are. We once (over 30 years ago) put a huge (the size of a chest of drawers) copy/memo machine outside of the gate. I wrote "FREE TO A GOOD HOME ... broken, but has lots of good parts."
Someone pulled up in a pickup truck and loaded it, and it was gone before noon.
DEAR HELOISE: Tomorrow is one of the biggest shopping days, and these are some hints that help me and friends save a lot of money:
Planning is critical. I scour websites and print advertising looking for big savings a day or two before. Electronics usually are deeply discounted.
I get up super early, and pack snacks of fruit, nuts and pretzels to keep my energy up throughout the day.
-- J.C., via email
DEAR READER: It can be a hectic, stressful day. On the other hand, there are those who make a sport of it.
DEAR HELOISE: I cut out articles, with the source and date, too. In a nice, big mug, I keep scissors, a glue stick and tape, pens, correction fluid, stamps, address labels, paper and envelopes. I like to write letters the old-fashioned way, and include articles of interest.
-- Lynne in New York
DEAR READER: Me too. I cut out cute or funny comics and slip them in a get-well card or note.
DEAR HELOISE: I found the perfect sewing basket at a yard sale. It was an old luggage hard cosmetic case. The tray keeps all your sewing tools together.
-- Paula B.,
Fort Wayne, Ind.
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Heloise@Heloise.com
Weekend on 11/26/2015