DEAR READERS: Today's Sound Off is from a reader who believes we've lost the meaning of the holidays.
DEAR HELOISE: This is the month of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, three important holidays for most of us. Sadly, we've gotten caught up in the lights, the stores crammed with all sorts of items, the wrapping and the gifts. But the holidays are not about these things. As a nation, we've lost the importance of these holidays and have given way to the commercialization and the ostentation of outdoing neighbors.
For Christmas this year, my family agreed that we would give no more than two gifts to people. Not expensive, but something we know the other person will like or need. Instead of buying a bunch of junk, we've made up large Christmas baskets out of laundry baskets for needy families with canned goods, soaps, shampoos, gift certificates and blankets. Christmas is more about giving than receiving.
-- Claudia L., Ohio
DEAR HELOISE: How can I remove stubborn spaghetti sauce stains on my plastic food storage containers?
-- Faye H., Asheboro, N.C.
DEAR READER: Try mixing equal parts baking soda and chlorine bleach. Put the mixture on the stain and set aside for about 15 to 20 minutes. Wash well and rinse thoroughly. Keeping your home clean and odor-free using baking soda is as easy as sprinkling some on a damp sponge and using as you would scouring powder. You may never have to buy scouring powder again.
DEAR HELOISE: Before you spend a dime on a wedding gown that may be difficult (if not impossible) to clean, read the label carefully. I didn't. I had my gown dry-cleaned and preserved in a special garment bag. When my daughter wanted to see if it fit her for her wedding, I found that the dress had yellowed, the seed pearls were dull and peeling, and the fabric had lost its soft sheen. That was when I read the label, which specifically said that all seed pearls and applique must be removed before dry-cleaning, and to not store in plastic bags. So now, 22 years after my wedding, I have a $7,000 rag.
-- Chloe N., Richmond, Va.
DEAR READER: Yes, it's so very important to read dress labels carefully, especially on garments that we'd like to preserve for future generations.
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Heloise@Heloise.com
ActiveStyle on 12/03/2018