12/17/12

If you're a parent who has to throw a birthday party for your child, why not invite other moms and dads to come to the party and do a toy swap? While the kids are playing, parents can go through bags of unused toys and trade with each other. It’s a great way to reuse toys, save money and give new-to-them toys to your kids. Whatever doesn’t get swapped can be bundled together and donated to a local charity, like Goodwill.

12/16/2012

If you love pistachios, then this Do Just One Thing tip is for you: Save the shells for your fireplace. Pistachio shells are high in oil and are an excellent fire starter. The curved shape of the shell keeps them from flattening, so the air pockets between the shells creates a slow-burning fire. Just collect the shells as you eat them, and when you're ready to start a fire, toss a handful into the fireplace with crumpled paper and light away.

12/15/12

Ribbon is one of those gift-wrapping items you never have enough of that can also be very expensive. Instead of buying new, crack open an old VHS and use the shiny black tape inside to create fanciful bows for your gifts. Each VHS has hundreds of yards of tape, so you really need only one to wrap lots of gifts. To make fancy curls with your ribbon, simply run the blade of a pair of sharp scissors across the tape. If you don't have an old VHS tape to spare, visit your local Goodwill or Salvation Army to buy one.