Solar lights are both an eco-friendly and easy way to add illumination to your garden or yard. The lights have built-in solar panels that soak up the sun’s rays and illuminate at night using the power of recharged batteries. To maximize their efficiency, be sure to place them where there is full sun during the day. And at night, make sure they are away from lamp posts and other outdoor lights, because any residual lighting can prevent them from turning on.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you’re having a celebratory event that normally involves guests bringing presents (like a birthday party) and you really don’t want any gifts, ask your invitees to bring items for a charity instead. Choose a local charity like a food bank, animal shelter or family services organization and ask what items they desperately need. Then ask everyone to bring those items as a way to facilitate gift-giving and charitable giving at the same time. Do the math: Twenty guests who each bring a large bag of pet food can be a big help for a small animal welfare organization.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Here’s a decorating trick that helps a room look great with less light. Instead of placing lamps in the middle of the room (on top of tables or by a sofa), place them in corners instead. This allows the light to illuminate with maximum exposure because it reflects off two walls instead of just one surface. More reflection means more usable light, and it also means less lighting needs to be turned on. For homes that are particularly dark, this can be an incredibly energy-efficient way to illuminate a room.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION