If you’re registering for gifts for a major event like a wedding or a housewarming, consider registering at a landscaping center for plants. Large balled trees, flowering bushes and other landscaping plants can be expensive. But over time, they’ll mature and add beauty to your yard and also help provide a habitat for wild animals. Plus, think of your registered gifts as something that will grow with you over time. And don’t forget: Most nurseries offer a guarantee on plants, so if one or two trees don’t make it, they can be replaced free of charge.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Here’s a $10 investment that could be the most valuable thing you do for your cat or dog: Get them microchipped. The tiny microchip is inserted in the back of the neck and is unique to your pet; if he or she gets lost, the chip identifies who the owner is so your pet can be reunited with you. Plus, lost pets that have a microchip can be part of an emergency alert. Animal shelters in the area will be immediately notified of your pet’s details, and as the owner you’ll have 24/7 free live support to help find your lost companion animal.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Butterflies are important pollinators, so anything you can do to help them thrive in your garden is a step in the right direction. If you ever see a butterfly that is slow-moving or helpless due to a torn wing, you can actually help it. A tiny piece of transparent tape can help repair a torn wing, enough to mend it and enable the butterfly to fly again. This will add a few extra days to its lifespan, which could be enough for it to reproduce. You can also leave a dish of diluted sugar water out to help give butterflies an energy boost.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION