Did you know close to 40% of holiday gifts are returned to the stores by the recipients? Another 18% of gifts are donated to charity, 15% are regifted, and a whopping 11% of gifts are simply tossed into the trash. That means only about 15% of gifts received this holiday season are actually kept and enjoyed. To help cut the waste, consider giving experiential items like excursions to restaurants, a delicious bottle of organic wine or a donation in the recipient's name to a charity they support. We can cut the waste and give gifts that are a joy to give and a real joy to receive.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

There are myriad uses for orange peels around the house and in your cooking, but the most nutritious is also the easiest: Make tea. Steeping orange peels in hot water and sipping the tasty tea is a smart way to harness the nutrition in citrus fruit. Most of the high vitamin C content oranges are known for is actually in the peel. The peel has three times more vitamin C than the fruit inside. Just place your orange peels in a cup and pour boiling water over them, then steep for a few minutes and enjoy!

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Over time, throw pillows need to be cleaned to keep them smelling fresh. But many pillowcases or covers aren't machine-washable. And even if they are, you risk the cases shrinking or losing their "new" look if they go through a wash and dry. To deodorize your pillows, try this simple hack instead: Spray them with white vinegar and water. Just fill a spray bottle with a mixture of half white vinegar and half water (tap water is fine if you plan on using it right away, otherwise use distilled). Then spray all over the pillow. As the slightly damp pillow dries, the white vinegar will kill odor-causing bacteria.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION