HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR READERS: On this Christmas Eve, let’s remember those of us who may be alone — alone and lonely. Loneliness is a big problem this time of year, and with covid-19, the problem will likely be worse than in previous years.

Our senior citizens can suffer a lot with loneliness, and when we are under stay at home orders, it’s difficult to get out to visit them. Difficult, and possibly dangerous.

Who is in this group? Homebound people, those with loss of mobility, those whose spouse has passed and those who are limited with their hearing or sight.

So many people need help. What are some solutions? Take a plate of food to a senior citizen, call them, and here’s a big one: Offer to help them set up the technology to participate in video calls with family.

Merry Christmas, everyone, and enjoy this time with your close family, but do it safely. We will get through this.

DEAR HELOISE: My five grandkids were always figuring out what was in their Christmas packages under the tree by the tags, size and sounds. I decided to make it more difficult (and fun) by not putting name tags on packages.

I wrap each kid’s gifts in one design of paper only. To make it harder for them to guess whose is whose, the boys’ gifts could be in girltheme paper, and the girls’ gifts in “boy” paper.

Of course, I have to write down in a secret place which paper belongs to which child so I don’t forget.

Then, on Christmas Day, before we pass out the presents, I give them each a card with a swatch of the paper inside that matches their gifts. It makes it more fun for them and for me to keep them guessing and to see if they guessed correctly.

It also makes handing out gifts easier; there is no need to read name tags. I read your column in the Dayton Daily News.

— Christy J. in Vandalia, Ohio DEAR HELOISE: I use all those address labels to wrap Christmas presents instead of using tape. They are a colorful addition to the wrapping paper and a reminder to our loved ones about our address.

Also, as Christmas card season approaches, I cut the address labels from cards received to put in my address book. Happy holidays!

— Linda K., via email

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