Ask THE WEEKLY

Q: I’m hosting Christmas lunch and my canvas outdoor furniture has spots of dirt and mould. What would be the best way to clean it? M. Bowden Lake Bathurst, NSW A: Brush off loose dirt, then saturate with a solution of 1kg of uniodised salt per nine-litre bucket of water. Leave to dry, then brush off salt crystals.

In the stars

For simple decorations, colour air-dried clay with food colouring, cut stars with a cookie cutter, make a hole for a twine hanging loop and then allow to dry naturally.

Wrap it up

Clean empty Pringles tins and cover with Christmas wrap – they are ideal containers for homemade biscuits.

Storage solution

A long, narrow under-bed plastic storage bin is the perfect place to store leftover rolls of gift wrap.

Fish for compliments

Make an eye-catching ice bowl for serving seafood: fill a large bowl one-third full with water, place a smaller bowl inside and hold in place with duct tape, so bowls are level at the top. Freeze overnight, then thaw for 15 minutes, allowing bowls to slide apart. Return to freezer until ready to use.