Tips for planning for the holidays

extra toilet paper, paper towels and all food and drinks!

■ Clean or polish crystal, china, silver, dishes and linens.

■ Create a cooking schedule for the party day. Figure out the logistics of getting everything on the table at the right time. How many dishes can fit in your oven and on the top of the stove? How long will it take to cook the beef, turkey or ham and at what temperatures? What can be reheated in the microwave?

■ Check tables and chairs to make certain you can seat everyone. Do the same with dishes and serving pieces. Be sure you have a platter or bowl for every dish and have extras for the unexpected.

■ Check bathrooms to be sure they have enough soap, tissue and toilet paper!

On the day of the gathering, go over your guest list and shopping list, as well as the cooking timeline. Then start cooking! — Heloise

Other uses for dental floss

Dear Readers: Dental floss is indispensable to keep our teeth clean, and it can also be used around your home • especially for emergencies. Here’s how: Use dental floss to sew on a button, use as a shoelace if needed, string popcorn or beads and cut cakes or cheese if no knife is available. — Heloise

Baking a holiday ham?

Dear Readers: After you remove the ham, do not throw out the leftover broth. Pour the broth into an ice-cube tray, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze. Store cubes in a zippered freezer bag. Pull out cubes to flavor eggs, veggies or casseroles. — Heloise

Fun party and gift idea

Dear Readers: Here’s a dinner party treat that can be used at your table and then as a gift for your guests. Purchase a good quantity of big Christmas cookie cutters when they are on sale. Use the cookie cutters as napkin rings for the party. Attach a favorite cookie recipe to the cutter with a holiday ribbon to hand out as guests are leaving. — Heloise

Removing lipstick from cloth napkins

Dear Readers: Before you wash them, pre-treat cloth napkins stained with lipstick like this: Put paper towels under the stained area. Dab a bit of rubbing alcohol onto each stained area and gently rub. Blot until the stain disappears. Then launder the napkins as you usually do. — Heloise