THURSDAY TIPS

* Do you butter your cheese? You might want to try it when you hear this tip from K.M. in Pennsylvania: “I was always taught to rub a bit of butter on the cut side of my cheese so that it would not dry out.”

* “I love handmade whipped cream, but it’s a little bit messy when it starts out. I throw a small kitchen towel over the mixer until it gets solid, and this has cut down substantially on mixer messes!”

— T.T. in Minnesota

* When static season hits, try this fun trick: Mix a liquid fabric softener and water in a 1 part to 4 parts ratio. Use this to spray carpets from time to time.

* Looking for a small eco-friendly swap? Try using biodegradable garbage bags. They are available at some grocery stores and at online retailers.

* “I have two guest bedrooms that hardly get used until holidays. I keep the beds made up, but when I am expecting guests I will usually strip the beds to freshen the sheets and blankets. I toss the sheets into the dryer with a fabric-softener sheet and hang the blanket outside in the sunshine for several hours. It always does the trick, and I don’t need to wash linens that are already clean!”

— U.C. in California

* “When you get to the end of your bottle of shampoo or conditioner, just add a bit of water to the bottle, and then shake. You can get at least two more uses out of it, even if you think it’s totally empty. Waste not, want not!”

* “Save large platters that come with holiday trays to use when bringing cookies or baked goods to other parties. That way you don’t have to bring home a platter, you can just leave it and pass it on.”

— E.G. in Kansas

* “Schedule haircuts and nail appointments to coincide with holiday parties. Then you wonÕt have to worry about doing your hair. It will still look nice from your beautician appointment.”

— A.I. in Indiana

* “I find that the best conversation starter when visiting a large group of family or friends is a box or basket of photos. It is inexpensive to print copies, and I have all my old photos scanned anyway. Bringing them in a basket rather than in an album works because we pass them around, and people can take photos home with them. Sometimes, a picture will inspire a story, and I might write it down on the back of the photo to remember it and tuck it away. It’s more than worth the $10-$15 it costs to print pictures.”

— L.W. in Virginia

* Write return addresses on the back of holiday cards before disposing of the envelope. They can be tucked away for next year’s holiday cards list.

— G.T. in Alabama