Celebrate season’s 4 S’s

Sights

* Use a red and green theme to decorate whole house including the kitchen and baths. You can use anything red/green: pillows, scarves, blankets, bowls, coffee mug, etc.

* Use red and green fruits and vegetables to decorate (limes, apples, red and green bell peppers).

* Discarded Christmas tree branches or branches from a Christmas tree vendor can be used to decorate a mantle or table; intermix colorful holiday balls and ornaments.

* Use colorful stockings on the mantle stuffed with fresh greenery and candy canes, new kitchen utensils for a cook, or small books for the reader in the house.

* Use colorful cloth, netting, newspaper funnies or shiny heavy foil and yarn to wrap gifts at no or low cost.

* Use shredded old holiday wrapping paper as filler for gifts or bags.

* Christmas wrapping can be used as a table runner.

* Shop linen sales for red and green curtains, sheets and pillowcases to be used as tree skirts or table cloths, or to cover decorative pillows for the season.

Scents

Essential oils

* Refresh potpourri by adding a few drops of peppermint, eucalyptus, cinnamon or clove essential oil and stir or toss to distribute.

* Put a few pinecones in a plastic bag then add your favorite holiday scented oil. Shake well, leave overnight or longer. Attach to your gift boxes with a colorful ribbon (a two-for hint, sight and scent).

Stovetop potpourri

* Make your own holiday scent by putting 2 cups of pineapple or orange juice into a medium pan, then add a few cinnamon sticks and 1 tablespoon of whole cloves. Simmer on the stove and your home will smell wonderful. Be sure to add water as the liquid evaporates. You don’t want it to boil dry.

* You can also simmer 2 tablespoons of thyme or sage in 2 cups of water for a delicious roast turkey fragrance, or put in a 4 cup or larger microwave bowl and heat for 3-5 minutes.

* For a pumpkin-scented kitchen, simmer pumpkin pie spice in 2 cups of water.

* Remember guest rooms too.

Sounds

* Have some lovely holiday music playing as a background. As more guests arrive, the music will be taken over by laughing, talking and football; at this point only have the music on in rooms with no TV.

Safety

* There are many thefts during the holiday season. Don’t leave purchases in plain sight in your vehicle. Lock them in the trunk or in the back out of sight so people can’t see them.

* Don’t place the boxes from purchases outside for trash pickup unless you have broken them. This is like a beacon to thieves for what they will find inside your home.

* Keep a close eye on your purse while out shopping. Don’t leave it for even a second in a shopping cart and turn your back or walk away. It only takes a flash for a thief to grab your wallet or purse. Strapping a purse in the grocery cart is not fail safe either.

* Use battery-operated candles in windowsills or powder rooms.

* Don’t use electrical decorations that are frayed, have cracked sockets, loose or bare wires and loose connections unless they are repaired.

* Don’t nail or staple through light strings or electrical/extension cords. This can damage them resulting in fire or electrical shock.

* Trim the wick of candles to one-quarter inch before burning. This will help the candle burn more evenly, and helps prevent soot from marking the ceiling.

* The best way to extinguish a candle is to push the flame into the melted wax with a table knife or screwdriver. It will go out immediately and there’s no chance of sprayed wax or soot. Be sure to stand up the wick by lifting it out of the wax so it will be ready for the next lighting.

* Indoor and outdoor decorations are potential dangers to your pets.

* A Christmas tree can easily be toppled over so be sure it is secured.

* Broken ornaments can cut a pet’s paws.

* Keep light strands and extension cords out of pets reach.

* Holiday treats (especially those containing chocolate) and turkey dinner (splintering bones can cause choking) could be a danger to dogs.

Hints from Heloise is syndicated by King Features Syndicate. Send great hints to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; by fax, 210-HELOISE (435-6473); or by e-mail, Heloise@Heloise.com.