DEAR HELOISE: After reading the suggestion about gifting a child’s tea set to a grandmother with a new granddaughter, I just had to say that any grandchild would love tea parties! I started tea parties with my granddaughter, but the boys felt very excluded (which they were at first).

Now I do tea parties with all the kids and have finger foods (cut fruits, veggies, tiny cookies and tea sandwiches). Manners are exaggerated. For example: “Sister, would you care for tea?” There are lots of “please’s” and “thank you’s.” They take turns pouring and serving. We use water in the teapot, and I have a special tea quilt that soaks up spills so that there’s never any worries about accidents. I love your hints!

— Gladys, via email

DEAR HELOISE: I use inexpensive yellow household cleaning gloves for just about everything. I buy three at a time, and each pair is marked with red duct tape. I used one narrow stripe for the dishwashing gloves, two narrow stripes for floor scrubbing, and three narrow stripes for cleaning the toilet. Now I never hesitate when looking for the appropriate gloves.

— Janet, in Lincoln, Nebraska

DEAR HELOISE: Instead of sending flowers when someone passes, I prefer to give a basket of flower bulbs. They can be divided among family members or planted in multiple locations. Flower bulbs are available year-round in amazing varieties and will grow as a lovely reminder of the loved one who passed.

When someone young passes away, I usually give white flower bulbs. One family sent me a lovely note and a picture of the King Daffodils that bloomed the following spring on the widow’s wedding anniversary. They were amazed and so grateful for how nature delivered; it was such perfect timing.

And as bulbs naturalize, the flower bed becomes fuller and can again be divided with family and friends. Thank you for gathering and sharing all the wisdom that people have.

— Susan Newman, in Marthasville, Missouri

DEAR HELOISE: When I need a rubber band to secure a small bundle of papers, I often use an elastic ponytail band. They are strong and inexpensive.

— Pam, in the Villages, Florida

DEAR HELOISE: This is a hint on how to cook vegetables: If they are grown underground, put them in cold water and then cook them. If they are grown above ground, put them in boiling water and then cook.

— V.J., in North Carolina

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com.

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