Now Here's a Christmas Tip
By JOANN DERSON

• For gift labels, recycle and reuse! Make a color copy of your favorite holiday photo from years gone by and mount it on a piece of cardstock. Use a hole punch and a piece of holiday ribbon, and it makes a wonderful gift tag. Or use last year's holiday cards. Use cookie cutters in holiday shapes to trace around scenic bits from Christmas cards. Cut out and punch a hole for a hanging tag or use tape to secure it to package.

• "Ask the airline attendant at the beginning of the flight for any pillows and blankets you might need. Ask for them even if you aren't sure you will need or use them. They run out quickly, and you can always give them back." - U.K. in Michigan

• "It really helps me to preplan my meals for at least two weeks. I make a shopping list for all meals and notate any fresh ingredients that will need to be purchased for the second week's meals. This way, every other week at the grocery store is just picking up fresh fruit and veggies and any other little things I might want. It's hardly shopping." - R.D. in Pennsylvania

• You can store small ornaments - especially small glass balls - in an egg carton.

• "Here's a great way to use Christmas cards from last year: Trace a child's hand on the back of the pictures. Cut them out and use them to make a wreath for the front door. Or, make small jigsaw puzzles for young children to play with. Any good, detailed artwork on a card front will do. Make squiggly lines in the fashion of a jigsaw puzzle, then cut out. It helps if the cardstock is good and thick." - M.M. in Utah

Send your tips to Now Here's a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853- 6475 or e-mail JoAnn at heresatip@ yahoo.com.

(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.