Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 8, 1993 TAG: 9312080031
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Sandra Brown Kelly
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
There was the pizza shell to be used with the aging mozzarella already at home; sliced whole wheat, intended for a tuna sandwich; sourdough English muffins, in case I wanted a scrambled-egg sandwich; date-nut bread in case I decided to snack for dinner and use up the aging cream cheese in the refrigerator; and bagels, because I saw them.
None of those meals got made.
This is what happens during this season. We rush and sometimes make decisions that aren't rational, like those dinner items I bought.
Today's column is accompanied by a list of shopping tips that might make things go smoother for you, and here are a few more random ideas about the season:
The best times to shop: Generally early morning, say workers at the malls and big stores such as Hills, Kmart, Waccamaw and Wal-Mart. Check opening times, too. Some of these places open early. Tanglewood will start opening at 9 a.m. next week. Kmart already opens at 8. If you can shop late afternoons, 3 to 5 p.m. might be a less crowded time at malls.
Tree thoughts: How high are your ceilings? Measure and remember the number when you select a tree. Also remember that it will be about a foot taller when it's in the stand.
Also, you need to trim a slice off the trunk of the cut tree to open its pores so it can absorb water. The first day it's up, the tree will drink a lot, so check the water reservoir in your tree stand several times that day. Don't let it run out of water.
And don't hook more than three strands of lights to one extension cord, according to a warning issued by the Blacksburg Police Department.
If a live tree is part of your holiday plans, it shouldn't be indoors more than 10 days or its roots will start to grow, say Virginia Tech experts.
Mail order: If you plan to shop from catalogs, make a list of several choices before you call, in case your first choice is out of stock.
Comparison shopping: Do this with advertisements, not by foot. Most stores are meeting the competition's price, so running all over town isn't worth it and probably not necessary.
Speed-cleaning tips: Keep caught up with household chores or you'll exhaust yourself at the last minute getting ready for company. A new book, "Dirt Busters," offers suggestions that seem appropriate for this time of year:
Add a cotton ball saturated with favorite scent to your vacuum cleaner bag. It will send out the aroma as you clean.
Use a credit card to remove candle wax from a hard surface.
Speed your vacuuming by putting a little glycerin on the vacuum cleaner's brushes; it's especially effective if pet hair is a problem.
Remove price tags easily with a hair dryer. Begin at one corner while gently lifting the sticker. If any adhesive remains, wipe it off with vegetable oil.
\ This is also the season to make certain your vehicle is ready to do business during the winter. Here are some things to check:
Battery: Make sure it is fully charged; check for loose cables and corrosive buildup.
Radiator: Test for a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water, or whatever your car manual suggests, and fill as needed.
Windshield washer/wiper blades: Add no-freeze windshield wiper fluid to the reservoir and replace worn wiper blades.
All of which means auto-parts stores might just be a good place to shop for seasonal gifts.
by CNB