Tips to brighten your day

“On sale in December: Candles, after-holiday sales on decorations and gift wrap. Also, smart shoppers are on the lookout for loss leaders — items that are marked below cost in order to get you into the store to buy higher-priced items. If you have the willpower, you can save a bunch of money in December.

“”Whenever I have overnight guests for the holidays, I get a lot of compliments on the small touches I make for them, such as a mini coffeemaker in the room, and a guest basket with toiletries and such. But the one thing that every single person raves about is the white-noise machine by the bed. It’s essential for me, and my guests just love it!” — Happy Hanukkah from Florida

“If you have a table that’s wobbly because of an uneven leg, and you are a wine drinker, you are in luck. Take one wine cork, cut it in small slices and glue the slices to the uneven leg until the table no longer wobbles. Easy!