Now here’s a tip

“”Be sure to secure pets before you host a holiday party. Now is a great time to look into pet sitters and boarding facilities in your town. You wouldn’t want Fido or Fluffy to get hurt by unattended decorations or party food, or to be accidentally let out by your guests. Better to be safe than sorry!” — C.L. in Missouri

“ “I bought a fairly large and nice-looking outdoor rug over the summer. I almost packed it away with the outdoor furniture, but something made me hang on to it in our garage. I had a lot of guests for Thanksgiving, and I put it in the entryway, where people were coming in from a muddy outside. After everyone went home, up it came, and it was rinsed off good as new. I will bring it back whenever I expect more people than my mudroom can handle.” — K.B. in New Hampshire

“”At a home center recently, I saw a zip-up bag to store artificial Christmas trees. This bag looked like luggage, with wheels on one end. I have purchased two, and I use them under my bed to store off-season clothes. I can pull the handle and they wheel out. I no longer have to get down on the ground and tug them out.” — I.W., via e-mail