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Show ' nr j Makes .V Cents si' By - , ) VI JUDGE BLAKE V( j Our homes should be cleaner and more beautiful at Christmas time than at any other time of the year. After all, we're preparing for our Savior's birthday. The best way to achieve this without undue stress is to start early. Here are some of the chores you can do ahead of time: Wash chandeliers. (Add a little cornstarch to the rinse water. It makes glass sparkle.) Wash windows (Again, don't forget the cornstarch. One-fourth cup to a pint of water does a better job, in my opinion, than expensive window cleaners. Dry windows with newspapers, but wear rubber gloves or your hands will be black.) Polish silverware and wash the company dishes. (A little cornstarch in the rinse water makes crystal sparkle.) Sweep down the cobwebs. See that your bed linens are ready for company. Clean and organize cupboards. (No big chore if you do them one at a time along with the cleanup after a meal.) With such jobs out of the way, you'll feel so much more relaxed and happy about the holy, love-filled love-filled holiday season. But, how about all the gifts to make, buy, wrap, and mail? The cards, letters, decorating, baking, candy making? Try listing on a separate card each thing you must or think you must do buy gifts, make gifts, check tree lights, put up lights, make decorations, etc. Every day choose one or more of these chores to do along with that day's activities. As your stack of cards shrinks, your peace of mind will expand. Involve your family every way you can, and don't take on more than you can manage. Some of your "think-you-musts" might not be "musts" at all. Happy, stress-free holidays to all of you. Dear Vi: Let children gather some clean, fresh-fallen snow and make snow cones. Stir a little punch syrup into the snow until it is colored. Eat with a spoon. We did this for a December birthday party. The kids loved it. Mavis Vaughn Idaho Falls I dare say the making was as much fun as the eating for your young guests, Mavis. At a birthday party for our little girl years ago, the children all got to cut out their own cookies and decorate them after they were baked. They had so much fun! Sure, the kitchen was a mess afterwards, but the clean-up didn't require any more time than preparing other refreshments and entertainment. That taught me a lesson: Regardless of whether you are entertaining their friends or yours, make your children feel important by involving them in the preparations. Thought for the day: "Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity. . .A man filled with the love of God is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the world, anxious to bless the whole human race. Joseph Smith Readers: You still have time to order a copy of "Kitchen Tricks" for a last-minute gift. $2.49 plus $1 for postage and handling. Address: 328 South 300 East, St. George, Ulah 84770. |