Dear Readers: Do you buy your furry family members GIFTS for Christmas and the holiday season? According to the American Pet Products Association (www.americanpetproducts.org), billions of dollars will be spent this year by pet parents giving their pets a Christmas present!

And the gifts range from the practical (bones and sweaters) to the outrageous; how about giving your dog a spa treatment and a luxury gourmet meal for Christmas?

Our pets are members of our family — let’s pamper them this holiday season! — Heloise

PET PAL

Dear Readers: Todd the Toad has appeared to wish us all Merry Christmas! Reader Colleen found Todd clinging to the side of her cats’ water dish in her basement. He’s been with her family for a year, and has posed for many pictures.

To see Todd and our other Pet Pals, visit www.Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week” at the top of the page. — Heloise

CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBOR

Dear Readers: This time of year, everyone is caught up in the hustle of the holidays, but don’t forget to check on your neighbor. A senior who may be alone might appreciate a quick visit or phone call. — Heloise

THE DAILY GRIND

Dear Heloise: I read Heloise every day in the Houston Chronicle. Have you noticed that many restaurants have replaced salt and pepper shakers with “grinders,” necessitating wrapping your whole hand around the grinder?

I think this is unsanitary. Who knows where the person using grinders has had his hands? With shakers, it’s easy to use a napkin. — James W., via email

COMPACT PACKING

Dear Heloise: We will be traveling to Chicago from Houston this Christmas, and we were wondering how we were going to carry our winter coats, mittens, etc. They are bulky!

Voila! I put the coats in those zip bags that you vacuum all the air out of, and they fit in a tote bag that we checked. We were able to pull out our coats at the baggage claim. Hope others find this helpful. — Jo Ann K., Pearland, Texas

ON A ROLL

Dear Readers: Here’s a fun gift for youngsters: Take a roll of colorful duct tape and unfurl several lengths of it. Place coins down the sticky side of the tape — quarters, dimes, a rare silver dollar or half dollar, a “gold” dollar coin — and rewrap. Kids will have fun seeing what the tape will reveal!

Great discussions can ensue about history and money! — Heloise

TAG — YOU’RE IT!

Dear Heloise: Christmas is right around the corner. I use last year’s beautiful Christmas cards in place of bows and name tags on gifts. The cards can be cut to different sizes. — C.D. in Missouri

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Dear Heloise: While installing some lighting, I was up in the attic when it occurred to me that I needed my CELLPHONE so I could call my wife and have her direct me as to where the light should go. I also use my cellphone to call my wife so she can help direct me while I back up our RV into a parking space. Just “eyeballing” chores like these doesn’t work as well as a second pair of eyes. — William L., White Marsh, Md.

WEDDING-BELL BLUES

Dear Readers: A while back, we ran a letter from a couple who were getting married and wanted guests who came to their wedding to give them money for a honeymoon instead of a gift. We got an overwhelming response from readers all across the U.S., with the vast majority of them against requesting money. Here are some of the replies we received. — Heloise

“Asking for money is tacky and rude. If I received a wedding invite with a request for cash, I would RSVP a polite ‘no’ and then erase the couple from my contact list.” — Bobbie C., San Clemente, Calif.

“I absolutely would not! A gift should be from the heart of the giver.” — Linda S., Thousand Oaks, Calif.

“My thought is this: If you can’t afford the honeymoon, then you’re spending too much on the wedding.” — P. Johnson in San Antonio

“I think it is rude to ask for money for a honeymoon.” — Carlyn H., Prattville, Ala.

“Asking for money to fund a honeymoon trip has an advantage: It’s easy. The disadvantage is that it’s impersonal.” — Harry in Texas Hill Country

“I would be glad not to have to guess what the couple wanted or needed.” — Kathy B., via email

HANDS OFF

Dear Heloise: Working with a dermatologist, I learned a number of ways to help my skin stay firmer and less wrinkled than many other women my age. Here are a few of them:

First, don’t touch your face if you don’t have to.

Wash your hands before you wash your face.

Don’t sleep in your makeup.

Gently pat on moisturizers and lotions; never rub your face.

Blot oily areas on your face with a clean tissue. Never wipe — blot.

Use sunblock daily, even in winter.

— A Reader, via email

PROBLEM WITH RETURNS

Dear Heloise: Just a heads-up: Many stores are now denying a return if you make a habit of returning too many things within a set time. A receipt doesn’t matter. If you make too many returns, the stores won’t take an item back. — Cathy K. in Indianapolis

DOGGIE DREAMS

Dear Heloise: My vet told me to never wake up dogs while they are having a nightmare. Like people, they need time to fully wake up, and they might be frightened enough to bite. Wait until the dog wakes up, and be there on hand to offer comfort, assuring the dog that everything is OK. — Hailey Y., Albuquerque, N.M.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Send your great money-saving or timesaving hint to to Heloise at P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, Fax to 1-210-HELOISE, or email to Heloise@Heloise.com. She can’t answer your letter personally butv will use the best hints received in her column.