HELOISE Labels assisted helpers in buying the correct products

Dear Heloise: Prior to surgery, I realized friends wanted to know how to help -- grocery shopping, mail pickup, etc. I devised a tear-apart box, packaging or lid "program" that identified the products I use. I have approximately 30 items I am partial to, so I copied the labels and put them in a plastic baggie. When I made out a shopping list, I attached the labels to the list and gave them to my friend. No guessing and getting the wrong brand.
My friends were anxious to do the same for their parents, and our local health care service provider wanted to share the idea with its clients. It is also great for individuals who do personal shopping for shut-ins. Carol Teufel, Hummelstown, Pa.
We all have our favorites, so when the brand name matters, what better way to take the guesswork out of the grocery shopping when someone is doing it for you? Heloise
Dear Heloise: I have another use for extra wicker baskets. The retirement center where I volunteer collects nice baskets. When a new resident joins the center, a basket is prepared with goodies from the gift shop -- candy, notecards with the retirement-center picture on the front, pen, toiletries, etc. Carol M., Via E-mail
Dear Heloise: I have a cell-phone tip. I was adding numbers to my husband's phone, and I added our home phone under "Home" and my cell phone under "Wife." I did the same for my phone using "Husband."
This way, if either of us should be found without being able to give a contact number, the hospital or police can just find it in the cell-phone address book. For people who travel a lot, they might put an emergency contact number under "Emergency Contact." Frannie Shue, Clearfield, Pa.
Dear Heloise: Oftentimes during holidays, we receive a gift that is holiday-specific. It's easy to forget after a few years who gave the gift and when it was received.
To remember friends and family who have given gifts, I write who the gift was from and when given on the gift (where it's not visible during display) with a paint pen. Lara Pickett, Via E-mail
Dear Heloise: I used to hate it when my cleaning rags got frayed on the edges and would get tangled in the dryer. The solution? Seam binding. Use the wide kind and just sew it around the edges, and no more frayed edges or tangles. I even use color codes (green for my green bathroom, blue for the kitchen, etc.). Jane T., San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
Dear Heloise: No more concern as to when or if I received an acknowledgment for a gift I sent in response to an invitation. I write the date that I send the gift on the invitation envelope and keep it until I receive the acknowledgment. Rose Cohen, Baltimore
XSend a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate