A gift registry is a simple way to make sure everything you’re receiving for a special occasion is something you actually need and can use. But what do you do if you really don’t want any more material things for yourself or your home? A good alternative is to choose a local charity and have them create a wish list that your friends and family can help fulfill. Or, if you have a housewarming, why not select trees, bushes and other plants from your local landscaping store so you can create a natural oasis of your favorite plants?

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

A naturally warm home is also a humid one. Humid air retains heat better than dry air. Among the easiest ways to help capture naturally humid air are two things: Let the hot, humid air from your morning shower waft from the bathroom into the rest of the house, and also do as much cooking as possible in your home. Also, running a humidifier can add moisture to the room, helping to maintain heat and also create a more comfortable living environment.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Just because there are pretty flowers or flowing streams on the front of the plastic water bottle doesn’t mean what's inside is pure. The Natural Resources Defense Council found that over one-quarter of all bottled water is actually from the tap. And even if it’s filtered, they still found instances where this water had chemical phthalates, mold, arsenic and even E. coli in samples. Even more concerning, you have no idea if that chilled bottle previously was stored under conditions where excessive heat could leach chemicals into the water. Just a friendly reminder: Use a reusable bottle and fill it with clean tap water.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION