Do Just One Thing

Is a real evergreen Christmas tree better for the environment than an artificial one you can reuse? According to the Nature Conservancy, you should go with a fresh-cut tree. Real Christmas trees are grown on farms, and as they grow, they help fight climate change. They're grown on land that might otherwise be developed, which provides habitat for wildlife as well. Also, real trees are recyclable; they're made into mulch and can biodegrade. When it comes to artificial trees, almost all of them are made overseas, they are not recyclable and they will ultimately end up in landfills.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When a piece of chewing gum gets stuck in the fibers of carpet or on your favorite piece of clothing, resist the urge to pick at it or try to pull it out of the fabric. Instead, let the gum dry out, then place a freezer pack or ice cubes (in a plastic bag) on top for 20 minutes to freeze and harden it. The consistency will change from sticky and chewy to rock-hard, and it'll be easy to scrape off. Use a credit card, dull knife or even your fingers to scrape it clean.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

While your donation of a lightly used (and loved) dining room table and chairs to charity may seem like a generous gift, there's a reason why many won't take it: They simply don't have the storage or floor space for it. Furniture is bulky and heavy, and it's one of the top items to fill landfills. While some charities will take furniture, it's best to try to use a furniture resale site near you to find a home for your old pieces. You can make money, and some even offer "white glove" pickup and delivery to make it as easy as possible.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION