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Trimmings easy on your wallet

At 9 p.m. Sunday on HGTV, "Decorating Cents: 100 Holiday Ideas Under $100" promises to deck your halls with modestly priced, creative ideas. Host Joan Steffend and other designers will show you how to create an Advent tree for your dog, make a stocking out of window-screen material, or stitch a tree skirt out of old neckties. The show repeats at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

From the decorating page at about.com comes this piece of advice, which you may wish you'd followed a year ago, but at least you can do it for next year: Make an "Open First for Christmas" box. You need the tree stand before you buy the tree; you start addressing cards before you put the garlands up; you need the cookie cutters for your early holiday baking before you need the candles. So put all those "early-season" items in one box and label it your Early Christmas Box. No need to unpack several boxes looking for what you need. Make a note of what you want first as you start unpacking for the season this week. Jot down a list and have it handy when you pack up at the end of the season.

As the entertaining season starts, turn through the pages of Kimberly Kennedy's The Art and Craft of Entertaining (Atria Books, $26). Find recipes, drink ideas, how-tos for invitations and favors. Even more helpful: planning tips, timetables and checklists. No party panic for you if you follow Kennedy's last-minute advice. Stock your pantry with her "survival staples" for impromptu entertaining (a can of nuts, vacuum-packed cheese, a box of crackers, a jar of olives). For events with more lead time, read about "what to do 15 minutes before guests arrive" and relax.

The 2005 hurricane season ends Wednesday.The big lesson this year: As bad as hurricane day may be, the aftermath may be far worse and may last much longer. It may be days before relief operations are up and running and weeks before basic services such as power, phones and water are restored. Don't expect emergency management teams, FEMA or the Red Cross on your doorstep the morning after. If you evacuate, you may not have a home to return to. Everyone's job for the next six months: Prepare to take care of yourself and your family for at least 72 hours after a disaster: food, water, medication, battery-powered lights, first aid, emergency repairs. Remember the images of Katrina and Wilma and ask yourself: What would I need to do to cope if that happened here? Then get busy.

- Compiled by Homes editor JUDY STARK

[Last modified November 25, 2005, 09:00:07]