This is the time of year for quality time with family and celebrations. Here are some tips that will help you get into the holiday spirit.

Now that it gets dark earlier, you may be lighting more candles around the house. If your lighter ran out of fluid, you can use an uncooked piece of spaghetti which works great for hard to reach candles. No more burning your fingers with those small matches either.

Keep those wrapping ribbons that are tied around birthday presents and you can recycle them for holiday gifts by using a flat iron to get the creases out. Voila—you have brand new ribbons.

Now that summer is over you may have half-used bottles of sunscreen around. Instead of saving them until they expire, use them now for shaving. It keeps your skin smooth and protects from razor burn.

Most of us will be doing a lot of cooking in the next few weeks. A tip that will save you money is to buy potatoes, onions, oranges and apples in bags rather than individually.

Colder days mean our furnace will be working harder. It is very easy to forget to change the filter in your furnace. Install a whistle for less than $2 and it will alert you when it is clogged to remind you to replace it. This will save you tons of money in the long run.

Need a gift idea? Instead of buying a pet from a breeder which can cost well over $1,000, get one from a shelter and make a donation. You will get a pet that has been vaccinated and spayed or neutered … and save a life.

Happy Holidays!