Gift baskets are wonderful for many occasions. The best — and most frugal — is one you fill yourself, and you can save even more if you think like a Yankee. First, set a budget and stick to it. Second, buy an inexpensive but attractive basket at a discount store or use one you’ve saved […]
The Editors of Yankee Magazine
Gardens
Remove Weeds from Walkways
A walkway can add a lot of punch to the curb appeal of a house, unless its been overrun by pesky plants. When that happens, try these two methods to remove weeds from your walkway. If weeds start to flourish in the spaces of your brick or stone walk, here’s a good way to combat […]
Have a broken heirloom clock, book, or china teacup that needs repairing? How about an antique doorknob that needs refurbishing? Meet the New England antique repair experts (or “Fixers”) whose specialties and expertise will give nearly anything you own a second or third life. In a world of easy disposability, these New England restoration artists aim […]
Herbs and spices add so much the essence of a savory dish, but they can be a bit pricey. These flavor boosters are sensitive to the elements, so to make them last the longest, follow this advice on how to store spices and revive herbs. Store dried spices in glass jars with tight lids. If […]
Wash the Shower Curtain Squirting and scrubbing a filmy shower curtain can take a lot of time, but there’s a faster way to remove pesky soap scum. Just pull it down off its rings and toss it in the washer with a few towels, which will do the scrubbing for you. Stop the washer before […]
Five minutes is all you need to tidy up even the messiest bedroom, says Barbara Webster, president of Nice N Clean Maid Service in Miami. Here’s her five-step whirlwind formula. Got your running shoes on? Make the bed: Pull up the cover and straighten the pillows. Collect all the clothes that are flung about the […]
Is clutter overtaking your kitchen? Are you out of space in your cabinets? If so, follow these tips to organize pots and pans in the kitchen. Pots and pans eat up a lot of room in kitchen cabinets. The first step to organizing that space is to get rid of any pots, pans or gadgets […]
Save money on Christmas decor by incorporating nature into your decorating scheme. Collect pine cones and acorns when walking in the woods, and then dress them up for the season following these simple steps. 1. Wipe them clean with a paper towel or soft rag and keep them in a dry place. 2. If you […]
How To
Locate a Leak under the Sink
If you have water dripping under the sink, you have to locate the source before you can fix it. Chances are that the leak is so small that it’s hard to tell exactly where the water is coming from. Find the source of the link in three easy steps: 1. Dry the pipe. 2. Smear […]
How To
Safely Clean Your TV Screen
Before you clean your TV screen, turn off the set and wait till it’s cool. If you don’t, the act of wiping the screen can cause static buildup that will discharge back to your TV, resulting in severe damage. Even if the set is off, don’t touch the controls immediately after cleaning your set. Instead, […]
Bedding is expensive, but you can protect your investment by keeping it in tip-top shape. Follow these tips on how to clean and store bedding to keep it looking its best. Prevent Dyes in Bedding from Bleeding Keep the dyes in a new quilt or other bedding from bleeding by soaking it in a mixture […]
Closing up your summer camp or cottage can be a chore, but it beats the alternative of opening it up in the spring to odors or damage. To prevent problems, use this checklist to be sure you have taken care of the important tasks. Drain water completely Turn off propane at tanks Turn off circuit […]