ReadyMade: Instructions for everyday life

HOLIDAY HELP

ROLL-UPS
Susan Pike keeps wrapping paper rolls intact by tucking up inside mate-less socks and torn panty hose. Cut the fabric off at the heel and slip the new cuffs over your paper goods.

PUMP UP THE VOLUME
When overnight guests come to stay, Mike Senese fills up his air mattress by turning on the cool function of a hair dryer and putting the nozzle on the mattress’s air valve. Within minutes, he’s got a firm spare bed.

STASHING PUMPKINS
Extend the life of your painstakingly carved jack-o’-lanterns by spraying them with a mild bleach solution (to prevent mold), then coating the cut areas with petroleum jelly.

BUTTERED UP
Whipping up a special holiday treat that calls for small pats of butter? Instead of fumbling around with a slick stick and sharp knife, use a cheese grater or vegetable peeler on cold butter to shave off what you need.

STOCKING STUFFER
Make use of orphaned socks taking up space in your drawer by slipping them over fragile holiday ornaments to keep the decorations intact until next year.

SOFT SERVE
Cut an X in an old tennis ball and place it over the head of your hammer to gently knock together assembly-required gifts without pounding them to pieces.

HI-GLOW, SILVER!
If Jim Miller of Whitehall, Montana, runs out of silver polish—and guests are on their way—he’s off to the medicine cabinet for simple (non-abrasive) white toothpaste and a soft cotton rag. After a gentle buffing and a cold-water rinse, his trusty platter is tarnish-free.

CLAM OPENER
After slicing his finger while attempting to open  anti-theft clamshell packaging, Karthic Chidambaranathan of Austin, Texas, came up with a safer idea: Use a double-edged can opener to cleanly cut around the edges and free the contents without damaging your digits.

SNOW MOTION
Lighten your wintertime load by coating the blade of your shovel with floor wax to keep fallen flurries from sticking.