Chrysanthemums the word: houseplants are beautiful and nature’s original air fresheners – get some and reduce your home’s air pollutants!

Never underestimate the power of plans. Take 10 minutes in the morning or night before and plot your day. It actually CREATES time.

Healthy elves love exercise. ’Tis the season to be snotty, so be sure to get at least 15 minutes of it daily to keep your immune system jolly!

Leaving the fridge door open for a long time let’s out cold air & uses more energy. Grab what you need all at once - NOW you’re cooking!

I know the Easter Bunny (he’s on the Holiday Council with Santa) and he’s a fan of plastic reusable eggs you can save and use year after year!

Wash your hands before and after handling eggs with hot, soapy water, and if you eat the eggs you dye, use only food-grade dyes!

Garbage disposal have bad breath? Run hot water and feed it orange, lemon, lime, or grapefruit rinds.

S’no problem: Spray non-stick cooking spray to both sides of your snow shovel and snow won’t stick. (Your back will thank you!)

Lipstick stains? First, saturate the spot with hairspray, let sit for 10 minutes, dab with a wet cloth, then launder. Next find a sweetheart with better aim.

Chiseling wax out of a votive candle holder defeats the purpose of romance. Spray cooking spray inside it before adding a tea light and the remaining wax pops right out!

Tidy elves love board games! PEG BOARDS, that is. Mount ‘em inside closet doors, over desks, in laundry rooms…great space savers!

Locally grown produce is fresher, saves fuel, and cuts pollution. (I only eat 100% North Pole-produced gingerbread cookies.)

A real "super bowl" uses less water per flush! Trick your old toilet into saving water: fill a plastic soda bottle with H2O and place in the tank.

BORAX to grind? Just use this miracle mineral – it’s a stubborn stain remover, rust remover, deodorizer, detergent, and more!

Two of my fave words: FREE SHIPPING. Do as much of your errands and shopping online to reduce gas, driving time, and money!

Make recycling convenient. Have an everyday disposal bin or bag (near the kitchen) that u can take easily to your weekly storage bin.

Drink tea? Don't dump excess kettle water - use it to water your plants!  (After it cools, of course.)

Tidy elves love VANILLA. Extract, that is. Wipe your freezer with vanilla extract and the smell just went from crummy to yummy!

Three max power minutes in a microwave sterilizes your dishcloths and sponges - sponges, where microbes lurk.

That’s not just air leaking out, it's money - plug electrical outlets in your home's exterior walls with inexpensive foam insulating gaskets.

Oh baby! Did you know that BABY OIL can polish chrome? Add to a cloth and your faucets are all set!

Coolest by a mile – keep a cooler in your car, so you don’t have to rush home with perishables after a grocery run!

Healthy elves love VITAMINS. Use a vitamin caddy with a slot for every day. Load Sunday night and stow the bottles out of sight! Healthy AND tidy!

Blood stains on fabric? Shampoo + ice cubes + very cold water = works like a charm as long as you don't let the blood set for too long or try to wash/dry the clothing first.

Recycle clothes box lids as cupcake carriers. Cut 12 X’s into a lid to transport a delicious dozen without incident. 11 if you’re hungry. 

Electric toothbrushes make a great grout scrubbing tool to reach those bathroom nooks and crannies. Also for brushing teeth. But not both…

Cheer up Kermit, it’s easier being green! A gentle first step: swap household cleaners (i.e. detergents) for plant-based, eco-friendly ones!

Tapped out of bottled water? Use a water-filter pitcher or install an in-sink faucet filter. Use the H2O you’re already paying for!

Beware computer viruses...the kind you get from filthy keyboards! With swabs or a cloth, swipe rubbing alcohol between/across keys! (Your mouse too!)

Pick a night, cook dinners for the week, and freeze them in meal-sized portions. Dinnertime just went from a hot mess to chill!

Sticky zipper and running late? Dip a cotton swab in olive oil, lubricate the teeth, and zzzzzip, you’re off!

Tidy elves love shelves! Baskets and bins too. When things (keys, phones, transit cards) have a “home” they’re harder to lose! 

Go bananas when you come home from the store…by separating your bananas. Bananas connected to their stems ripen faster.

ClockWISE advice: when dusting a room, go clockwise.  It keeps you from zigging, zagging, and zipping around the room with no plan.

Worried about your little elves rolling out of bed? Use your noodle! A pool noodle. Stick one under the fitted sheet and you have a low-cost solution to keeping your toddler tucked!

Viva la Vinegar! Adding a half cup of white vinegar to your wash cycle brightens your brights and cleans the washing machine itself.

Keep a journal of your day to how much time you spend on what you love vs. what you don’t! Then revamp your day!