LiveSmart Helpful tips for your everyday life Stocking stuffers under $13! Leafy Sea Dragon. Being a life-long learner enables you to stay in the game, says Marquetta Carmichael of Hamilton, Ohio. In addition to making you interesting and giving you confidence, “it gives you freedom from having to know all the answers,” she writes, “and it builds your friendships and enhances your relationships.” What do you say? Share your common-sense tips for everyday life. Give us your recommendations for shopping, cleaning, exercising, parenting, dieting and other areas of life. For more information on how to give and get tips, visit LiveSmart at usaweekend.com/LSS USA WEEKEND magazine usaweekend.com Telephone: 800-487-2956 E-mail: [email protected] © Copyright 2011 USA WEEKEND. A Gannett publication. Printed in the USA. Since 1953, your Family Weekly. The magazine that makes a difference. 4 USA WEEKEND · Dec. 2-4, 2011 Dinosaur Play World Quick Sticker Kit. Package includes a paper landscape scene, 22 dinosaur stickers and three mini cardboard dinosaurs. (Ages 4+, $4.99, amazon.com) Makedo Cup Critter. Cleverly crafted and packaged, the kit has materials to make two whimsical critters. (Ages 5+, $4.95, toysmith.com) — Claire S. Green quality media and toys for children. How to hang your outdoor lights safely ILLUMINATE your Christmas nights safely with these helpful tips from licensed contractor and electrician James Young, host of DIY Network’s I Hate My Kitchen: Power up safely. Your outdoor lights should be plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet, which will shut the circuit down if there’s an overcur- rent. These outlets can be installed permanently by an electrician, or you can buy a portable unit at a home supply store for less than $20. Connect with caution. Follow manufacturer instructions when connecting lights. Tuck cords away, and keep connections above water and snow. Install correctly. Before installing, plug lights in to make sure they are working properly. Use a sturdy ladder, and attach lights with insulated holders (never use tacks or nails). Do not install lights in trees that are in contact with power lines. Don’t leave them on. Turn off your outdoor lights when you leave the house or go to bed. For more holiday lighting tips, visit DIYNetwork.com. 6 Visit us at usaweekend.com MAN WITH BOOKS: DIMITRI VERVITSIOTIS, GETTY IMAGES; ANAMALZ ELEPHANT: DAVID MCARTHUR; CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: FRANK SITEMAN Reader tip of the week Have a young one on your holiday gift list? Check out these fun and wallet-friendly stocking stuffers: Anamalz. They’re charming, eco-friendly and handmade. Everything from elephants to emus means hours of fun-packed play. (Ages 3+, $8.95, anamalzna.com) The lithe, lovely creature from the deep blue sea is just one of many pocketbook-friendly finger puppets. (Ages 6+, $9.99, folkmanis.com) Swish. It challenges you to be the first to make matches, or “Swishes,” by layering up to 12 transparent cards so Anamalz’s elephant, every ball displayed can be one of their seen in a circle of the same many little color. (Ages 8+, $12.99, creatures. thinkfun.com/swish) Balloon Hats. This clever kit includes 24 modeling balloons, a pump and instructions to create eight different designs. (Ages 8+, Claire S. Green is president of Parents’ Choice Foundation, a non-profit guide to $11.95, spoonsisters.com)