Dear Heloise: When fixing cornbread for your dressing, cook the batter in a skillet (nonstick works well), like you would do with pancakes. You get more brown, chewy pieces. (I discovered this because our oven doesn’t work.) — Ed G., Dallas

CHRISTMAS GIFT-GIVING

Dear Heloise: We are a family of 14 with me, my husband, three married children, and six grandchildren. That’s a lot of gift-buying each year, so several years ago during the late fall, my daughter and son-in-law came up to our lake home for a weekend visit. I asked her to contact her two brothers and tell them not to buy the two of us anything for Christmas. We did not need another bear figurine, and Dad does not need any more T-shirts. We told them to please use the money to buy gifts for their own children instead.

She advised her brothers, and they decided that no more presents were to be exchanged at our Christmas family dinners. We have the best time eating great food, playing games, laughing at family stories, and just enjoying each other’s company. Our adult children rotate where the place of the party is held each year. This way, there’s no gift-giving and absolutely no stress on what to give each person!

We tried drawing names one year, but this didn’t work out very well. Having no gifts has been wonderful. Just being with family is the best Christmas gift. — Pat F., Bakerfield, California

GIFTING A CALENDAR

Dear Heloise: When my husband and I were in France, my French mother-in-law gave me several pictures of my husband that were taken at various times during his life. He is French by birth and grew up in a small village in the south of France. When we got back, I took some of the photographs to a specialty shop here and had a calendar made up with a different photograph from his life for each month. Most were comical.

I gave it to him for his birthday, which was during the first week of December. He loved it and took it to work to hang it up in his office. If anyone is trying to think of an unusual gift idea, I think this would be a great way to surprise someone.

By the way, I read your column every day and love it! — Mavis F., Boston

SQUIRREL FOOD

Dear Heloise: I’ve read that giving squirrels nuts isn’t healthy for them. Is this true? — Ava N., Bend, Oregon

Ava, some nuts are good for squirrels, such as acorns, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, English walnuts and macadamia nuts. They also like berries, carrots, apples and watermelons.

However, never feed a squirrel cashews, sunflower seeds, dried corn or pine nuts. They also shouldn’t eat anything with onions or garlic. These two foods can cause damage to their red blood cells. They will run from peppermint oil, cinnamon, rosemary, and the smell of dryer sheets.

With winter weather in full swing in many parts of the country and the snow making it difficult for squirrels to hunt for food, they appreciate any food you can give them. — Heloise

OLD MEDICATIONS

Dear Heloise: A pharmacist gave me advice about old medications but never once mentioned taking medications to a pharmacy drop-off. This is the only way it should be done. — Linda H., Lincoln, Nebraska

Linda, I checked with a couple of local pharmacies, and they agreed with you. They said that flushing old medicines down the toilet was one of the worst ways to get rid of them. — Heloise

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.