Dear Heloise: I wanted to make a comment to H.K., in Connecticut, whose lunch guests wanted to contribute to the buffet. I support H.K in politely wanting to say “no” to the offers. She has planned the menu, and having guests bring more food usually leads to waste.

Also, H.K may have a small space for food or a small refrigerator, and it sounds like she wants to be the complete hostess and not have her guests do anything to help.

I have been in this situation, and I have found that my guests “run out of time” at the last minute and do not have time to make anything homemade. So, they stop at the store at the last minute and don’t bring their “special dishes.”

I say “no” politely, express appreciation, and explain that I want them to enjoy our time and occasion together.

— R.B., Tucson, Arizona

BLOOD STAINS

Dear Heloise: Recently, you published a letter asking how to remove blood stains. A nurse gave me a great hint about this when I was in the emergency room getting five stitches after I cut my forehead in a fall. The front of my cotton-knit shirt was drenched in blood, and I joked that the shirt was headed straight for the trash can. She told me to try hydrogen peroxide, the same thing you put on cuts.

The results were amazing. The shirt is a bit off-color but good enough to wear to the grocery store or other casual places. I could have probably tried a few more treatments if it had been a really good shirt. I recently found peroxide in a spray bottle at a drug store, which would have been even easier for a blood stain.

I enjoy your columns very much!

— Kathleen P., in New Orleans

BOOKMARKS

Dear Heloise: Many items of clothing I have purchased have beautiful, sturdy name tags on them. I like to read and have found these tags helpful to use as bookmarks. When they wear out, I just replace them with another one.

It works wonders and is a great way to recycle the labels instead of throwing them out.

— Karen Mendoza, Camarillo

WHEN PUTTING ON A JACKET

Dear Heloise: If you have trouble getting a three-quarter sleeve down a jacket, thread the sleeve into the jacket first before putting it on. It works like a charm!

— C.B., in Texas

SPEAK UP ON ANIMAL ABUSE

Dear Readers: If you see animal abuse, please report it to the police and/or a shelter. Ask them to intervene, or at least let you know who to report it to. Remember, you can serve as the animal’s voice. Speak up!

— Heloise

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.