Dear Heloise: In your column, I quite often see complaints from people who do not receive a thank-you note when they send someone a gift. According to the dictionary, a gift is “something that is given voluntarily without expecting anything in return.”

While it is nice to receive a thank-you note, this should not be our reason for sending a gift. We give a gift to acknowledge a person’s achievement, wedding, graduation, birthday, etc. The important thing we need to remember is not to cut these people off because they did not send a thank-you. We hurt both people when we do this. — Bobbie Prentice, in Santa Ana, California

CLEANING JARS

Dear Heloise: A simple method for cleaning out peanut butter jars and similar items is using the spray nozzle on your sink if you have this attachment. I use hot water and angle the nozzle toward all sides of the jar, and then it’s quickly ready to recycle. — Pam S., in St. Louis

FURRY ANIMAL CARE

Dear Heloise: Please alert pet owners, especially those who have pets with long hair, to remove hair buildup behind the pet’s ears on a daily basis. Our daughter’s Himalayan cat almost died after being misdiagnosed with an ear infection that she did not have. The subsequent steroid shot put her in congestive heart failure with fluid in her lungs.

Groomers, vets, owners and other caregivers should watch out for a pet using their paw to frequently rub behind their ears, which is a possible sign that there is a buildup of fur that needs to be removed. Thanks for your advice column, which is both educational and entertaining. — Tony, in Mission Viejo, California

LEFTOVER

FABRIC SCRAPS

Dear Heloise: My friend is a quilter and gives me long leftover strips of fabric. I used them this past Christmas as ribbons to tie the packages and make bows. Waste not. — Corrinne Berkland, in Universal City, Texas

REMOVING

COFFEE STAINS

Dear Heloise: Here’s a sure-fire coffee cup stain removal method: Make a thick paste of baking soda (that is almost dry) in the mug and wipe it around on the stain with your fingertips. Then rinse. It only takes 2 minutes to clean a cup. — Phil Flach, via email

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com.