Dear Heloise: Next year, I will be eligible to vote for the first time. How do I register to vote in my state? — Lisa G., Dillon, South Carolina

Lisa, it’s really simple. Just go to vote.gov to start the process. Select your state or territory, and depending on your state’s rules, you will find instructions on how you should register to vote.

Another way to register to vote is to download the National Mail Voter Registration Form. You can either fill it out online, then print it out, or print out the form and fill it in by hand. Don’t forget to sign the form before you mail it off to the location listed for your state.

Most states will also allow you to register in-person at your local Department of Motor Vehicles or an armed forces recruitment center.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program lets you register to vote and ask for an absentee ballot if you:

— Are a United States citizen living outside of the U.S.

— Are a service member stationed abroad.

— Are physically unable to go to the polls (but are registered to vote).

— Are over a certain age. — Heloise

REUSING OUTDATED SPICES

Have expired spices in your spice rack? Here are some uses for them:

— Make some potpourri. Boil water on your stove; then add cinnamon sticks, ginger and citrus peels to freshen your home for the holidays.

— Make spice sachets. In a square piece of cheese cloth, add bay leaves, thyme, ginger and oregano. Tie up the sachet and keep it handy in places such as a basement, attic or garage. Let it soak up any musty smells.

— Make candles. Just melt some soy wax and add things such as coconut oil, cinnamon, cloves and vanilla beans all ground up. This creates a wonderful scent when the candle is lit.

— Keep insects away by making a sachet out of scents that insects hate, such as bay leaves, basil, rosemary and garlic. Place in areas where insects seem to gather or enter your home.

WRAPPING PAPER

Dear Heloise: Every year, it seems I had to buy new wrapping paper to wrap gifts for birthdays, weddings and the holidays. I came up with a simple solution for all the gift wrapping I had to do:

First, I buy about four or five rolls of wrapping paper in solid colors, such as white, pink, blue, red and/or green. These solid colors can be used for just about any occasion. Store them in a cheap, tall wastebasket from a dollar store so that the paper stays neat, and you’ll never have to worry about not having wrapping paper. — Jason B., Bettendorf, Iowa