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But with smart plugs, your smartphone, and a little work on your part, you can make it so much easier. Imagine simply saying, “Alexa, make it festive,” and having your lamp lights dim, your holiday lights come on (inside and outside)—and your favorite holiday songs start playing. And the best part? You can get started with around $100 in basic smart home products for a pretty nice setup. (Though if you really want to splurge, you’ll find some amazing products that’ll make you look like a pro....

We spoke with Tamika Sims, Ph.D., senior director of food technology communications at the International Food Information Council, and FDA public affairs specialist Veronika Pfaeffle, about the dos and don’ts of Thanksgiving food safety. “The USDA’s FSIS advises that the proper way to thaw a turkey or any other type of meat is to not leave it out at room temperature or anywhere it might fluctuate in temperature,” explains Sims....

To find the best organic sheets, we spent hours researching options and considered factors like materials, certifications, and price to make our top picks. Choosing the best bed sheets can be challenging with different sleep styles and preferences, which is why we also consulted Keith Cushner, Product Expert at SleepFoundation.org, for expert tips on buying organic sheets. “Organic sheets are generally made from a more breathable and durable material, which can make them a good long-term investment,” says Cushner....

The 10 Best Black Friday Deals There are big discounts offered in every category, like smart home, beauty, and fashion, and tons of top brands are included this year. Highly-rated products from iRobot Roomba, Apple, Caraway, Le Creuset, Bissell, Casper, Microsoft, Levi’s, and Crocs are all going for less—and that’s just the start. To make your shopping easier, we compiled the 100 best deals from the massive event and listed them by category....

To round up the best puffers, we spent hours researching the most popular options on the market. We considered factors like materials, features, and price to narrow down our list to only the best styles. For expert advice on choosing the best puffer coat, we spoke with Vivian Lee, director of styling at Dailylook, an online personal styling service. “When the temperature drops and it’s time to layer up, puffer coats are a good staple in your wardrobe,” says Lee....

To pick the best clothes steamers, we tested 29 of the most popular models on the market, assessing each one’s effectiveness, ease of assembly, design, and overall value. Our top choice is the Conair Turbo Extreme Steam Handheld Fabric Steamer for its multiple steam settings, impeccable steam performance, long steam time (for a handheld), and extra accessories, including a built-in crease clip. Who it isn’t for: People looking for a handheld steamer that they can travel with....

Feeling overwhelmed by the looming tax return deadline? Stress not, for we answered five of your most pressing tax questions below. But if you have a salaried job and receive W-2 income (meaning your employer withholds money from your paycheck) and you rent (so you don’t have any housing deductions), your taxes are pretty basic. So take a stab at figuring them out yourself. That being said, if you wake up in the night freaking out that the IRS is going to come after you, use a tax preparer for peace of mind....

To find the best silver polishes, we spent hours researching various silver cleaning products while considering factors such as type, formula, and function. We also spoke to Casey Fahey, restorer and head polisher of East Village Bangles; Esme Rogers-Evans, expert jewelry designer at Duxford Studios; and Alessandro Gazzo of Emily’s Maids, for product recommendations and tips on what to look for. They also explained how silver polish cleaners actually work: “Silver tarnishes over time as it oxidizes when exposed to sulfur compounds in the air, causing otherwise brilliant silver to appear dim and dirty,” says Fahey....

To find the best flameless candles, we researched the various options on the market and narrowed the list down based on type, size, features, and more. We also spoke with Ellie Anderson, owner of the style and decor site The Glossy Nest, for tips on what to look for when shopping for battery-powered candles. Our top pick is the GenSwin LED Flameless Flickering Candles because they’re the most realistic-looking option on our list....

While we’re not suggesting you redesign your home for fall (even though we did get some interior design-approved tips), there are a few simple decorative accessories you can get that will add the perfect ambiance to any room without overdoing it. The best trick: Invest in simple decor that you can use year after year. Miulee Fall Farmhouse Set of 2 Fall Pillow Cases, $7 (was $21) Winemana Velvet Pumpkins Set of 8, $10 (was $16) MomKids Fall Faux Flower Bouquet, $15 (was $21) Whaline Happy Fall Garland, $8 DII Pumpkin Spice Table Runner, $10 4th Emotion Set of 4 Fall Decor Pillow Covers, $14 (was $18) La Jolie Muse Cinnamon and Pumpkin Candle, $13 (was $16) Greenbrier Thankful and Blessed Hanging Sign, $6 HAKACC Artificial Pumpkins and Gourds, $10 (was $14) Artoid Set of 4 Pumpkin Placemats, $14...

With a sitewide sale happening until 11:59 p.m. on December 20, Biossance’s products—including this best-selling face oil—are all discounted with code GET25. To buy: $56 with code GET25 (was $74); biossance.com. As its name suggests, the oil includes Biossance’s key ingredient across all of the brand’s products: squalane, an ingredient that comes from sugarcane and helps the skin to retain moisture. The other main ingredient, vitamin C, evens out skin tone and boosts elasticity to keep skin smooth and free of fine lines, while rose extract gives skin a much-needed glow during the winter....

Whether you’re drying undergarments like bras and underwear or are tending to gentle clothes fabrics like wool and even cotton, you’ll want to forgo the machine and go with the Honey-Can-Do Collapsible Clothes Drying Rack. In fact, thousands of shoppers already love the laundry room essential, earning it more than 7,100 five-star ratings for this specific style so far. To buy: $24; amazon.com. The clothes drying rack is designed with a coated steel frame that’s sturdy, rust-resistant, and stylish....

Claiming as many of the credits you’re eligible for means more money in your pocket at the end of the day, and you could be missing out if you don’t know what to look for. This tax deduction checklist can help you keep track of credits you may qualify for, especially if you’re doing your taxes yourself. Here are some commonly overlooked tax deductions and credits to watch for this upcoming tax season....

Some families have traditional recipes they make year after year, but if you want to try something new (or start your own cookie tradition), you may be wondering what the most popular Christmas cookie recipes are. To that end, General Mills put together a guide to the most popular cookies in every state in the U.S. These predictions are based on the Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, and Tablespoon cookie recipes that get the most clicks from eager bakers....

“Protecting the health, safety, and security of our communities is our top priority,” said department secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas in a statement on April 27, 2021. “…extending the REAL ID full enforcement deadline will give states needed time to reopen their driver’s licensing operations and ensure their residents can obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card.” What does that mean for travelers? Starting May 3, 2023, the ID options that many Americans have been using (such as their standard driver’s license or state photo ID card) at TSA security checkpoints and to board a plane will no longer be valid forms of identification for domestic air travel....

And it’s not just the cringe factor of it all, many women are still trying to undo the damage from over-plucking 30 years later. But after years of bushy, fluffy brows reigning supreme, the pendulum was bound to swing back. Here’s the good news: Like the resurgence of other ‘90s trends, the thin brow is getting a 2022 update. “The thin brows in the past weren’t just thin—they were actually bad brows,” says celebrity eyebrow stylist Joey Healy....

You can’t add that pressure back, so ignore specialized gadgets that claim to do so. There’s one trick that really works though, and it’s a throwback to 5th-grade science class. We’re talking about solvents (liquids that can dissolve other substances) and solutes (substances that dissolve). In this case, the water is the solvent and the CO2 is the solute. Ever wonder why seltzer doesn’t look bubbly until you open it?...

If you’re struggling with problem behavior, take heart. It can be challenging to enforce boundaries with younger children. Still, you have the benefit of imagination (I doubt a teen would want a “make-your-bed fairy” checking in on them). To help you get a handle on things, we asked some talented elementary school teachers for their best classroom management advice that you can use at home. Try it at home: Need to corral a bunch of six-year-olds at a birthday party?...

In fact, the clams you enjoy raw on the half shell aren’t the same as the ones you toss with your linguine. Whether you’re planning a clambake or hoping to make some clam chowder at home, our clam guide will have you picking a littleneck from a manila in no time. Best served: raw on the half shell; cut up in chowder; or stuffed Helpful tip: Varieties include littlenecks, top necks, cherrystones, and chowders....