November 1993

between friends

Classic gifts for GARDENERS

If there's a budding horticulturist on your holiday shopping list, check out this collection of classic gifts any gardener would love to receive. All of these products are available by mail order for quick delivery.

THE TIME TO PLANT MIRACLES

To help spread the holiday spirit, we're offering two miniature roses you can give as living, lasting gifts. Five dollars from the sale of each Holiday Miracle or Small Miracle rose will go to The Better Homes Foundation's Kidstart program designed to assess homeless children's needs and connect them with local schools and medical services.

Toys That Teach

Educational toys and games are hot, as any merchant this season will tell you. But are kids clamoring for these toys that teach, or are well-intentioned parents buying them only to have them sit in the back of the closet until the next garage sale? If you shop wisely, you can buy a toy that is fun while it helps the child learn something or develop a skill.

Bed-Wetting Blues

Charlie's mother was frustrated. She'd tried everything, she said, yet five-year-old Charlie continued to wet the bed every night. "We disallow liquids after six o'clock, wake him up at midnight to use the toilet, and make him change his own bed linens. We've even tried offering special treats and privileges for not wetting the bed. Nothing works!" Was Charlie troubled by something, she asked, or was he just lazy?

Shopping Green

LABELS DON'T ALWAYS TELL THE STORY. BE A SMART CONSUMER

An Indoor Oasis

Moisturizing the air in your home can help you feel more comfortable and breathe easier all winter long. But, too much humidity can be harmful, especially if you have asthma or allergies.

Great Gift Ideas

Let these gifts brighten your holidays-- and brighten the lives of homeless families. All net proceeds go to The Better Homes Foundation to support its efforts to help homeless families throughout the country. To order, use the coupon on the next page, or call toll free: 1-800/962-4676.

collector's Passion

Greg and Maggie O'Brien prove that, like great love affairs, the best rooms can't be planned. For these recently married twenty-somethings, chance meetings with quirky collectibles have given their suburban Boston apartment its certain spark. Always keeping their eyes-- and hearts-- open to the decorating possibilities, these frill seekers have lavished plain spaces with these objects of affection in clever and surprising ways.

home improvement contest winners

it's official: We've oohed and aahed and pored over your entries-- all 9,829 of 'em-- and narrowed the field to 96 winners. Once again, you left us marveling at the wonders you worked with elbow grease and inspiration. This month four of the top winners share their handiwork; in February we'll train the spotlight on four more.

Adventures in Remodeling

When they began their remodeling projects, the readers who entered our Home Improvement Contest often thought they were simply getting a new kitchen, bath, or addition. What many also gained in the process was a challenging and ultimately rewarding experience and a whole lot of stories to tell the grandkids.

Remodeling Strategies

Time and again, our readers proved that you can remodel your home without breaking the bank. Here are some of their successful strategies.

Free-spirit rooms

When it comes to decorating, it's getting easier to exercise your right to free expression. Oh, sure, we've always touted doing your own thing with your rooms, but now furniture manufacturers are getting into the act too, offering more variety, more color-- more style. Come shop with us in some of our favorite furniture showrooms. Each is filled with big and small ideas-- from new room schemes to quick ways to update what you already have-- in which you can put your declarations of independence into practice.

Holiday Videos

Today's point-and-shoot videocameras make recording family holidays and other activities easier than ever-- but, to keep your viewers entertained, there still are some tricks to recording and editing.

nutrition information

Turkey Roasting Guide

HOW MUCH TO BUY With a 12-pound or less bird, buy 1 pound per serving. If the bird is more than 12 pounds, buy ¾ pound per serving.

House of Chocolate

auto update

If your car runs well on regular gasoline, it should really fly on premium. It sounds as if it should work. But the truth is, it won't.

The Shopper's Mart

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order from the convenience of your own home with complete confidence.

the man next door

"A place loses its small-town image," writes Aunt Opal, "the first time you discover a line at the post office window."