Table of contents for December 2018 in Real Simple

THE HOLIDAYS ARE already stressing me out!” This was a text from a friend recently that ended with that greenish emoji face that looks like it just ate a vat of pickled cabbage. While I didn’t text this back, I did think: Are the holidays stressing you out—or are you letting the holidays stress you out? I realize that sounds judgmental. But I know from experience that the quest to create the perfect season can turn your holly-jolly into a horror show when you let seasonal activities become oppressive obligations. I used to drive myself—and my loved ones—nuts as I obsessed over finding just the right wrapping or punch bowl. But during a particularly busy December a few years ago, as I searched for the best family photo to…

Quick Ideas 1 CACIO E PEPE CAULIFLOWER Toss 8 cups cauliflower florets with ¼ cup olive oil and 1 tsp. kosher salt on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast at 425°F until brown and tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and add 3 oz. grated Pecorino Romano cheese and 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper; toss to coat. 2 SPICY MULLED WINE Combine 2 bottles red wine, ½ cup black peppercorns, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, 4 strips orange zest, a 1-inch piece ginger (peeled and sliced), 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 star anise in a large pot. Bring to a simmer over high. Remove from heat; let stand 30 minutes. Strain and discard solids. Serve warm, garnished with orange slices and cinnamon sticks. 3 CHOCOLATE-PEPPER TRUFFLES Place…

1 CHECK THE POWER To determine the amount of electricity your outdoor power source can handle, go to the main circuit breaker panel, find the switch for the outdoor outlet, and look for a number printed on it (15 to 20 amps is average for outdoor outlets). “Only use about 70 percent of the circuit” (which would be 14 amps of a 20-amp circuit), says Chris Fitts, a professional lighting designer and installer in St. Augustine, Florida. To figure out how many strands you can hang, multiply the watts and then divide by 120 (100 bulbs at 7 watts each would be 700 watts; divided by 120, that equals 5.8 amps). The wattage of each strand will be listed on the box and will differ for LEDs and incandescents.…

TO BUY: Chalkboard wrapping paper, $10 per roll; knotandbow.com. Holographic ½-inch ribbon, $2 for 12 yards; hallmark.com. Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 instant-film camera, $69; fujifilmusa.com for stores. TO BUY: Lana’s Shop banana-leaf gift wrap, $16 for 3 sheets; onekingslane.com. Cork ribbon, $12 for 26.2 feet; shopterrain.com. Piel Leather classic luggage tag in saddle, $10; bedbathandbeyond.com. TO BUY: Gray with gold-fleck wrapping paper, $10 for 2 sheets; containerstore.com. Teal 2/8-inch velvet ribbon, $8 for 5 yards; minted.com. Abstract greenery ornament, $5; westelm.com. TO BUY: Tree fern stripe wrapping paper in evergreen by Alethea and Ruth, $15 for 5 sheets; minted.com. Twenty-count battery-operated mini LED string lights in warm white, $20 for 3; bedbathandbeyond.com. Golden star sparkler, $8; shopterrain.com. TO BUY: Indigo mud cloth wrapping paper, $10 per roll; chasingpaper.com. Natural…

STELLAR NECKLACES EVERY NIGHT IS STARRY WITH THESE STRIKING STRANDS, WHICH DRESS UP EVERYTHING FROM A WHITE TEE TO AN LBD. CRYSTAL RINGS THESE VINTAGEY BAUBLES ARE AN EASY WAY TO MAKE YOUR WORK OUTFIT COCKTAIL-PARTY READY. ORBITAL CUFFS ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES AND LET THESE MODERN BRACELETS BE THE STARS OF THE SHOW. PRISMATIC EARRINGS RICH, MULTICOLORED STONES MAKE THESE DANGLERS FEEL MORE SPECIAL THAN YOUR EVERYDAY STUDS.…

FIRST AID KIT Take adhesive bandages and an antibiotic cream for minor cuts and burns. THERMOMETER Young kids tend to have trouble telling you what’s wrong. A thermometer can gauge the severity of a fever and let you know if a trip to a doctor is needed. COLD AND FLU MEDICATION You can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever, headaches, and other pains. DIARRHEA MEDICATION Most travelers’ diarrhea can be treated with over-the-counter medications, such as Imodium or Pepto-Bismol. HAND SANITIZER Washing with soap is preferred, but sanitizer can kill many germs. Consider taking a small bottle of soap too, in case of poorly stocked bathrooms. SUNSCREEN It’s not just for the beach: Protect your skin from sunburns with broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 30 SPF. MOSQUITO REPELLENT Carry…

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You know how you can hold a seashell up to your ear and immediately be transported to the ocean, listening to the sound of the waves? At this time of year, it’s easy to get both stressed out and shiveringly cold. Try this breathing technique anytime you need a little beach escape to settle the mind and generate some internal warmth—you can even do it while walking around shopping for gifts. Start with a couple of breaths in and out of the mouth just to get going. With each long exhale, make a gentle ahhh sound. Then transition to breathing in through your nose and out the mouth. Imagine you’re trying to fog up a mirror. Now, what if you tried to make that same sound while exhaling through…

THERE’S NO GETTING AROUND IT: We live in polarized times. Bridging divides—whether cultural, political, or religious—is more important than ever. It’s nice when you can get away, to be swept up in a foreign place. But you don’t always have to travel to immerse yourself in another way of life. There’s an easy, inexpensive opportunity right in front of us. When we engage across difference in our own hometowns, we cultivate stronger communities and a stronger democracy, says Rachel Peric, executive director of Welcoming America, a nonprofit that works with local governments and other organizations to create a more inclusive climate for all Americans, including new residents from other countries. “Connecting with other cultures is about creating a sense of belonging for everyone,” Peric says. “Especially at a time…

Easy Dinner 1 Slow Cooker Black Bean Posole ACTIVE TIME 10 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 5 HOURS SERVES 8 ✓ Freezable ✓ Make Ahead ✓ Big Batch ✓ Slow Cooker ✓ One Pot ✓ Vegetarian ✓ Gluten-Free ✓ Family Friendly 8 cups low-sodium vegetable broth3 poblano chiles, chopped1 onion, chopped8 cloves garlic, chopped¼ cup olive oil2 Tbsp. chili powder1 Tbsp. tomato paste1 tsp. dried oregano1 lb. dried black beans1 28-oz. can golden or white hominy, drained¼ cup fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)1½ tsp. kosher salt tsp. cayenneFresh cilantro, sour cream, sliced avocado, and radishes, for serving COMBINE broth, poblanos, onion, garlic, oil, chili powder, tomato paste, oregano, and black beans in a 6-quart slow cooker on high. Cook until beans are tender, 5 hours. Stir in hominy, lime juice,…

ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES MAKES 6 CUPS 5 cups granulated sugar3 cups heavy cream1¼ cups (2½ sticks) unsalted butter, cut into large cubes3 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract1 tsp. fine sea salt STIR together sugar and 1½ cups water in a large heavy bottomed pot. Place over medium-high and cook, undisturbed, until sugar begins to turn amber around the edge of the pot, about 15 minutes. GENTLY stir mixture until color is uniformly amber, about 1 minute more. Reduce heat to low and gradually stir in cream. (Becareful: Sauce will bubble and steam vigorously.) Continue to cook, stirring over low, until caramel is smooth, about 2 minutes. ADD butter, 1 piece at a time, whisking constantly until butter is melted and emulsified. REMOVE from heat and…

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS A spin on the traditional Advent calendar, Reichel stuffs 24 pockets with small surprises and activity thought-starters. “They’re filled with fun ways to celebrate the season, and I sprinkle in a few fun little gifts as well!” she says. MERRY MATCHING Coordinated pajamas are not only cozy, they also add a “special, festive touch” to a gift exchange, says Reichel. “We let the kids open them up on Christmas Eve after dinner and wear them to bed that night.” WRAPPED UP IN THE MOMENT “Everyone knows the saying about first impressions, that’s how I feel about gifts!” says Reichel. “I feel like people really treasure gifts when they come in beautiful packages—it makes them seem more thought-out.” USE THE CUSTOM TAGS AT RIGHT TO ADD SOMETHING…

Delicious Memoir In Kitchen Yarns, Ann Hood explores the role food has played throughout her life: growing up in an Italian-American home, star ting a family, coping with divorce, and falling in love again. In this cozy read, Hood shares recipes that shaped her—from her mother Gogo’s lemon meringue pie to her second husband’s perfect baked potato—and the poignant life lessons about loss, love, and friendship she learned in the kitchen. Modern Family Exes Claire and Matt, the pair at the center of The Adults, both want to spend Christmas with their young daughter, Scarlett. So they jump at the idea of the three of them, along with their new partners, heading off on a holiday vacation. They’re all grown ups, so what could go wrong? Caroline Hulse’s farcical…

GLOSSIER ZIT STICK Not reserved for bedtime, this pen has an antimicrobial stainless-steel tip that precisely applies 5 percent benzoyl peroxide, a gentle salicylic derivative, and healing tea-tree oil to reduce the size of blemishes. It dries clear, so you can apply makeup, if you like, and be on your way. Use up to three times per day. TO BUY: $14; glossier.com. SUMMER FRIDAYS OVERTIME MASK Store this gritty mask in the shower so it’s convenient. Then, when your skin is feeling dull or congested come mid-holiday hustle, rub it on and rinse after 10 minutes. Pumpkin and apricot-seed powder buff skin to up brightness. TO BUY: $44; sephora.com. BOBBI BROWN LUXE MATTE LIP COLOR We’d never suggest you buy another lipstick unless it was truly worth it—this is.…

Bartender’s Secret Rather than sling drinks all night, entertain with one of these easy punches. Each one requires just a single bottle of booze. Add ice and a few easy-to-find ingredients, then sit back, relax, and enjoy the party. GOLDEN GINGER-LEMON VODKA PUNCH COMBINE 2 cups each sugar and water and a 2-in. piece fresh ginger (thinly sliced) in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, and cook until sugar dissolves, 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in 1 Tbsp. ground turmeric. Let cool, then strain through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth; discard solids. STIR together ginger-turmeric syrup, 1 liter vodka, 3 cups fresh lemon juice (from 16 lemons), and ½ cup honey in a large pitcher or punch bowl until honey dissolves. Chill…

Sarah Lucero Global executive director of creative artistry at Stila Cosmetics, Lucero creates looks for celebrities (Victoria Beckham), models at fashion shows, and everyday women (she did our beauty director’s wedding makeup). Follow @sarahluceroglam for achievable makeup inspo. Weleda Skin Food “My favorite product for adding a glossy touch to features. And if you put on too much foundation or powder, simply tap a little on your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your eyes.” TO BUY: $19; target.com. Aquaphor Healing Ointment “It is the best-kept secret for flaky skin. I use it on lips and on eyelids for shine. I even comb it through eyebrows for a finished look.” TO BUY: $12; cvs.com. Scünci Everyday & Active No Damage Elastics “I love these hair ties because…

TWENTY YEARS AGO, when I was 28, my husband and I helped start a cohousing community in Oakland, California. We had lived in shared rentals since college, even after our marriage. It had not only made chores easier, but also sparked supportive friendships. So we were delighted when we found a group of folks at our new church who also longed to interact more intentionally with others in their community. We developed a condominium complex from the ground up with five other families and moved in three years later. Cohousing—in which a group of people come together to deliberately create a neighborhood, both physical and relational—is a small movement but one that’s been on the rise. Right now, there are 168 established communities in the U.S., with 140 in…

SAVING FOR THE FUTURE may feel like a drag. Our brains naturally prioritize the here and now (psychologists call this “present bias”), and research shows that saving is especially hard when you think of time as one superlong stretch, says Brad Klontz, PsyD, a certified financial planner and a founder of the Financial Psychology Institute. So stop. Instead of picturing retirement as some far-off finish line, approach it as a series of checkpoints. When You Have 30 (or More!) Years to Go… GET STARTED: Aim to put 5 to 6 percent of your pretax income toward retirement (which typically gets you the match from your employer) and another 5 to 6 percent into short-term savings (so you don’t dip into your retirement account when a curveball hits). With every…

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JUST ADD SPARKLE A silky dress, crystal-covered bag, or sequined skirt makes your favorite work basics pop. TO BUY Vince dress, $295; vince.com. Rag & Bone blazer, $150; tjmaxx.com. CZ by Kenneth Jay Lane earrings, $115; czbykennethjaylane.com. Steve Madden bag, $38; stevemadden.com. Via Spiga sandals, $395; viaspiga.com. Abercrombie & Fitch turtleneck, $28; abercrombie.com. Gabrielle Union Collection skirt, $90; nyandcompany.com. Kendra Scott earrings, $70; kendrascott.com. Nine West heels, $89; ninewest.com. FINISHING TOUCHES Try a new combo: purple eyes and red lips, or rose cheeks and fluffy brows. Both models are wearing Maybelline New York Tattoo Studio Brow Gel ($13; target.com). COAT OF CHARMS Add a bold, eye-catching outer layer to nearly any outfit—one and done. TO BUY Gap top, $85; gap.com. Point Sur jean, $198; jcrew.com. Modcloth coat, $175; modcloth.com.…

ACTIVE TIME 10 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 3 HOURS MAKES 2 PIE SHELLS 2½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface1 Tbsp. sugar1 tsp. kosher salt1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-in. pieces COMBINE flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add butter and pulse 20 times. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons ice water and pulse to combine. Continue, adding 1 or 2 tablespoons ice water at a time, until dough just comes together when squeezed in your palm (it should be pretty sandy). DIVIDE dough into 2 piles. Transfer 1 pile to a large sheet of plastic wrap. Use edges of wrap to gather and compact dough toward center, using your knuckles to help press it into a compact disk. Wrap…

THE DYSON SUPERSONIC™ HAIR DRYER Dyson SupersonicTM is the hair dryer re-thought. It is not only ultra-fast and powerful, but with intelligent heat control it protects against extreme heat damage to preserve hair’s natural shine. For more details and to shop the Dyson Supersonic, visit www.dyson.com/hairdryer or visit your local Dyson Demo store. MAKE EVERY MEAL EXCEPTIONAL WITH BARILLA COLLEZIONE Barilla® Collezione is crafted the traditional Italian way, bronze cut for al dente texture that perfectly holds sauces every time. Barilla Collezione features six artisanal pasta shapes and two signature tortellini. www.barilla.com/collezione YOUR WEEKLY DESIGN FIX Tune into Open House weekends on NBC for your weekly dose of interior design and real estate inspiration. From extravagant estates to insider tips provided by top designers, curl up on your couch…

MEET CLAUDIA FISHER DEPUTY EDITOR AT REALSIMPLE.COM Best-ever gift: A friend once gave me a bright passport case. The color makes it hard to lose, and the case makes me think of her whenever I travel, even 10 years later. Go-to recipe: Scrambled eggs prepared the way my grandpa taught me. It’s basic, yes, but it gets the job done. Favorite item in my apartment: My little gray cat, Luna. @SEAFISHY ON INSTAGRAM DIY Gift Wrap Wrap the perfect present every time with our foolproof method. Watch the how-to video at realsimple.com/DIYgiftwrap. 40 Festive Christmas Recipes Are you the host of Christmas dinner this year? These recipes will make your meal as special as the holiday itself. Get the recipes at realsimple.com/christmasdinner. Open and tap for holiday decor ideas.…

Buy one, give one: What could be easier or feel better this time of year? Start with State Bags. For each stylish backpack purchased, a student in an underfunded neighborhood is given one stocked with essentials like school supplies, socks, and healthy snacks. TO BUY: Lorimer backpack, $90, Kane Metallic Plaid backpack, $95, Williams Leather Patchwork backpack, $295; statebags.com. 1 BENEFIT BAUBLE Kenyan artisans make these painted-wood and brass cuffs; with each purchase, 25 school meals are provided to students. TO BUY: FEED Jenny Cuff, $48; feedprojects.com. 2 CANDLES FOR KIDS Buying this cinnamon-and-nutmeg-scented candle donates three meals to a child in need. TO BUY: Remember When 8-oz. Small Jar Candle, $16; bridgewatercandles.com. 3 GREAT KNIT Love Your Melon wants to give a beanie to every kid with cancer.…

Order one of our top cozy candle picks at realsimple.com/candles.…

TO BUY: Coral gingham satin gift wrap, $3 per sheet; katiekime.com. Boxwood ribbon, $8 for 25 feet; shopterrain.com. Mini Bodum Copper Chambord French Press ornament, $10; worldmarket.com. TO BUY: Holiday snow scene wrapping sheets, $8.50 for 3; riflepaperco.com. Raffia ribbon in red by Celebrate It, $6 for 75 yards; michaels.com. Snow sports wooden holiday ornaments, $17 for 3; lightpaper.etsy.com. TO BUY: Holiday plaid wrapping paper, $10 per roll; papersource.com. Satin 1½-inch cut-out ribbon in gold, $21 for 15 yards; onekingslane.com. Pinecone bag by Ashland, $6; michaels.com. TO BUY: Suzanne Kasler classic gift wrap in green antler, $10 per roll; ballarddesigns.com. Linen ribbon, $5 for 5 yards; papersource.com. Wood Scandi House ornaments, $21 for 3; worldmarket.com. TO BUY: White with gold Merry Merry gift wrap, $6 per roll; sugarpaper.com. ECO…

YOUR BAG IS PACKED, your boarding pass is printed, and then it happens: Your throat hurts. Or, maybe worse, you’re having a great vacation and suddenly come down with a bug. If it feels like you always get sick around the time of a trip, it’s not your imagination. Travel can be tough on our bodies, says Lin H. Chen, MD, director of the Travel Medicine Center at the Harvard University–affiliated Mount Auburn Hospital and president-elect of the International Society of Travel Medicine. We’re stressed about getting ready to leave. We’re crammed into a small space with lots of people on the way there. We may be waking up in a new time zone and adjusting to a new routine (or no routine at all). Though every trip is…

To me, part of gift giving is to celebrate the unique talents folks have and share them with others. I have an awesome chef on my culinary team who is really gifted at designing hats. So last year for the holidays, he made four different designs of hats, and we gave one to everyone. You could pick whichever one you wanted. Buying the same gift for everyone just doesn’t fit who we are as a company. I also like to invite my senior team to my home to celebrate over a meal. We do Secret Santa gifts across departments for our team of about 125 people. Sometimes the production side doesn’t get to interact with the finance side or the legal team. So we will mix it up so…

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CORNFLAKE MERINGUES ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR MAKES 30 COOKIES 1 cup sugar1 tsp. cornstarch⅛ tsp. baking powder Pinch kosher salt4 large egg whites, at room temperature½ tsp. cream of tartar1 tsp. pure vanilla extract2½ cups crushed cornflakes, divided Edible gold leaf (optional) PREHEAT oven to 250°F and line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk together sugar, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Combine egg whites and cream of tartar in the bowl of an electric mixer fit ted with the whisk at tachment; beat on medium speed until frothy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add sugar mixture. Stop machine and scrape down sides of bowl to make sure all the sugar is incorporated. INCREASE speed to medium-high and beat until mixture is…

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care. The gifts are all purchased, cards ready to share. A big batch of caramel (page 144) is wrapped with ribbon. It’s a sweet homemade gift, received or when given. Stash frozen pie shells (page 140) for quiches or tarts; you’ll be ready whenever the season kick-starts. And if unexpected guests drop by in a pack? Serve them a platter of holiday snacks (page 142). On quieter nights, a sheet-pan salmon (page 137) does the trick. Keep it simple, as always, while you wait on Saint Nick.…

BEST CRACKER Rustic Bakery Olive Oil & Sel Gris Organic Flatbreads These sophisticated crackers are plenty sturdy for cheese but pretty enough to serve alone. TO BUY: $7 for 6 oz.; at grocery stores. BEST SPREAD Stonewall Kitchen’s White Fig Spread Serve this sweet and slightly tangy spread with soft or hard cheeses (or slather it on your morning toast). TO BUY: $8 for 9.5 oz.; at grocery stores. BEST CORNICHON Les Trois Petits Cochons Cornichons Tiny gherkins are pickled with pearl onions, mustard, and coriander seeds. Tart and crisp, they’re a welcome addition to cheese boards—or martinis. TO BUY: $3.50 for 12.4 oz.; at grocery stores. BEST MEAT Boar’s Head Bianco D’Oro Italian Dry Salame Flecks of cracked pepper, subtle Italian spices, and wine…

LOVES TO HIKE He requires two-plus hours of exercise a day or he’ll shred the tampons in the trash, then use the strings as laces for the tiny sneakers he’ll need to jump the fence and take himself on a run. If you want a towrope on the switchbacks, this is your guy. GREAT GUARD DOG She’ll protect you if someone tries to break in. She will also bark at every person except you, but sometimes also at you if you ever have the audacity to open the door before you’ve closed an umbrella. QUITE THE SNUGGLER He’ll always be your little spoon. The other kitchen tool he may remind you of is a Microplane, grating on your nerves with his whining as soon as you leave his sight.…