But even after the final COVID restrictions are removed, there may be some lasting effects of the pandemic on how we choose to celebrate. “I think how often and how people entertain will depend entirely on how their area was affected by COVID,” says Tamara Reynolds, author of How to Throw a Dinner Party Without Having a Nervous Breakdown. “People who didn’t feel affected will return sooner—people who were very affected are having a harder time coming back....

Sorting through Hive’s categories, from skin care to canned goods, reminds me of walking the aisles of my local co-op. I can almost smell the essential oils and freshly ground organic almond butter as I click and scroll. My favorite thing about those local brick-and-mortar health food stores is how carefully they consider the brands they put up on their shelves, and since I’ve been shopping online more in the past year, I’ve turned to Hive to sustainably shop my favorite brands and discover new ones doing awesome things....

For this reason, many millennials are opting to move back home with their parents—many of them indefinitely. In previous generations, “moving back home” may have been considered a sign of failure; but these days, it’s a way that millennials and retirees alike can save money and thrive together. Changing Attitudes on Multigenerational Living Don’t let the memes and jokes on social media fool you. There are actually plenty of benefits to moving in with your folks—or staying at home longer if you haven’t moved out yet....

If the anticipation of a large family gathering full of arguments is causing some of your holiday stress, a lot of that anxiety and frustration may come from feeling like you lack control over the situation. You can’t magically force everyone to be on their best behavior, and you can’t exactly write a script for everyone to follow. But here’s one thing you can do to put yourself in the driver’s seat and steer the conversation in a pleasant direction: Be a good storyteller, suggests Paul J....

First things first, how many grams of sugar per day are actually OK? “For women, the daily recommended allowance [of sugar] is six teaspoons, and for men, nine teaspoons. Children should have less than six teaspoons per day,” says Nicole Avena, PhD, a research neuroscientist, food addiction expert, and author of What to Feed Your Baby and Toddler. There are roughly four grams of sugar per teaspoon, meaning women and children should get no more than 25 grams of added sugar each day (those under 2 should get no added sugar) and men should get no more than 36 grams per day....

How to Clean a Leather Jacket What You’ll Need: Soft Sponge Mr. Clean Leather cleaning wipes (optional) Leather conditioner (such as Leather Honey Leather Conditioner, $16; amazon.com) Follow These Steps: Before you start, check to make sure the jacket is finished leather, not suede or nubuck. The steps below apply to finished leather. Start with the mildest method: using water and a soft sponge, lightly blot (don’t rub) the stain, working from the inside of the stain to outside....

“Additionally, the buildup from spills and splatters can lead to decreased efficiency or potentially void your warranty,” notes home expert Noell Jett, author of From the Ground Up: Building a Dream House—and a Beautiful Life—through Grit and Grace. “In the worst-case scenario, a dirty microwave can even cause a fire.” As it turns out, cleaning a microwave and keeping it sparkling is surprisingly easy. Almost magically easy, really. Keep scrolling to learn how to clean a microwave inside and out, including how to clean the microwave filter....

Fortunately, cleaning a tea kettle and removing limescale is simple, and all you need are a few supplies you probably have on hand. Follow these steps to learn how to clean a tea kettle, the easy way. How Often to Clean a Kettle How often you clean your electric or stovetop kettle depends on how often you use it. After every use or at the end of the day, empty any remaining water....

This natural cleaner easily cuts through mildew, bacteria, and grime and is safe to use on various household surfaces. Check out our cleaning tips below to learn how to clean the bathroom, kitchen, living room, and more with vinegar. How to Clean the Kitchen with Vinegar Refrigerator: Consider skipping the toxic chemicals where you store your food. Instead, try distilled white vinegar cleaning on refrigerator surfaces. Wipe up spills using a cloth dampened with a vinegar cleaning solution of equal parts vinegar and water....

While it might seem complicated to clean wood, a simple approach is always best. For starters, when purchasing wood furniture, always ask the vendor for tips on how to care for the piece. Because every finish, stain, and type of wood is different, it’s hard to have a one-size-fits-all approach to cleaning. However, a good rule of thumb is to start with the mildest cleaning solutions first and work your way up from there....

How to Cook a Brisket on a Charcoal Grill Slow cookers and Dutch ovens are usually popular tools for cooking brisket because they make it easy to keep the heat low, and let the brisket simmer for a long time in its juices. Charcoal grills usually have a much higher heat, and food tends to cook more quickly, so when you’re learning how to cook brisket on the grill, what you’re actually going to do is convert your charcoal grill into a smoker....

Innerspring construction (steel coils topped with layers of padding) is the most common. One good measure of how well it will support your body is the number of coils it contains. Davis recommends a minimum of 350 coils for a full-size mattress, 480 for a queen, and 580 for a king.Air-filled models (composed of air chambers surrounded by foam) let you adjust the firmness. Opt for a top layer of high-density foam....

Keep reading to learn our advice for how to cut watermelon confidently and safely for all the summer salads, granitas, and agua frescas your heart desires. Spoiler: it’s a lot easier than you think to cut watermelon slices, cubes, and more! Just make sure you have a big, sturdy cutting board and a sharp chef’s knife, and you’re good to go. How to Cut Watermelon Slices With built-in watermelon rind handles, classic triangular slices are a perfect picnic snack....

Enter: Hot oil treatments for hair, a hairstylist-recommended way to practice self-care and bring life back to your locks. But before you go pouring a bottle of steaming oil over your head, give this a read. We asked hairstylists the burning questions about hot oil you’ll need to know, plus how to execute the treatment safely. How Hot Oil Helps Hair Using hot oil hair treatments has many benefits for dry hair and a dry scalp....

Know the Layout Get a pad of graph paper, a straightedge, a compass, and several colored pencils if you’re installing several circuits. Make a scale drawing of the room, including features such as counters and cabinets. Using widely accepted symbols, make a quick freehand drawing using colored pencils to indicate each circuit. Are the switches in convenient locations? Are all the circuits correctly loaded? Do you have enough receptacles, and are they easy to reach?...

What exactly are deck extensions? They’re just what they sound like: added sections of decking supported by part of the existing structure. You have a few installation options. If you have a slab patio, you can restyle it as a deck, or you can add a new section onto your old deck, going either one step up or one step down, depending on the design of your outdoor area. Whichever method you choose, make sure you have a deck plan before you get started....

“Social connections add meaning to our lives and decrease our risk for depression, anxiety, substance disorder, loneliness, and low self-esteem,” says Paula Durlofsky, PhD, a clinical psychologist based in Bryn Mawr, Pa., and the author of Logged In and Stressed Out: How Social Media is Affecting Your Mental Health. “In fact, research shows that social connectedness is as good for our physical health as exercising or quitting smoking.” The past year, however, has forced most people to reckon with the consequences of social isolation, the physical distance from our closest acquaintances, and the loss of opportunities to meet new people or join like-minded groups....

There is no other way to put this: fried turkey is a project, but when done right (and carefully) it is one worth taking on. Fried turkey is a divine gift on Thanksgiving. The meat is juicy and tender, while the skin is unbelievably crispy. The result is one that the oven alone simply cannot replicate. It does take work and setting up, yet once you empower yourself with the knowledge, tools, and tips, it will be far from intimidating....

Types of Garlic Garlic, a member of the genus Allium, is a relative of onions, leeks, and chives. Exceptionally tolerant of cold temperatures, garlic can be grown outdoors year-round in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7. Outside of these areas, some extra precautions for cold and warm temperatures can be beneficial. There are two kinds of garlic to choose from, softneck and hardneck. Their flavors are similar, but your growing conditions may dictate which one works best for your area....

When to Plant Potatoes Potatoes are cool weather crops and can be planted in the early spring as soon as the soil is workable. Although they like cool temperatures, they do not like freezing temperatures. Plant them as soon as the soil reaches 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or two to three weeks before your last frost date. Potato plants can tolerate a light frost, but you will need to cover the plants with some protection if your area gets a late-season heavy frost....