This time of year you'll see plenty of discount signs in stores. You might think just about everything is on sale for the holidays.

But Consumer Reports product research experts, who track prices all year long, have uncovered the items that are typically discounted most deeply in December.

So if you've got small or large appliances (from blenders and juicers to ranges and refrigerators), electronics (including camcorders, MP3 players, and home theaters), bikes and other toys (including tablets for kids, plus cat and dog toys), we've got the shopping tips that will help you find the right models for you and your loved ones.

If you're a subscriber, you can check our Ratings to find out which models did best in our lab tests.

Want more tips on great holiday gifts? Check out our behind-the-scenes interactive guide below from our electronics, food and fitness, outdoor products, and auto labs, plus recipes for some items you'd never think of cooking on a grill.

Want to know what's on sale the rest of the year? See our calendar of deals.

––Mandy Walker (@MandyWalker on Twitter)

Both large and small appliances will be on sale this month. Manufacturers unveil their latest models in the fall. This means that the previous year’s models must be discounted in order to make room for the new models that will hit stores in the winter. So many stores will slash prices on last year's inventory. Plus many appliances go on sale around most holidays.

Shopping tips

The weather this time of year can make it tough to jump on your bike and go for a spin. Stir-crazy cyclists who find it's time to update or replace their old bike will find great deals in stores in December.

Shopping tips

Zero in on the right type of bike. Start by reading our bike buying guide. And don't forget important accessories when you shop. Cycling shoes with cleats can increase your efficiency while pedaling, or example.  

Find the right helmet. It can provide lifesaving head protection in an accident. For more on that important piece of equipment, see our bike helmet buying guide; subscribers can learn which model is best in our helmet ratings. Want to know how we test helmets? Check out the video below.

Want some great video of your holiday celebration? Although many of us take videos with our phones, in most cases you'll get better quality (due to better lenses) if you spring for a camcorder.

Shopping tips

Check the type, size, weight, controls and features. Decide on the type of HD camcorder you want to buy. If you want better quality and more options, consider a full-size model. If you need a smaller, more portable model or if you're an athlete or adventurer who loves to capture footage of yourself, then consider an action cam.

Drill down to the right model. Check out our camcorder buying guide. If you're a subscriber you can access our Ratings of camcorders to see which ones were tops in our lab tests, including each model's picture quality, audio quality, and battery life.

It's the end of the grilling season in most areas of the country, so you can find great grill deals. Shopping online will likely be your best bet; you'll find more selection, and many free shipping offers.

Shopping tips

Check out the burners. Burners are the most-replaced part. So look for high-quality stainless steel, cast iron, or cast brass burners, and a 10-year or longer warranty. Those with a long warranty should last longer than the plain steel burners in most grills.

See what its grates are made of. Stainless-steel and coated cast-iron grates are best; such grates are sturdy and resist rust.  Wide, closely spaced bars sear better than thin round rods.

For more shopping tips, read our grill buying guide. And, if you're a subscriber, you'll find the top performing grills in our Ratings.  

GPS prices have come down to the point where even budget units include features previously available only on more expensive models, such as the ability to speak street names, issue speed warnings, and provide reality view, graphically representing major intersections.

Shopping tips

Where will you use it? If you often fly to new places and rent vehicles, or if you own more than one car, a portable GPS system might be the way to go, especially with prices for entry-level systems starting at less than $100. To help you decide, read our GPS buying guide, as well as our GPS Ratings, available to subscribers.

December is a good time to buy many small consumer electronics such as MP3 players, DVD players, and Blu-ray players. As with many items you buy, deciding which ones are right for you depends on which type fit your needs and come with features that are important to you. Our buying guides can help; for example, we have one for MP3s, DVD players, and Blu-ray players, and a list of other electronics guides. Subscribers can also access our Ratings of MP3s and Blu-ray players.

Shopping tips

Give them a try. For example, whichever type of MP3 player you choose, make sure you'll be comfortable using the device. Look for a display that is easy to read and controls that can be worked with one hand, useful features iPods lack. When it comes to home theaters, audition systems in the store and ask about a return or exchange if the one you buy doesn't suit you.

Consider online retailers, too. In recent years, the Consumer Reports readers we've surveyed who shopped online were more satisfied overall than those who shopped at a walk-in store. In fact, websites as a whole outdid walk-in stores for quality, selection, and price.

Visit our 2014 holiday guide for tips on making the most of your celebrations.

Early holiday shoppers will find great sales on toys this month, although you may not find discounts on the hottest playthings (such as a singing Elsa from "Frozen" doll). The right toy can make key developmental stages more fun—for your child and for you. Our toy buying guide can help you to find age-appropriate toys for your baby—and to learn what you can do to play up their important lessons.

Don't forget your pets. Our shopping and safey advice in our cat and dog toys guide will make the holiday more enjoyable for them, too.

Shopping tips

Consider the classics. Don't overlook toys such as stackable plastic "doughnuts," shape sorters, building blocks, and interlocking plastic oversized beads for very young children. There's a reason that they've been around so long. For more clues about what toys your child might like, take note of what toys he or she gravitates to on play dates and/or at day care.

Tablets are likely on the list for older kids. Since the advent of the game-changing Apple iPad early in 2010, tablet computers have been one of the hottest electronics products on the market. Much as adults love them, though, children may just love them even more, as tablet-owning parents can verify.

Last year, 54 percent of parents planned to buy or give a tech item to their children—and tablets topped the list, even beating out video-game consoles. That number may even grow in 2014. So how do you choose the best tablet for your child? Here's what to look for. If you're a subscriber, see our Ratings of kids tablets.

It's possible to find good TVs selling for a few hundred dollars, while others go for several thousand, and there are many sets that fall in between those extremes. Screen size, features, brand, and more affect the price. Our TV buying guide will help you get the most bang for your buck, no matter how much or how little you want to spend. The video below outlines even more ways to save.

Shopping tips

It's hard to judge TVs well in stores. That's because TVs are usually set to a Retail or Store mode, which pumps up brightness and color to a level that looks great under fluorescent lights. Subscribers should consult our TV Ratings before hitting the stores to make sure you get a set that performed well in our lab tests.

Shop where you'll get a price guarantee. Many retailers will match or beat a lower price from a local competitor, so go to the store with those prices in hand. Even after the sale, some stores promise a refund within a specified period of time, often 30 to 60 days, if they reduce the price of your TV within it or if you find the set selling elsewhere for less. There are usually restrictions, so check the details. Save your receipt and keep checking the ads even after you buy.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Even if you love cold weather, you want it toasty inside your home. A properly maintained furnace or boiler can give you a warm feeling in your wallet because heating your home accounts for about 40 percent of your utility bills. And with all of the time you’ll be spending indoors, it’s also important to take care of things you can’t see or feel, such as carbon monoxide and radon. Here’s what you need to know:

The sad reality of heating equipment is that it tends to fail when it’s working the hardest—on the coldest days. The best way to prevent that is to have your furnace or boiler checked every year by a heating contractor. That can also alert you to any potential problems and keep your system working at peak efficiency, saving you money as well as headaches. Then replace your furnace filter monthly during the heating season.

If your furnace is on its last legs, start researching a replacement now. Because the latest models are more efficient, you can save up to $40 for every $100 you spend on fuel compared with older models. So that pricey new model will pay for itself over time.

But there’s an exception to the newer-is-cheaper rule. Think twice about buying a gas furnace from York, which broke down about twice as often as other brands, according to a survey of readers by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. Models from American Standard, Carrier, and Trane fared better with our readers, who told us about 21,132 natural-gas furnaces they bought. Reliability especially matters with furnaces because when they failed, 77 percent needed significant work. Most of those stopped working completely.

Tip: If you can, wait to get bids for a new furnace or boiler until the summer. Heating contractors aren’t as busy when it’s boiling outside, and they may offer a better deal.

If you merely want to take the chill off one room, a space heater can help. The best models we’ve tested can heat an entire room or just you as you sit in a chair. They’re unlikely to save you money on your heating bills, though, because electricity is the most expensive way to heat. But they’re handy especially for unheated spaces, such as a sunroom.

For small rooms. If your room is 80 square feet or smaller, the models below will heat the space quickly. All except the Holmes have multiple fan speeds and a tip-over safety switch. The Dyson can oscillate and be tipped back or forward, and has a remote control. The Holmes has a ground-fault circuit interrupter plug intended to prevent electric shock, including in moist areas. It’s marketed as a bathroom heater—though the manual warns against using the heater near water.

• Vornado TVH500, $150
• Dyson AMO5, $400
• Vornado AVH2, $100, a CR Best Buy
• Holmes HFH436, $40, a CR Best Buy

For larger rooms. For spaces up to 200 square feet, these models did best in our tests. All have remote controls. The Honeywell and Duraflame have wheels and a timer.

• Honeywell HZ-980, $190
• Heat Surge Accent EV.2, $300
• Duraflame 10HM4126-0107, $230

About 2,500 people die each year in residential fires and about an additional 500 from carbon monoxide poisoning. But protecting yourself isn’t as simple as buying a combo smoke/CO alarm. Those we’ve tested have not been good at detecting all types of fire. So you need separate smoke and CO alarms.

Look for smoke alarms that use ionization and photoelectric sensors. Those are effective at detecting flaming and smoldering fires. Get one for each bedroom and at least one for each level, including the attic and basement. Alarms that use just one technology are great at detecting one type of fire and are poor at detecting the other kind. Replace smoke alarms every 10 years. The Kidde PI9010 replaces the dual-sensor smoke alarm that aced our tests.

Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, so there’s no way to know that you’re being poisoned. When any fuel-burning appliance isn’t working right, it may emit CO. Place a CO detector on every living level, though not in the kitchen or near a cooking appliance, in the garage, or near the furnace or water heater. Also avoid breezy areas around fans, vents, doors, and windows, where fresh air can cause a misleadingly low reading. Replace them every five to seven years. The First Alert OneLink CO511B, $65; First Alert CO615, $30; and Kidde Nighthawk KN-COPP-3, $45, all did well in our tests.

Like CO, radon is odorless and colorless. It’s also the top cause of lung cancer after smoking. Long-term test kits give you a more accurate idea of average radon levels than short-term tests do because levels can vary from day to day. Winter is a good time to test because doors and windows are likely to be closed. The $28 Accustar Long Term Alpha Track Test Kit AT-100 was accurate and reliable in our tests. Place the detector on the lowest level of your home.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

How much time will you spend wrapping holiday gifts? Americans typically devote around three hours to boxing, wrapping, taping, and tagging, according to previous Consumer Reports' polls. You can eliminate some or all that time by getting the wrapping done for you, but most brick-and-mortar and online retailers now charge for the service.

“Wrapping has become a profit center during the holidays,” says retail expert Jack Abelson of Jack Abelson & Associates in Leawood, Kan. “It was a time-honored perk that used to be done for free, and was part of a combination of services we called value. But like so many other things, merchants have gotten away from it and are nickel-and-diming customers.” 

To get a handle on the latest trends, Consumer Reports reached out to brick-and-mortar stores—including Kohl's, Lord & Taylor, Macy's, and Williams-Sonoma—and their online counterparts. (We selected the physical stores to call at random; so policies listed here might differ from the location where you shop.)

We also got in touch with retailers' media contacts, engaged customer-service reps, and participated in live chats to gather details.

The results: Most department and specialty stores offer gift wrapping for the holidays, but the service can be pricey. Charges ranged from $2 to $25, depending on the bells and whistles and package size.

Discounters such as Target and Walmart offer wrapping on select online purchases, also for a fee.

A few free gift wrappers are still out there, including Von Mauer, a family-owned department-store chain known for outstanding customer service. This Midwest retailer offers year-round complimentary wrapping (and shipping).

Below you'll find  a rundown of the basics. Retailers are listed in alphabetical order.

—Tod Marks

Our Holiday Gift Ideas page can help you find great deals on great presents for everyone on your list. Also, get the inside dope on outlet malls.

Visit our Holiday Gift Ideas page throughout the season to find the best deals, time-saving advice, and much more. And be sure to check out our Ultimate Gift Ideas inteactive video and our Gadget Gift Finder.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

No matter what type of snow blower you buy, it will require routine maintenance to help it start and make it last the 15 to 20 years you should expect. If you haven't gotten your machine out of the shed yet, now's a good time to make sure it starts and to fix it if it doesn't. If all else fails, consider the CR Best Buys from Consumer Reports' latests tests.

• If you already own a blower and gas is left in it from last season, siphon out as much as possible, then add gas to which you’ve added a fuel stabilizer that’s designed to handle the ethanol in gas. At the end of this season, if you prefer to leave the gas in, top it off with more stabilized gas—though it’s best to run it dry.
• Take out the spark plug. If it’s only a year or so old, clean its electrode and screw it back in. If you don’t remember when you last replaced it, do so now; plugs today come properly gapped.
• Change the oil if you didn’t do it in the spring. Ensure that it’s at the recommended grade and level to protect the engine.
• For new models, at the start of the season use only fuel to which you’ve added stabilizer.
• Keep extra belts on hand and, for two-stage models, extra shear pins. Both tend to break while the snow blower is working its hardest.

Best Buys from our tests

If your snow blower won't make it through another season, here are two CR Best Buys of each gas type we test. A CR Best Buy combines performance and value.

Two-stage gas

• Troy-Bilt Vortex 2890 31AH55Q, $1,300
• Cub Cadet 31AH55T, $1,100

Compact two-stage gas

• Troy-Bilt Vortex 2490 31AH54Q, $1,100
• Craftsman 88173, $680

Single-stage gas

• Toro Power Clear 721E, $570
• Cub Cadet 221 LHP 31AM2T6D, $550

For full snow blower Ratings and recommendations see our Buying Guide. In addition to gas models, we also test electric and battery operated machines.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

With the prices of blenders, food processors, and coffeemakers bubbling up, it can be difficult to find an affordable gift that you know will perform reliably. Fortunately, Consumer Reports has scoured the marketplace and found some top-notch kitchen gear that won’t bust your budget. Here are 12 top picks from our tests for $100 or less. Still too much?  Then check our earlier story on "Small appliance gifts for $50 or less."

Cuisinart PerfecTemp DCC-2800 drip coffeemaker, $100
This Cuisinart drip coffeemaker is the plain cousin to one that costs twice as much and is decorated with Swarovski elements. But this one was also a gem in our tests. First, it's the only model that can brew a full 14 cups. Brew performance was top-notch matched by a carafe we found easy to handle. It's programmable, with both a small-batch setting and brew-strength control.

Calphalon Stainless Steel 4-slot HE400ST toaster, $80
This 4-slot Calphalon toaster turned turn out evenly browned toast, batch after batch. It was particularly good at toasting at a range of lights and darks—ideal if your family or guests have different preferences. It also aced toasting a single slice, leaving it nicely browned and not overdone. Special features include settings for bagels, warming and reheating, and defrosting. Its sleek stainless-steel housing and straightforward design should appeal to most tastes and it looks good on the countertop.

Oster TSSTTVMNDG toaster oven, $80
Oster is known for making inexpensive small appliances that often perform well, and this toaster oven is another example of that. It proved particularly adept in our tests at baking and broiling, and it's roomy enough to accommodate a 4-pound chicken. It's not quite as easy to use or keep clean as models that cost more, due to its fairly basic design. But if value is your top concern, this Oster is definitely worth a look.

Breville Control Grip BSB510XL immersion blender, $100
Breville's immersion blender beat out other models in our tests by a sizable margin. It was superb at blending frozen fruit and yogurt for a smoothie, and it also did a great job in our soup puree test. It comes with chopper and whisk attachments as well as a separate beaker.

Ninja Master Prep Professional QB1004 food chopper, $60
This 2.5-cup chopper is part of the Ninja Master Prep Professional QB1004, which also includes a blender container, as well as a mid-sized processing bowl. So you’re getting a lot for your money. The chopper aced our grating test and was very good at chopping and pureeing. The Ninja features a top-mounted motor that you push down to operate.

KitchenAid Architect KHM7210 7-speed hand mixer, $80
KitchenAid’s 7-speed hand mixer delivers superb power for folding chocolate chips into stiff cookie dough. It's also very good at whipping, for example when you're beating egg whites for meringue. In terms of features, we like this model’s easy-to-clean wire beaters and its separate whisk attachment. On the downside, it lacks the slow-start option that prevents splatters and it doesn’t come with a dough hook.

Ginsu Chikara kitchen knives, $75
For some, the name Ginsu is synonymous with hammy 1970s-era infomercials, but this a serious cutlery company. Its 8-piece set offers incredible value, providing the cutting performance and handle comfort of knives costing three and four times as much. The set includes a chef’s and santoku knife, but not a slicer.  

Swiss Diamond Classic 10-inch frying pan, $90
This 10-inch Swiss Diamond nonstick frying pan was very good overall. Food cooked evenly and when the pan was new, food released easily. This pan was very good at withstanding our nonstick durability test in which steel wool is rubbed over a pan for up to 2,000 strokes. The handle is sturdy and stays cool to the touch. Cleanup was a snap. The pan is made of aluminum and comes with a lifetime warranty.

CDN ProAccurate TCT572 meat thermometer, $80
This instant-read thermometer is simple and easy to read with large digits and a folding probe. A backlight can assist in low light. The thermometer notes minimum and maximum temperatures and after using was a cinch to clean.

Singer Expert Finish EF steam iron, $60
This steam iron was superb at ironing and delivers plenty of steam. It's the lightest of the recommended irons in our tests. The steam surge button releases a burst of steam when you need help removing stubborn wrinkles. The vertical steam feature lets you remove wrinkles from hanging garments and drapes. The soleplate is stainless steel and the ready light tells you it's hot enough to use. There's a self-cleaning feature and the auto-shutoff turns off the iron when it's left stationary for a short time.

SPT SU-4010 large room humidifier, $75
This Sunpentown tabletop humidifier was good in overall performance, and is intended to humidify areas up to 500 square feet. Moisture output was excellent and it also gets top marks for convenience, noise level, energy efficiency, and its output with hard water. Daily output was 2.31 gallons.

Vornado AVH2 space heater, $100
In our tests, this space heater quickly heated a standard size room and also quickly warmed up an individual sitting in the room (spot heating). The heater is cool enough to touch during high heating and it’s safe around combustible materials such a drapes. We found the controls easy to use and the heater easy to move. The Vornado has a multiple speed fan that was pretty quiet.

—Mary H.J. Farrell (@mhjfarrell on Twitter)

For more gift ideas in every price range, see our Holiday Planning & Shopping Guide. You'll also find plenty of tips on how to make it through the holidays without stressing out.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Every family has at least one. The DIYer who would rather get a new saw or drill than a cashmere sweater or flat-screen TV. Here are a few top-rated presents for the handyman or handywoman on your gift list.

Cordless drill: Hitachi DS18DSAL ($170 )

This general-purpose drill that doubles as a cordless screwdriver came out on top in our Ratings—and is also a Consumer Reports Best Buy. The 18-volt model we found to be nearly as fast and powerful as heavy-duty models, even at just 3.4 pounds. Pluses include a ½-inch chuck, two speed ranges, two lithium-ion batteries, a smart charger, and an LED work light. We also found its handle especially comfortable.

Chain saw: Worx WG303.1 ($100)

A Consumer Reports Best Buy among corded electric chain saws, the Worx WG303.1 proved to be fast when cutting through 10 x 10 oak beams. Not only that, in out tests it was faster and better-balanced than its larger 18-inch sibling, the Worx WG304.1. Other pluses include a chain brake, tool-free chain adjustment, and a durable bar cover for safe storage.

String trimmer: Weed Eater Featherlite SST25CE ($90)

This light-duty, gas-powered string trimmer at only 10.3 pounds had superb performance in tall grass and weeds in our tests. A Consumer Reports Best Buy, this one is hard to beat for the price. 

Need more gift ideas? Take a look at our Holiday Gift Ideas page and Gadget Gift Finder. And watch our Ultimate Gift Ideas interactive video, below.

Car wax: Nu Finish NFP-80 ($8 for 14 oz.)

A thoughtful stocking-stuffer for the person in your life who cherishes taking care of his car. This car wax tested excellent for durability, cleaning, and effect on the car's surface paint. It's our top-Rated paste wax and a Consumer Reports Best Buy.

Visit our Holiday Gift Ideas page throughout the season to find the best deals, time-saving advice, and much more. And be sure to check out ourUltimate Gift Ideas inteactive video and our Gadget Gift Finder.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Web retailing has made online shopping as easy as 1-2-3, but choosing from among the many shipping methods for that pair of shoes, tablet computer, or coffeemaker you ordered can be a bit puzzling. If you read the fine print, you’ll realize that delivery times are estimates based on multiple factors. Amazon, for example, leaves open the possibility that your order shipped free of charge might not arrive until a week or so later, so you’re at the company’s mercy.

So how much time will you really save by spending that extra $10 or even $30? Consumer Reports set out to learn about the differences in delivery options to find the sweet spot.

The experiment

On the morning of Monday Oct. 13, we logged on to Amazon.com four times, from the same computer, and placed four separate orders within minutes of one another. All orders were dispatched to the same address. Each consisted of two popular holiday toys: a Disney doll from the hit animated film “Frozen” and a Nickelodeon action figure from the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film. The toys were available and in stock.

Check our tips for holiday shipping to save money and stave off disappointment and check out these bargains at big retailers this holiday season.

We paid a lofty $25.58 for next-day service, $12.78 for second-day delivery, and $5.51 for standard shipping (estimated delivery date was Oct. 17). The fourth order qualified for free shipping because we spent the required $35 in eligible purchases. The trade off for free freight? An estimated delivery date between Oct. 21 and Oct. 24. (Note: Amazon automatically selects standard shipping for all orders, unless you sign up for Amazon Prime, at $99 a year, which entitles customers to free 2-day shipping. So if you’re a penny-pincher, it’s up to you to deselect “standard” and click on “free” shipping.)

The results

Predictably, the next-day shipment came first, at 6:24 p.m., on Oct. 14, while the second-day package arrived on Oct. 15 at 11:36 am, about 17 hours later. Then three days passed with no sign of either the standard shipping or the free-shipping orders. After tracking the packages and reading that they had, in fact, been delivered, we ripped into our two boxes and discovered that Amazon, without notifying us, had squeezed our remaining purchases inside the second-day shipment, for which we’d paid $12.78. In effect, Amazon did us a favor: Both orders arrived ahead of schedule. We contacted Amazon for an explanation of their shipping strategy, but didn’t receive a response. (Here, hundreds of shoppers sound off on what they love—and hate—about Amazon.)

The bottom line

Unless you are a world-class procrastinator, there’s little reason to pay a fortune for next-day delivery. Second-day service proved much more cost efficient, with the order arriving just 15 hours after the next-day package. This experience is in line with what we’ve seen over the years. In fact, when we conducted a similar experiment in 2006, the package shipped for free actually beat its costly counterpart to our doorstep.

Of course, there are no guarantees—especially during the peak holiday season, when priority is likely to be given to customers who pay for freight. Hence one more reason to shop and ship early: the question becomes moot.

Which company has the best rates?

All other factors being equal, how do FedEx, UPS, and the U.S. Postal Service stack up? That’s key if you’re the one doing the shipping. We compared the basic price of sending to a residential address a 3-pound package in an 18-inch-long x 9-inch-wide x 9-inch-high box from Yonkers, N.Y. (where Consumer Reports' headquarters are), to Plano, Texas. We booked standard-overnight, second-day, and ground shipping, with no extras.*

The rate winner? The good old U.S. Postal Service. See for yourself:

Note: The figures reflect an update of a similar study published in November, which also showed the U.S. Postal Service to be the least expensive option and UPS the priciest.

Visit our Holiday Gift Ideas page throughout the season to find the best deals, time-saving advice, and much more.

The cost of shipping a package has many factors, including box size and total parcel weight, destination, arrival speed, special handling, whether a package is dropped off at a commercial or residential address, and delivery date (weekends are pricier). There are also potential extras such as insurance, delivery confirmation, the need for a recipient’s signature, and discounts (prepurchasing a shipping label online, for example, can sometimes translate into savings). Convenience—especially the availability of close-to-home drop-off and pickup options and after-hours deliveries—is another top consideration.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

With professsional plowing services charging an average of $40 per storm, you’re bound to wonder: Wouldn’t a snow blower pay for itself? Consumer Reports compared the costs of owning a snow blower (around $875 for a gas-powered model, $10 per year for fuel, and around $100 per year for maintenance) with the cost for plowing using information from the National Weather Service on typical snowfalls. Here are the details.

We assumed a 10-year expected snow blower lifetime, though when properly maintained, a snow blower should last twice as long. The chart below shows how long it would take for the snow blower to pay for itself (or not). On average, if you’re pulling the snow blower out of the garage about five times per year, you’ll break even in about five years. If you live in milder regions, call a plow.

What to know when hiring a pro

Any pro you hire should be licensed and insured. If a worker is injured, the contractor’s policy should cover it. Also, check your liability coverage. It should protect you if you hire a neighborhood kid to shovel and he or she gets hurt or if someone left a shovel or other object in the driveway and the plow hits it. Not sure? Check with your insurer.

Unfortunately, homeowners can fall prey to unscrupulous snow removal contractors. Here are some tips from New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman on how to  avoid potential problems:

• Obtain several quotes for snow plowing services.
• Don't accept a quote simply because it's the lowest.  If a quote is very low, the contractor may run out of money before the winter season is over or the contractor may not have money to pay for repairs.
• Use a contractor that has been in business for a few years or that comes recommended by friends and neighbors.
• Check to see if your local government requires snow plow contractors to be licensed. If so, use a contractor who is licensed.
• Use a contractor who is insured and has proof of insurance.
• Pay one half of the contract at the beginning of the season, and one half at the end to help ensure that services promised will be provided.
• Pay by check so you have proof of payment.
• Get a signed contract that has the name, address (do not accept a post office box) and telephone number of the snowplow operator.  The contract should spell out how much snow must fall before the operator is required to plow your driveway.
• Obtain proof of identity of the contractor.  Ask to see the contractor’s driver's license and copy down the address and identification number.
• Copy down the license plate number of the vehicle that plows your driveway.
• If you have special requirements, spell it out in the contract (for example, if you are an emergency responder who must have your driveway plowed by 7:00 a.m. to get to work, make sure it is in the contract).

The best snow blowers from our tests

Some of the snow blowers on Consumer Reports' top picks list are in the average price range of $875 including the following:

Two-stage gas:

• Troy-Bilt Storm 2840 31AH64Q, $900
• MTD Pro 31AH64FG, $800
• Yard Machines 31AH64FG, $830
• Craftsman 88694, $900

Compact two-stage gas

• Craftsman 88173, $680
• Cub Cadet 524SWE 31AM53TR, $800
• Toro Power Max 724 OE 37770, $800
• Ariens 920021, $800

—Mandy Walker & Mary H.J. Farrell

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

After a year in storage, your holiday table linens may be looking a bit dingy. If so, it’s time for a little laundry therapy with a top-performing detergent. And while you’re at it, make sure your towels and the bed linens in your guest rooms are washed and ready. To help, Consumer Reports talked to textile experts—including our own stain maven, Pat Slaven—for their advice on keeping washables in top shape all year round.

Napkins and tablecloths

Wash it right. If your napkins or tablecloth are stained, be patient and let stain removers sit 3 to 5 minutes, says fabric-care expert Steve Boorstein. After treating linens with a cleaning solvent, such as Shout or Zout, and machine washing, make sure that the stain is completely gone before you put the items into the dryer or iron them. (Otherwise, the heat of the dryer or the iron might permanently bake in the stains.) If traces of the stain linger after washing, soak in color-safe bleach before tossing it back into the washer.
No stain removers on hand? Make your own by daubing 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (that’s right, the stuff in your medicine cabinet—just make sure it’s a fresh container) directly onto the stain or try dousing the stain with a solution of 1 teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid and 1 cup of water. After dinner, if your table linens have greasy stains, such as gravy, scrape off the excess and treat with FelsNaptha soap before washing. If the stain remains, hit it with the detergent cocktail above, followed by a solution of 1 tablespoon of household ammonia and ½ cup of water. And don’t put it in the dryer until the stain is gone.

Towels and robes

Wash it right. To get your towels really clean, use a sanitizing hot-water wash, Boorstein says. And promptly put them in the dryer after washing. Before you throw in the towel on stained towels or terry robes, wash—and rewash, if necessary—with chlorine bleach (if white) or with color-safe bleach (if colored). Place plush or terry cloth items in the dryer on the high temperature setting until they are completely dry. Add a few tennis balls to help keep them nice and fluffy.
Don’t do it! Never leave towels hanging around in a wet, warm washer, or bacteria—and bad smells—may start to take hold. And those can be tough to get rid of.
Storage tip. To save on closet space, Jan Caon Barlow, owner of Jan’s Professional Dry Cleaners in Clio, Mich., recommends rolling towels instead of folding them. Or keep rolled towels on display in the bathroom in a basket. Keep folded towels in a neat stack on a closet shelf, with the folded side facing out, and arranged by color.

Bed sheets

Wash it right. Sheets get pretty dirty, so wash yours every week. Use a powerful hot water wash on cotton sheets to get them really clean. Dry on a high temperature setting. And don’t let them linger in there too long post-cycle; that allows creases to set in.
Don’t do it! To make sure bed linens get cleaned properly, don’t pack them in. A full load might be simply one queen set: fitted sheet, flat sheet, and pillowcases.
Storage tip. Fold them properly before you put them away to control wrinkles. If you don’t have an extra set of hands to help you fold, use a table to keep edges off the floor. To fold a fitted sheet, Barlow suggests folding in the elasticized pocket, then folding end-to-end like a flat sheet.

Comforters, quilts, blankets, and pillows

Wash it right. Some front-loading washers are large enough to accommodate king-sized comforters—and save you a trip to the laundromat. Because they have relatively little direct contact with your body and its soiling oils, comforters “don’t need a whole lot of agitation or a whole lot of time in the washer,” Boorstein says. If you’re using a top-loader, they do require a high water level because they’re bulky and need room to swish around. And use a powdered detergent—it helps keep the fill from clumping.
For pillows, check the care label. You might be able to machine-wash them. (Hand-wash or professionally clean down and feather pillows.) Nancy Bock, vice president of consumer education for the American Cleaning Institute, recommends doing two at a time, if you can fit them in your machine. That helps balance the load and allows the water and detergent to move more effectively. For top-loaders, agitate only 1 or 2 minutes on a gentle cycle. To machine-dry down-filled items, use moderate heat and toss in a few tennis balls to keep the filling from clumping. The balls also keep the items from sticking to the walls of the dryer, Boorstein says. Periodically remove pillows during the drying cycle and fluff them. That helps prevent clumping and promotes even drying, says  Then put them back in until they’re dry.
Don’t do it! If you’re piling a blanket or comforter into a top-loading washer, spread the bulk around evenly—don’t bunch it up. “That tends to put a lot of wear and tear on the mechanics,” Boorstein says.
Storage tip. Loosely fold and stuff out-of-season down comforters in breathable polypropylene bags and keep them in a dry place.

Best detergents from our tests

• Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release liquid, 25 cents per load
• Tide HE Plus Bleach Alternative powder, 23 cents
• Member's Mark Ultimate Clean liquid (Sam's Club), 12 cents
• Wisk Deep Clean liquid, 14 cents
• Tide Plus Coldwater Clean HE liquid, 25 cents
• All Mighty Pacs Oxi packs, 17 cents
  

—Adapted from ShopSmart

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

The department store Kohl's is making news with its holiday offer of a $5 toaster. It was part of year-long effort to capitalize on Black Friday interest in super-cheap kitchen appliances, reports the Wall Street Journal. We haven't tested the Toastmaster brand toaster, $5 after a $10 mail-in rebate, but our latest toaster and toaster oven tests include several inexpensive models. So we can tell you the bare minimum you have to spend to get a decent batch of toast.

In fact, $15 seems to be the sweet spot. While it narrowly misses our recommended list, the $15 Proctor-Silex Cool-Touch 22203 two-slice toaster made very nice, evenly-browned toast every time. It lacks some convenience features, like defrost and bagel settings, and its housing is made of plastic, a cheaper alternative to metal. But what do you expect for that price?

You'll need to spend $35 for a model that actually makes our recommended list: the Hamilton Beach Digital 22502. The extra $20 gets you those bagel and defrost settings, plus a metal housing that will look a bit sleeker on the countertop. Performance was very good or better in every test category. There is one caveat however: a number of user reviews cite complaints for this model that included defective displays and premature breakages. So the tradeoff for the low price could be long-term performance and durability. 

Want a toaster that does it all? The Calphalon Stainless Steel 2-Slot HE200ST (1779206) tops our Ratings of two-slice toasters. It was particularly good at toasting at a range of intensities—nice if your family members have widely disparate preferences. And at $60, it's actually pretty well-priced, especially compared to models we tested that cost $100, $200, and even $300.

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)     

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

With just two weeks to go, time to get the house ready for the holidays is growing short. Now’s a good time to take inventory of your pantry and make room in the refrigerator for the food you’re planning to buy and prepare. Make sure the guest rooms are ready before moving on to the areas of the house where you’ll be entertaining. And stock up on enough cleaning supplies to handle the inevitable messes. Here’s the drill:

Deep-clean high-traffic areas. Break rooms down into smaller parts, tackling a chore or two each day, so it’s not so daunting. Dust furniture, woodwork, pictures, and mirrors one day; vacuum curtains and upholstery another; clean kitchen range burners and wipe down all the surfaces next, and so on.

Reorganize the refrigerator. Toss down-to-the-dregs condiments and any item with a sell-by date that has come and gone. That will make room in your refrigerator for ingredients and make-ahead dishes. It’s also a good time to wipe shelves and drawers with a damp sponge dipped in a solution of ¼ cup baking soda mixed with 1 quart of water. And clean the refrigerator door seal; dirt can weaken its ability to hold in cold air.

Clean your oven. Remove loose debris coating the oven cavity before starting the self-cleaning cycle. Check your manual for self-cleaning tips, but typically the advice you’ll find says that you should remove racks from the oven before pushing the self-clean button. The process can discolor racks and make them harder to glide. If that’s already happened, apply a little vegetable oil to the sides.

Pick up a meat thermometer. It’s the best way to tell whether your roast is cooked to a safe internal temperature recommended by the Department of Agriculture. For turkey, poke it in the innermost part of the thigh, the wing, and the thickest part of the breast. The CDN ProAccurate TCT572, $80, topped our meat thermometer tests of more than 20 instant read digital models, combining excellent temperature accuracy and consistency.

Stock up on top-notch cleaning supplies. Running out of dishwasher detergent with a table full of dirty dishes after a holiday feast can be a real bummer. Single-use packs allow you to see how many loads are left, and Cascade Complete ActionPacs did the best job overall on messy pots and dishes in our dishwasher detergent tests. Bounty DuraTowel won the top spot in our paper towel tests.

Plan ahead for spills and stains. Make sure you have dishwashing liquid, nail-polish remover, and hydrogen peroxide on hand. And prepare a detergent solution by mixing one teaspoon of a mild clear or white dishwashing liquid—no bleach—in one cup of warm water. For a vinegar solution, mix one-third cup of white vinegar with two-thirds cup of water. Check our complete stain removal guide for when and where to use each cleaning product.

—Adapted from ShopSmart

For more holiday help including suggestions for dozens of gifts that have done well in Consumer Reports' tests, consult our Holiday Planning & Shopping Guide. You'll also find helpful hints on entertaining and the aftermath.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Waking up to a driveway full of snow is bad enough. Then you have to brace yourself for the next task: shoveling yourself out. But be careful. The intense exertion, combined with the freezing cold, can make your heart rate and blood pressure soar. That's why the American College of Emergency Physicians advises against shoveling snow if you have a history of heart attacks.

"If you're over 50 and haven't been exercising regularly, be extra wary," said Marvin M. Lipman, M.D., Consumer Reports' chief medical adviser. "Silent coronary disease can become not-so-silent with all that extra effort." Moreover, the heavy lifting can cause pulled muscles and back injuries. Here's how to protect yourself.

• Warm up. Cold muscles are tight and vulnerable to strains. Moreover, sudden exertion in cold air can cause a sharp rise in blood pressure or cause asthma attacks. To avoid these problems, start with 10 minutes of light exercise, such as marching in place, rolling your shoulders, swinging your arms, and flexing your knees, say guidelines from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
• Stay hydrated. You might feel less thirsty in cold weather, but it's still easy to become dehydrated, which can impair your body's ability to regulate heat. As a general rule, drink a glass of water before shoveling snow and more if you feel thirsty while shoveling.
• Prepare wisely. Layers of clothing work best because you can put them on or take them off as needed to stay comfortable. Start with underwear and socks made of a synthetic fabric that wicks moisture away from the skin. Avoid cotton, which retains sweat and doesn't have insulating power. Wear the appropriate head coverings, as well as mittens or gloves and thick, warm socks. Wear shoes or boots with slip-resistant soles, and watch for icy patches.
• Use the right shovel. Consumer Reports recommends using one with a D-shaped handle because it's much easier to control than other types, especially if the load is unbalanced. Be sure it fits your hand while you're wearing a glove. Shovel before the snow gets too deep and packed down, then shovel again later if necessary. Or clear off the top two inches, take a break, then tackle the next inch or two.
• Hold the shovel close to your body. If possible, push the snow out of the way. If you must lift, don't bend at the waist; instead, squat with your legs apart, knees bent, and back straight. Scoop up small amounts of snow, using your legs to lift. Avoid tossing the snow; the twisting motion can hurt your back. Instead, carry shovelfuls to the snow pile.
• Watch for warning signs. If you feel pressure or pain in your chest, or discomfort spreading to your shoulders, neck, jaw, arms, or back, call for an ambulance immediately, chew and swallow an aspirin, and lie down. You could be having a heart attack.

—Sue Byrne

Get the most out of your snow blower and choose the right snow shovel. Then find the best ice melt.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Looking for a group gift for a household? Moms, dads, grandparents, and kids of any age will love these gifts that the whole family can enjoy.  

Also check out our experts' picks for dads, moms, grandparents, kids, and teens. We've also broken down picks by price with these best gift ideas under $200, under $100, under $50 and under $25.

And remember to visit our Holiday Gift Ideas page, where you'll find more gift recommendations and shopping advice, including tips on ways to save.

TV: LG 60LB7100 ($1,500)

The entire family will enjoy watching movies on this excellent high-definition, 60-inch 1080p LCD TV. It has a wider-than-average viewing angle and good 3D performance. It offers a smart TV platform, with a full web browser and access to movie streaming services.  

Tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 ($400)

This touch-screen tablet can do it all. It has excellent display quality, a voice-typing feature, an 8-megapixel camera and Office suite built in. It also is very portable, weighing just 1.05 pounds.

For additional information, check out our buying guides and Ratings for tablets and TVs.

Blu-ray player: Samsung BD-H5900  ($90)

This Samsung model is impressive in every way. It has built-in Wi-Fi, so your family won’t miss out on Netflix, YouTube and Hulu Plus. But it also can play all kinds of video discs, including 3D movies (when paired with a 3D TV and glasses). 

Streaming media player: Roku Streaming Stick HDMI version ($50)

This Roku model is a small, flash-drive-shaped player that plugs into the TV’s HDMI port. It comes with a Wi-Fi remote but you also can use an app on a smartphone or tablet. It can stream movies and TV shows from all of the major services, as well as YouTube, Netflix and Amazon. Best of all, it’s only $50. 

Take a look at our buying guide for streaming media players and services.

Juicer: Juiceman JM800S ($100)

Starting the day off with fresh juice will help keep the family healthy.  This model is an extractor-style juicer, which are typically easy to operate. It came out top in our testing, producing juice with plenty of pulp. 

Our juicer buying guide give you all the info you need about shopping for a juicer.

Use our interactive Gadget Gift Finder to discover the best electronic gifts for the athletes, movie buffs, music lovers, photographers, and travelers that may be on your holiday shopping list.

Visit our Holiday Gift Ideas page where you'll find our experts' picks on:

- Top tech gifts for kids and teens
- Top tech gift for Mom and Dad
- Top tech gifts for Grandparents
- Top tech gifts for $200 or less
- Top tech gifts for $100 or less

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Lightbulbs used to be boring. Light on. Light off. Dimming was about as high tech as they got. But the LEDs pictured above have the potential to be much more, thanks to semiconductor chips and electronic circuitry. Some can alter the color of the light they shine, and others are claimed to help adjust your energy levels and mood. Consumer Reports put their unique claims through some tests, checked with sleep and lighting experts, and looked at how good they are as standard bulbs. Just like other electronics-based products, LED prices are falling as demand and performance increase.

The Definitely Digital Good Night LED and the Awake & Alert LED are used to help astronauts sleep or remain alert in space, claims Lighting Science, their manufacturer. Lighting Science LEDs were used in NASA ground-based studies, and the manufacturer helped to develop the LED lighting system scheduled for installation in the International Space Station in 2016, according to NASA’s Smith Johnston, M.D. But NASA won’t say which LEDs it actually uses in space.

For terrestrials, the Good Night LED is promised to help you sleep because it emits less blue light than other LEDs. The amount of blue light is key here: Any light can suppress melatonin, the hormone that facilitates sleep, but human eyes are especially sensitive to blue.

As LEDs become commonplace, it helps to know that they give off more blue light than other types of bulbs, such as CFLs and incandescents, says Terry McGowan, director of engineering for the American Lighting Association, a trade group. CFLs emit some blue light and incandescents emit little, he adds. Consumer Reports found that the Good Night LED does have significantly lower blue-light levels than other LEDs.

And while you’re prepping yourself for dreamland, be sure to minimize your exposure to all sources of blue light, our health experts say. That includes powering off smart phones, TVs, and other electronics with a bright screen a few hours before turning in.

When you’re not trying to sleep, the Good Night—which can substitute for a 60-watt incandescent—casts a bright, warm light that the manufacturer claims will last 25,000 hours, or about 23 years when on for 3 hours per day.

Trying to wake up? The Awake & Alert LED, on the other hand, is claimed to have elevated levels of blue light, which our tests confirmed. The 65-watt BR30 replacement LED was almost as bright as stated but gave off a light that was a bit more bluish white than the box stated. Bluish light can be unflattering.

At $70 each, the price of these bulbs is certainly out of this world.

Saffron’s Drift Light LED, $30, is claimed to promote healthy sleep because its 37-minute auto-dimming feature helps your body gradually shift from light to dark. In “midnight mode” our tests found that it dimmed completely over 37 minutes. What’s so special about 37? The company says that’s the average duration of a sunset. It replaces a 40-watt general-purpose incandescent, so it’s not very bright to begin with. Our tests found that it wasn’t even as bright as claimed in “daylight mode,” and it cast a white light. Claimed life is 30,000 hours. Evidence is lacking on the benefits of gradually dimming lights in preparation for sleep, according to the researchers we interviewed. They also questioned the magic of 37 minutes because the length of twilight varies by latitude.

Few lightbulbs come with as good a backstory as the Lifx. It was created by a former rock drummer/electrician/app developer. Phil Bosua pitched the idea for his bulb in a video on crowdfunding site Kickstarter in 2012. Funders pledged $1.3 million in six days. Fast-forward to today, and Lifx color-changing LEDs, which connect to a Wi-Fi network and can be controlled by a smart phone, are for sale.

We installed the smart-phone app, set up the bulbs with a Wi-Fi network, and put Lifx through its paces. We easily changed the light to any color we wanted and played with some effects—the light flickered like a candle in candle mode, and the lava light cycled through intense colors. The website says that more features are coming via free app updates. But at $99 per bulb, it’s an expensive way to light a house or even a room—and let’s face it, not every day is a party. It costs even more per bulb than the Philips Hue “smart” lightbulb system, which includes three bulbs and a controller for $190. Hue can do many of the same things, but its bulbs were only as bright as a 40-watt bulb in our past tests.

Oh, the Lifx is a lightbulb, too. It’s dimmable, almost as bright as a 75-watt incandescent, and casts light like a floodlight. It defaults to bright white when first turned on but can be adjusted to the warm tones that it claims. Lifx claims it uses 9 to 18 watts, depending on the setting, and lasts 40,000 hours. Lifx says that it can also be connected to a Nest Thermostat. When the Nest switches to “away mode,” the Lifx bulb or bulbs turn on and off to create a lived-in look. You can still use a light switch to turn on the bulb, but what fun is that?

LEDs usually don’t burn out; they dim over time. The claimed life you see on the box is an estimate of when brightness will decrease by 30 percent. Some LEDs are supposed to be bright enough to be useful for almost 23 years when on 3 hours per day. But save your receipts. Energy Star LEDs must have at least a three-year warranty, and we’ve seen five- and 10-year warranties, too.

Full lightbulb Ratings and recommendations

—Kimberly Janeway

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

The holidays are the one time of year that you probably worry about setting your table. Store displays make it look so easy. How do they do it? It’s not about loading your table with lots of bright and shiny new stuff. According to design experts, there are lots of ways to dress up a table using settings and servers you already have, and adding a few strategic pieces to make it really pop. No nice dishes? Pick up an inexpensive basic white set and you can dress it up or down. Here’s how.

Pick a color palette. Everything on the table—linens, plates, glasses, and platters—should work together. So build your scheme around colors plucked from any of those objects. Don’t go overboard; two hues and a third for an accent is plenty. Play off the tablecloth and plates to create your color scheme.

Lay the groundwork. The easiest way to add color, texture, and/or pattern to a table is with table linens. Again, don’t overdo it; if you have a patterned cloth, balance it with plain napkins that pick up one of the colors in the pattern. And don’t forget to use runners or place mats on other surfaces, such as sideboards.

Mix plain and fancy. Whether you prefer simple or ornate, don’t set the table entirely in the same style whether it’s too minimal or too fancy. Mix it up by blending plates and glasses that are more streamlined, for example, with flatware that’s more formal, and vice versa. You’ll also set a more interesting table by mixing shiny and matte finishes.

Vary shapes and heights. To set an even more eye-catching table, use square chargers with round plates, or vice versa, and vary the size, height, and materials of your serving pieces. To create a focal point, use higher pieces in the center of your table.

Create a stunning centerpiece. You can’t go wrong with flowers, but objects and collections you already own can stand in for centerpieces. Large bowls, platters, and even cake stands topped or filled with fruit or shiny ornaments can look stunning. Or instead of one or two centerpieces, group a bunch of candlesticks for more impact.

Add statement-making pieces. For big-deal dinners, use sparkle and glitz more liberally. Gold is currently the trendiest metallic hue. And don’t forget the extras: Great trays, platters, bowls, beautiful candlesticks, or a candelabra can fill in empty spaces with lots of style.

Tablecloth tricks

Hide stains on a tablecloth by strategically arranging two or more tablecloths on top of each other. You can place them at angles to cover spots. Layer a patterned square over a solid oblong for a striking effect. Then cover the table with serving dishes and cocktails.

Look for an easy-clean tablecloth. Some party stagers recommend getting a white tablecloth in a poly blend over cotton or linen because stains are easier to wash out, and you might even be able to avoid the iron. Use white all year and just change the napkin rings for different occasions.

To avoid stains, spread out coasters on tabletops so guests are more apt to use them. And when serving buffet style, put messier foods, like dips and gravy that can drip, toward the outer edge of the table so that they have less distance to travel. After dinner, use top-notch detergents for cleanup.

Best laundry detergents from our tests

Liquid: Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release
Powder: Tide HE Plus Bleach Alternative
Packs: All Mighty Pacs Oxi

Best dishwasher detergents from our tests

Packs: Cascade Complete ActionPacs
Powder: Cascade Complete Powder
Gel: Palmolive eco+

—Adapted from ShopSmart

For more planning tips check our Holiday Planning & Shopping Guide. You'll also find plenty of gift ideas for products that performed well in Consumer Reports' tests.

Bonus tip: How to remove white haze from your good dishes.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

When you’re feeling tired, cold, or under the weather, there’s nothing better than climbing into bed with a mug of something hot. In addition to being comforting, hot drinks replace fluids lost from fever and help loosen mucus. But they also may actually protect your health all year long. Consider these benefits.

Benefits: Java’s caffeine can make you feel more alert, boost your mental and physical performance, and elevate your mood. Both regular and decaf are rich in polyphenols, those antioxidants that may help regulate blood sugar, prevent blood clots, and neutralize DNA-damaging free radicals.

Tips: Eight ounces of coffee typically has about 100 milligrams of caffeine. Limit yourself to 400 milligrams a day. Depending on your sensitivity to caffeine, more than that may make you feel jittery, interfere with your sleep, or cause heart-rhythm or blood-pressure problems. (Read our reviews of coffee and coffeemakers).

Benefits: Tea’s antioxidants and other compounds may protect against cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, and memory decline. And researchers at Penn State found that people who drank multiple cups of hot tea a day had a body mass index 3 points lower, on average, than non-tea drinkers. To get the most antioxidants, let the tea steep for at least 3 minutes.

Tips: Adding any type of milk to your tea may actually block the absorption of some of the antioxidants.

Benefits: Herbal teas aren’t really tea; they’re caffeine-free infusions of flowers, roots, barks, and berries. Although the evidence is slim, some people use slippery elm tea for coughs and sore throats because it is viscous and coats the throat. Chamomile tea has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, according to Case Western Reserve University researchers. (Inflammation is a factor in many diseases, from eczema to certain cancers.)

Tips: Common herbal teas are fine for sore throats or stomach woes. But before trying to use them for more serious medical conditions, consult a doctor.

Benefits: Cocoa contains flavanols, antioxidants that may lower blood pressure, reduce stroke risk, and protect against diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity. Drinking two cups a day may also boost cognitive function in people with impaired blood flow to the brain, Harvard researchers recently reported in the journal Neurology.

Tips: Indulging in a cup of hot cocoa too often could expand your waistline. Sugar is first on the ingredients list of individually packaged mixes, such as Swiss Miss. Each serving has 8 grams of sugar, or about 2 teaspoons, and 90 calories.

Benefits: This cold-weather drink of warm bourbon or rum, plus antioxidant-rich honey, lemon, and cloves, can’t prevent a cold or the flu. But it might help soothe a sore or scratchy throat or make you feel more comfortable, says Robert Rowney, D.O., director of the Cleveland Clinic’s mood disorders unit.

Caveats: Don't mix alcohol with cold and flu drugs. Remember that the healthy limit for alcohol consumption is one drink a day for women and two for men. And a hot toddy counts!  

Visit our Holiday Gift Ideas page throughout the season to find the best deals, time-saving advice, and much more.

This article appeared in the January 2014 issue of Consumer Reports on Health.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

What do you get that person who would rather be at home, lounging on the sofa? We all have friends and family who are happiest when they’re not doing very much. Finding the right gift for the couch potato in your life can be challenging. But we’ve scoured our Ratings and recommendations and found an array of products and gadgets that will help keep them relaxed and chill. 

Be sure to take a look at Consumer Reports' Holiday Gift Ideas page. You'll find more gift recommendations and shopping advice, including tips on ways to save. And use our Gadget Gift Finder to choose the right device for the tech geek in your life.

Shopping on a budget? Check out our best gift ideas under $100, under $50, and under $25. We've also broken out our experts' picks for mom, dad, grandparents, kids, and teenagers.

Streaming media player: Roku Streaming Stick HDMI ($50)

Couch potatoes can relax and watch their favorite movies and TV shows from all of the major services. Even better, this Roku model—a Consumer Reports Best Buy—is easy to install. It is a small, flash-drive-shaped player that just plugs right into the TV’s HDMI port. 

Check our streaming media player and services buying guide and Ratings.

Robotic vacuum cleaner: iRobot Roomba 760 ($450)

This robotic vacuum cleaner does an excellent job of vacuuming carpet and bare floors. It also is very quiet. Which means couch potatoes can snooze while Roomba 760 does the dirty work.

Check our vacuum buying guide and Ratings.

Pod coffeemaker: DeLonghi Descafe Dolce Gusto Circolo ($180)

It doesn't take much effort to use this single-serve coffeemaker. Making a single cup of coffee is super simple. It uses a manual joystick-like control for quick filling. Bonus: Our testers also found it fairly easy to refill and clean.

Check our coffeemaker buying guide and Ratings.

Video-game console: Microsoft Xbox One ($450, with Kinect)

Couch potatoes of all ages will enjoy the Xbox One. It comes with a built-in Blu-ray player and has great graphics, and the Xbox has a huge number of games on its platform. It comes bundled with a wireless controller and headset, and the Kinect sensor, for motion-controlled games and voice and gesture control. (The Xbox with the Kinect—normally $500—is on sale through Jan. 3, 2015. The Xbox without a Kinect is $350.) 

Check our video game buying guide.

Mattress: Serta Perfect Day iSeries Applause ($1,075)

Why not make it more comfortable for couch potatoes to stay exactly where they want to be? The Serta Perfect Day iSeries Applause, a Consumer Reports Best Buy, will provide blissful happiness. It was the only mattress we tested that provided consistently impressive side and back support. It was also great at muting vibrations, meaning little bouncing from across the bed. 

Check our mattress buying guide and Ratings.

Exercise bike: Diamondback 510ic ($800)

Think the couch potato in your life might have a New Year's resolution in mind? Check out this Diamondback 501ic. This spin bike is easy to use and offers good ergonomics. Testers also found that it offered lots of preset programs that automatically adjusted resistance levels. So at the very least, your couch potato won’t have to leave home for a spin class experience.

Check our exercise bike buying guide.

For more gift ideas in every price range, see our Holiday Gift Ideas page. You'll also find plenty of tips on how to make it through the holidays without stressing out.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Before your holiday guests are even out the door, you’ll be thinking about the looming cleanup. Most dishwashers today can accommodate 12 or more place settings, but with a larger crowd, you’ll need to get creative. And if you’re buying a dishwasher at the last minute, you’ll want a model that offers the latest conveniences and washes without the need for repeated cycles. Here are a few from our list of dishwasher picks that should help you enjoy the get-together, too:

KitchenAid KDTM354DSS, $1,200
Besides stellar washing and drying, this KitchenAid keeps the noise down if you need to run the dishwasher while conversing with guests nearby. How? It has a self-cleaning, ultrafine filter that breaks food particles down throughout the cycle without noisy grinding. The dishwasher overall was pretty quiet. If you need extra flexibility for fitting odd-sized items, you can adjust the upper rack and tines. Like all these dishwashers, it has delayed start. One caveat: Its lack of a time-remaining display makes it hard to time a long cycle if you want to unload the dishwasher before guests show up.

Kenmore Elite 12793, $1,050
Besides top-notch performance, this Kenmore offers an industry first: a motorized spray arm that reverses direction should a utensil fall through the racks, blocking the arm's rotation and interfering with thorough washing. As with the KitchenAid you get an adjustable upper rack and tines, but here you can raise or lower the rack using only one hand. Alas, other models dried better—and there’s no time-remaining display.

Bosch Ascenta SHX3AR7[5]UC, $730
This Bosch conventional dishwasher delivers top washing performance, including very good drying, for a very competitive price. It also has an adjustable upper rack and tines. To keep the noise down, there’s a manual-clean filter. On the minus side, this model doesn't display remaining cycle time.

Bosch 500 Series SHP65T55UC, $900
Top-notch washing, drying, and quiet operation are chief strengths of this Bosch. In addition to the adjustable rack tines that all these models have, the Bosch has a third rack you can use for large utensils, a grater, and other low-height items you find hard to fit elsewhere. This model also lacks cycle-time display, but it at least projects a red dot on the floor so you know the machine is running.

Dishwasher strategies

Invariably, you’ll want to wash and stow as many items as possible before the doorbell even rings. A few other strategies to consider:

Load it up smartly. Even if you usually get away with putting items into the dishwasher any which way, the jig is up—you won’t get away with it this time. For a few practice loads before the crowd shows, try loading dishes, glasses, utensils, and other items the way your owner’s manual recommends. There are many general rules, but loading differs by where your machine's sprays are situated.

Try out quick-wash cycles. Several of our recommended washers have some form of quick wash. At their shortest, a half-hour quick wash could handle a lightly soiled load—running over a break between dinner and dessert. A few one-hour cycles throw more water and energy at the load to do roughly the same cleaning in a fraction of the time.

Consider some hand-washing. If you hosted a large crowd, you might not be able to fit so many dishes and glasses and a pot you used for sauce or gravy. Why not take a quick break and wash that one by hand?

The perennial worry at this time of year is that appliances, like many other products, tend to fail while they’re working the hardest. If your dishwasher seems to be going out with 2014, see our dishwasher Ratings of 190 models we’ve tested. If it's been years since you last shopped for a dishwasher, check our buying guide first.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Following in the footsteps of Priceline (“name your own price”) and eBay (“best offer”), it seems only natural that Amazon, too, has decided to reach out to bargain hunters by allowing customers to make an offer on certain goods sold through the e-commerce juggernaut. 

Beginning this week, Amazon shoppers can try to negotiate a lower price on more than 150,000 antiques and collectibles—movie, sports, music, and theater memorabilia, fine art, stamps and coins—sold by third-party, or independent, merchants, says Tom Cook, an Amazon spokesman. Next year, the Make an Offer option will expand to “hundreds of thousands" of items, according to Cook. Make an Offer does not apply to goods sold directly by Amazon.

By adding a haggling element to its traditional fixed-price model, Amazon broadens its appeal to a wider audience of consumers motivated not simply by low prices, but by the thrill of the hunt and scoring a deal. If you’re the type of shopper who loves, estate sales, antiquing, and flea markets, Make an Offer is right up your alley.

Whether you're buying on Amazon or elsewhere, Consumer Reports has your guide to the best holiday gifts.

How much can you save by haggling for antiques and collectibles? Plenty, according to Consumer Reports National Research Center. In a 2013 study, 89 percent of those who attempted to negotiate a lower price were successful at least once, with nearly three-quarters of respondents saving $100 or more per transaction. Read "Learning How to Bargain Can Reap Big Bucks" for more details.

How to haggle

Items eligible for negotiation are accompanied by a box indicating the firm price—“buy at the current price”—and a second box allowing customers to make an offer. The accompanying photo shows the details. By clicking inside the latter box, a customer can enter and submit an alternate price. The seller receives the lower-price offer through e-mail, at which point the he or she can accept, reject or counter the offer. The seller and customer continue to negotiate back and forth via e-mail until the transaction is complete. When a seller accepts a customer’s offer, the customer is notified and can place the item into his or her shopping cart at the agreed upon new price for checkout and purchase.

The new Make an Offer experience could be a game-changer for Amazon customers looking for great prices on one-of-a-kind items, and for sellers looking to communicate and negotiate directly with customers in an online marketplace environment just like they do normally in their own physical store or gallery. “In a recent survey of our sellers, nearly half of the respondents told us that the ability to negotiate prices with customers would be important to drive more sales on Amazon," says Peter Faricy, vice president of Amazon Marketplace. "Make an Offer delivers that functionality and makes customers feel confident they are getting an item they want at the lowest price possible.”

Amazon’s announcement was accompanied by a statement from Steven Costello of Steiner Sports, a major player in the hand-signed memorabilia market and a supporter of the new format, who was quick to clarify that Make an Offer isn’t the same as an auction. “All negotiations are one-to-one and private between individual customers and sellers. A seller is able to accept a customer’s offer at any time. The intention is to lower prices, and a customer negotiating with a seller will never pay more than the listed price.

“The negotiation experience will hopefully get more communication between us and our customers to help us better gauge the price for certain items,” Costello said.

Spencer Eggers, owner of Coast to Coast Collectibles, had an additional observation: “This new shopping experience could also increase customer loyalty because it will give serious buyers the opportunity to have direct communication with the seller to determine a fair, agreed upon price. It will be like a Black Friday sale 365 days a year.”

—Tod Marks

Visit our Holiday Gift Ideas page throughout the season to find the best deals, time-saving advice, and much more.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

With the cold weather, holiday crush, and a pile of party invitations, now’s a great time to get out your slow cooker. It’s the perfect appliance for making comfort food while you do other chores or for preparing a dish for a potluck supper. In Consumer Reports’ past tests of slow cookers, the models didn’t differ significantly in how well they cooked. Where one rose above the other was in its convenience features, such as a locking lid, electronic controls, and easy cleaning.

About 85 percent of households already own a slow cooker. But if you’re thinking of replacing your own or buying one as a gift for someone in the remaining 15 percent, here are some features to consider.

• Shape. Slow cookers are typically round or oval. An oval pot can more easily accommodate a whole chicken or other cuts of meat. But round is fine for soups and stews.
• Glass lid. A transparent lid will help you resist the temptation to open the pot. Each time you do can add 15 to 20 minutes of cooking time.
• Locking lid. For folks who routinely hit the potluck circuit, a locking lid with a tight gasket is key.
• Stovetop safe. A metal insert allows you to brown meat or veggies on the stove before transferring it to the slow cooker.
• Oven safe. Ceramic oven-safe inserts allow you to reheat your dish in the oven. You shouldn’t reheat leftovers in the slow cooker. Instead heat them to an internal temperature of 165° F in your oven or microwave.
• Electronic controls. Unlike manual controls, electronic ones let you program a dish, usually in 30-minute intervals, and then automatically switch the cooker to the warm setting when cooking is done.

A smarter slower cooker

Crock-pot, a name almost synonymous with slow cookers, has introduced the WeMo-enabled Smart Slow Cooker, the first slow cooker that you can control and monitor from your smart phone. The $150 slow cooker was a respectable performer in Consumer Reports' tests but you can find a capable cooker for a fraction of that if you forgo the bells and whistles.

Slow cooker recipes

Recipes for slow cookers have gotten a lot more sophisticated than those in the past that called for canned soups and other packaged ingredients. Instead of chunks of beef and cream of mushroom soup you’ll find Slow-Cooked Ratatouille Over Goat Cheese Polenta on epicurious.com or Moroccan Brisket with Red Onions and Apricot Couscous on foodnetwork.com. If you're giving a slow cooker as a gift, throw in a cookbook, too. America’s Test Kitchen’s Slow Cooker Revolution is a good choice or just buy it for yourself.

—Mary H.J. Farrell (@mhjfarrell on Twitter)

For more quick tips consult our Holiday Planning & Shopping Guide where you'll also find plenty of suggestions for gifts that were top performers in Consumer Reports' tests.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.