Featured in November 2008

See what was in this issue of Real Simple.

On the Cover

• Simple, stress-free holiday entertaining: 87 ideas for Thanksgiving and beyond, p. 35, 233, 250, 283, 293
• How to find pants that fit: tips for any shape, p. 107
• 11 ways to spend less this season, p. 223
• Dry-skin cures: expert advice, p. 135
• Why gratitude is good for you, p. 266
• Easy all-occasion recipes, p. 35, 250, 293, 305, 313

In This Issue

Thoughts, p. 6
 
 The Simple List, p.8
 
 Contributors, p. 28
 
 Editor's Note, p. 33
 
 Everyday Celebrations
Easy-to-follow instructions for a game night with friends, p. 35
 
 Your Words 

What are your hopes for this country?, p. 45

 Solutions

• New Uses for Old Things, p. 57
• Tech Decoder: Digital TV, p. 60
• The Kit: Wardrobe Savers, p. 62
• Buying Guide: Humidifier, p. 64
• Products of the Month, p. 66
• The Primer: Black Friday, p. 74
• Ask Real Simple: How to Water Plants While You're on Vacation, p.76

Life Lessons
Merrill Markoe on the (surprising) possessions that really matter, p. 81

 The Quiz
Test your presidential IQ, p. 88

 Personal Best
Keep the peace during the holidays: Mediator Laurie Puhn shares her top-10 phrases for avoiding arguments, p. 245

 Credits, p. 327

 Reality Check
Get the play-by-play of Marcy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, p. 334

 Real Simple To Go, p. 336
 

Special

Real Simple on TV
A look behind the scenes at an episode of Real Simple. Real Life.―the new makeover show on TLC, p. 91

 

The Guide

Style 

Get a leg up; find pants that fit, p. 107

Stay warm and cozy: 10 winter fashion finds that won’t break the bank, p. 123

Three top designers share their best style finds and insights, p. 127
 

Beauty

Avoid parched winter skin with tried-and-true dermatologist advice, p. 135

Six soothing tips to help you unwind, day and night, p. 141
 

Body

Fast-healing strategies for eight common ailments, p. 147

Cheers! The latest health research on alcohol, p. 161
 

Home

Low-maintenance terrariums, p. 169

All you need to know about flooring, p. 179

A buying guide to the only five pots and pans you need, p. 187
 

Life

Get your talking points straight with an election-season glossary, p. 199

Banish the butterflies: strategies for coping with social anxiety, p. 209

Real Simple Shopping Awards: reader-nominated stores and websites, p. 217
 

Moneywise

Special holiday edition: how to save on cards, wrapping paper, and cocktails; turkey prices by the pound; and why you should buy toys now, p. 223
 

Road Tests

• Thanksgiving shortcuts, p. 233
• Mascara, p. 237
• Food-storage containers, p. 241

Features

• Prepare a complete―and delicious―Thanksgiving meal in 3 1/2 hours, p. 250
• “The Straightener,” an original poem by Billy Collins, p. 260
• Gorgeous evening eyes: techniques for three easy looks, p. 262
• Can simply acknowledging gratitude markedly improve your life? Experts say yes; real women give it a try, p. 266
• What lies beneath: 13 pieces that keep storage out of sight, p. 272

Cooking

• Forty-seven Thanksgiving sanity savers―from delegating to cleanup, p. 283
• Tasty dishes guests can bring, p. 293
• Three recipes for holiday leftovers, p. 305
• Five Easy Dinners, p. 313
• Shopping List/Recipe Index, p. 324