Buy It: Calphalon Fry Pan with Cover ($32, Target) Buy It: Good & Gather Organic Chia Seeds ($4, Target) Buy It: KitchenAid Blender with Tamper ($300, KitchenAid)

Buy It: Crock-Pot 7-Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Easy-Clean Slow Cooker ($55, Target) Buy It: Salt-Free Cajun Seasoning ($9, The Spice House) Test Kitchen Tip: Use a box grater ($23, OXO) to shred your own cheese. The pre-shredded packages are convenient, but they have anti-caking agents that make it harder to melt into your soup. Buy It: T-fal 5-Quart Dutch Oven ($27, Target)

Buy It: Crock-Pot Artisan 7-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Oval Dutch Oven ($81, Bed Bath & Beyond) Test Kitchen Tip: Don’t forget to save a bit of the pasta water before draining. The starchy water will help the pesto stick to the pasta. Buy It: OXO 5-Quart Stainless Steel Colander ($28, Target) Buy It: DeLallo Potato Gnocchi ($3.50, Target)

Buy It: Monari Balsamic Vinegar ($4, Target) Buy It: Power XL Air Fryer ($120, Target) Test Kitchen Tip: For even more smoky flavor, peel back corn husks and remove silks a few minutes before serving, then brush with some of the butter. Return to grill and grill 5 minutes more or until lightly browned.

Showcase the beauty of tricolor carrots. A balsamic glaze flavors the Christmas vegetable side dish, which proves a hearty companion for tender beef brisket. It’s hard to find a meal that doesn’t go well with mashed potatoes, but we’re especially fond of this garlicky blend with golden roasted game hens. The petite chickens can be adjusted to fit the number of diners at your Christmas dinner. Turkey and stuffing go together like, well, turkey and stuffing....

Here’s a tip: Even if you don’t live in a warm-climate area, you can still take advantage of tropicals such as bougainvillea. Just treat them as annuals (or grow them in containers and bring them indoors for the winter). Layering is one trick used by the pros to create great landscapes—check out their other top tips Here’s a tip: Install landscape edging between your border and the turf to keep the grass from creeping into your beds....

This quaint example includes purple iris, red and apricot roses, and creeping thyme, but any romantic flowers, such as roses, peonies, or hydrangeas, are well-suited to the style. Test Garden Tip: Make your front yard flower garden extra appealing by incorporating fragrant flowers, such as sweet pea, Oriental lily, and herbs.

Buy It: OXO Softworks Cookie Scoop ($17, Target) Buy It: Better Homes & Gardens Ellie Pie Plate Set ($32, Walmart) Buy It: Wilton Springform Pan ($13, Bed Bath & Beyond) Buy It: Wilton Mini Muffin Pan ($13, Target) Buy It: Crock-Pot Manual Slow Cooker ($25, Target)

A. Coleus (Solenostemon ‘Stained Glassworks Copper’)—1 B. Lantana ‘Dallas Red’—1 C. Bear grass (Xerophyllum tenax)—2 D. Coleus (Solenostemon ‘True Red’)—1 E. Coleus (Solenostemon ‘Stained Glassworks Big Blond’)—1 F. Licorice vine (Helichrysum petiolare)—1 A. Petunia ‘Ruffle Pink’—2 B. Verbena ‘Aztec Raspberry’—3 C. Coleus (Solenostemon ‘Frilly Milly’)—1 D. Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas ‘Marguerite’)—2 E. Angelonia ‘Angelface White’—1 A. Bacopa (Sutera ‘Bridal Bouquet’)—4 B. Torenia ‘Catalina Blue’—1 C. Calibrachoa ‘Cabaret Purple’—2 D....

1. Silver Sprinkles Plant (Top Left) A type of pilea, this gray-and-silver plant forms a low, tangled groundcover, setting down roots along the stems. Allow the top inch of soil to dry before watering, and protect the plant from hot afternoon sun. 2. Spikemoss (Top Right) Sometimes called clubmoss, this fern-like plant thrives in humid terrariums. It grows very slowly, but once mature, can create a dense carpet of green foliage....

Editor’s Tip: To keep the ghost from getting stuck in the door, adhere the ghost to the door with a small piece of tape.