Innholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2025 i Good Housekeeping

“CARROT CAKE” OVERNIGHT OATS In small bowl, stir together ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats, ¾ cup milk of choice, ¼ cup shredded carrots, 1 Tbsp raisins, ¼ tsp ground cinnamon, and a pinch each of grated nutmeg and kosher salt. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Top with ½ cup chopped roasted walnuts or pecans before serving. ROASTED WITH ZA’ATAR On large rimmed baking sheet, toss 1½ lbs carrots (halved lengthwise, or quartered if large) with 2 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tbsp za’atar, and ½ tsp kosher salt; roast at 400°F until golden brown and tender, 30 to 35 min. Drizzle with 1½ Tbsp honey and toss to coat. Spread plain Greek yogurt on platter, top with carrots, and sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped parsley. CARROT-TOP PESTO In food processor, pulse…

1 Smart Serum Prose‘s AI-powered technology allows you to get a customized face serum with just a few clicks, no office or store visit required. LAB RESULTS: Testers loved the texture, the ease of application, the quick absorption, and the personalization aspect. PROSE CUSTOM SERUM, $64, PROSE.COM 2 Cool Cleanser Offering a whole new way to wash your face, these wateractivated squares from Olay dissolve into a rich lather to remove dirt and oil effectively. LAB RESULTS: The tiny squares wowed testers with their ability to wash away oils and impurities without irritating skin. OLAY CLEANSING MELTS + VITAMIN C, $10, AMAZON 3 Reviving Cream Wake up sleeping skin cells with Cetaphil‘s micro-dosing technology, which delivers mandelic acid and cica extract to tighten skin. LAB RESULTS: A full 100% of…

Primer is the step that changes everything. “Always use a primer—I see an incredible difference in how long my makeup lasts and how it sits on my face.” Spotlight just one feature. “For a glam look, I pick one feature to focus on (such as a bold red lip or a smoky eye), then keep the rest of my makeup soft to let that area shine.” EYE OPENERS Shadow Play “Brighten eyes and distract from dark circles by dabbing a light colored shimmer eyeshadow on the inner corners. It really makes the whites of your eyes pop.” –APRIL FRANZINO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR Soft Lines “For more impact, I glide a dark brown gel or a pencil eyeliner inside my upper lashline. It makes lashes look thicker without harsh lines.” –SABINA WIZEMANN…

CRAFTS FOR EVERY HOLIDAY Scan here for more ideas.…

You might think that after Hoda Kotb stepped down from her role at the Today show after more than a decade of waking up at 3:30 a.m. and a nearly nonstop schedule that barely left her time for pit stops at home, she’d have finally taken a beat, slowed down, gotten some rest. And she has—in a very Hoda way. Now, instead of rushing around 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the home of the Today show, she’s scurrying after daughters Haley, 8, and Hope, 6, and their new puppy, Waffles. Instead of reporting breaking news and writing scripts, she has put pen to paper for her ninth book. Instead of gabbing with cohosts on live television, she’s taking solo walks around her new neighborhood in the suburbs. In August, Kotb, 61, stopped…

It can be tempting to slouch on safety when the odds of something awful happening are low. However, “we see ‘rare’ events all the time,” says Christine DeSanno, D.O., chief of the emergency department at NYU Langone Hospital–Suffolk. “Someone is going to be that 1%.” Don’t let it be you! Keep your family safe this season by avoiding these unnecessary risks. SKIPPING YOUR SEAT BELT “Over 3.5 million people visit the ER each year due to injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents,” says Hilary Fairbrother, M.D., a professor of emergency medicine at UTHealth Houston. “Riding in a car without a seat belt, having more people in a car than there are seat belts, and hanging an arm out of a window or placing legs up on a dashboard all increase…

Stress-Free Starter For anyone ready to enter their bread-baking era, King Arthur’s sourdough starter makes it simple. Included is a living culture (a descendant of a decades-old New England starter) and a booklet explaining how to get started, and offering care tips and recipes. LAB RESULTS: First-timers cited that it gave them confidence in the process. “I like that it became active quickly and rose well,” said one. Testers successfully used the starter to make bread, crackers, pizza dough, and English muffins. KING ARTHUR BAKING COMPANY CLASSIC FRESH SOURDOUGH STARTER, $13 Condiment Crush Ayoh Foods’s mayos pack more personality than standard sandwich spreads. The Hot Giardinayo flavor—a riff on giardiniera, an Italian pickled relish popular in Chicago—has tangy pickled veggies and Calabrian chiles in a creamy mayo base.  LAB RESULTS:…

LAB LOWDOWN HOW WE TEST We wash standard test loads in each machine to measure cleaning performance, gentleness, water removal, speed, and more. Plus, we check for tangling and score ease of use and energy efficiency. 14 machines tested 98 loads of laundry 1,104 stains graded 7,418 frayed threads counted 3,208 data points analyzed SHOP OUR FAVORITES! Scan here.…

Plan Your Holiday Menu Follow these steps to create a cohesive feast the simple way. 1 Pick one main Choose a star of the show, whether it’s a protein (turkey, prime rib, salmon) or a hearty vegetarian entrée. 2 Review the recipe Think through the game plan now to lessen stress later: How much oven space is needed? What is the oven temperature? Is rest time built in? 3 Select the sides Decide on three to four dishes that complement your main and that your appliances can accommodate. 4 Embrace room-temp Choose a few apps and sides that are delicious chilled or lukewarm so you don’t have to worry about keeping them piping hot. TINA MARTINEZ FOOD PRODUCER FAMILY FLAVORS To honor the heritage of my Puerto Rican mother-in-law, I…

Sweet Surprise p. 21 1. Fill a clear plastic ornament with small gifts, toys, or pieces of candy. 2. Tape one end of a crepe paper roll to the ornament and wrap, tucking in additional small flat gifts and confetti as you go. 3. Secure the end with another piece of tape and finish with a decorative ribbon. Velvet Twist p. 20 1. Cut three strips of velvet fabric each about 5" wide, one darker green and two lighter green. 2. Clip the strips together at one end. 3. Loosely braid the strips, making sure to keep the soft side of the velvet flipped up. 4. After braiding the entire length of the fabric, loosely loop it on top of a wreath form to see if the length covers the…

1 MARKER MAGIC “This airbrush kit blew me away because it takes regular markers to the next level. I loved seeing kids and parents having fun, creating intricate artwork with the stencils, and even free-handing their own funky spray designs.” —Amanda Constantine, home & apparel reviews analyst CRAYOLA MARKER AIRBRUSH, $22, AGES 6+ 2 DOUBLE PLAY “Bluey is beloved, and this Duplo set makes it easy for even 3-year-olds to build. The layering in of a memory game parents can enjoy with their preschoolers is a huge bonus!” —Jessica Hartshorn, contributing parenting writer LEGO DUPLO BLUEY’S FAMILY HOUSE WITH MEMORY GAME, $70, AGES 3+ 3 SMASH HIT “This remote control car really impressed me with how seamless it was to crash and repair. It never got boring smashing it into…

Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin have something in common beyond anchoring the Today show: Their kids are the same ages and are going through similar phases when it comes to reading. By the tween years, “most kids, mine included, aren’t going to choose a book over a screen,” says Guthrie, mom to Vale, 11, and Charley, 8. As for Melvin—dad to Delano, 11, and Sybil, 8—his family’s story-time routine has evolved as his kids have learned to read. “They don’t let me read to them with funny voices like when they were little, so we’ve started new traditions,” says Melvin, whose son inspired his picture book, I’m Proud of You. Here, the two open up about how they’ve rewritten their families’ reading routines. 1. Drop everything and read. “My wife…

HELLO, THERE—I’m Elspeth! Recently I was honored to become the new editor in chief of Good Housekeeping after 10-plus years of leading several food, travel, parenting, and beauty brands. Before you dive into our gorgeous holiday issue, I thought I’d share a little about how I like to spend the season—it’s a joyful mix of chaos and tradition. Maybe you can relate! I’ve always loved hosting for the holidays. In some past years, that meant throwing a big party in early December that gave me an excuse to make the indulgent finger food and snack recipes I collected all year (our raspberry pink Razzle-Dazzles on page 73 would have been right up my alley). In other years, I hosted my in-laws from the U.K. for a traditional Thanksgiving feast or my…

Refreshing Dry Shampoo Get a few extra days from your hairstyle with this liquid mist from K18 Biomimetic Hairscience—in addition to absorbing oil, it neutralizes odors (instead of masking them) using the brand’s new odor-binding technology. LAB RESULTS: In a 30-person study, testers were able to extend the time between washes by an average of 3.4 days without a white cast or any buildup, Lab data analysis confirmed. K18 BIOMIMETIC HAIRSCIENCE AIRWASH DRY SHAMPOO, $48, SEPHORA Sleek Flat Iron GHD’s latest ceramic iron aims to minimize heat damage by maintaining a consistent temperature of 365°F. Plus, its new motion-responsive technology helps speed up styling.  LAB RESULTS: GH’s testing found that it straightened fine to medium hair with just one stroke; thicker or textured hair may require a second pass. “When…

BEST OVERALL This no-rinse, salicylic acid–boosted formula from Garnier took the top prize in the GH Beauty Lab’s makeup-remover test, requiring the fewest swipes to remove eyeliner. A full 100% of testers agreed that it left their skin soft and smooth and didn’t irritate eyes or skin. One noted that her skin felt “truly clean.” GARNIER MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER WITH SALICYLIC ACID, $12, WALMART.COM BEST EYE MAKEUP REMOVER A tried-and-true eye makeup remover, Lancôme’s liquid stood strong in Lab testing, completely melting away mascara, eyeliner, and even stubborn waterproof makeup. Testers gave it a perfect score for removing makeup fully without being messy or aggravating their skin or eyes. LANCÔME BI-FACIL DOUBLE-ACTION EYE MAKEUP REMOVER, $36, LANCOME.COM BEST MAKEUP-REMOVING CLEANSER Perfect for mature skin, Hero Cosmetics’s creamy balm received rave…

Let citrus be the star. A mixture of dried lemon and orange slices strung on delicate ribbon can make any tree a stunner (use full fruits or faux ones for the mantel). Star decor and candles add a cheery vibe that can work throughout the fall and winter. Layer fruit and foliage. Spruce up a table runner with fresh pears, stems foraged from your yard, and taper candles. “This budget-friendly setup is perfectly imperfect and can be recreated with whatever natural elements or produce you have at home,” explains Bless’er House’s Lauren Shaver. “Plus, it has a low profile, so guests can still see across the table for conversation.” Create a bow bonanza. Digital creative Melanie Lissack used floral wire to cover her tree with pre-tied velvet bows so “the…

GENERATIONAL EPIC Flashlight by Susan Choi Based on unbelievable history, this sweeping novel is elegiac and urgent, spanning Japan, North Korea, and America. One night 10-year-old Louisa’s dad disappears off a beach in Japan and is presumed drowned. Louisa is found soaking wet and with no memory of the mysterious night that will send ripples through her family’s lives in unexpected ways. GOTHIC THRILLER  Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy A remote island off the coast of Antarctica, sinking into the sea. The vault of preserved seeds it protects. A suspiciously missing husband. Dark secrets and wild beauty abound in this creeping mystery that combines climate disaster, romance, and the haunting ghosts of absence as one woman confronts answers she may not be ready for. CULINARY MYSTERY Savvy Summers and…

Next-Gen Cooktop As induction cooktops become more popular alternatives to gas, they’re becoming more affordable. This new 36-inch model from KitchenAid has a high-end frame less design, five cooking zones, and two bridge burners for larger cookware. It connects with an app for more capabilities. LAB RESULTS: This cooktop tested as well as others that cost twice as much. An analyst especially liked how the burners could be set to an exact numeric temp. KITCHENAID 36" TEMP COOK INDUCTION COOKTOP, $2,200 High-Tech Fridge Samsung’s latest smart fridge features its signature large screen, streaming capabilities, and a camera that tracks ingredients (which the fridge uses to suggest recipes!). It has ample storage space, advanced water and ice dispensers, and a freezer section that can convert into a fridge. LAB RESULTS: A…

1. Buzzworthy Beans Sightglass’s medium–dark roast beans, great for coffee or espresso, feature a blend of coffees from Central and South America and the Pacific and have notes of fruit, cacao nibs, and caramel. LAB RESULTS: It was a clear winner. “This is my ideal coffee in terms of flavor profile, finish, and acidity,” said one tester. “It feels well curated.” SIGHTGLASS COFFEE ORGANIC TOKETEE BLEND, $21 FOR 12-OZ BAG 2. Dreamy Creamer Made from pistachios, this dairy-free milk from Táche delivers creamy richness to your coffee and tea, and can be sipped solo as a little treat. LAB RESULTS: Testers enjoyed its smooth consistency and slightly sweet, nutty taste. It steamed and frothed well, and made a nice addition to lattes and other espresso-based drinks. TÁCHE ORIGINAL BARISTA PISTACHIO…

For Ebenezer Satyaraj, Ph.D., director of molecular nutrition at Nestlé Purina, cat allergens are both a professional concern and a personal one. When his daughter was 2, she came home from a playdate with skin rashes and watery eyes. A quick call to her friend’s mom uncovered the culprit: The kids had played with their new kitten all afternoon. “Mystery solved!” says Satyaraj, the lead investigator behind the development of Purina Pro Plan LiveClear, a cat food proven to reduce the major allergen in cat hair and dander. Don’t Blame the Fur Many people assume the sneezing and itchy eyes that can come from being around cats are a reaction to pets’ fur. But in reality approximately 90% of those who report cat allergen sensitivities are responding primarily to a…

ONE-POT Green Curry Mussels Active 15 min. | Total 20 min. 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 large shallot, finely chopped1 stalk lemongrass, smashed and finely chopped4 cloves garlic, finely chopped1 1-in. piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped1 13.5-oz can light coconut milk2 Tbsp green curry paste½ Tbsp fish sauce2 tsp dark brown sugar2 lbs mussels, cleaned1 Tbsp fresh lime juice⅓ cup cilantro, choppedCrusty bread, cooked rice, or french fries, for serving 1. Heat oil in large pot on medium. Add shallot and lemongrass and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until shallot is tender, 3 to 4 min. Add garlic and ginger; cook, stirring often, until fragrant, 1 to 2 min. 2. Whisk in coconut milk, curry paste, fish sauce, and brown sugar; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, add mussels,…

MUSICAL MOVEMENT Five stepping stones, eight wavy balance beams, and one light-up musical base inspire lots of ideas, from playing The Floor Is Lava to pretending to be a gymnast. “It is fun to step on the bumpy beams and get the lights and sounds when you step on the base,” one parent said. B. TOYS BALANCE & GROOVE SET, $50, AGES 3+ STUNT SUPERHERO Kids squeeze Spidey’s foot to make this animatronic superhero execute a backward flip or shoot a web dart. “Shooting a ‘web’ is truly thrilling for my 3-year-old,” one parent said. “He screams with excitement and has built a whole storyline around playing with it.” SPIDEY AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS AMAZING FLIP SPIDEY, $40, AGES 3+ ACTIVE ASSEMBLY Toy versions of a power drill, wrenches, and…

IN STITCHES Touch, hug, squeeze, and poke Stitch—who stands 17 inches tall!—all over to cause him to perform more than 100 sounds and actions. One mom mentioned that her son and daughter loved playing with him together and that it had “made them laugh many times.” DISNEY ULTIMATE STITCH INTERACTIVE FEATURE PLUSH, $70, AGES 3+ TWICE THE FUN Two mighty dragons are stacked together but can be separated for double the action, which parents said made sharing easier. The smaller one flaps its wings and chomps cars (which delighted kids), and the larger one breathes fire to sweep cars out of its way. HOT WHEELS CITY ULTIMATE DUAL DRAGON TRANSPORTER, $54, AGES 4+ INTERACTIVE PLUSH Press the heart on Furby’s head before flipping it over onto its belly, which is…

Hunter Finn, D.V.M., loves Christmas. But as the caretaker of a menagerie of creatures (including six dogs, two cats, three donkeys, 11 goats, and a horse) and the owner of a Texas animal hospital, he is well aware of dangers the holidays can bring. Here, items to keep a close eye on during your celebrations. RIBBONS AND TINSEL “We see this every year, no matter what,” Finn says—these are among the most serious holiday hazards. Pets can swallow ribbon or tinsel, which may get tangled in their digestive systems or wrapped around their tongues. The obstruction may be life-threatening, and removal might require expensive surgery. Never decorate with tinsel if you have pets, and clean up wrapping materials immediately after opening gifts to be sure none will be swallowed. ORNAMENTS…

FESTIVE FOR FOODIES “These delightful glass ornaments [$40, Sur La Table] come in a range of on-theme designs, from a dirty martini to a plate of deviled eggs.” —Nicole Papantoniou, Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab director NAILED IT “A 2025 GH Beauty Award winner, this five-piece Build Your System Kit [$80, Dazzle Dry], with nail prep solution, polish, and lacquer, is perfect for manicure lovers.” —Sabina Wizemann, Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab director THE GIFT OF SLEEP “This Slip silk sleep mask [$69 to $80, Amazon] feels great on my skin, and the stretchy back band fits comfortably around my curls.” —Emma Seymour, Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab associate director SOAP STAR “L’Avant High Performing Dish Soap [$26, L’Avant Collective] comes in a beautiful refillable glass bottle. It is plant-based,…

1 Top Toothbrush Banish plaque with Colgate‘s high-density floss-tip bristles, which get into the gumline and between teeth.  LAB RESULTS: All testers raved that the brush cleaned teeth effectively and made brushing convenient and said they would recommend it to others. COLGATE TOTAL ACTIVE PREVENTION FOAMING CLEAN TOOTHBRUSH, $5, WALMART 2 Power Toothpaste Crest‘s newest paste goes beyond removing surface stains—it dissolves the bonds that lock stains onto teeth.  LAB RESULTS: This formula received the best score among whitening toothpastes for making teeth appear whiter after three weeks of use. CREST 3DWHITE DEEP STAIN REMOVER DAILY TOOTHPASTE, $13, TARGET 3 Revolutionary Rinse Finally, from Listerine, there’s an effective mouthwash that won’t irritate sensitive teeth and gums.  LAB RESULTS: All users gave it the highest scores for long-lasting freshness and great…

Do you ever feel as if happiness, energy, and stress are all in your head? To the extent that dopamine is involved, you are correct. “Dopamine benefits us because it reinforces essential behaviors such as eating when hungry, drinking when thirsty, and reproduction,” says Emily Gordon, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and director of the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. “It gives you a sense of accomplishment.” BEYOND THE BUZZ The brain has billions of neurons that transfer messages from one nerve cell to the next, directing all our movements and emotions. “Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that is sometimes referred to as ‘the feel-good neurotransmitter’ because it’s integral to the brain’s reward system, pleasure, and motivation,” says Charlotte Markey, Ph.D., a…

A Cut Above This set of knives from Victorinox can serve as everyday cutting tools or as extras for barbecues. Along with the wide assortment of knives comes a lightweight knife roll. LAB RESULTS: These knives proved sharp in our tests; the chef’s knife whizzed through onions, glided through tomatoes, and didn’t bruise herbs. It has a comfortable handle and is balanced. VICTORINOX SWISS CLASSIC 7-PIECE BBQ SET, $276 Frozen Fun GreenPan’s all-in-one appliance makes ice cream, sorbet, and frozen drinks like smoothies and cocktails. There are easy-to-use preset programs and multiple colors to choose from. LAB RESULTS: It outperformed competitors by making everything from light and fluffy frozen margaritas to thick, creamy soft serve that held its shape well when dispensed. GREENPAN FROST ICE CREAM & FROZEN DRINK MAKER,…

BAKE & ENJOY Scan the code for more of our favorite cookies.…

RAZZLE-DAZZLES MVH Active 20 min. | Total 50 min. plus chilling and cooling 3 cups all-purpose flour1 tsp cream of tartar½ tsp baking soda½ tsp kosher salt1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temp½ cup packed light brown sugar1⅓ cups granulated sugar, divided2 large eggs1 tsp pure vanilla extract2 1.3-oz pkgs. freeze-dried raspberries (2½ cups), divided 1. In medium bowl, whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. 2. Using electric mixer, beat butter, brown sugar, and 1 cup granulated sugar on medium, scraping down bowl halfway through, until light and fluffy, about 3 min. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, then vanilla, scraping down bowl as needed. 3. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture and mix until just incorporated. Using rubber spatula,…

WEIMAN HARDWOOD FLOOR CLEANER, $14, AMAZON WHY IT EARNED THE GH SEAL Our experts like that the liquid formula dries quickly and can be used on traditional, laminate, and vinyl plank floors. 1 JUST SQUEEZE AND SHINE Some floor cleaners require users to dilute the formula first, but Weiman makes things simple. After vacuuming, just apply a generous amount to your floor. Then spread the cleaner evenly with a clean, damp mop and allow it to dry. The cleaner also works in refillable spray mops. 2 REMOVES TOUGH STAINS In GH Cleaning Lab evaluations, Weiman Hardwood Floor Cleaner was able to remove scuff marks and common household stains like dried-on chocolate syrup, red wine, soda, and egg. It even tackled tough things such as crayon markings, making it a great…