Inside the December 2011 Issue of ShopSmart

FEATURES:                                                                                                           

Feel-good gifts. (p.22)  You know how good it feels to give the perfect gift – and this year, it can feel even better.  ShopSmart found great holiday gifts for under $50 from sites that donate to charity, protect the planet, promote fair trade, or all of the above.

Instant holiday style. (p.32)  Prepping for the holidays can be time-consuming, but it doesn't have to be!  ShopSmart reveals seven design and baking projects that will leave the house looking festive and the hosts well-rested.

Join the club! (p.38)  Even if you have a small family or live alone, joining a warehouse club can mean big savings on everyday purchases.  ShopSmart sent shoppers out to buy common items at warehouse clubs, online, and at chain stores to compare prices and find out when the warehouse deals came out on top.

THE BUYING GUIDE:

Shop smarter this holiday season. (p.4)  ShopSmart shares tips for holiday shopping, including how to get free shipping and save big bucks on all of your gifts.

Gift cards can be naughty or nice. (p.15)  New federal rules governing gift cards have eliminated some of their major drawbacks.  ShopSmart tells you everything you need to know before buying or redeeming another gift card.

Pimple treatments for grown-ups. (p.19)  More than a quarter of women over the age of forty report still having acne.  ShopSmart gives advice on how to fight and prevent bad skin when you're no longer an adolescent.

Fix it or ditch it? (p.50)  ShopSmart helps you determine when it's worth fixing an appliance or when you should just throw in the towel and buy a new one.

Watch those liquid calories! (p.55)  ShopSmart offers a list of diet killing drinks and smart swaps to make sure that you don't put on weight by drinking your calories this holiday season.

Shop safer. (p.82)  ShopSmart keeps you safe this holiday season with important ways to outsmart car thieves and other criminals while you are out shopping.

Also in this issue…

• Best Coasters (p.10)
• Best Websites to Rent Clothing (p.11)
• Best Ovens (p.45)
• Best Over-the-Range Microwaves (p.49)
• Best Coffeemakers (p.52)
• Best Milk Swaps (p.58)
• Best High-Tech Toys (p.59)
• Best Store-Bought Chocolate-Chip Cookies (p.68)
• Best Gadget Gifts (p.71)
• Best Batteries (p.77)
• Best Tires (p.80)
• Best Car Batteries (p.81)

About Consumer Reports:
Consumer Reports is the world's largest independent product-testing organization.  Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually.  Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website, and other publications.  Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.

About ShopSmart magazine:
Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon the publication's celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. ShopSmart features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and "best of the best" lists. It's ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time. ShopSmart has a newsstand price of $4.99 and is available nationwide at major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Borders, Kroger, Safeway and Publix. ShopSmart is available by subscription at www.ShopSmartmag.org.  

ShopSmart is available 10 times a year.

Subscribe at www.ShopSmartmag.org.

SOURCE ShopSmart Magazine