We Tested 11 Brands: These Are the Best Hand Soap Options
What's the best hand soap for your kitchen? We tested 11 popular brands and found the best antibacterial, moisturizing, natural and foaming options. The post We Tested 11 Brands: These Are the Best Hand Soap Options appeared first on Taste of Home.
© Prostock-Studio/Getty Images You don't have to love every gift that comes your way. Whether you've received a sweater that's just not your style or yet another pair of mittens, some items may be better off under someone else's tree. A great way to get rid of unwanted presents is to regift them—but the practice comes with some very specific social rules. We asked etiquette experts to break them down.
What is regifting?
Regifting is the process of receiving a gift and then passing it on to another person. Think of the process like a traveling sisterhood of gifts making their way from one recipient to the next, but doing it tactfully is incredibly important. "At its heart, regifting lacks integrity because the original gift recipient is passing along a gift that was specifically selected for them to someone else," shares Sharon Schweitzer, an international etiquette expert and author. "It has become more acceptable in certain social circles." That means it's OK to regift, but only when the time, recipient, and gift align appropriately.
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Give your favorite gardener these harvest baskets, pruners, and hot pink garden twine, and reap the rewards come summer.Celeste, an avid gardener, had spent the last decade nourishing this Brooklyn space into a lush, dappled paradise—planting frilly ferns and pothos lillies against the shaded back fence, winterizing the fig tree in thick blankets before the first snow, and, building and tending to the three large raised beds where she grew vegetables and herbs, which she’d harvest and leave on my doorstep, edible bouquets stuffed into a mason jar. Now, the garden was mine.
Is it good or bad to regift?
There's no easy answer to this question—regifting can either be a stroke of genius or a lightning bolt of bad social luck. "Always regift out of an abundance of consideration, never a lack of it," explains Heather Wiese Alexander, etiquette expert and founder of Bell'INVITO Stationery & Home. In other words, regifting should never be used as a solution to simply dispose of unwanted items—don't let your passed-on gift become someone else's problem.
Schweitzer suggests regifting in circles that might never meet or interact with each other. Focusing on widely-appreciated items also helps you nail the formula with ease. "Don't regift within the same circle. Instead, regift within different family, friends, and work circles to avoid hurt feelings or awkward situations. If you think your aunt won't notice that your mother received the exact same Nutribullet that she gave you for your birthday at your family's Christmas gathering—think again!"
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Beyond stepping outside your circle, removing any trace of personalization is extremely important to attempt this popular money-saving move. "It should be in its original packaging and fully sealed exactly as if purchased new," Schweitzer says. "Avoid regifting engraved, monogrammed, or otherwise personalized gifts that are clearly intended for a specific recipient."
Schweitzer says repackaging is half the battle, and you should always consider personalizing your wrapping for the next recipient. "These all-purpose gifts may be well-received as regifted items. Make sure you place them in a new gift box or wrap them nicely in the recipient's favorite color."
Gifts you can always regift
"There are some perfect items to regift under the right circumstances," Wiese Alexander says. "If you are flooded with gifts from a registry or you have new, unused duplicates and you are able to give one as a gift, it's OK."
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It’s an excellent time to pick up holiday gifts.
Alcohol
High-end alcohol varieties are ripe for regifting. "If you know that the recipient will enjoy the wine or spirit, pop that bottle in an elegant wine bag and regift it immediately," Schweitzer advises. "Specialty beer, spirits, and wine bottles are perfect for regifting for the appropriate recipient if the bottle still has the original seal." Alternatively, if you have a wine subscription from a service like Wine Insiders or receive a full case as a gift, you can give a single bottle as a regift.
© via wineinsiders.com Shop Now
Small kitchen appliances
This practical genre of re-giftable items relies on unopened boxes. "Small appliances including cordless mixers, mini waffle-makers, rice cookers, and gadgets are great for regifting," Schweitzer says. "As always, make sure the items are in their original packaging and remain unused." Affordable items like a Pioneer Woman portable slow cooker are universally useful and make excellent hostess gifts.
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Scented candles
Scented candles can make perfect regifts, "If you know the recipient likes or wears this fragrance, and it's still in its original packaging," Schweitzer explains. A beautifully presented high-end candle, like the Bamboo Scented Classic Candle from Nest New York, will always be an excellent regift.
12 Experience Gifts for People Who Don’t Want ‘Things’
My husband and I have an understanding: Instead of getting each other physical gifts, we give experiences. I mean, I’ll still welcome a nice piece of jewelry any day but I’d rather take a weekend trip or tune into a crafting class. In fact, some of the best gifts I’ve given him are experiences, such as a personalized video from a basketball player on the New York Knicks via Cameo and a tie-dying class from Uncommon Goods. While there might notWhile there might not be a physical present to unwrap, experience-based gifts are the gifts that keep on giving.
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Some types of clothing
"If it's unworn, the original tags are still on and it's a one-size-fits-most, regift. Hats, scarves, socks, wraps, and fashionable items are ideal for regifting," Schweitzer adds while emphasizing the need to steer clear of size-specific items. Shoes, pants, and undergarments may be simply too personal. Neutral colors and patterns, like the one in this bestselling Amazon scarf, are always a hit.
© Via Amazon.com Shop Now
Gifts you should not regift
Wiese Alexander says it's important to never regift anything that's been opened or used. You shouldn't regift personal scents like perfumes and cologne or monogrammed and homemade items either.
Undergarments and pajamas
They may be the most gorgeous silk pajamas in the history of humankind, but size-specific clothes are usually a no-go for regifting. Keep the pajamas or exchange them for a size that fits, and try not to regift anything that ventures into deeply personal territory. If you're buying for yourself, however, these silky pajamas make an excellent "treat yourself" gift.
© Via Amazon.com Shop Now
Perfume and cologne
"Scents are very personal," Wiese Alexander says. "If your friend has been talking about how much they love a specific new scent and you just happen to have it but never used it, go for it. Otherwise, steer clear of fragrances." This highly-rated vanilla perfume is a sweet pick, but only if you're absolutely confident the recipient will like it. Here's how to score a free perfume at Sephora.
Get Amazing Meals at an Amazing Discount With Blue Apron’s Flash Sale
Get Amazing Meals at an Amazing Discount With Blue Apron’s Flash SaleLuckily for you guys, there are great meal delivery services out there to help things go easier during your day. But there’s one that stands atop the pack in our minds. One that is in the midst of a great flash sale that will go until December 5th, 2021. And that service is Blue Apron.
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Monogrammed anything
Even if they have the same initials as you, monogrammed items are as personal as you can get. It's best to avoid regifting these. Keep these gifts for yourself and display them proudly. We like this piped edge bath towel because you can choose to personalize it or opt out.
© via weezietowels.com Shop Now
Homemade items
If you're regifting a freshly-purchased fruit basket, Wiese Alexander says you're in the clear and it should be well-appreciated. But if you're taking the banana bread your neighbor dropped by your door this morning as a housewarming gift to a colleague, it's just not right. Aside from possible hygiene and health issues, homemade gifts come from the heart and are meant to be used and appreciated by the intended recipient. If you don't have time to make your own special gift, consider giving artisan-made items that are still in obviously unbothered packaging, like this flower smudge stick.
© via WeekendWarriorTX/etsy.com Shop Now
What is the most regifted gift?
Both experts agree wine and candles top the list of regifted items. That's good news because both are etiquette expert-approved choices that will make the recipient feel appreciated.
Sources:
- Sharon Schweitzer, etiquette expert and author
- Heather Wiese Alexander, etiquette expert and founder of Bell'INVITO Stationery & Home
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Find some quiet in the crowd
First, a quick primer for true first-timers: Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California includes two theme parks, the original "Happiest Place on Earth" Disneyland (the one with Sleeping Beauty's iconic castle, Space Mountain, and the Matterhorn), and Disney California Adventure (the one with Cars Land, the Pixar Pier, etc.).
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30 Diabetes-Friendly Desserts You'll Want to Make Forever
Most of the tips in this insider's guide will be about Disneyland, but every so often, we'll throw in a California Adventure tip or two. like this one from the bonafide Disney experts at DIS: If the crowds at California Adventure are closing in, grab a snack and look for the quiet lower level of the Silly Symphony Swings ride. This covered space with lots of benches overlooks the lake and is usually almost empty.
At Disneyland park, head for a cute (and usually empty) seating area next to a tiny lake between the Matterhorn and It's a Small World rides. Even more hidden is a "secret" walkway with view of Tom Sawyer Island, Splash Mountain, and the Rivers of America. It's located right behind the Harbour Galley food stand across from the Haunted Mansion. Find out all the differences between Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World you never knew existed.
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Get in the driver's seat
VIPs and celebrities aren't the only ones who can access exclusive, "secret" experiences. Want to steer the Mark Twain Riverboat? Before boarding the ship, just ask a cast member (that's "employee" in Disneyspeak) if you can see the captain's quarters. They don't have to say yes, but if you're lucky, they'll lead you upstairs for a bird's eye view, says Disney super fan JJ of the Mousertainment blog.
If you play your cards right, you can also sit in the "nose cone" of the famous monorail for amazing views as you zoom through an atrium of one of the Disneyland Resort hotels. Mouse for Less blogger Vikki Turner recommends staying to the left of the ramp as you enter the monorail line in Tomorrowland and standing at the first entry gate to your left. At that point, ask the cast member if you can sit up front with the driver—it's not guaranteed, so good luck!
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Eat like a caveman
When you think of theme-park fare, visions of fried dough and towering ice cream cones probably dance in your head. Disneyland has plenty of those. But it also boasts savory snacks and meals that even a Paleo, vegan, or low-carb eater can munch, like meat-and-vegetable skewers at Bengal Barbecue in Adventureland, organic chickpea puffs and plantain chips at The Tropical Hideaway by the Enchanted Tiki Room, and a vegan hot dog with spicy lentil chili at the Harbour Galley by the Rivers of America. And don't forget: You can always get an entree salad at one of the big sit-down restaurants—or a quick-service Greek salad at the Paradise Garden Grill in California Adventure. These are the 25 healthiest foods at Walt Disney World, many of which are also available at Disneyland.
9 Gifts for Kids Who Love To Cook, According to a Kid Who Loves To Cook
I live with my 4-year-old son Arthur (or Artie) in a relatively small apartment in Brooklyn, New York where we have only one real closet and almost every square inch is maxed out. For me, that means that every toy I buy for him has to cross off more than one box to make the cut. In a perfect world, all of his toys are fun, educational to some degree, and easy on the eyes (and ears). With the guidelines I’ve set for Artie, I’ve put together a list of gifts perfect for kids who love food and cooking. These beautiful and functional toys and accessories may just inspire a life-long interest in the culinary arts, which I already see in Artie.
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Meet the princesses (for free)
Dedicated fans can make reservations for pricey "character dining" meals where you are certain to meet some of your favorite Disney princesses. But there are two free ways to do the same thing. First, spend some quality time strolling around Fantasyland—that's where princesses like Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, and Tiana often hang out signing autographs. The other option is Anna & Elsa's Royal Welcome inside the Disney Animation Building at California Adventure. There's usually a decent wait, but each fan gets a chance to meet, hug, and talk to Elsa and Anna in a way that somehow never feels rushed. Here are 8 more secret spots in Disney parks you never knew existed.
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Download the Disney apps
Disney diehards say that the smartphone apps are a must for a great Disneyland visit these days. The main Disneyland app has an interactive map with GPS so you know right where you are, showtimes for fireworks and other live performances, and perhaps most important: current wait times for popular rides! The new Play Disney Parks app lets you distract yourself and your kids in a Disney-ish way (rather than, say, with Twitter, email, or Candy Crush) while you're waiting in line by playing games, answering Disney trivia, and unlocking in-park digital badges. Both are free.
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Cut the line
Regulars will be familiar with this one, but Disneyland newbies, listen up! You're going to want to take advantage of the FASTPASS system to cut wait times for about a dozen of the park's most-visited rides. (Disney World fans: Note that the passes work differently at the California parks than they do in Florida!)
There are two ways to use FASTPASS at Disneyland and Calfornia Adventure—one is free and the other is not. First, the free way. Simply go to the ride, look for the FASTPASS Distribution area near the entrance, insert your Disneyland Resort ticket into the machine, then go back to the ride during the window of time shown on your receipt. Go through the FASTPASS Return entrance, not the regular line, and enjoy!
If you're really pressed for time, have mobility issues, or don't mind dropping some more cash, get the MaxPass for an additional $15 per ticket. It lets you reserve FASTPASSes from your mobile phone instead of having to walk all the way to the rides to get them.
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Never stand in line for food again!
Speaking of apps (see above), the Disneyland app now lets you do something truly amazing: mobile order meals and snacks at about two dozen restaurants and food stands in Disneyland and California Adventure parks. Just order up your iconic Dole Whip from the Tiki Juice Bar (which often has crazy-long lines) and...go get it!
Want smaller portions and lower prices? Order off the kids' menu. "I used to get a kid's meal on my lunch break," a former cast member told Reader's Digest. "It's a good deal because the food is better for you, you get snack options, and you don't need this quadruple serving of food." Here are 22 more secrets that Disney cast members don't tell you.
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Leave your selfie sticks (and drones and glass drinkware) at home
Disney parks banned selfie sticks in 2015 because of concerns that people could stick them out while on rides and accidentally knock into important ride or safety equipment, according to the BBC. Drones are a no-no too, as are any glass containers except for tiny baby food jars. Check out 15 other surprising items that are banned from Disney parks.
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Get the best seat on the ride
The Mad Tea Party ride (otherwise known as the teacups) tends to make grown-ups a little sick. But did you know all of the cups spin at different speeds? If you want a smoother, slower spin, sit in one of the two cups with hearts on the side—they spin the slowest, according to the insiders at All Ears. Want more dizzies? The orange diamond and purple cups are fastest.
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Order secret treats at Disney food stands
Los Angeles Magazine has let the cat out of the bag: Disneyland restaurants and food stands have a secret, insiders-only menu! Some of the most delicious-sounding options: ice cream nachos at the Golden Horseshoe, a cheeseburger "galactic-style" (extra sauteed onions and French fries on the burger) from the Galatic Grill in Tomorrowland, and the loaded tater tots from the River Belle Terrace. If you're hungry for more Disneyland food secrets, check out the Disney Food Blog.
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Birthday? Honeymoon? Ask for a
If you're celebrating a special occasion, stop by Disneyland's City Hall first thing. It's just to the left of the main entrance and there you can pick up a free button that'll tell everyone it's your special day. Not only is it just plain fun to feel special, but you might also get some unexpected, free perks. Disney fan Kim Renfro writes that when she and her husband were on their honeymoon, a nice cast member let them skip to the head of the line on Pirates of the Caribbean. When Kim's mom celebrated a birthday there and donned her birthday button, "the Main Street barbershop quartet stopped to sing her a special (and hilarious) birthday song, and a restaurant we stopped in for dinner brought out free birthday donuts complete with a candle." Don't miss these 14 other insider secrets from a Disney super fan.
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Know what's closed before you go
Nothing's sadder than showing up at Disneyland only to find out that your favorite ride is closed for refurbishment. Things are always changing at the park, and a handful of rides are usually being fixed up on any given day. The pros at DIS keep their refurbishment schedule more up-to-date than any other we've found. But things do sometimes change at the last minute, so log into the Disney app a few days before you go for an up-to-the-minute report. Read on to find out what's coming to Disney in 2019.
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The post Experts Explain 4 Gifts You Can Always Regift, and 4 Gifts You Probably Shouldn’t appeared first on Reader's Digest.
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9 Gifts for Kids Who Love To Cook, According to a Kid Who Loves To Cook .
I live with my 4-year-old son Arthur (or Artie) in a relatively small apartment in Brooklyn, New York where we have only one real closet and almost every square inch is maxed out. For me, that means that every toy I buy for him has to cross off more than one box to make the cut. In a perfect world, all of his toys are fun, educational to some degree, and easy on the eyes (and ears). With the guidelines I’ve set for Artie, I’ve put together a list of gifts perfect for kids who love food and cooking. These beautiful and functional toys and accessories may just inspire a life-long interest in the culinary arts, which I already see in Artie.
What's the best hand soap for your kitchen? We tested 11 popular brands and found the best antibacterial, moisturizing, natural and foaming options. The post We Tested 11 Brands: These Are the Best Hand Soap Options appeared first on Taste of Home. 
Give your favorite gardener these harvest baskets, pruners, and hot pink garden twine, and reap the rewards come summer.Celeste, an avid gardener, had spent the last decade nourishing this Brooklyn space into a lush, dappled paradise—planting frilly ferns and pothos lillies against the shaded back fence, winterizing the fig tree in thick blankets before the first snow, and, building and tending to the three large raised beds where she grew vegetables and herbs, which she’d harvest and leave on my doorstep, edible bouquets stuffed into a mason jar. Now, the garden was mine. 
Winning images of the Travel Photographer of the Year 2020 or TPOTY, from incredible and inspiring landscapes to cultural scenes, the best wildlife photography and images of life in lockdown during COVID-19. 
It’s an excellent time to pick up holiday gifts. 
My husband and I have an understanding: Instead of getting each other physical gifts, we give experiences. I mean, I’ll still welcome a nice piece of jewelry any day but I’d rather take a weekend trip or tune into a crafting class. In fact, some of the best gifts I’ve given him are experiences, such as a personalized video from a basketball player on the New York Knicks via Cameo and a tie-dying class from Uncommon Goods. While there might notWhile there might not be a physical present to unwrap, experience-based gifts are the gifts that keep on giving. 
Get Amazing Meals at an Amazing Discount With Blue Apron’s Flash SaleLuckily for you guys, there are great meal delivery services out there to help things go easier during your day. But there’s one that stands atop the pack in our minds. One that is in the midst of a great flash sale that will go until December 5th, 2021. And that service is Blue Apron. 
30 Diabetes-Friendly Desserts You'll Want to Make Forever 
I live with my 4-year-old son Arthur (or Artie) in a relatively small apartment in Brooklyn, New York where we have only one real closet and almost every square inch is maxed out. For me, that means that every toy I buy for him has to cross off more than one box to make the cut. In a perfect world, all of his toys are fun, educational to some degree, and easy on the eyes (and ears). With the guidelines I’ve set for Artie, I’ve put together a list of gifts perfect for kids who love food and cooking. These beautiful and functional toys and accessories may just inspire a life-long interest in the culinary arts, which I already see in Artie. 
best silk pajamas 
best vanilla perfumes 
wine bottles gift with 
