Polish your silver in November to use and display throughout the holiday season. Silver is easily scratched, even by paper towels or other silver pieces, so follow these tips from the experts:
To avoid fingerprints, wear white cotton gloves whenever dealing with silver.
Try washing lightly tarnished pieces with warm water and a gentle dishwashing liquid, then buff dry with a soft cloth, like flannel.
Use a store-bought polish (such as Wright’s silver cream) for bigger jobs, rinsing and drying the pieces with a soft cloth.
If those steps fail to work, try buffing the silver gently with white vinegar.
Home
assemble A WINTER CAR KIT
Before you take off for the holiday, outfit your vehicle with a set of these emergency essentials.
Shovel, ice scraper, and sturdy brush: to help clear snow and ice on and around your car.
Spare hat, waterproof gloves, hand warmers, socks, and blanket: to keep warm in a pinch.
Phone charger: in case your phone battery gets low or dies.
Flares: to help you stay visible if you get stranded on a roadside.
Non-clumping cat litter: to help the car’s drive wheels get traction.
Deicer: to thaw frozen door handles and wipers.
Jumper cables: to restart a dead battery.
Flashlight and extra batteries: to see and be seen in the dark.
IN-SEASON PICKS
Beets Besides the familiar red variety, consider golden beets or pink striated Chioggias. When buying, look for beets that are dense and firm, with taut skin—and with crisp, dark greens attached. Once home, cut the greens to 1 inch; scrub the beets and refrigerate in a plastic bag for up to two weeks. Wash and refrigerate greens in a separate bag, wrapped in damp paper towels, for up to two days.
Persimmons There are two commercial varieties: Hachiya and Fuyu. Look for smooth, firm, deep-colored fruit. Store Fuyus in a plastic bag in the refrigerator; they’ll keep for up to a month. Hachiyas need a few days on your counter to soften up (next to bananas or apples for faster ripening); after that, refrigerate for two or three more weeks.
