Gifts & Holidays

Thirty-four Halloween party ideas covering decorations, lighting, food, games and the full supply list, plus four safety points from the CDC, FTC, CPSC and OSHA on contact lenses, costumes, candles and dry ice.

Forty Father’s Day gift ideas sorted by the kind of father you are buying for, plus the NIOSH, CPSC and FDA facts behind three of the most common dad gifts — ear defenders, anything with a lithium-ion battery, and sunscreen.

Forty Mother’s Day gift ideas sorted by the kind of mother you are buying for, plus three label claims the FDA and FTC say mean far less than they look like — hypoallergenic, supplement health claims and Made in USA.

Twenty-eight Valentine’s Day gift ideas for him and her, matched to how long you have been together, plus what the FDA says about fragrance labels and chocolate near dogs, and the FTC’s rule on anyone you have never met.

Thirty-two Easter gift and basket ideas by age, a four-part formula for a basket that is not just sugar, and the three safety facts the USDA, CDC and CPSC publish about eggs, chicks and basket toys.

Twenty-five Thanksgiving host gifts that land, grouped by when the host will actually use them — plus the USDA and FDA rules that matter if your gift is something you cooked.

Forty Christmas gift ideas for someone who has just bought a house, plus the four safety items new homeowners almost never buy for themselves — with the EPA, CPSC and USFA numbers behind them.

Forty-four Christmas gift ideas for the four hardest people to shop for, plus how to read the label on jewellery, knitwear and leather so you know what you are actually paying for.

Forty-five Christmas gift ideas sorted by budget, with an honest account of what each tier actually buys — plus the three federal shopping rules that decide whether you can get your money back.

Fifty specific Christmas gift ideas grouped by who you are buying for, with honest price bands instead of made-up prices, plus the gift card rules and toy safety checks worth knowing before you spend.