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Buy It: Threshold 3-Quart Rectangular Baking Dish ($20, Target) Buy It: Our Table Dutch Oven ($55, Bed Bath & Beyond)

If you’re struggling to set New Year’s resolutions for 2021, not to worry—I’ve rounded up some of our editors’ best ideas to help you have the best year possible, even amid so much uncertainty about what the year may hold. As with all resolutions, keep in mind that you don’t have to start on January 1. I’m a firm believer that you should start the day you make the resolution, whether that’s in December, February, or at any point in the year....

Botanical Name: Acer palmatum Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade Size: 2-30 feet tall (depending on variety) Zones: 5–8 Botanical Name: Acer palmatum ‘Sangokaku’ Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade Size: 15–20 feet tall, 12 feet wide Zones: 5–8 Botanical Name: Acer griseum Growing Conditions: Full sun Size: 20–30 feet tall, 12 feet wide Zones: 5–7 Botanical Name: Acer saccharum Growing Conditions: Full sun Size: 50–75 feet tall, 30–45 feet wide Zones: 4–8 Botanical Name: Acer saccharinum Growing Conditions: Full sun Size: 60–80 feet tall, 40–60 feet wide Zones: 3–9 Botanical Name: Acer rubrum Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade Size: 40–60 feet tall, 30–40 feet wide Zones: 3–9 Botanical Name: Acer campestre Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade Size: 20–35 feet tall, 20–30 feet wide Zones: 5–8 Botanical Name: Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ Growing Conditions: Full sun Size: 35–45 feet tall, 25–30 feet wide Zones: 3–7 Botanical Name: Acer pectinatum ssp....

1. Buy Energy-Efficient Appliances Major appliances are your home’s third-biggest energy hog, behind heating, cooling, and water heating. Replace outdated appliances with efficient new models. In the long run, replacing old appliances will help your bills and the environment. Energy Star-qualified models have a range of efficiencies, so compare models and go with the most efficient. 2. Use Occupancy Sensors Turn off the lights when you leave a room. If that’s difficult for you or your kids to remember, buy lights with occupancy sensors that automatically turn off when there hasn’t been any movement for a period of time....

Make It Yours: This coastal living room skews modern thanks to a subdued palette and sleek gold and black accents. For added color, apply blue on walls instead of white and incorporate another splashy hue as an accent through accessories or artwork. To relax the look, bring in additional nods to nature, such as a driftwood centerpiece, woven baskets, or rattan accent furniture. Make It Yours: Go a few shades darker on the cabinet paint color for added contrast, or opt for white on the upper cabinets for an airier look....

Buy It: Crock-Pot 4-Quart Slow Cooker ($50, Bed Bath & Beyond Bath & Beyond) Buy It: Navitas Chia Seeds ($8, Target) Buy It: Ello Tumbler with Lid ($9, Target)

Buy It: Mainstays Nonstick 9x9-Inch Square Cake Pan ($5, Walmart) Buy It: Wilton Bake It Simply Aluminized Steel Nonstick Oblong Cake Pan ($10, Walmart) Buy It: Wilton 9-Inch Nonstick Ultra Bake Professional Round Cake Pan ($8, Target) Buy It: OXO Nonstick Pro Cooling Rack ($17, Target) Test Kitchen Tip: To avoid crumbs in your frosting, brush cake layers with a pastry brush. After stacking cake layers, spread the sides of the cake with a thin coat of frosting (aka crumb coat)....

Editor’s Tip: Want to make your pumpkin planter last year after year? Instead of planting your flowers directly into the pumpkin, place a potted plant inside the cavity and remove it once the season is over.

Test Kitchen Tip: Assemble this make-ahead Christmas appetizer recipe up to 8 hours before serving.

Editor’s Tip: For a sweet-smelling fall centerpiece, add potpourri of your choice.

Whether it’s crème brûlée, creamy flan, or a classic cheesecake, most custard-based recipes have the same starting ingredients: cream, sugar, and eggs. But, instead of buying and whipping up those ingredients separately, use ice cream as one ingredient to replace them all. Utilizing ice cream as the shortcut ingredient in this 3-ingredient crème brûlée is how you quick-start a deliciously creamy dessert. Since so many are making fancy burnt cream at home, we had to try this one....

Repeating the sophisticated style of the front entry, a new second-story porch to the left extends the home’s gracious exterior details. Low-maintenance vinyl siding in ocean blue contrasts nicely with the wood door and white trim.

Selecting and Storing Kale Before we can get to cooking kale, it’s important to know what to look for when choosing kale to buy. Opt for crisp, tender leaves that are richly colored and stems that are moist and fresh-looking. Avoid wilted or yellow leaves. Smaller leaves will be more tender and have a milder flavor than large leaves. Store unwashed kale in a storage bag for up to three days in the refrigerator....