Issues and Ideas

Learn about important issues facing America and discover the innovative products, people, ideas and stories that make our nation great.

12 More Things Your Mall Santa Won't Tell You Mall Santas from around the country share their best secrets -- from how they get their beard to smell nice to how they deal with complex questions from the little ones!

13 Things Your Mall Santa Won't Tell You Ever wondered what it's like to be a mall Santa --The object of adoration of kids and adults alike? Here mall Santas from around the country share their best secrets like how they manage screaming kids, sticky conversations, and that Santa beard!

Quick Study: Census 2010 Every ten years, the U.S. government essentially takes attendance, using results to distribute seats in the House of Representatives and $400 billion in federal aid. Will this year’s census make some people angry? We can count on it.

The Best Advice for Planning to Pay for College Consider this required reading: Whether your student is many years or mere months away from college, here's a foolproof plan that tells you everything you need to know.

ResourcesFrom our Advertisers

See All
1 Finding Gilbert
While stationed in France during World War II, an American soldier took a seven-year-old orphan under his wing. Decades later, his daughter made it her mission to locate that boy.
2 13 Things Your Waiter Won't Tell You
Waiters share insider secrets about restaurants--from what days to avoid dining out to how much to tip.
3 13 Things Your Pizza Guy Won't Tell You
Pizza delivery guys share their secrets, tips and best etiquette advice.

The Latest in Issues and Ideas
See All
1New Ways to Save for College
Check out some of the smart ways you can start saving for your kids' college tuition.
2The Good Military Food Fight
Far from the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq, a small army of scientists is facing a different kind of foe: bad chow
3A Look at Army MREs (Meals Ready to Eat)
Thanks to innovative processing techniques, soldiers are eating better than ever.Read more about the army's culinary revolution.
44 Ways of Looking at a Wall
Feats of engineering and artistry from China to the U.S.-Mexican border.

How to Finish a Basement: Framing and Insulating
How to frame a basement and install insulation.
50 Funniest Jokes
Laugh more, live longer with the funniest jokes ever.
27 Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Surround your perfect turkey with these irresistible sides.
6 Delicious Christmas Cookie Recipes
Bake a batch of any of these easy to follow recipes or just drool over the stunning Christmas cookie pictures.
How To Install a Bow Window
How to frame a rough window opening, install a new window, trim out the interior and exterior around a new window, plus all of the finishing touches.

Peace: 50 Years of Protest

Here is the amazing story of how a sign of protest became the world's greatest symbol for peace.

Check out the book

Get It Through E-mail

Want more from RD.com? Sign up to receive the ThisWeek@rd.com newsletter.

See a Sample
Choose from all our newsletters
Sign up for our RSS feeds instead

Learn about important issues facing America and discover the innovative products, people, ideas and stories that make our nation great.

Peace: 50 Years of Protest

Check out the book

Reader's Digest Around the World