With the economic forecast as wild as the weather, maybe this holiday season, it makes sense to be the one giving a practical—yet still luxurious –gift to your friends and family: a down and feather comforter and pillow set!  Your son, the college freshman; your newlywed daughter; Grandma and Grandpa…everyone appreciates a warm and fluffy comforter set. And, a down and feather comforter allows you to turn your thermostat down at night to save on the cost of heating your home (The U.S. Department of Energy says that a ten degree drop in heating use at night yields a 10% decrease in your bill..) To make sure you get what you are looking for, here are a few tips from the American Down and Feather Council on how to purchase the gift that will keep your friends and family warm, allow them to save money and permit them to settle down for a long night’s rest.

 1.Hard of Soft? Know your Firmness Preference – Would you prefer to feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud, or do you want a little more support? Compare the ratio of down to feathers. Pillows with a high percentage of down are the softest, a greater blend of down and feathers will provide a more firm sleeping surface, and all-feather pillows will deliver the most support.

2.Hot or Cold? Check out the Insulation Quality – Fill power measures the insulating ability of downComforters with high fill power will keep you warmer with less weight. Look for a fill power number of 550 and above when choosing a down comforter.

 3.Sewn-through or Baffle? Choose a Construction Type – Construction of the pillow or comforter impacts on its overall comfort and durability. In a comforter, look for sewn-through boxes or baffle box construction. In those that are sewn-through, the top and bottom fabric are stitched together, preferably in a box pattern. Baffle box construction features three dimensional boxes created with strips of fabric. Both of these construction types prevent shifting of the filling, keeping you warm and cozy. Whether buying a pillow or comforter, check that the seams are sturdy.

 4.Tight or Loose? Make sure the Products are Downproof – To keep the down and feathers from leaking out or “downproof,” the product’s shell should have a thread count of at least 230. Higher thread counts are not necessarily better, but it takes a minimum of 230 to be considered downproof.

 5.Has it been checked? Look For and Understand the Label – Federal and state regulations specify how down and feather products may be labeled. In the U.S., any product that is labeled as a down comforter is required by law to contain at least 75% down.