Two of the industry leaders Temper-pedic and Select Comfort, who makes the sleep number bed, reported growth in unit sales. This was echoed by some of the other industry leaders, so if a better night’s sleep is in your future here are a couple of major decision points.

Inner Spring vs Foam –

If you are a inner spring (traditional) person there are a few different kinds. These are my two favorite choices if you have a budget for the higher end mattresses. The blog My Foam Mattress provides these descriptions of the Open-ended and Pocket spring models.

Open-ended springs – all joined together by a wire network set up in the middle of each spring, thus leaving the top and bottom of each spring to move freely in order to independently adjust to the specific weight placed on it
Pocket springs – each spring is placed in its own separate fabric pocket and not connected in any way with the other springs, which allows independent compression of the springs, even if the mattress covering does limit some of the springs’ freedom of movement (these are the most expensive models and are said to be the most comfortable)

Springs do give a familiar feel with ample support in these models above. Many experts say a mattress should last at least 10 years, so divide that out by the number of nights used and you have a pretty sound, reasonable investment.

The Foam Memory mattress is a completely different feel than an inner-spring mattress. it is comprised of billions of cells of air which respond to the body weight. Many say to look for closed cells which provide slightly more support than open cells. This is called Visco-Elastic Memory Foam. Another type of mattress is made of Talalay Latex, this is a closed cell process and produces a different feel from an open cell process.

A popular type of bed for certain segments of the population are adjustable beds. Sleep Comfort is a leading manufacturer of adjustable beds with a variety of mattress types. You can put any mattress style on the frame. Adjustable beds can be positioned to accommodate comfort or sleeping maladies like excessive snoring (guilty). It’s interesting that some of physical symptoms such as lethargy, lack of focus, or chronic pain may have their cause in a poor mattress. At medical sleep centers around the country such as the Health East Sleep facilities in Minnesota, they examine mechanical devices to prevent sleeping on your back where appropriate

So if fatigue is a symptom then a mattress may well be the solution.

1. It’s a gift that keeps on giving long after the holidays


A gift built for two

2. You use it everyday
3. Immediate relief from some common back pains and even restless sleep
4. Mutual benefits by taking care of two people with one present (yeah ok I’m a little selfish so at least I admit it)

Plenty of choices in mattresses these days– the major one between foam and inner spring. In general, inner spring mattresses are the traditional foundation for sleeping. They tend to be less in price and come in a wide variety of prices with the primary differences being the fillings and tops layers. There is also usually a box spring to be purchased.

Sixty-one percent of consumers on SleepLiketheDead.com say their inner spring mattresses are comfortable compared to 81% of memory foam mattresses owners.

On the foam side there are considerations for those with allergies and potentially those who are significantly overweight. Foam, however has grown tremendously in popularly since coming to the US from Europe. Tempur-Pedic is a leader in memory foam mattresses and has a wonderful holiday gift guide and mattress selection on its website

A couple of excellent review sites for mattress products include Consumer Research and The Mattress Reports

Believe me, if you need a mattress, it’s a better practical holiday gift idea than what my wife needs: snow tires. Yeah, try convincing your spouse that giving them snow tires is a great gift! Wish me luck.