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Holiday Gift Guide-Home Decor-Kitchen Aid Hand Mixer

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Disclosure: This is not a compensated or sponsored post. I was provided the product for review purposes only. All opinions expressed here are my own.

If you are like me you have heard about KitchenAid products before, you may have a few in your home. If you are looking for the perfect gift for someone this season; I would recommend the KitchenAid Hand Mixer.

The KitchenAid hand mixer is an excellent product for someone starting out in learning how to cook and bake.

After a lifetime of using both the hand mixer as well as the stand mixer for mixing batters, doughs, frostings, egg whites, and everything in between, I’m convinced the KitchenAid hand mixer is a great addition to any kitchen.

The hand mixer is like the workhorse younger sibling of KitchenAid’s iconic stand mixer.

A hand mixer is a handheld device, typically electric-powered, that rotates a set of beaters to mix ingredients, usually for baking. The mixer is light, most are less than 10 pounds, and can be used in any bowl (although deeper bowls are recommended to prevent splashing).

Benefits of a KitchenAid Hand Mixer

A good hand mixer will always be more affordable than a stand mixer. A KitchenAid hand mixer typically starts at $30-$50 dollars, with top of the line models for less than $200.

A complete hand mixer kit with all the attachments will weight less than half of a stand mixer and take up a fraction of the space. You can tuck it into a cabinet or drawer and its out of the way until you need it. This is a big benefit if you have a smaller kitchen, less counter space, or less storage space. And if you plan to travel with your mixer, it’s no problem to throw a hand mixer in a bag or purse.

Thanks to this smaller footprint, in many cases the hand mixer is simply more convenient. Set up time is usually faster and so you can typically get started mixing more quickly than you could with a stand mixer. You can also use the mixer in any regular bowl, rather than just the bowl that locks into your stand mixer.

Hand mixer cleanup is a breeze. Just unsnap the beaters and wash them. That is if some family member or pet hasn’t licked them clean already.

KitchenAid offers several different models of hand mixer, organized by speed (from 3 speeds to 9 speeds). The more speeds available, the higher the price. In this section, I’ll explain each hand mixer product line, the features and options for each, as well as available colors and pricing.

3-Speed Hand Mixer

The simplest and most affordable is the 3-speed hand mixer. You will get no frills or extras here, just a basic mixer. It only comes in white and only includes one set of stainless steel beater attachments.

5-Speed Hand MIxer

KitchenAid is known for giving customers a galaxy of color options. With the 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer, you get more than 20 color choices, the most of any hand mixer they produce. If picking a unique color is your priority, this is the one to get. These are also some of the same popular colors you’ll find in the stand mixer lineup. So if you’re trying to color-coordinate, here’s where you’ll want to look.

6-Speed Hand Mixer

The 6-speed mixer is something of an anomaly. It only comes in two colors. It doesn’t follow the convention of skipping right from 5- to 7-speed mixers. But it’s still a great mixer.

7-Speed Hand Mixer

We start getting into the high-end territory with the 7-speed mixers. These have digital displays, a few more color options, and come with a whisk attachment as well as beaters.

9-Speed Hand Mixer

KitchenAid’s 9-speed hand mixer is the top of the line option. On top of being more powerful, the more-expensive Architect Series mixer comes with several extra attachments like dough hooks for kneading dough.

If you have someone in your life that wants to learn to cook and bake this is the perfect gift for them this season.

 

Holiday Gift Guide-Home Decor-Yankee Candle

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Disclosure: This is not a compensated or sponsored post. I was provided the product for review purposes only. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Yankee Candle Holiday Collection is a nice bunch of classic holiday fragrance in addition to some wonderful surprises.

This holiday season transform you home into a mountain getaway. The ideal place where friends and family will gather to share the gift of being together. An afternoon of snowy adventures and crisp mountain air give way to late afternoon retreat with cozy blankets, a crackling fire and festive candlelight.

You can find the full Mountain Holiday Collection at YankeeCandle.com and all fragrances in select forms at the retail stores.

I always choose Yankee Candle at the Holidays and here are a few of my favorites from the collection.

After Sledding

The scent of tempting treats – sweet maple, baking spices and vanilla bean – offers a warm welcome after a day of winter fun.

  • Top: Splash of Rum, Maple Toffee, Cinnamon
  • Mid: Salted Caramel Brule, Nutmeg

Base: Vanilla Bean, Maple Drizzle

Alpine Mint

A creamy celebration of fresh mint, dark chocolate, almond and creamy vanilla.

  • Top: Crème de Menthe, Cool Spearmint, Irish Cream
  • Mid: Spiced Rum, Dark Chocolate Syrup

Base: Vanilla Bean, Almond Extract

Christmas Cookies

Buttery rich, vanilla scented, holiday sugar cookies.

  • Top: Creamy Vanilla Bean
  • Mid: Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Sugar

Base: Vanilla, Butter, Baked Notes

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday Gift Guide-Home Décor-Holiday Fun With Michaels

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Disclosure: This is not a compensated or sponsored post. I was provided the product for review purposes only. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Here in the U.S., most people start putting up their holiday trees the day after Thanksgiving toward the end of November. I am an individual who usually does it in December and always looking for new holiday decorations.

We all know how stressful it can be to create the perfect home for the holidays. The Michaels Holiday Shop will give you ideas to make your day less stressful.

Being from New York, one of the things that I missed is Macy’s creation of the, Yes, Virginia. There is a Santa Claus. I love how the set up the table for young children to write letters to Santa.

This year I wanted to create that image here in Louisiana. I was able to purchase two mailboxes and set them up for the local kids to write letters to Santa. Children today have so many things to worry about, that I just wanted them to have time to believe in magic.

The first mailbox that I selected was the 12″ Letters To Santa Mailbox Tabletop Accent by Ashland. I loved that this mailbox had the colors that I was using on my tablescape. The kids loved seeing with my other decorations and wondering what we were going to do with it. Again the mystery of the season, it holds over 12 letters.

 

The other mailbox that I selected was the Assorted Mailbox Tabletop Accent by Ashland®. I loved that this mailbox stands up. This allowed the children to drop their mail in an actual mailbox. I placed it by the door and had so many surprised faces when they saw it. It is also decorated with snow-covered pine trees and festive figurines to add to your holiday décor.

I always love how younger children get excited using an advent calendar to count down to Christmas. This year I was looking for a new way to do a count down. I found the Santa Countdown Tabletop Accent by Ashland® at Michaels and could not wait to get it home. This piece was perfect for our kitchen island so that every day the numbers could be easily changed. It also worked perfectly with our seasonal accents.

Growing up for Christmas one year I got a rocking horse. It was one of my all-time favorite gifts. I wanted to bring back a piece on my childhood so I had been hoping to find a rocking horse for my décor. I was lucky enough to find the Rocking Horse Tabletop Accent by Ashland®. This piece is perfect, it was surrounded by glossy ball ornaments, snow-covered pinecones and LED  candles. Every time I look at it I think fondly of my childhood.

Whatever you are planning for your home décor, Michaels has you covered. Most importantly have fun picking out your items for your décor. Make sure to remember to make it fun and cozy.

Have you gotten any items from Michaels, tell me about them?