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How to host a holiday party on a budget

‘Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry! That said, when you’re hosting friends and family for the holidays, your grocery bill can easily double or even triple in no time! All that extra spending can add to the stress of the season, especially if you still have lots of presents to put under the tree. If hosting a holiday party is in your future and you’re worried your budget is more Scrooge than Saint Nick, here are some thrifty tips that can help you save on yuletide expenses without cutting back on that Christmas. Make it a potluck As the host, pick one or two main dish items you can cook (or have catered). Then, give your guests plenty of notice and see if they’re willing to bring some simple hors d’oeuvres, snacks, or cookies. If someone argues that their cooking skills aren’t up to snuff, suggest they…

Kale flavored candy canes actually exist, and that’s just the beginning

When it comes to candy canes, there’s usually not a whole lot left to the unknown. Once you peel back the thin, plastic wrapper, you expect you’ll get to enjoy a nice peppermint-flavored candy. But the world seems to have gone a little crazy lately and so too have our trusty red and white striped Christmas treats. Archie McPhee — the maker of candy cane flavors no one would ever ask for — thinks that peppermint is just a little too predictable. From macaroni and cheese, to pizza, and even ham (hamdy canes, of course), the quirky candy company probably has a candy cane for that. For veggie lovers, the green and white striped Kale Candy Cane ($7) offers “The bitter grassiness of your favorite vegetable.” Also, find comfort that “This set of six  Kale Candy Canes gives you all of the flavor of kale with none of the dietary benefits.” The red…

Cute Christmas Reindeer Cupcakes for Kids

These ridiculously moist chocolate cupcakes are made from scratch and completely adorable. Kids will love the fun, festive reindeer design, but adults with dig the rich, delicious chocolatey flavor. Bring them to a holiday potluck or send them with your kids to school. No matter the holiday occasion, your cupcakes are sure to gather compliments. Homemade cupcakes are always the best, but if you’re crunched for time, there’s no shame in the boxed cupcake mix game either. Just pick up a package of your favorite cupcake mix and frosting and bake according to the box. Let cool, and decorate per the instructions below. Happy holidays! Cute Christmas Reindeer Cupcakes for Kids Makes about two dozen+ cupcakes Ingredients 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp baking soda 3/4 unsweetened cocoa powder 1/8 tsp salt 3 tbsp butter, room temperature 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 eggs 3/4 tsp…

5 clever gifts for the wine or beer lover in your life

You can’t go wrong putting a six-pack or bottle of wine under the tree, but you can also get a lot more creative. From freezable beer glasses to wine glass appetizer plates, here are 5 gifts the wine or beer drinker in your life will love just as much as their favorite brewskis, bubbly, or booze. Silicone Wine Glass Mustache Whiskers ($8.99) Set of 6 Never lose your wine glass again. These fun and whimsical wine charms suction to the outside of your wine glass making it easily identifiable in a crowd. Comes in a set of 6 unique, colorful mustache designs. Wine Chiller ($35.00) When the night calls for BYOB, this insulated stainless steel wine chiller will be MVP. Container holds one full standard-sized bottle of wine (750 ml – 25.36 fl oz). Design holds a lid that doubles as a cup, an easy pour spout, an easy clean design. Toss it…

Pomegranate Gin Fizz with Rosemary sprig

The Pomegranate Gin Fizz is perfect for all types of holiday and winter gatherings. It’s seriously crisp and refreshing and makes the perfect Christmas cocktail. This beautifully bright red fizzy drink bursting with juicy arils and aromatic herbs will impress any guest. Holiday tip: Mix a large pitcher ahead of time and pour over ice as guests arrive. Pomegranate Gin Fizz Makes 1 drink Ingredients crushed ice to fill glass 1 ounce gin 2 ounces pomegranate juice club soda to top spring of fresh rosemary (for garnish) 2 tsp pomegranate arils (seeds) Directions Pour gin and pomegranate juice in short whiskey glass. Fill the rest of the glass with crushed ice (almost to the top). Sprinkle with arils and garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary. Also see, A perfect holiday punch recipe. Follow us on Instagram.

How to make homemade Nutella

I don’t buy Nutella that often because, quite simply, I can’t control myself. That sweet, nutty, chocolatey butter spread beckons me in the middle of the night, and before I know it, I’ve eaten several slices of toast heavily smothered in the stuff. (I could easily kill this 6.6 pound bucket — just hand me the bread!) It’s not super healthy, and it is super expensive (about $5 for a tiny jar!), but when I make my own, it becomes not so bad on either front. Check out this restaurant with an entirely Nutella menu. This homemade Nutella recipe is quick and easy to pull off if you have the right equipment. You’re going to need a high-powered food processor or blender along with a microwave and an oven or a toaster oven. As for ingredients, you’re going to need hazelnuts. They might be a little harder to find than,…

Where to get a KitchenAid stand mixer on sale during Black Friday 2019

If there is one kitchen appliance we all covet, it’s those shiny, beautiful KitchenAid stand mixers. Yes, KitchenAid proves an appliance can be beautiful. Those cheerful colors make baking so much more enjoyable, while also making any kitchen look a thousand times more glamorous. Of course, they’re also not cheap. But don’t fret! They’re always on sale during Black Friday, so whether you’re shopping online or in-store, you can easily snag a pretty good deal. Some stores are already discounting their KitchenAid stand mixers, so you don’t have to wait until after Turkey Day if you wanted one this month to help cook your holiday feast. But more deals are to come. Here is everywhere we’ve seen KitchenAid Black Friday deals announced so far: JCPenney The nationwide department store shows announced discounts on the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer via its Black Friday ad. Discounted colors include black, white,…

10 great hostess gifts that aren’t wine

Anyone can run to a nearby liquor store and pick up a bottle of wine, but your hostess will be much more impressed with your thoughtfulness if you opt for something else. Whether it’s something they share that evening with guests, or something they save for themselves, these gifts will be greatly appreciated. Soyil Natural Soy Wax Candles (Starting at $14, everybodyshops.com) Show your smart and savvy hostess you appreciate her hospitality with a dye-free, natural soy wax, small batch candle. Seasonal fragrances can help her warm her home with a welcoming scent, plus, soy won’t mark up walls with that nasty black soot. Wine Glass Mahogany Appetizer plates ($19.99, everybodyshops.com) You can bet your host won’t be able to wait to break these out for guests to use atop their wine glasses as they graze all of the amazing food at the party. Each set includes four plates, and…

24 restaurants open on Christmas Day 2019

After a whole holiday season of cooking and hosting, you just might be too tired to cook and host by the time Christmas Day arrives. From intimate feasts to more elaborate buffets, there’s surely somewhere on this list that can match whatever type of celebration you like. It’s still early, so many restaurants haven’t announced their official 2019 Christmas or holiday menus yet, so check back as we update with more restaurants and more details. And remember to call and confirm your local restaurant’s holiday hours before heading out. Often time, hours can vary by franchise location. Restaurants open on Christmas 2019: Benihana Throw tradition out the window, and head to Benihana where you can catch shrimp in your mouth and watch your meal cooked right in front of you. Select locations will be open on Christmas Day, so be sure to call ahead. Boston Market Who better to bake and…

Everything you need to know about freezing cookies

Nothing is better than freshly baked cookies. But during the holidays when fresh, homemade cookies matter most, we’re also needing to split our time between cooking, hosting, shopping, and celebrating the season, leaving little time to spend rolling out and filling dozens of dainty little cookies. This is when having a magical holiday depends on the magic of the freezer. Freezing cookies or cookie dough now can save you later when you’re just too busy to bake. Just follow these tips and you’ll be good to go. What types of cookies can I freeze? Lots of cookies are great candidates for the freezer. Cutout cookies, slice and bake (icebox) cookies, drop cookies, and biscotti are all excellent choices. Any cookie with a lot of butter or fat will freeze well. Try to avoid freezing cookies that are decorated, filled, or delicate — like meringues — since they would loose a…