Potato Salad

Pass Ina’s potato salad this way, please. This simple-yet-delicious Barefoot Contessa side complements any Christmas roast.

Go to Recipe

The post 11 Ina Garten Holiday Recipes for Your Table appeared first on Taste of Home.

The delicious bread roll took off from there, with other bakers adding other tasty morsels to the ham filling. Today, it’s still a beloved breadand thankfully it doesn’t have to be Christmas to enjoy it.

Ingredients for Pan de Jamon

• Yeast: Make sure to have some packs of active dry yeast around for baking projects like this. It’s the key to getting your bread to rise.
• Flour: There’s no bread without flour! This slightly sweet enriched dough is simple to make and only requires all-purpose flour. If you don’t have AP, you can substitute bread flour.
• Ham: Ham is of course essential to making ham bread! Use scraps of ham if you happen to have any, or slices from your local deli.
• Olives: Green pimento olives are the most traditional ones to use in pan de jamon. They provide briny, salty bites with a touch of sweetness from the pimento. We conducted a taste test to find the best olives.
• Raisins: They may seem odd at first, but the raisins are an important component in this bread. The sweetness rounds out all the salty bits and takes this bread to the next level.

Pan de Jamon Recipe

This recipe comes to us from Taste of Home Community Cook Lorraine Hickman of Lansing, Michigan. Itmakes 2 loaves.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup warm water (110 to 115F)
• 1 tablespoon quick-rise yeast
• 3-1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 10 tablespoons softened butter, plus 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Filling:

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted, divided
• 1/2 pound thinly sliced deli ham, divided
• 1/2 cup golden raisins, divided
• 1/2 cup sliced green olives with pimentos, divided

Egg Wash:

• 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Directions

Step 1: Make dough

In the bowl of a stand mixer, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Add 1 cup flour, the butter and egg, and beat on medium speed until smooth. Add milk, sugar, salt and the remaining flour, and mix well until you have a shaggy dough.

Turn dough onto a floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top and sides of the dough ball. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Step 2: Roll out dough

Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and divide in half. Roll each portion into a 10×12-in. rectangle. Brush dough with the melted butter.

Layer half of the ham over one piece of dough, leaving a 1 inch edge around the perimeter. Sprinkle half of the raisins and half of the olives over the ham. Starting from a long side, roll up jelly-roll style, and pinch the seam to seal. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, seam side down. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Cover dough rolls with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350F.

Step 3: Bake pan de jamon

In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolk and sugar. Brush over the tops and sides of the loaves. Bake until golden brown, about 30 to 35 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through.

Allow the bread to cool so that the filling has time to set. Once it’s cooled, slice and serve.

Pan de Jamon Variations

Pan de jamon started with ham scraps, but it’s become a receptacle for many other fillings. You can substitute turkey for the ham, or dark raisins for the golden raisins. Other popular fillings include capers, almonds, bacon, and even sliced cheese like gruyere or provolone. You can also change up your olive filling.

How to Store Pan de Jamon

Pan de jamon can be stored in a well-sealed container or in plastic wrap for up to 3 days in the fridge. It can also be frozen for up to one month.

Tips for Making Pan de Jamon

Can you use store-bought bread dough for pan de jamon?

In a hurry? Store bought dough is a great substitute when you’re looking for a few less steps. Use the canisters of raw dough, or thawed frozen bread dough to bake up a delicious pan de jamon.

Can you prepare this ahead of time?

Some of this recipe can be prepared ahead of time! Go through step 1 but instead of resting your dough on the counter, store it in the fridge overnight for the first rise. The next day, pull the dough from the fridge and allow it to come back to room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes, then continue onto step 2.

The post How to Make Pan de Jamon (Venezuelan Ham Bread) appeared first on Taste of Home.

Sign up at tasteofhome.com/holiday-favorites/ now, and youll receive your free e-book download and recipe video access on Friday, December 8.

This exclusive e-book is loaded with Taste of Home holiday favorites, from appetizers to desserts and all the sides, mains and drinks in between. Feast on beef tenderloin with chutney, Brussels sprout salad and garlic mashed potatoes. Bring our adorable reindeer rolls or peppermint bark trifle to your next holiday potluck. Or whip up a batch of creamy eggnog to hand out to carolers.

Youll have dozens of recipes to choose from while building your dream holiday menu, and thanks to our easy-to-follow instructions, you can be confident you’ll pull off any dish you pick. Plus, the prep and total times listed with each recipe mean you can plan your meal preparations down to the minute.

In addition to more than 30 holiday recipes, our editors have included some of their most helpful holiday-hosting hints and meal-planning tips to get you ready for the season.

When you sign up, youll also get access to a collection of 15 top editor-selected dessert videos from our recipe vault, including cakes, pies and (of course) all our favorite Christmas cookies.

Whether you’re looking to make basic cookie dough, gingerbread cookies, citrus cranberry pie or a chocolate gingerbread yule log, our step-by-step recipe videos will show exactly how to create the perfect dessert to end your holiday celebration.

Unlock our exclusive Holiday Favorites e-book and gain access to videos from our recipe vault now! Sign up for free at tasteofhome.com/holiday-favorites/.

Get Holiday Favorites!

The post Prep for Christmas with Our Free, Exclusive ‘Holiday Favorites’ Digital Cookbook appeared first on Taste of Home.

Heres the lowdown on the festive bread, plus a panettone recipe to make your own version. Youll never go back to boxed bread again.

What is panettone?

You know its the Christmas season when panettone sits at the end of the grocery aisles. Pronounced pan-eh-toh-neh, the Italian sweet bread is no fruit cake. Light and poofy, slightly sweet and buttery, filled with fruit and sometimes nuts, the Italian staple is festive and deliciousand it can be served for dessert or breakfast.

Panettone starts with a soft, brioche-like dough that needs to proof overnight. Baked in a paper liner or mold, the finished bread is easy to wrap and tie with a ribbon for a gift. The trick to getting the classic shape is to hang the bread upside down to cool. Other than that, you can add in whatever dried or candied fruits you like to make it your own.

Panettone origins can be traced back to the Roman Empire, but Milan is the birthplace of the more modern, boxed variety we see today. In the early 20th century, Italian bakers started making the breads for wider market appeal, packing them in colorful boxes with ribbons for easy gifting. And while boxed panettone makes a nice food gift, homemade panettone is even better.

Is panettone a cake or bread?

Panettone is more bread than cake but is easily mistaken for the latter. We blame fruit cake. Dotted with raisins, candied citrus and sometimes nuts, many think panettone is similar to the rich, dense, heavily spiced Christmas dessert. Instead, panettone bread is light and airy with a high dome, crispy top and fluffy interior.

How to Make Your Own Panettone

Ingredients

• 5 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 tablespoon quick-rise yeast
• 2/3 cup warm water (110 to 115F)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 5 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 1/4 cup chopped candied orange peel

Topping:

• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1 tablespoon coarse sugar

Tools

• Paper molds: These paper molds from Novacart are perfect for this panettone recipe. Not only do they help keep the bread shape nice and round, theyre easy to skewer for the cooling process. Also they make the breads look nice and professional when gifted!
• Metal skewers: Youll need a good sturdy skewer in order to hang the panettone upside down for cooling. These metal skewers are perfect. You can also use wooden or bamboo skewers.
• Digital thermometer: The Thermapen One is our Test Kitchens preferred digital thermometer for all grilling and baking needs. This helps you know when the panettone can come out of the oven.

Directions

Step 1: Make a sponge

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, the yeast and warm water. Cover the bowl and let the yeast mixture stand until doubled, about 30 minutes.

Step 2: Make the dough

In the bowl with the sponge, gradually beat in the remaining 4 cups of flour, plus the sugar, vanilla and salt. Beat in the eggs until blended. Switch to the dough hook on your mixer, and mix on medium speed until a smooth stiff dough forms, about two to three minutes. Beat in the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition. Beat the dough on medium speed for another 5 minutes, then stir in the raisins and orange peel.

Step 3: Give the dough a rest

Gently transfer the dough to a greased bowl (it will be sticky), and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough overnight.

Test Kitchen Tip: With a longer rise in the fridge, the yeast gets more time to do its work. The fermentation process happens more slowly, which adds flavor and flexibility to the dough. It helps with shaping the dough the next day, and makes it taste great.

Step 4: Shape the dough

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, and gently shape into a ball. Place the ball in a 7-in. wide x 4-in. tall paper panettone mold. Cover and let the dough rise in a warm place until its almost doubled, about 90 minutes.

Test Kitchen Tip: If you forgot to order the paper molds, you can also use a 10-in. cake pan with high sides, or even a 9-in. tube pan. But make sure to use parchment rounds in the bottoms.

Step 5: Bake the panettone

Preheat your oven to 350. Lightly beat the egg and 1 tablespoon of water. Gently brush the egg over the dough and sprinkle with almonds and coarse sugar. Bake the panettone bread until it turns a golden brown, about 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours. To prevent the bread from getting too brown, cover the bread with foil after about 30 minutes or halfway through.

Test Kitchen Tip: To test the bread for doneness, first check the look. It should be deep brown but not burnt. Then sound: Tap the bread; youre looking for a hollow sound. You can also check the temperature. A finished bread will read around 190 when a digital thermometer is inserted in the middle.

Step 6: Cool the bread

Insert a metal or wood skewer horizontally through the center of the loaf. Allow the bread to cool, upside down, by resting the ends of the skewer on the tops of two large heavy cans.

Test Kitchen Tip: Panettone is cooled upside down to keep the fluffy bread from collapsing. It helps retain the texture and crumb that makes panettone so special.

Tips for Making Panettone

How do you slice and serve panettone?

Because its slightly sweet and studded with fruit, panettone bread is fantastic for dessert or breakfast. The traditional way is to cut it into wedges (you can even cut it with the paper on!, but you can also go for slices that could fit into a toaster. Slather with butter or not; some people eat it with a dollop of mascarpone.

How do you store and freeze panettone?

Once the panettone is completely cooled, you can wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and keep it in a resealable bag. It will last up to five days on the counter, but it will start to dry out before that. Panettone can be frozen, as well. Wrap the cooled bread in plastic wrap and then foil and store in the freezer for up to two months.

What are some variations of panettone?

Panettone can be flavored according you own personal preference. Add more candied citrus or less, swap in lemon for orange or vice versa, or add both. Chocolate chips are a delicious addition. Raisins or even currants can be amped up or eliminated.

What can you do with leftover panettone?

This panettone recipe is so good, theres little chance any will be leftover. But if there is, like many brioche breads, it makes the best French toast or bread pudding, including this Black Forest panettone bread pudding.

The post How to Make Panettone appeared first on Taste of Home.

What are buuelos?

Buuelos are discs of fried dough that are tossed in cinnamon sugar or sweet syrup. They’re eaten throughout Latin America, and you’ll find different toppings, doughs and even shapes from region to region. Sometimes, the fried disc is dipped in piloncillo syrup; other times it’s coated in cinnamon sugar, like in this recipe. Though traditionally enjoyed around Christmas and New Year’s for good luck, this delicious pastry is tasty all year long.

What’s the difference between buuelos and sopaipillas?

Sopaipillas are another delicious fried dough dish that has roots in New Mexico and South America. Buuelos and sopaipillas are made with a similar dough, except the buuelos dough contains eggs. The flat discs of buuelos have more of a crispy and flaky texture, whereas sopapillas are puffier, like Native American fry bread. Both buuelos and sopaipillas can be topped with cinnamon sugar, and sopaipillas are often drizzled with honey instead of piconcillo syrup.

What’s the difference between a Mexican buuelo and Colombian buuelo?

While the Mexican buuelos are rolled out into flat discs, Colombian buuelos are altogether different. Slightly savory, round and filled with cheese, Colombian buuelos are another delicious take on buuelos. They tend to be made with cassava flour, tapioca or cornstarch, producing a texture that’s chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The biggest similarity, though, is that they’re a popular Christmas treat, just like the Mexican buuelos.

Ingredients for Buuelos

• All-purpose flour: Use regular AP flour for the best texture.
• Sugar: These buuelos use cane sugar in the topping as well as in the dough itself.
• Baking powder: Baking powder is an important leavener, which allows the dough to rise.
• Cinnamon sugar: Use a cup of sugar with a tablespoon or two of cinnamon to make the perfect cinnamon sugar mix for dusting.
• Frying oil: You’ll need a high heat oil for frying, such as vegetable or canola. Stay away from oils with a low smoking point like olive oil.

Buuelos Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 teaspoons butter, melted
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup cinnamon sugar
• Oil for deep-fat frying

Directions

Step 1: Make dough

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and mix well until the mixture is crumbly. Add water gradually, mixing into the dough. Knead until you form a firm ball.

Let the dough rest, covered, for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Shape dough

Use a dough scraper to divide the dough into 18 pieces. Shape each piece into a ball.

On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll out each ball into a thin 6-inch circle. Repeat with remaining dough.

Step 3: Fry dough

Have a plate with paper towels ready next to your frying station.

In a large cast-iron skillet with tall sides, heat oil over medium-high heat. Fry dough circles one at a time, until puffed and golden, about 45 seconds on each side. Use tongs to flip buuelos and pull them from the oil. Place them on the paper towels to strain, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar immediately.

Serve as whole pieces or break into smaller pieces to share.

How to Store Buuelos

Since the light, crisp texture of buuelos is one of the best parts, you’ll want to try and keep that texture as long as possible. Store buuelos on the counter covered with a towel for a couple of days. For longer, store in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to five days. You can reheat them in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes.

You can even freeze them if you’d like. After frying, allow them to cool and then wrap them individually in plastic wrap or foil and freeze. Reheat in the oven at 300F for about two minutes.

Tips for Making Buuelos

What other toppings can you put on buuelos?

There are many different topping variations for buuelos. The most popular is a sweet syrup made from piloncillo, a special Mexican evaporated cane sugar. You can also dust them in sugar mixed with cardamom or nutmeg for a delicious twist.

What do you serve with buuelos?

Since buuelos are eaten around Christmastime, they’re served alongside other traditional Mexican Christmas foods. They’re also served with a glass of Mexican hot chocolate or atole.

Can you make buuelos ahead of time?

You can make the buuelos dough ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to two days. When you’re ready to make the buuelos, continue with step 2 as normal.

The post How to Make Mexican Buñuelos appeared first on Taste of Home.

We’re officially in the thick of holiday hosting season. And before you stress about the best hostess gifts or what delectable side dish to bring to your next holiday soiree, allow me to introduce you to our new favorite vessel for transporting food. It’s called Fancy Panz, and it’s our secret weapon for transporting and serving everything from hot casseroles to crisp salads and decadent desserts. Spoiler: you’ll be the talk of the party for introducing everyone to this genius solution.

What is Fancy Panz?

Complete with a hot/cold gel pack and a serving spoon, Fancy Panz is exactly what it sounds likea “fancy” upgrade to flimsy foil pans. Instead of packing your dish in a regular foil pan that’s prone to toppling over, Fancy Panz allows for a much smoother experience thanks to its sturdy and stackable design. The colorful encasing keeps the included 9×13 foil pan from spilling while doubling as stylish serveware.

The real kicker is the versatility. Whether you’re bringing a salad, creamy mac n cheese or apple crisp, the included hot/cold gel pack keeps food at an optimal temperature. Meaning, no reheating food at your destination, which is especially handy for keeping tailgate foods warm or making sure your summer charcuterie platter doesn’t melt at your Fourth of July party.

Serving and transporting a veggie and fruit tray? Simply place the gel pack in the freezer overnight. For hot casseroles, boil the gel pack in hot water for five minutes (it’s also microwave-safe). Pro tip: if you’re hosting at your house, Fancy Panz makes for easy peasy cleanup. You get the satisfaction of a stylish serving station without all the hassle.

VIA MERCHANT

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Editor's Pick

Fancy Panz

Complete with a hot/cool pack and a serving spoon, Fancy Panz is the best way to transport and serve holiday dishes with ease.

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Fancy Panz Features

• Includes 9×13 foil pan
• Comes with serving spoon
• Hot/cold gel pack keeps food at an optimal temperature
• Reusable, but you’ll need a new foil pan each time
• Several color choices available
• Dishwasher-safe

Why I Love It

Though I love attending holiday parties, I hate that awkward moment when you want to leave, but your expensive serving dish is still out on the table. Then you have to transport food into another vessel to leave at the partyall resulting in unnecessary tasks to accomplish.

Sure, you can solve this problem by serving your meal in a disposable pan, but you end up sacrificing stylish serveware for convenience. That’s where Fancy Panz saves the day. The statement-worthy vessel not only holds a foil pan, it keeps food at the optimal temperature while serving. Plus, the foil pan easily comes out of the colorful encasing so you can leave the party without leaving your best China behind. Fancy Panz are endlessly reusable. Just pop in a new foil pan for every tailgate or holiday soiree. It’s truly a win-win.

I tested this genius pan and can confirm it does more than double duty. Flimsy 9×13 foil pans finally get an upgrade with Fancy Panz’s sturdy and stackable design that makes transporting foodie creations a breeze. Your dish will be the star of the holiday table for both taste and adorable styling.

But Don’t Take My Word for It!

We’re not the only ones obsessed with Fancy Panz. Here’s what other five-star Amazon reviewers have to say about the problem-solving serving solution.

Verified Amazon reviewer, Ellen, adds, “The gel pack is easy to heat or freeze to keep foods at the proper temperature! This is a fabulous gift for anyone, including yourself.”

Where to Buy Fancy Panz

VIA MERCHANT

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Editor's Pick

Fancy Panz

Fancy Panz is an all-in-one solution that retains all the conveniences of a foil pan while providing the look of your favorite serving dish.

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Find the Fancy Panz set on Amazon and Walmart where it goes for $15 to $35. Whether you’re transporting and serving food at Thanksgiving or Christmas celebrations, tailgates or community gatheringsyou name it, Fancy Panz is the complete solution thanks to the included hot/cool pack and serving spoon. Say bye-bye to forgetting your nice casserole dish at the host’s house once and for all!

The post Fancy Panz Are Our Secret Weapon for Holiday Hosting appeared first on Taste of Home.

Best Overall

Classic Blue Spruce

We tested the Balsam Hill Classic Blue Spruce in our Milwaukee office, and its the best option for anyone craving a good ol fashioned Christmas tree. Our testers were in awe at the lifelike branches of the Blue Spruce, remarking that it reminded them of real trees from holidays past.

Assembly took less than four minutes for a 7.5-foot tree, and we loved that the lights connected with an easy plug. (AKA no fumbling in the branches trying to find a bunch of tiny connectors). Its incredibly full, yet the branches are pliable for endless finessing. A word to the wise? Plan to fluff this tree for a long time. We spent a full 20 minutes on this tree and could have kept going.

The Blue Spruce is available in eight heightsranging from 4.5 feet to a whopping 15 feetand up to five light styles.

Pros

• Classic, full Christmas tree shape
• Incredibly lifelike, less “plasticky” than other trees we tested
• Eight height options
• Moderate price point

Cons

• Requires a lot of fluffing
• On the wobblier side

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The post The Best Balsam Hill Christmas Trees appeared first on Taste of Home.

It wasn’t until I moved out of state and into my own apartment that I realized the meritand even the necessityof artificial Christmas trees. Although I still love going to my parents’ West Coast home for Christmas and smelling authentic pine needles as soon as I step in the door, I proudly rock a fake Christmas tree (alongside pine-scented wintry candles) in my duplex.

Thankfully, faux Christmas trees have come a long way since the scratchy, lopsided fake trees of yore. Perhaps none demonstrate this quite as well as the Smart Twinkly Christmas Tree from Balsam Hill, which I was lucky enough to assemble, test and admire.

What is the Smart Twinkly Christmas Tree?

The Smart Twinkly Christmas Tree is a collaboration between Balsam Hill, one of the leaders for faux Christmas trees, and Twinkly, an Italian-based brand that specializes in smart lighting. It has the perks of all Balsam Hill’s other offerings, such as true-to-life coloring, natural-looking needles and branches, a metal base and a storage bag. Plus, there’s the fact that it’s adorned with as many as 1,750 Twinkly LED lightbulbs depending on the height of the tree. We’ll get into the mind-blowing capabilities of these lights (and their accompanying phone application) in the next section.

For the purposes of this review, I tested the Balsam Hill 7.5-foot Fraser Fir, with the Twinkly Light Show – Easy Plug option. I’m a fan of full, classic trees, so this was a great fit for me. However, you can purchase a few trees with these showy lights, including the Silverado Slim and the Balsam Fir Narrow Tree.

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We Tried It

Smart Twinkly Christmas Tree

The Smart Twinkly Christmas Tree, with its special, customizable, remote-controlled lights, lets you decorate and dazzle like never before.

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Smart Twinkly Christmas Tree Features

Tree

As for the tangible features, you’ll find three tree sections that click together, as well as a stand, storage bag, fluffing gloves, extra hardware and instructions. It is also dressed with 540 LED Twinkly lights and boasts nearly 3,300 branch tips. Per our measurements, the tree stands exactly 7.5 feet tall and has a diameter of 58 inches. That’s one full tree!

Lights & Phone Application

The excitement surrounding this tree primarily lies within the lights. And trust usthere’s no shortage of nifty features. The smart Christmas tree comes with five preset light functions that the included control box turns on. The functions are Rainbow, Snow, “UpDown,” Fireworks and Glow. If you want to get even more festive, though, download the Twinkly app with your smartphone. From there, you can display countless more effects on your tree.

With the fairly user-friendly phone app, there’s the option to stick to more general controls, such as adjusting your lights’ brightness, setting a timer, turning the lights on and off from afar or selecting a specific unchanging color. For fancier functions, explore the gallery, which is divided into categories such as art, ambiance and favorites. Altogether, there are about 60 light effects from which to chooseand that’s before you tap into the FX Wizard tool that allows you to upload or draw your own effects. Plus, the music function lets you sync up a few of the preset functions with surrounding sounds (e.g., Christmas movies, music and, yes, even talking).

Moreover, each of these dozens of preset functions is customizable. Say you select the Candy Cane function, which defaults to red and white stripes that pan across the tree. You can then “edit” the effect by adjusting the speed of the pan as well as the width and colors of the stripes. You also have the option to create a “playlist” of rotating light effects.

How We Tested It

In-Office Testing

First, we built and toyed around with this tree at Taste of Home headquarters. With the help of a colleague, I assembled this tree in under five minutes and fluffed it in another 10 minutes or so. A majority of the fluffing took place with the inner branches, as those toward the outside of the tree weren’t very flexible. When all was said and done, the smart Christmas tree looked similar to the listing online: a full, realistic-looking tree with a delightful abundance of lights.

We also measured the tree to confirm that it met the listed height of 7.5 feet (it did!) and decorated it with ornaments of varying weights. This tree held the 1-ounce and 2.5-ounce ornaments securely and without much drooping. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the 5-ounce ornament. For weightier ornaments, we’d recommend hanging them on the lower branches of the tree and inward, toward the trunk.

Our interest was so piqued by the lights, however, that we knew someone needed to take this home for further testing. So, we broke it down and stuffed it in the storage bageasily, I might addand I hauled it home. (Check out the Balsam Hill flip tree that our senior shopping editor testedtoo.)

At-Home Testing

I rebuilt the tree by myself in my own space, so I can confirm that assembly is a one-person job for an able-bodied adult. (Note: I did need help carrying the bag up my stairs.) And just a few stray needles needed to be swept up after the fact.

Next, I downloaded the Twinkly app and created an account with my email address. I tried to figure out the app connectivity sans instructions, but after about five minutes, I gave up and turned to the included pamphlet. The setup process entails plugging in the tree, selecting the type of device from the app’s menu, syncing up your tree and the app via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and then mapping your tree.

Mapping your tree lets you better utilize your lights. Select the number of lights on your tree, then take a static video of the entire treebase to tipon the app. This generates a diagram of the tree with markings to indicate where the lights are located. You can redo this as many times as needed. This whole process, including the physical assembly of the tree, took about 20 minutes.

Lights Testing

Finally, the fun part! I could’ve played on this phone app until Christmas day, so I’ll just share the highlights. Although I did find the seemingly endless customization options a little overwhelming, there were a few functions I really loved. I don’t care for cool-toned LED lights, so in the general controls tab, I added a default pale yellow color that suited my tastes. I also saved my own effect with this color that I named Warm Shimmer. When selected, the pale yellow lights would twinkle and dance around the tree. As for the presets, my favorites were Glow, Carnival, Plasma and Wednesday Blues.

Oh, and the music function was too much fun. I’m pretty firm about not turning on Christmas tunes until December 1st, but I couldn’t resist cranking “A Very Kacey Christmas” and watching the Rainbow effect go wild during her high notes. The one downside is that the app needs to be open in order for the music function to work.

As much as I loved some of the functions, others were a miss for me. For example, the light effects under the Art category include pop art of Marilyn Monroe and The Birth of Venus painting. However, when I selected these presets, the lights bore no resemblance to their purported inspiration, in my opinion. Perhaps I was being too literal, but I just didn’t see the vision. I’d recommend sticking to the simpler light effects for best results.

If this tree testing taught me anything, though, it’s that smart Christmas trees and their decor are incredibly subjective, so take all this with a few grains of green and red sanding sugar! There’s certainly something for everyone when it comes to these Twinkly lights.

Pros

• Fun, flashy customizable LED lights
• Quick to fluff
• Ultra-realistic
• Barely any shedding
• Three heights available
• 3-year warranty
• Storage bag included

Cons

• Fairly wobbly
• Doesn’t hold heavy ornaments very well
• Smartphone required for full functionality
• Some preset light functions leave a bit to be desired
• Pricey

Product Comparison

There aren’t many smart Christmas trees that can compete with those from Balsam Hill. Twinkly sells a few of its own pre-lit faux Christmas trees on Amazon for significantly less money, but I cannot speak to the actual quality of the trees. All that being said, Balsam Hill trees have a reputation that precedes them for a reason.

Of the Balsam Hill trees that have the Twinkly Light Show option, the Fraser Fir is the fullest and perhaps the most classic-looking. For that reason, it’s also the most expensive. The Balsam Fir Narrow Tree is unsurprisingly more narrow and costs about $400 less than the Fraser Fir. Furthermore, the Silverado Slim, which is also narrow and with more downturned branches, costs $600 less than the Fraser Fir. The light functionality is the same for all three, though, so it’s up to you which one best fits your budget and space.

As for how it compares to other pre-lit trees, well, that goes without saying. Although there are other worthwhile trees out there that come with a handful of preset light functions, including many Terrain trees, none have even a fraction of the functions as the Balsam Hill Twinkly trees. If you’re looking to wow, this smart Christmas tree is the way to go.

Final Verdict

The tree alonelights asidewould be worth a purchase, especially if you’re into the fuller look like I am. It’s a gorgeous, true-to-life tree that’s easy to assemble, fluff and store. As for the lights, I was personally a little dubious. As I said, I prefer a soft, warm glow from my Christmas tree lights, one that LED lights don’t excel at producing. However, the Twinkly lights are just so customizable that I was converted. The yellow hue I was able to handpick was perfect, and playing around with the presets and music function was a blast.

Although it’s a sizable investment, I do believe the quality of this tree would lend itself to longevity. It would be a great fit for a family with younger children, a holiday host or hostessor simply anyone who identifies with Danny DeVito’s character from “Deck the Halls.” It might be only 7.5 feet, but this tree is definitely larger than life.

Where to Buy the Smart Twinkly Christmas Tree

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We Tried It

Smart Twinkly Christmas Tree

Adorned with 540 state-of-the-art LED lightbulbs controlled via a phone app, the Smart Twinkly Christmas Tree is an absolute festive must-have.

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Balsam Hill has been the place to buy artificial Christmas trees since it was founded in 2006, so it’s no surprise that the company has a corner on the high-tech, hyper-realistic Smart Twinkly Christmas Tree, which ranges from $1,599 to $2,299 depending on size (6.5, 7.5 and 9 feet). The choice to splurge on this wow-worthy item is just as smart as the tree itself.

The post We Tried a Smart Twinkly Christmas Tree—And “Smart” Is an Understatement appeared first on Taste of Home.

For the Muncher: Holiday Snack Gift Box

Your most snacky friend will love Harry & David gifts like this mix of sweet and savory bitesand you’ll love the budget-friendly price tag! It includes a container of Harry & David’s beloved caramel Moose Munch popcorn, an Elevation Artisan Meats Thuringer pork sausage (that pairs perfectly with the block of sharp white cheddar cheese and a box of three-seed crackers) and, for some extra zing, a jar of honey hot mustard.

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The post The 15 Best Harry & David Gifts That Make Holiday Shopping Easy appeared first on Taste of Home.

As Taste of Home‘s resident Advent calendar expert, I’ve tested over 30 holiday countdowns in 2023 alone. And let me be the first to tell you not all of them are worth it. What I can confirm, however, is that coffee Advent calendars offer a strong value, and they’re one of our favorite Christmas countdowns because, well, who wouldn’t want to start their day with a delicious, festive cup of java? Not to mention you can open and enjoy them first thing in the morning.

With that, we found one of the best caffeine-packed countdowns for true coffee lovers. It’s the Nespresso Advent calendar filled with not 12, but 24 days of festive and classic Nespresso Vertuo flavorsplus more. Don’t worry, I won’t spoil all the surprises. Tea Advent calendars offer festive drink options as well but read on for a sneak peek inside my holiday coffee experience.

What is the Nespresso Advent Calendar?

Featuring 24 days of Vertuo coffee and espresso, the Nespresso Advent calendar is basically a coffee lover’s holiday dream. Whether you start on day 1 or 24, you’re in for a real treat as you indulge in festive brews that keep you energized all December long. I keep my countdown next to my beloved Nespresso machine. It seriously brings me so much joy in the morning thinking about the new brew I get to try that day. But the best part has to be the ease of convenience. Just pop a pod in the machine, press a button and delicious java is poured to perfection. The one-inch thick layer of foam on top is *chef’s kiss.*

If you prefer a little something sweet, pair your countdown with these chocolate Advent calendars or a hot chocolate Advent calendar.

Pros

• 24 days of festive and classic coffee flavors
• Includes limited edition coffee accessory
• Good value (most pods go for upwards of $2 a pop)
• Makes a thoughtful gift
• Simple yet fun packaging
• Strong surprise element

Cons

• I wish it only featured festive coffee flavors
• Only compatible with Vertuo machines

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Nespresso Vertuo Advent Calendar

This delicious countdown is the best way to start December mornings. Experience a variety of festive and classic coffee flavors compatible with all Nespresso Vertuo machines.

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Why I Love It

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve tested more than two dozen Advent calendarschocolate, candy, cookies, boozy countdowns, you name it. What sets the Nespresso Advent calendar apart is the superior value and strong surprise element. While some brands list out all the goodies inside their holiday countdown (whether online or on the back of the box), I appreciate the fact that Nespresso keeps the secret alive by not disclosing what’s inside. The only way to know what you’re getting is to purchase the countdown, offering a true Advent calendar experience. Every morning, I never knew what I was going to open, let alone what the options inside were to begin with.

I said it once and I’ll say it again, coffee Advent calendars like this Nespresso pick are so delightful because you get to start your day with a delicious pep in your step. I’ve always been wow-ed by the quality of the brand’s flavors, too, and their holiday countdown is no exception. One cup is more than enough to keep you feeling in the holiday spirit. Truly the hardest part of this calendar is having to share it with your household. So if you’re a coffee snob, you may want to buy a couple of Nespresso Advent calendars to keep everyone happy.

By the way, if you need something a little stronger to get you in the holiday spirit, try a whiskey Advent calendar or a wine Advent calendar.

Where to Buy the Nespresso Advent Calendar

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Nespresso Vertuo Advent Calendar

Unbox daily wonders this festive season with an unforgettable Nespresso coffee each day and unveil an exclusive limited edition treat behind the 24th door.

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Find the Nespresso Advent calendar on the brand’s website where it goes for $55. Considering that pods go for $1.25 to $2 a pop, this holiday countdown offers a strong value since it comes with 24 pods (some of which are limited edition flavors) and a coffee accessory. Plus, it more than pays for itself since you won’t have to leave the house to fuel your caffeine fix. Next, add this beloved jam Advent calendar to your cart for even sweeter winter mornings.

The post The Nespresso Advent Calendar Adds a Delicious Pep to My December Step appeared first on Taste of Home.

Family Gatherings

Whether you’ll be sitting down to a formal feast at Mom’s, potlucking with 50 of your closest relatives or celebrating with chosen family, these heirloom recipes are sure to brighten your holiday table.

Christmas is the perfect time to go overboard on baking. These treatsfrom fancy cutout cookies to five-ingredient fudgejust taste better when made alongside someone you love.

There’s something extra special about Grandma’s cookingmaybe because the secret ingredient is love. We’ve rounded up the best holiday recipes from grandmas, memaws, grannies and nanas that’ll make you feel right at home, no matter where you’re spending Christmas this year.

It’s time to revive an old family custom or start a brand-new one. We know your nearest and dearest will love these easy ideas. And, hey, even if your gingerbread village ends up toppling over or your DIY ornament looks a little amateur, the memories of spending time together will stick with you for years to come.

The post Home for the Holidays: Christmas Edition appeared first on Taste of Home.

While Christmastime may seem far away, now is the time to snag a fun Advent calendar. Festive Advent calendars are filled with treats from cheeses and chocolates to Bonne Maman jams and coffee.Hunting for the perfect gift for the whiskey connoisseur in your life? Then look no further than a whiskey Advent calendar.

Counting down to Christmas is sweeter with an Advent calendar filled with edible chocolate delights or boozy spirits. It’s best to pre-order trending Advent calendars as they have a limited supply and sell out fast! Flaviar’s whiskey Advent calendar is no exception.

If you want to receive Flaviar’s 2023 calendar, you have to pre-order now as it’s renowned for selling out every year. Taste of Home readers can get an exclusive $10 off the Flaviar calendar with code TOH10. Try a wine Advent calendar if whiskey isn’t your spirit of choice.

What is the Flaviar whiskey Advent calendar?

Flaviar, an online spirits club for whiskey connoisseurs, offers a new Advent calendar every year that features rare whiskies from across the world. I personally tested Flaviar’s 2023 Indiana Jones-themed whiskey Advent calendar.

Explore The Lost Art of Distillation: The Amber Kingdom with 24 1.7-ounce vials of whiskey from eight different countries, two Glencairn glasses, a tasting journal with information about each whiskey and a free one-year Flaviar base membership.

The one-year Flaviar base membership ($350 value) includes a full-size bottle and three mini-samples of your choice every quarter of the year. Plus, it also provides member discounts, free shipping on certain products, access to a vast array of spirits from across the globe, first dibs on exclusive bottlings and entry to a passionate spirits community.

Flaviar only unveils so many details about their Advent calendar, as it should be a surprise. If you want to find out more, you’ll have to order the box for yourself or as a gift for a whiskey lover to enjoy.

Pros

• Shareable design
• Vials hold 60% more liquid than most Advent calendars
• 24 top-shelf whiskey samples from eight countries
• Free one-year Flaviar base membership ($350 value)
• Festive packaging with an engaging tasting experience
• Two Glencairn glasses
• Tasting journal with information on each whiskey sample

Cons

• Pre-order only
• Only ships to 32/50 states in the U.S.
• Pricey

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Editor's Pick

Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar

Flaviar's whiskey Advent calendar is our go-to gift for bourbon enthusiasts. Sample 24 curated selections of bespoke bourbons from the best distilleries across the globe.

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Why I Love It

With 24 days until Christmas starting December 1, there’s one 1.7-ounce hand-picked and expertly curated glass whiskey vial for every day until my favorite holiday.

Industry-leading whiskey makers and distillers contributed to this whiskey Advent calendar across eight countries: the United States, Ireland, Australia, the United Kingdom, Scotland, Denmark, Japan and New Zealand. Sample a thoughtfully curated variety of new and old whiskeys: bourbons, ryes, blended Scotches and single malts.

Whiskey samples include award winners and exclusive new releases. Some whiskey vials come from bottles worth over $150. One whiskey vial features a Scotch that comes out in 2024.

Flaviar’s whiskey Advent calendar is designed as a gift to be shared, hence two Glencairn glassesthe best glassware for tasting whiskey. A single 1.7-ounce pour is enough for two people to enjoy. Sample whiskeys from across the globe with your significant other, close friend or family member.

The education-focused tasting journal includes information on each individual whiskey sample with space for personal tasting notes on each whiskey vial. For whiskey lovers with a green palette, the tasting notes in the journal are rather helpful in refining spirit preferences.

Might I add, the Advent calendar is wrapped in stunning black and gold packaging, enhancing the overall tasting advent-ure. Additionally, the whiskey vials and glasses are secured tightly in their slots and won’t break during shipping.

But Dont Take My Word for It!

Reviewers tout Flaviar as the best whiskey Advent calendar on the market. From the packaging to meticulously curated samples, every step of the tasting journey is captivating and festive. For some, it’s the best gift they’veeverreceived.

Five-star reviewer Josh Cannery says, Best Advent calendarEVER! Packaging is high quality, user experience is entertaining, samples are wonderfully delivered and no shortage of variety.

It’s the perfect gift for any whiskey enthusiast in the family, according to Nick Glorioso. My wife and son purchased this for my 50th. Absolutely the best present I could receive. Hands down one of the best presents you could purchase as a gift.

For verified purchaser and boozeenthusiast Chefbourbon, it was an opportunity to expand his palette. My wife got me that for Christmas. What a treat! Really fun to try some new bottles I might never have given a time of day.

Where to Buy the Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar

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Editor's Pick

Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar

Flaviar's whiskey Advent calendar is our go-to gift for bourbon enthusiasts. Sample 24 curated selections of bespoke bourbons from the best distilleries across the globe.

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The Flaviar whiskey Advent calendar is available exclusively from Flaviar’s website. $250 gets you 24 curated 1.7-ounce whiskey samples among other goodies. $250 for 40.8 ounces of whiskey hammers out to $6.13 per ounce. Given some included whiskey bottles are worth over $150, it’s a stellar deal! Or, purchase two whiskey Advent calendars and save $50 (just $225 per calendar).

Remember, Taste of Home readers get an exclusive $10 off the calendar with code TOH10. If you preorder by October 25, you’re guaranteed to receive a calendar by Thanksgiving. Flaviar does not ship the whiskey Advent calendar to certain states or P.O. boxes.

For the whiskey-obsessed or those looking to expand and refine their booze palette, Flaviar’s whiskey Advent calendar is the perfect gift.

The post I Tried the Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar That Sells Out Every Year appeared first on Taste of Home.

And what says “winter” more than the incredible Hallmark Countdown to Christmas? We look forward to it every year with stars in our eyes and enough blankets to warm a small village. Now grab your friends, family and Christmas snacks because we’re checking out all the new Hallmark movies.

All the Hallmark Christmas Movies Premiering This Year

Hallmark knows how to bring joy even on our darkest days. With some of our favorite actors (like Parks and Rec‘s Jim O’Heir and Lacey Chabert) at the helm, you know this year is going to be special. Every Christmas move is truly perfect for a cozy night in.

New movies will premiere every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT starting October 20 on the Hallmark Channel. Not like you’ll be watching anything else during this wonderful time, right?

On Thanksgiving weekend, you can expect a bonus premiere on Thursday, plus double features on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m ET/PT and 8 p.m ET/PT.

1. Checkin’ It Twice

Premieres: Friday, October 20 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Kim Metula and Kevin McGarry
Description: A hockey player falls for a real estate agent when he’s traded to her hometown and posted up in her hockey-loving family’s backyard.

2. Where Are You, Christmas?

Premieres: Saturday, October 21 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Lyndsy Fonseca, Michael Rady, Jim O’Heir and Julie Warner
Description: When Addy wishes for a year without Christmas, she wakes up in a world of black and white. She then works together with her town mechanic to restore the magic of Christmas.

3. Under the Christmas Sky

Premieres: Sunday, October 22 on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries at 10pm/9c
Starring: Jessica Parker Kennedy and Ryan Paevey
Description: Kat, an esteemed astrophysicist who has to struggle with an accident that causes her dreams to go into space to come crashing down. After volunteering at a local planetarium, she pairs up with a by-the-book worker to help create an exhibit before Christmas.

4. Christmas By Design

Premieres: Friday, October 27 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Rebecca Dalton and Jonathan Keltz
Description: A fashion designer gets accepted into a Christmas challenge to create a brand new Christmas collection that helps her realize what she finds most important in life.

5. Mystic Christmas

Premieres: Saturday, October 28 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Jessy Schram, Chandler Massey, Patti Murin and William R. Moses
Description: Juniper travels to Mystic, Connecticut for the holidays to work at a rehab center and aquarium and ends up reconnecting with the owner of the pizza shop.

6. Joyeux Noel

Premieres: Sunday, October 29 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Jaicy Elliot and Brant Daugherty
Description: A copy editor is sent to France with a pragmatic reporter to uncover the mystery behind the artist of a romantic painting found at a Christmas market.

7. Flipping for Christmas

Premieres: Friday, November 3 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Ashley Newbrough and Marcus Rosner
Description: Busy realtor Abigail agrees to help her sister do a simple house flip when the co-beneficiary steps in with other plans.

8. Never Been Chris’D

Premieres: Saturday, November 4 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Janel Parrish, Pascal Lamothe-Kipnes and Tyler Hynes
Description: Best friends Naomi and Liz reconnect with their high school crush over the holidays. With a new love triangle formed, the friends must realize what is most important to them.

9. The Santa Summit

Premieres: Sunday, November 5 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Hunter King and Benjamin Hollingsworth
Description: Three best friends come together for the annual Santa Summit and get lost amidst a sea of Santas and soon find what they’ve all been looking for: friendship, romance and the Christmas spirit.

10. Everything Christmas

Premieres: Friday, November 10 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Katherine Barrell, Cindy Busby, Corey Sevier and Matt Wells
Description: Lori Jo goes on a road trip to Yuletide Springs with her roommate Tori to honor her late grandmother. The two meet up with old friends to enjoy their small time and conjure up the Christmas spirit.

11. Christmas Island

Premieres: Saturday, November 11 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Rachel Skarsten and Andrew Walker
Description: A snowstorm diverts Kate’s first private flight from Switzerland to Christmas Island. She works with an air traffic controller to realize her dream as a pilot.

12. A Heidelberg Holiday

Premieres: Sunday, November 12 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Ginna Claire Mason, Frederic Brossier
Description: Heidi Heidelberg receives the dream opportunity to sell handmade glass ornaments at the Heidelberg Christmas Market in Germany. She meets local Lukas who helps her reconnect with her heritage.

13. Navigating Christmas

Premieres: Friday, November 17 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Chelsea Hobbs and Stephen Huszar
Description: Recently divorced Melanie and her son Jason visit a remote island and end up working at an actual lighthouse during Christmas.

14. A Merry Scottish Christmas

Premieres: Saturday, November 18 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf
Description: Estranged siblings Lindsay and Brad travel to Scotland at Christmas to reunite with their mother and end up discovering a deep family secret.

15. Holiday Hotline

Premieres: Sunday, November 19 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Emily Tennant and Niall Matter
Description: Abby connects with an anonymous caller while working on a cooking hotline after she leaves London. The caller, a single dad named “John”, makes Abby become smitten in real life.

16. Catch Me If You Claus

Premieres: Thursday, November 23 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Italia Ricci and Luke Macfarlane
Description: Avery Quinn, an aspiring news anchor, is finally getting her big break at a Christmas morning newscast. However, she catches an intruder in her home who claims to be Santa’s son on his first mission. They take on a night of adventure and end up inspiring each other to pursue their dreams.

17. Letters to Santa

Premieres: Friday, November 24 on Hallmark Channel at 6pm/5c
Starring: Katie Laclerc and Rafael de la Fuente
Description: Some young siblings receive a magic pen from Santa that appears to grant wishes. They request a Christmas gift–for their separated parents to reunite.

18. Holiday Road

Premieres: Friday, November 24 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Sara Canning and Warren Christie
Description: Bad weather leaves a tech entrepreneur, a devoted mother, her son, a travel writer and a slew of other characters stranded at an airport for the holidays. They all agree to rent a van on a road trip to Denver that brings them all closer together for the holidays.

19. Christmas in Notting Hill

Premieres: Saturday, November 25 on Hallmark Channel at 6pm/5c
Starring: Sarah Ramos and William Moseley
Description: A famous soccer star, Graham, who is always too busy for love, comes home to Notting Hill for the holidays and falls in love with Georgia, a visiting American with no idea who he is.

20. Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up

Premieres: Saturday, November 25 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Lacey Chabert, Wes Brown, Stephen Tobolowsky, Melissa Peterman, Ellen Travolta, Seth Morris and Jennifer Aspen
Description: With the holidays approaching, new couple Emily and Jared are excited to spend time together. Emily looks forward to working with Evergreen Lane and all its inhabitants to make the best Christmas celebrations yet, despite the intense competition.

21. Our Christmas Mural

Premieres: Sunday, November 26 on Hallmark Channel at 6pm/5c
Starring: Alex Paxton-Beesley and Dan Jeannotte
Description: Olivia is a single mom returning home for Christmas when her mom secretly enters her into a mural contest. She wins and partners with another teacher to create a Christmas masterpiece.

22. A Biltmore Christmas

Premieres: Sunday, November 26 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Bethany Joy Lenz, Kristoffer Paloha, Jonathan Frakes and Robert Picardo
Description: Lucy Hardgove is a screenwriter who is forced to rewrite her script and realizes she can travel back in time in the real Biltmore House. She meets with the original actors and returns to the future to make things right.

23. My Norwegian Holiday

Premieres: Friday, December 1 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Rhiannon Fish and David Elsendoorn
Description: JJ is grieving the loss of her grandmother and ends up stumbling upon an unexpected holiday destiny. She meets Henrik, a Norwegian from Bergen, and their connection deepens when they are given a troll. They go on a holiday adventure together and discover exactly what they need.

24. A Not So Royal Christmas

Premieres: Saturday, December 2 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Brooke D’Orsay and Will Kemp
Description: Charlotte, a tabloid journalist, attempts to schedule an interview with a reclusive Count. The royal family has the groundskeeper pose as the Count instead since the real one fled years ago.

25. Christmas with a Kiss

Premieres: Sunday, November 3 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Mishael Morgan, Ronnie Rowe Jr., and Jaime M. Callica
Description: A woman returns home to help with her family’s Christmas carnival and ignites a romance with surprise reunion.

26. Magic in Mistletoe

Premieres: Friday, December 8 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Lyndie Greenwood and Paul Campbell
Description: Harrington, the author of a popular book series, has ended up a recluse. He returns to his hometown for an annual Christmas festival where he’s joined by April, a publicist for his publishing company. They finally open up to each other for the spirit of the holidays.

27. Christmas on Cherry Lane

Premieres: Saturday, December 9 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Catherine Bell, Jonathan Bennett, John Brotherton, Erin Cahill, James Denton and Vincent Rodriguez III
Description: A young couple are ready to welcome their first child, an empty-nester and her fianc are ready to being a brand-new chapter, and a couple have the chance to expand their family on Christmas Eve. Each couple uses the holiday to navigate their new lives.

28. Round and Round

Premieres: Sunday, December 10 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Vic Michaelis, Bryan Greenberg and Rick Hoffman
Description: Rachel is stuck in a time loop as she is forced to relive the night of her parents’ Hanukkah party. Can the nice guy help her make it to tomorrow?

29. The Secret Gift of Christmas

Premieres: Friday, December 15 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Megan Ohry and Christopher Russell
Description: Bonnie, a personal shopper who helps her newly widowed client Patrick reconnect with his daughter, is determined to get Patrick and his daughter everything on their wish list.

30. Sealed with a List

Premieres: Saturday, December 16 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Katie Findlay and Evan Roderick
Description: Festive Carley sets out to finish her abandoned resolutions from the last year. She soon finds love with her coworker, Wyatt, who aids her in her pursuit.

31. Friends & Family Christmas

Premieres: Sunday, December 17 on Hallmark Channel at 8pm/7c
Starring: Humberly Gonzalez and Ali Liebert
Description: Daniella has moved to New York and instead chooses to spend the holidays with her friends instead of her overbearing parents. She meets entertainment lawyer Amelia through her parents, and they pretend to date in order to appease their folks. But soon, they build a deep connection that is more than either of them could have dreamed of.

The post Hallmark Is Premiering 31 All-New Christmas Movies in 2023 appeared first on Taste of Home.

For Under $15: Bistro Tile Monogram Mug

The best Anthropologie gifts don’t have to break the bank to show you care. Anthropologie offers plenty of personalized goodies under $30, and thismonogram mugin the brand’s iconic bistro tile motif is one of our favorites. It’s chic, timeless and the perfect addition to a loved one’s collection ofcute coffee mugs.

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The post The Best Anthropologie Gifts for Everyone on Your List in 2023 appeared first on Taste of Home.

In anticipation of all the small town, rom-com plots we know and love, Hallmark just came out with a major announcement: a Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise!

Yup, it’s all of your favorite hallmarks (literally) about the holidays in a single vacation at sea. Cruise goers will even have the chance to meet some of their most beloved Hallmark holiday movie stars on board the “floating winter wonderland,” according to an official press release. Ready to take your love for Hallmark holiday movies to the next level? Let’s get into the details so you can start planning ASAP.

What Is the Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise?

@hallmarkchannel #Hallmarkies! Sail to the Bahamas w/ stars on Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise! JOIN PRE-SALE TODAY! http://HallmarkChannelCruise.com #Christmas #Cruise original sound – Hallmark Channel

Hallmark’s partnership with Sixthmanan immersive festival-at-sea companymeans that the Nassau, Bahamas-bound Christmas cruise is pretty much holiday heaven for Hallmark fans. Is there any better way to get into the holiday spirit?

Passengers will have the opportunity to meet their favorite Hallmark stars during photo ops or by attending star-studded panels. Fans will also have the chance to watch a screening of a brand new Countdown to Christmas holiday movie before it hits the Hallmark Channel.

Beyond all of the Hallmark movie activities, there’s even more holiday cheer to look forward to: The cruise will be packed with Christmas cookie decorating, caroling sing-alongs (fittingly called Carol-oke), an ugly sweater contest, a Christmas tree lighting, Christmas craft workshops and Hallmark Channel wine tastings. With a list like that, there’s no doubt that this holiday at sea is going to be the dream vacay.

When Is The Cruise?

The countdown to the journey on the Norwegian Gem is already available on the bottom of Hallmark’s website. Fans will have over a year to prepare, since the cruise doesn’t leave from Miami until Nov. 5, 2024. From there, the “ultimate holiday at sea” lasts until Nov. 9, plenty of time to float into the holiday spirit!

How Can I Take the Christmas Cruise?

While this cruise doesn’t take off for over a year, that doesn’t mean tickets won’t sell out fast. That’s why a pre-sale began July 11 and lasts through July 19. Those with pre-sale access can register to be sent a booking appointment, which allows guests to reserve a cruise cabin.

If you don’t get access to the pre-sale, not to worry. The general sale opens at 2 p.m. ET on July 21. However, the company warns that cabin space is limited, so fans will want to act fast.

“Leave your puffy jacket and grab your Christmas spirit and passion for Hallmark Channel Christmas movies as we set sail on the most heartwarming, holly jolly experience of the high seas,” says Jeff Cuellar, Vice President of Events, Marketing & Community of Sixthman. Be sure to make your list and check it twice!

The post Hallmark Channel Just Announced Its First-Ever Christmas Cruise—Here’s What We Know appeared first on Taste of Home.

At the top of my list? The Balsam Hill flip tree. Ive been eyeing this impressive holiday beacon ever since I saw an ad for it during a Hallmark Christmas movie marathon. But I had to know: Is it really worth the hefty price tag? I tested it to find out.

What is a Balsam Hill flip tree?

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We Tried It

Balsam Hill Flip Tree

The design has rich color, lifelike needles and easy setup in a variety of styles.

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First things firstwhy is this tree so special? Well, as anyone who has ever owned an artificial Christmas tree can attest, setup is a pain. My typical routine involves lugging a very heavy box out of the basement, lifting each segment of the tree into place and fumbling around the branches to connect the lights. The whole ordeal takes over an hour and leaves me covered in plastic pine needle scratches.

The Balsam Hill Balsam Fir flip tree literally flips this holiday hullabaloo on its head. The tree smartly sits on caster wheels and effortlessly rolls into place. Then, to set it up, all you need to do is press the foot pedal, pull the tree stem toward you and voila! Gravity does the rest. A smart plug connection lets you drop the upper half of the tree into place, so all thats left to do is plug it in and start decorating.

Balsam Hill Balsam Fir Flip Tree Features

• Available in four heights: 6.5-, 7.5-, 9- and 10-foot options
• Available in three light types: Clear, Candlelight Clear LED, Color + Clear LED (The 6.5-foot tree also has a Twinkly Light Show option.)
• Features highly realistic True Needle branches and a full shape
• Three-year warranty, including on lights
• Built on a rolling metal stand for easy placement
• Comes with durable, custom-fit canvas bags for streamlined storage
• Includes fluffing gloves and troubleshooting kit

How We Tested It

I was sent the 7.5-foot Balsam HillBalsam Fir flip tree with clear lights in April 2023. Since then, I have set up, decorated and taken down the tree multiple times.

Arrival and Unboxing

The Balsam Hill flip tree was delivered to my porch, standing upright. It was a two-person effort to carry the 79-pound box up the set of stairs into my apartment. But once we got it inside, unboxing was easy. The flip tree comes in a special box thats designed so you can simply roll out the baseagain, no lifting required.

Both the flippable base and the top portion of the tree were also wrapped in their own custom storage bags. Ive bought my fair share of Christmas trees, and typically this is an item you have to buy after the factand hope it fits. Balsam Hill includes them with your flip tree purchase. Right away I was impressed with this attention to detail. Taking down the Christmas tree is one of my most dreaded tasks, but knowing I have quality storage ready to go makes it a little more bearable.

Setting Up the Tree

After unboxing and removing the storage bags, it was finally time to test out the flip tree feature! I started by locking down the wheels to keep the tree steady. This was as simple as pressing the hinge on each of the four caster wheels.

Then, I simply pressed on the flip pedal and pulled the top of the tree trunk toward me. It immediately started to flip! I guided the trunk down slowly until I heard it click into place. Easy-peasy.

Next, I grabbed the top portion of the tree. For this step, all I needed to do was align the arrow on the bases trunk with the arrow on the tops trunk. Again, this was a breeze. And now I had a fully assembled tree. The whole process took maybe three minutes, and I could tackle it by myself. (Aka no more waiting for my fianc to agree that its time to put up the Christmas tree.)

Before I could grab the ornaments, I needed to perform arguably the most important task when setting up an artificial Christmas tree: fluffing the branches. While its time-consuming, it guarantees that your tree will look its very best. Plus, Balsam Hill kindly includes two sets of gloves to protect your (and a helpers!) hands from any poky needles.

Full instructions are available on Balsam Hills website, but the premise of fanning the branches is pretty simple. I also found that, because the flip tree uses the brands premier True Needle foliage, it required a little less shaping than traditional PVC branches.

Decorating the Tree

Drumroll, please! Once the flip tree was fluffed, I plugged it in. And, I know this sounds cheesy, but I audibly gasped. This was the most beautiful artificial tree Ive ever seen. It was full, bright and covered in lights. (The 7.5-foot option I tested has over 6,375 branch tips and 1,150 lights, to be exact.) I also love that the lights are controlled through an easy-to-use remote.

To decorate the tree, I started by first hanging larger baubles. An expert holiday decorator taught me years ago that you should hang your biggest ornaments first, and ideally tuck them into the tree for a layered look. Bonus points if theyre reflective and will help mirror the glow of the lights. Since the Balsam Fir style of the flip tree is a little fuller than my previous tree, I wasnt sure how many large ornaments Id be able to hang. But I found plenty of space, even amongst the dense branches. Then, I moved on to medium and small ornaments to fill in the gaps.

Throughout the decorating process, I was continually impressed with each branchs sturdiness. They supported the weight of even my bulkiest pieces. I also loved that there was a clear tip of the tree for securing my topper.

Taking Down the Tree

As with everything in life, all good things must come to an end. After enjoying my tree for a few days, it was time to take it down.

After removing the ornaments and unplugging the power adaptor from the wall, I simply lifted off the top and gently placed it in its bag. I then pressed on the bases foot pedal and flipped it back toward me. Finally, I placed the bases storage bag around the branches. After fluffing, the tree pieces are a little more difficult to wrangle into their respective bags. I was able to complete the process by myself, but it is easier with another set of hands.

Once everything was tucked away, I unlocked the caster wheels and rolled the tree into a spare closet. If youre someone who relies on a basement or attic for holiday storage, keep this in mind as youll likely want to find a first-floor storage home for your tree.

Troubleshooting

When I unboxed the Balsam Hill flip tree, I noticed a small bag attached to the bases storage bag. It was a troubleshooting kit! In addition to the aforementioned fluffing gloves and remote, it included written instructions, extra bulbs and fuses, a replacement caster wheel and other upkeep tools. While it will hopefully be several years before I need to worry about updating burnt-out bulbs, I was impressed that Balsam Hill provided everything I needed to keep my tree in tip-top shape.

As someone who frequently questions the sustainability of real vs. artificial Christmas trees, it puts my mind at ease knowing I have the power to fix an issue rather than replace the entire tree.

Customer Service

For full transparency, the first flip tree I was sent had a defective flip mechanism. All it took, though, was a quick phone call to customer service. After a few minutes of troubleshooting, they decided to send me a new tree. The replacement arrived before Id even had a chance to send back the defective one.

While of course, no one wants to have to reach out to customer service, defects do happen. And how a company responds to an issue is more important to me than a mistake. In my experience, Balsam Hill lives up to its reputation as having some of the best customer service support in the industry.

Flip Tree Options

For a classic holiday look, I tested the Balsam Fir flip treebut that’s far from the only option! Balsam Hill offers its convenient flip function in nine other styles:

• Aspen Estate Fir
• Noble Fir
• Fraser Fir
• Blue Spruce
• Red Spruce
• Colorado Mountain Spruce
• Silverado Slim
• Vermont White Spruce
• California Baby Redwood

Each tree is available in a variety of height and light options. And, if you’re not sure which tree style best suits your space, order a Balsam Hill branch sample kit. This handy box contains 10 or 25 tiny tree branches so you can get a firsthand feel for each choice. Then, once you’ve made a decision, the cost of the box applies to your tree purchase!

Pros

• Incredibly easy to set up and take down
• Stunning realism
• Beautiful, bright lights
• Wheels into place
• Heirloom-status quality
• Includes storage bags
• Branches support ornaments of all shapes and sizes
• Fix-it kit makes troubleshooting a breeze
• Excellent customer service
• Three-year warranty

Cons

• Heavy to move, especially up stairs
• Requires ample storage space
• One of the pricier options on the market

FAQ

Are flip trees worth it?

As a seasoned holiday decorator, I vote yes. The trees quality and craftsmanship, plus Balsam Hills keen attention to detail, reassure me that my flip tree will last for years.

Do Balsam Hill trees wobble?

In my experience, no. I have uneven hardwood floors, and I found the Balsam Hill flip trees caster wheels to be sturdier than my traditional tree stand. The entire tree feels very secure.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

With over 17,000 reviews and a 4.6 average star rating, I’m not the only one who thinks the Balsam Hill flip tree is full of holiday magic.

Verified buyer, Gma, is impressed with the tree’s easy setup. They write: “Got rid of my previous Balsam Hill tree after 12 years. It was still in really good shape, but I wanted a different tree going forward. I love the convenience of being able to set up my new tree in record time because of the flip feature.”

“Our old 9-foot tree took about an hour, three people and about a half box of Band-Aids,” shares five-star reviewer, E. Pate. “I put this beauty up in 10 minutes by myself and no Band-Aids. I love that there are plugs and wires everywhere and that I can change from multicolored to clear lights.”

“Beautiful,” exclaims verified buyer, Linda Christmas fanatic. “Tree is extremely simple to unpack and set up. We are in our late 70s and had no issues unpacking and setting up. Tree looks beautiful and can’t wait for next Christmas to decorate.”

Final Verdict

If youre in the market for a new Christmas tree, I cant speak more highly of the Balsam Hill flip tree. Yes, its an investment. But its one that you will enjoy for many holiday seasons. Plus, the setup does not get any easier. This tree simplifies one of the most stressful parts of holiday decorating. (Im already planning to buy one for my aging parents who struggle with their bulky traditional tree.)

Where to Buy the Balsam Hill Flip Tree

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We Tried It

Balsam Hill Flip Tree

The design has rich color, lifelike needles and easy setup in a variety of styles.

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Pick up the Balsam Hill Balsam Fir flip tree on the brands website and a few other retailers. My 7.5-foot tree with clear lights retails for $1,799. Other style, size and light options range from $1,399 to $4,399. While these prices are certainly on the high end, keep in mind that Balsam Hill does offer frequent sales. Not to mention, can you really put a price on holiday magic?

The post Balsam Hill Flip Tree Review: Holiday Decorating Has Never Been Easier appeared first on Taste of Home.