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Tag: Hosting Ideas

  • Home for the Holidays: Clever Hacks with Household Items

    Getting your home ready for the holidays goes beyond hanging a stocking or trimming a tree. With family and friends spending extra time together, why not create a feeling of coziness around the house? The Danes have a word for this warm winter mood: “hygge” (pronounced ”hooga”). This word loosely translates to taking pleasure in soothing things and enjoying a comforting, warm atmosphere at home with loved ones. There are many ways to get in the spirit, without spending a lot. Here are our favorite “holiday hacks” using common household items.

    bhgrelife.com - Household Hacks for the HolidaysDisplay Your Good Cheer

    If you have a gallery wall in a hallway or gathering room, greet your guests with this easy decor hack: Swap out the photos or artworks in the frames with some in a seasonal spirit. Use colorful greeting cards saved from years past, treasured holiday photos or photos of friends, kids’ winter drawings or snowflake cut-outs, bits of wrapping paper, or festive words!

     

     

     

  • 10 Ideas on How to Decorate an Inviting Mantel

    A mantel is often the focal point of its room, so it can be the perfect place to set the tone and ambiance of your interior. With this incredible amount of potential, you may need some tips and tricks for decoration. Luckily, with these 10 ideas on how to decorate an inviting mantel, yours will bring warmth, dimension, and personality into the room.

    Bhgrelife.com - 10 Ideas on How to Decorate an Inviting Mantel1. Use Seasonal Décor

    As the season changes, so should your mantelpiece. Swap out the fresh flowers of spring and summer for some fall foliage, and then update the fall foliage for holiday decorations when the new season arrives. New décor on the mantelpiece will be an excellent conversation starter and will keep your living area revitalized throughout the year.

  • Decadent Carrot Cheesecake with Butterscotch Maple Glaze

    When in need of a sweet treat that will spark your taste buds or something to bring smiles to the faces of your guests, this delicious carrot cheesecake will do the trick! Take a bite, and let the flavors melt in your mouth. Follow this recipe, and everyone will be savoring over your homemade treat.

    Decadent Carrot Cheesecake Recipe

    Ingredients:

    • 1 box carrot cake mix (Duncan Hines)
    • 1 cup hot tap water (for soaking carrots and raisins)
    • 2 eggs
    • ¼ cup vegetable oil
    • ½ cup chopped walnuts, plus extra for garnishing

    For the maple cheesecake:

    • 2 (8 oz. packages) cream cheese
    • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
    • 1/4 cup maple syrup
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 eggs

    For the butterscotch maple glaze:

    • 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1 tablespoon heavy cream

    Steps:

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
    2. Place carrots and raisins included in cake mix in 1 cup of hot water and soak for 5 minutes. Drain and squeeze out any excess water.
    3. Combine dry mix, eggs, ¼ cup vegetable oil in a bowl.
    4. Add in the drained carrots and raisins and walnuts. Combine well.
    5. In a separate large bowl, beat together with an electric mixer the cream cheese, maple syrup, sugar and vanilla until a smooth consistency is achieved. Beat in the eggs.
    6. Add 2 cups of the cake batter to the bottom of springform pan.
    7. Spread 1 cup of the cheesecake batter on top of the carrot cake in the pan.
    8. Add in remaining carrot cake batter, and top again with the remaining of cheesecake batter.
    9. Bake in preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until cake is cooked through when a toothpick is put in center comes out clean.
    10. Cool at room temperature. Remove the side off from pan, transfer to a platter.
    11. To make the glaze, put into a small bowl the chips, syrup, and butter. Melt in microwave for 45-60 seconds. Add the heavy cream and whisk until smooth.
    12. Glaze top of the cake as desired and sprinkle chopped walnuts.