Retreats 12/23/22

Bennion Deville Homes Holds Successful Toy Drive For CVRM

In the spirit of the season, Bennion Deville Homes recently completed a toy drive benefiting Coachella Valley Rescue Mission (CVRM). CVRM provides gifts to over 6,000 children across the desert this holiday season. Through a generous outpouring of support from Bennion Deville Homes’ clients, agents, and staff, the company collected 30 boxes of new, unwrapped toys that will go to kids across the desert. In addition to the toys, 2 bicycles, 2 ride on cars, and $200 in gift cards were given to the cause. Bennion Deville Homes also donated a $2,500 check to CVRM.

States Bennion Deville Homes C.E.O. Bob Deville, “It is inspiring to see our community and our company come together to ensure that every child in the Coachella Valley can have something special for the holidays. The emotional lift that something as simple as a toy can bring is incredible, and it is our honor to partner with Coachella Valley Rescue Mission to help spread happiness this season. Thanks to the generosity of our agents, staff, and clients, we donated 30 boxes of new, unwrapped toys, which will stay right here in the desert and go to kids in our local communities. We commend CVRM for their efforts in coordinating and distributing a mountain of toys to children each year. It is an impressive feat, and we want them to know we all notice and celebrate their hard work and dedication to our community. We wish everyone a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season, and a joyous New Year.”

About Bennion Deville Homes

As a leader in the local community, and the desert real estate leader, Bennion Deville Homes strives to make the neighborhoods it serves a better place for all. Founded in 2001 by Bob Bennion and Bob Deville, Bennion Deville Homes serves home buyers and sellers throughout Southern California in the primary markets of the Greater Palm Springs

Area (Coachella Valley) and the mountain communities of Riverside County. Bennion Deville Homes, the #1 real estate brokerage in the Coachella Valley, is a wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. HomeServices is the nation’s largest real estate company based on closed transactions, strengthening Bennion Deville Homes’ standing as a top brokerage on the local, regional, and national stages.

For the location of the Bennion Deville Homes office nearest you, visit our website, BDHomes.com. Follow us on major social media platforms @BDHSoCal for the latest local and national real estate and lifestyle news. We will unlock possibilities for you.

This champagne gold geometric 40-foot garland is a great minimalist decoration. $12.99 at amazon.com.

Ring in the new year with a champagne bottle piñata. $24.99 at orientaltrading.com.

AT RIGHT: Dress your tree for NYE with Stevey disco ball ornaments in shades of silver, rosy red and pink. $59.95 for a set of 12 at crateandbarrel.com.

Pinkblume’s gold star garland creates a photo-worthy backdrop. $12.99 at amazon.com.

Shein’s clear balloons are filled with silver sequins for a fun, festive vibe. $2 for a pack of 12 at shein.com.

Hosting a party to ring in the new year? These options are sure to make a statement.

This New Year’s 2023 standing mirror sign can be used indoors or outdoors. $29.99 at wayfair.com.

Make memories with a set of photo booth props from Big Dot of Happiness. $15.99 at target.com.

PartyCity’s Midnight party kit includes horns, hats, leis and tiaras for 10 people. $15 at partycity.com.

Use these plates as table decorations or for serving food. $15.49 for 60 at staples.com.

The best gift ideas for the home cook on your list

Danielle DeSiato Reviewed |USA TODAY

Shopping for the chef or foodie on your gift list can be overwhelming. There are so many kitchen utensils, cookware and gadgets. How can you choose just the right one, and in the right color?! Fear not! We at Reviewed have been working hard all year to uncover the best kitchen and cooking things your loved ones will absolutely love. h You’ve come to the right place for cooking gifts large and small. Plus, many gifts are on sale right now for all you lastminute shoppers, making this the perfect time to find the best deals on gifts this holiday season.

Whether they live in a snowy locale, or just want to bring festive flakes to the breakfast table, this mini maker will make any waffle lover smile.

Dash mini waffle makers are easy to use and up the cute factor at breakfast or brunch. They come in lots of different patterns, but this snowflake version is bound to add a festive flurry to any winter table. Don’t forget the maple syrup!

$25 at Amazon

For anyone who ever wanted their own robot, now they can have one – and it will make them popcorn. It’s not just any robot, but the endearing R2-D2, who doubles as an air-popper to save your movie-time snacks from the dark side.

When it’s time to pop, just load him up with kernels and watch him go to work. The top doubles as a serving bowl and the set also includes a butter

For the snow bunny who loves brunch: The Dash Snowflake Waffle Maker

For the ‘Star Wars’ fanatic: An R2-D2 popcorn maker

Cooks

warmer and popcorn scoop. Star Wars fans will surely appreciate this, but honestly, who wouldn’t want a robot popcorn maker?

$100 at Williams Sonoma

For the baker who deserves better: The KitchenAid Professional 600 Series Stand Mixer

A little extra help is always welcome in the kitchen, especially around the holidays, and the KitchenAid 6-quart Professional 600 Series Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer is the perfect helper for your favorite baker. From heavy bread dough to airy meringue, this professional-grade stand mixer can handle it all with ease.

Plus, with a large capacity, powerful motor, 10 speed options and the ability to attach many different accessories such as a pasta roller, meat grinder and spiralizer – the culinary creations they can make with this appliance are endless.

$550 at KitchenAid

For the family who cooks together: The KiwiCo Science of Cooking: Bread & Butter Kit

There’s nothing better than the smell of bread fresh from the oven, except maybe slathering it with butter and taking that first bite. For families who love to cook – or do science experiments –together, this KiwiCo crate is full of hands-on experiments that teach the lessons of how bread and butter are made. All they have to do is add a few simple ingredients.

Once the experiments are complete, and the delicious results gobbled up, kidsareleftwithacolorfulsetofkitchen utensils to use for future baking projects. There’s also a Science of Ice Cream kit for anyone who prefers frozen treats to baking, and KiwiCo also offers a subscription-based service we tried and loved.

$35 at KiwiCo

For the aesthetics-minded chef: The Our Place Home Cook Duo

Give the gift of beautiful cookware that also works. These super-nonstick pans make easy work of any sticky task thrown at them, and they look good do-

ing it. The Home Cook Duo bundles the famous Always Pan and Perfect Pot for a significant savings over buying each individually. Plus, you can choose a different color for each to truly personalize the set to its recipient.

The stylish home cook on your gift list will appreciate the colorful options – with fun names like blue salt, sage, and spice – that will coordinate perfectly with their kitchen aesthetic. This beautiful and functional cookware is also available in mini versions for even more cooking versatility.

Our Place also makes color-coordinated bakeware, hand-crafted tableware and trendy colored glassware that will shine in any contemporary, sophisticated kitchen.

$250 at Our Place

For the espresso lover who lacks counter space: The Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville

Reviewed managing editor, Meghan Kavanaugh, loves her Nespresso Essenza Mini for how quick and easy it is to use, the sleek, slim design that hardly takes up any space, and the delicious espresso and coffee it makes. For the coffee fanatic in your life, get a set that includes the Aeroccino 3 milk frother and they’ll be making baristaquality coffee drinks from the comfort of home.

$220 at Amazon

For the comfort-food cook: The Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Forever a staple of comfort food

cooking, the enameled cast iron Dutch oven is often a huge investment piece. Indeed, some of our favorites come close to $400, but the Lodge Dutch oven performed equally well in our testing and costs a fraction of the price.

Whether your favorite home cook wants to braise, fry, or bake – this Dutch oven is the perfect companion. We particularly love baking bread in our Dutch ovens.Youmaysavesomedoughonthis holiday gift, but you certainly won’t be skimping on quality.

$70 at Amazon

For the pour-over coffee fan: The Fellow Staag EKG Electric Kettle

If the coffee or tea drinker in your life is looking to add a little high-tech luxury

to their morning brew experience, the new Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle is a gift that will be greatly appreciated.

With a gooseneck spout for optimal pour-over flow rate, a color LCD display, and push-dial control for selecting temperature, hold time, and a host of other customizable features, this sleek kettle effortlessly combines form with function. Plus, multiple color options and attractive wooden accents make this a very good-looking countertop companion.

$165 to $195 at Amazon

For the home chef who’s a real pro:

The Vitamix A2500

It’s no secret that Vitamix is the top of the line when it comes to pro-style blenders, and what better time than the holidays to splurge on the best for your special someone? The Vitamix A2500 is a workhorse blender that lives up to the challenges of a restaurant kitchen, and it’s made to stand the test of time.

With its high-powered motor, variable-speed control dial, and 64-ounce jar, it takes on every blending task with ease. There’s even specialized program settings for smoothies, hot soups, and frozen desserts.

If you want an even bigger upgrade with a smaller price tag, Vitamix offers Certified Refurbished machines that come with their own 5-year warranty. The smoothie-addict on your list has suffered lumpy smoothies long enough.

$539 at Amazon

The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews and more.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

For the “Star Wars” fan: an R2-D2 popcorn maker. WILLIAMS SONOMA

For the family: The KiwiCo Science of Cooking: Bread & Butter Kit. KIWICO

For the coffee fanatic: a Fellow Staag EKG Electric Kettle. REVIEWED/ FELLOW

Gift suggestions for gardeners

Chris McKeown Special to Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY NETWORK - OHIO

As adults, the hardest people to buy gifts for are other adults. Whenever we are struggling to find a gift idea for someone, we tend to consider what they enjoy doing with their spare time. I suspect this is why I get a few mugs and pilsner glasses every year. I’m sure at

least a few of your hard-to-buy-for friends and relatives like to garden. After all, it is considered by some sources to be the number one hobby in the country.

Gifts for gardeners are not something that you might stumble across at the mall as an impulse purchase. You need to know where their focus is on the garden and landscape.

Power tools

These are always great gifts for both men and women. Anything that can make work easier is always a welcome gift. These days you have many options. In the past, power tools such as mowers, trimmers, blowers, and chainsaws were only available with gas engines, but now all of this equipment is available with electric power.

In the past, these types of electric tools were not favored because they were not as powerful as those with gas engines, but technology has changed. In the past, some electric tools still had cords, but now they are powered by long-lasting batteries. They also do not require the maintenance that is required for gas-powered engines.

Hand tools

Of course, there are many types of hand tools, such as garden trowels or pruners that you can buy for a gardener. You also cannot go wrong by giving a good pair of garden gloves. Avid gardeners will wear out even the

best gloves on the market.

Gardening books

These are also another great idea. Gardening books are the one gardening gift that the receiver can use right away. There are thousands of gardening books to choose from. I will give you this tip: When you are shopping for books, especially if you are looking online, be sure to limit your search to the Midwest or the state you live in. For example, search for “garden books for Ohio.” The more specific a book is to an area, the better the information will be.

Memberships

Another suggestion would be to buy a membership to a place where your favorite gardener can learn more about plants in their area, such as a zoo or botanical garden. A membership would give them the opportunity to see and learn about all kinds of plants and increase their knowledge about native plants and sustainability.

Gift cards

If you continue to struggle to find a good gardening gift, you can always default to the gift that suits almost anyone. This would be a gift card to their favorite garden store. If they don’t have one, a gift card from your favorite plant store would also be greatly appreciated.

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