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I've planned girls' trips with my friend group for decades. Now, we bring our daughters to pass down the tradition.

Three women sitting on boat waving
I (not pictured) have enjoyed planning trips with my friends and our daughters.

CandyRetriever/Shutterstock

  • I've planned girls' trips with friends for years, but it's been harder to coordinate them over time.
  • We all have a lot going on, and many of us have kids who can be especially tough to plan around.
  • Our adults-only trips aren't going anywhere, but we now plan group trips with our daughters, too.

Since college, I've been fortunate to have a big, close-knit group of girlfriends โ€” and I've prioritized nurturing those friendships.

I especially love strengthening our bonds during getaways, and in my group, I handle planning and coordinating the girls' trips.

Since the '90s, I've spearheaded countless getaways for our group โ€” from raging college spring breaks (New Orleans) to bachelorette parties and divorce parties (both Vegas), to milestone birthdays (my 21st in NYC and 30th in Jamaica), to healing retreats after illness and loss.

These trips have been a great source of joy, laughter, healing, and countless memories โ€” one that sustains us through distance and life's tribulations.

I'm determined to keep up the girls' trip tradition, especially as life looks different for all of us.

There are more factors to consider now that we're adults with full lives

Group of women jumping in water in front of sunset
Many of us (not pictured) don't even live in the same city.

Dmitry Molchanov/Shutterstock

In our teens and early 20s, finding time and space for bonding was easy because many of us lived together and had few distractions.

As life has gone on, those opportunities for connection have become fewer and more difficult to coordinate. We no longer live under one roof, and many of us aren't even in the same city.

In our group, there are big jobs, spouses or partners, ailing and elderly parents, a wide range of disposable incomes, and home projects.

For many of us, there are also kids. This element, in particular, makes it harder for people to commit to dates and make a trip happen: There's homework to do, drop-off and pick-up schedules to coordinate, and sometimes no partner who can help.

It can be hard to prioritize time for yourself as a parent, let alone make time for a trip with friends.

A recent change of plans helped me approach girls' trips in a new way

My last girls' trip to Palm Springs was an impulsive overnight stay at an Airbnb oasis with a jewel box of a pool amid a historic heat wave.

My friend had intended to celebrate her anniversary with her husband and daughter there โ€” but when he got sick, she invited my daughter and I to join for a two-generation girls-only sleepover instead.

While we hung out, our daughters (ages 7 and 10) had fun among themselves. When we all came together, we did pedicures and facials, had cannonball contests, and shared a huge tray of nachos by the pool.

This arrangement was fun and rewarding, plus it eased some of the logistical burdens involved in coordinating childcare. It also helped me realize how nice it could be to incorporate our daughters into some of our trips.

Mom-daughter trips won't replace our old format entirely. Importantly, some friends in our group have no kids (and no interest in spending leisure time with them), and some have only sons.

Still, I'm hoping the two-generation girls' trip flourishes as one extension of a cherished tradition in our expanded circle as life goes on.

Most of all, I'm thrilled to expose the next generation to the soul-satisfying joy of girls' trips, a travel style that I believe nurtures friendships and supports sanity across all stages of life.

Read the original article on Business Insider

4 mistakes you should never make when hosting for the holidays, according to etiquette experts

A woman lighting candles on a table decorated for Christas.
There are a few mistakes that should be avoided when hosting for the holidays.

DragonImages/Getty Images

  • Business Insider asked etiquette experts about the mistakes to avoid when hosting for the holidays.
  • It's important to make sure everyone feels welcomed โ€” even unexpected guests.
  • Hosts should also ensure there is enough seating for everyone at the party.

Although hosting friends and family for the holidays can be fun, there's no denying that doing so also comes with its fair share of stress. Without proper planning, things can even get chaotic.

To avoid making etiquette mistakes in the process, Business Insider asked two experts to share the top mistakes they see people make when hosting. Here's what they said.

Don't chastise guests for bringing an unexpected plus-one

Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert and the owner of the Protocol School of Texas, told BI that hosts should never reprimand a guest for bringing an unexpected plus-one.

If this happens, she said to address the issue later โ€” not in front of others.

"You don't want to reprimand the guest or the guest's guest in front of anyone. Later on, you can say, 'Sally, I wasn't expecting a plus one because it kind of put me in an awkward position with other people.' But you can say that privately at another time, not that night," Gottsman said.

Make sure there is enough seating for all guests

A dining table set with Christmas decorations in front of a tree and wreath.
Use your head count to ensure everyone has a place to sit.

Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

When it comes to seating, it's important to double check your head count and ensure everyone has a place to sit. Gottsman said this should also be done for more casual events like cocktail or dinner parties.

"You want to have enough seating for people," Gottsman said.

Avoid creating a chaotic environment

Etiquette and hosting expert Carla Shellis said another common mistake hosts make is not considering how they want their event or home to feel.

By yelling and scrambling to get things done at the last second, the host can unintentionally leave the space feeling more chaotic than welcoming.

Gottsman shared similar thoughts, telling BI, "When the doorbell rings with your first guest, you should not still be in your hair rollers, or lighting candles, or racing around talking about how busy you are."

To combat a chaotic situation, Shellis likes to play music, light candles, and clean the space before her guests arrive. She also gives herself plenty of time to get everything done so she doesn't have to rush.

Be cautious when serving alcohol

A group of people toasting cheers with Champagne flutes.
Alcohol can sometimes do more harm than good at a party.

wilpunt/Getty Images

Shellis told BI that serving too much alcohol is an easy way to create unnecessary issues at a party. That's why it's important to ensure everyone is enjoying themselves in moderation.

For instance, Shellis said when people ask her if she has any more wine, she'll say no and redirect them by offering other beverages like iced tea or soda.

"For 30 years, I've been hosting parties, and I'm going to tell you there's nothing that will kill a beautiful environment quicker than somebody that's hammered and acting foolish," Shellis told BI.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I was on 'Say Yes to the Dress.' Here are 5 things that surprised me about being on the show.

The writer wears a wedding dress and speaks to Randy Fenoli
I was on "Say Yes to the Dress" after a flood destroyed my original gown.

TLC

  • When I was on TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress," I was surprised by a few things.
  • The show isn't scripted, and I still receive fan mail years later.ย 
  • I thought Randy Fenoli was nice and caring and I liked that we share a Louisiana connection.

Back in 2016, I was on a special episode of TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress" (season 15, episode six).

I planned to get married earlier that year, but when my Louisiana home flooded and my gown was destroyed, it looked like my dream wedding was ruined. As my fiancรฉ and I considered pushing the date back, "Say Yes to the Dress" posted an online request for brides-to-be who were affected by the flood.

A friend nominated me and I was selected to be on the show. Here are five surprising things I learned from my "Say Yes to the Dress" episode.

I'm one of few people โ€” if not the only bride โ€” who received a free dress on 'Say Yes to the Dress'

The writer wears a wedding dress and speaks to Randy Fenoli
I chose a Mark Zunino gown and jewelry from Kleinfield's collection.

TLC

Normally, the "Say Yes to the Dress" team starts by breaking down your budget, but because my original wedding gown was destroyed, I received a free dress.

My episode highlighted the tragedy of the flood that took most of my belongings and I was offered the best care by bridal designer Randy Fenoli and his team. "Say Yes" flew my husband and me to New York, where we stayed in a lavish hotel right by Times Square.

My family lost everything in the flood, so it was a huge contrast to go from watching all of our stuff wash away to wearing a Mark Zunino gown, Jimmy Choo shoes, and Kleinfield's own collection of jewelry.

Fenoli was so kind, and we even shared a personal connection

The writer hugs Randy Fenoli as her guests stand up and clap in background during dress fitting
Randy Fenoli was attentive and caring as I prepared for my weddding.

TLC

As we filmed, I could feel Fenoli had a strong bond with the people who he worked with to tell my story. I'm still so grateful to have been chosen to share my experience about planning a wedding that felt as if it would never happen, and I cannot thank that team enough for helping me feel the most beautiful and cared for.

During the process, I learned that Fenoli actually grew up in Louisiana, and he's also dealt with natural disasters. He was trapped in a two-story apartment in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

I think my experience touched him because it was a story that was so close to home.

I still talk to Fenoli to this day, and he featured my story in a special season-17 episode where he discussed his most memorable brides.

The show isn't scripted

The crew captured my genuine reactions.

And if I said something funny, cute, or cool, I quickly learned to expect to see that footage over and over again.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any of the footage of my own wedding

The writer wears a wedding dress and holds a bouquet and walks down the aisle
I was surprised that I wouldn't get any footage of my wedding.

TLC

I was so excited to have such an enormous film crew and producers record my wedding because I thought I would receive some of the footage. I also didn't hire my own videographer to capture the details of my entire wedding, so sadly, I don't have the day's events on film.ย 

Still, the "Say Yes" production team gave me five minutes of absolute fabulousness.

Hindsight is 20/20, but I still wish I would've known the footage wouldn't be available to me because I definitely would've hired a videographer.

I still receive fan mail about our episode every so often

People may not know that my husband and I have split up since our episode aired.

Still, every time fans contact me, I don't really know what to say other than, "Thank you."

This story was originally published on July 14, 2022, and most recently updated on December 20, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider

How to make the best holiday cookies, according to chefs

Brown Christmas cookies with star-shaped white sprinkles and red ornaments in the background
There are certain tricks to making the perfect holiday cookies.

NurPhoto/Getty Images

Whether baking for yourself or as a gift for family and friends, you may find that sometimes your oven can be your worst enemy when you're baking cookies.

To make your winter baking a breeze, Business Insider spoke with chefs to get their best tips and tricks for making holiday cookies.

The key is to rest the dough and let cookies set

cooling cookies
Cookies should properly cool on a rack once they're baked.

Marie C Fields/Shuttershock

Michael Wallace, culinary director at Kinder's Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces, told BI that home bakers need to allocate time to let the dough and finished treats sit.

"First thing I like to tell people is the importance of resting the dough," Wallace said. "I like to let it rest for at least two hours before baking."

"Next would be to allow the cookies to cool after baking for five minutes before transferring from the baking sheet," he said. "This allows the cookie to 'set up.'"

Wallace also said that unless you're using gluten-free flour, be cautious of overmixing your dough.

You should freeze your dough before bakingย 

cookie dough
It's important to chill the dough when preparing holiday cookies.

ThitareeSarmkasat/Getty Images

Chef Tricia Brennan Nally told BI that you should prioritize letting your dough firm up in the freezer or fridge.ย 

"Scoop and freeze your dough before baking," Nally said. "Chilled dough is always best, but it's difficult to scoop when it's cold."

Adequate chilling time can vary depending on the dough you're using and the cookies you're trying to make, so do your research and allocate that waiting period ahead of baking.

Remember that less can be more

holiday cookies
Take your time decorating each cookie.

June1967/Shuttershock

Nally added that it may be worth your time to focus on nailing one type of cookie rather than tackling a bunch of varieties at once.ย 

"I'm also a fan of quality over quantity," Nally said. "I'd rather give people one or two or the same kind of cookie โ€” or any pastry โ€” and have them be really good than give them 10 subpar cookies."

If you've already made different batches of dough, you can always place them in the freezer to bake at a later date.

You can make different kinds of cookies using the same dough

thumbprint cookies
Shortbread dough can be used to make all sorts of shapes.

Teri Virbickis/Shuttershock

Nally also recommends baking different cookie varieties with the same dough to keep things fresh.

"Try making multiple kinds of cookies with the same dough base, like a sugar or shortbread dough that can be turned into thumbprint cookies, sandwich cookies, rolled for cutouts, etc.," Nally said.ย 

In addition to mixing up cookie shapes, you can also vary the way you decorate and plate your holiday treats.

Having good tools can sometimes make a difference

cookie decorating
Baking equipment and other kitchen gadgets can come in handy.

Suzana Marinkovic/Shuttershock

As a chef myself, I'll share a few parting words.

Always be sure to chill your dough before rolling it out โ€“ particularly if it is sugar-cookie dough. It needs time to firm up so that cookie cutters are able to create the sharpest lines.

I'd also recommend purchasing a bench knife, which will help you slice dough, cut butter into flour, and more โ€” having the right tools in the kitchen can make all the difference.

Other items I'd recommend you stock up on are different size cookie scoops, a small offset spatula, and a Silpat baking mat.

This story was originally published in December 2018 and most recently updated on December 19, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I tried 5 hot-chocolate recipes from celebrity chefs, and only one beat Ina Garten's

celebrity chef hot chocolates all in mugs on table
I made hot chocolate using popular chefs' recipes to find best one out there.

Paige Bennett

  • I made hot-chocolate recipes from Ina Garten, Jacques Torres, Sandra Lee, Alton Brown, Carla Hall.
  • My favorite recipe for hot chocolate was Sandra Lee's, which calls for a bit of alcohol.ย 
  • Garten had my second-favorite recipe, though I'd make all of them again with some adjustments.

Like many people, hot chocolate was a staple of my childhood. On snowy days, I'd go build snowmen or sled with my little brother, then run inside to a cup of it.

I'd never had a homemade mug of hot chocolate โ€” or hot cocoa, if it's made from a powder โ€” so I decided to try five recipes from celebrity chefs Ina Garten, Jacques Torres, Sandra Lee, Alton Brown, and Carla Hall to see which I'll follow all season long.ย 

Garten's hot-chocolate recipe includes espresso powder and a cinnamon stick for garnish

ingredients for Ina Garten hot chocolate on cutting board
The ingredients for Ina Garten's hot chocolate recipe were simple enough.

Paige Bennett

The "Barefoot Contessa" host's hot-chocolate recipe seems great for a crowd โ€” although I cut the recipe in half, it still made two to three servings.ย 

The original recipe calls for half a pound of chocolate, so I expected it to be very rich. It also includes espresso powder, which I figured would boost the chocolaty flavor.ย 

Sheย calls for a vanilla bean or cinnamon stick to use as garnish, which are fancier and more expensive than marshmallows, whipped cream, or peppermint rods.

Once the ingredients were measured and chopped, this drink quickly came together

heating chocolate and milk for Ina Garten hot chocolate in pan
I mixed the ingredients on the cooktop.

Paige Bennett

It took me some time to measure out all of the ingredients, but after that was done, Garten's recipe was pretty quick and straightforward.ย 

I heated the milk and half-and-half on the cooktop, then whisked in the bittersweet and milk chocolate until they were melted. From there, I added in the rest of the ingredients, stirred it all together, and poured it into my mug.ย 

pouring Ina Garten hot chocolate into orange mug
Once the mix was combined and warm, I poured it into a mug to drink.

Paige Bennett

I garnished the drink with a cinnamon stick since vanilla beans are a little too pricey for me to justify using them for garnish.

This hot chocolate was delicious and not too sweet

Ina Garten hot chocolate in orange mug
Ina Garten's hot chocolate was rich and thick.

Paige Bennett

Rich is the best way to describe this hot chocolate โ€” it had a thicker consistency and a delicious, chocolaty flavor that wasn't too sweet thanks to the bittersweet chocolate. The espresso definitely helped bring out the richness of the chocolate.

Although the cinnamon stick was a nice touch, a drink this good begs for some whipped cream as well.

Torres' hot-chocolate recipe calls for 4 ingredients, and none of them are sugar

Jacques Torres hot chocolate ingredients on wooden cutting board
The ingredients for Jacques Torres' hot chocolate threw me off a little.

Paige Bennett

Torres, a renowned pastry chef and "Nailed It!" cohost, has a very simple hot-chocolate recipe with just four ingredients โ€” milk, milk powder, cornstarch, and dark chocolate.

The one thing I noticed right away is that there are no sweetening agents in this recipe, so I expected it to be more bitter than the others.

The directions were as simple as the ingredients list

combing ingredients in metal bowl for Jacques Torres chocolate milk
The milk powder didn't dissolve all the way.

Paige Bennett

With only four ingredients, it makes sense that this recipe was also easy to make.ย 

I boiled the milk, stirred in the chocolate until it melted, then added the milk powder and cornstarch to thicken the mix.

Jacques Torres hot chocolate on stove top
The mixture was a somewhat light brown.

Paige Bennett

Although I quickly whisked nonstop, I later found out that some of the milk powder didn't completely dissolve.

ย 

I would've liked a bit of sweetener in this recipe

Jacques Torres hot chocolate in mug with whipped cream
I topped Jacques Torres' hot chocolate with whipped cream.

Paige Bennett

I liked the use of dark chocolate, but this recipe needed a little bit of sweetener. It was just a bit too bitter, but the worst part was the clumps of milk powder that didn't dissolve, no matter how hard I whisked. Luckily, this is an easy fix: I'll use a strainer next time.ย 

Otherwise, the texture was thick โ€” but not as rich as Garten's โ€” and it would be really delicious with a little bit of sugar.

Lee's recipe is a little boozy

Sandra Lee hot chocolate ingredients on cutting board
The ingredients for Sandra Lee's hot chocolate included a little bit of booze.

Paige Bennett

I was unsure if I'd be a fan of Lee's "Semi-Homemade Cooking" recipe, which calls for milk chocolate, half-and-half, cinnamon, and either vanilla vodka or hazelnut liqueur.ย 

I opted for the latter because it's what I had on hand, but I was worried the milk chocolate would make this drink too sweet.

This was the fastest recipe to make

mixing milk and chocolate in pan for Sandra Lee hot chocolate
I combined most of the ingredients on the cooktop except for the alcohol.

Paige Bennett

With only three ingredients that go onto the cooktop at the same time, this recipe was ready in five minutes.ย 

pouring Sandra Lee hot chocolate into blue mug
I added the alcohol after I poured the hot chocolate into my mug.

Paige Bennett

After the mix melted together and heated up, I poured it into a cup and added an ounce of hazelnut liqueur.

I couldn't believe how incredible this hot chocolate turned out

Sandra Lee hot chocolate in blue mug
Sandra Lee's hot chocolate had the perfect blend of flavors.

Paige Bennett

This recipe is so good. The drink had a hint of spice and was sweet, slightly nutty, and definitely chocolaty โ€” I loved the flavor that the cinnamon and hazelnut added.ย 

After one sip, I knew this would be my go-to drink for winter.

Brown's recipe is for hot cocoa, but I still wanted to try it

Alton Brown hot chocolate ingredients on cutting board
None of the ingredients for Alton Brown's hot cocoa were too wild.

Paige Bennett

This recipe results in a hot-cocoa powder that you can store and use again because it keeps "indefinitely," according to Brown. This was an advantage the hot-chocolate recipes didn't have, so I was excited to see how this turned out.ย 

The mix calls for six dry ingredients that get combined with hot water.

Mix, pour, and stir โ€” this recipe was ready in no time

Alton Brown hot cocoa mix  in container
I mixed the dry ingredients to create hot-cocoa mix.

Paige Bennett

I measured out all of the dry ingredients, including a pinch of cayenne, and stored the mix in an airtight container. Even after cutting the recipe in half, this still made about two cups of hot-cocoa powder.ย 

Once everything was combined, I filled my mug halfway with the mix, then poured in the hot water and stirred.

This simple hot cocoa had the slightest kick from the cayenne

Alton Brown hot cocoa in brown mug with spoon
I have leftover mix so I can make Alton Brown's hot cocoa again.

Paige Bennett

The finished drink had a barely sweet chocolate flavor, plus a little heat from the cayenne.ย 

The recipe lists hot water among the ingredients, so that is what I used. However, Brown also said in the directions that the mix works great with warm milk, which I'll use next time for a slightly thicker and richer drink.

Overall, this hot cocoa was still tasty and better than the store-bought alternatives.

I was excited to experiment with the unique hot-chocolate ingredients in Hall's 'Snow Day Cocoa'

Carla Hall hot chocolate ingredients on cutting board
The ingredients for Carla Hall's hot chocolate seemed unique.

Paige Bennett

Culinary judge Hall had a unique lineup of ingredients in her hot-chocolate recipe, ranging from dark chocolate and toasted cinnamon to ginger and orange peel, plus a homemade whipped cream.ย 

I love all of these flavors, so I was looking forward to trying this option.

This recipe took me the longest to make

mixing Carla Hall hot chocolate in pan over stove
This recipe came together on the cooktop.

Paige Bennett

Hall's hot chocolate was more involved than the others, but the steps were still easy to follow.ย 

I started by toasting some ground cinnamon in a pot on the cooktop, then I added the rest of the base ingredients.ย 

As that heated up, I made the whipped cream โ€” which requires heavy cream, ginger, and sugar โ€” in my stand mixer. The original amount of cream was too little for my attached whisk to reach and whip, so I doubled the recipe.

I enjoyed the various flavor profiles in this hot chocolate

Carla Hall hot chocolate in black mug with cream
Carla Hall's recipe called for homemade whipped cream.

Paige Bennett

The drink had a strong dark-chocolate flavor, which I liked. The toasted cinnamon and hints of ginger and orange helped tone down most of the bitterness.ย 

I think I'd add a little more sugar to the hot chocolate itself, but overall, this recipe was great.

I liked all of the recipes, but Lee's was my favorite

five celebrity chef hot chocolates in cute mugs on wooden cutting board
All of the hot chocolates I made were pretty tasty, but Sandra Lee had my favorite one.

Paige Bennett

I'd try all of these recipes again, but Lee's was the winner for me. I loved her combination of chocolate, cinnamon, and hazelnut. The drink's texture was perfect because it wasn't too watery or too thick.

Garten's recipe was a very close second, as it was so rich and chocolaty โ€” just as this delicious drink should be.ย 

I'd also happily make Hall's "Snow Day Cocoa" again with a little more sugar, and Brown's mix is still in my pantry. I would also attempt Torres' recipe again, though I'd use a strainer and add sweetener to it.ย 

Click to check out the other celebrity-chef recipes we've put head-to-head so far.

This story was originally published on December 3, 2020, and most recently updated on December 19, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider

THEN AND NOW: The cast of 'You've Got Mail' 26 years later

Composite image of a close-up of Meg Ryan smiling in "You've Got Mail" and Meg Ryan wearing a sparkly gown against a red and yellow background at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party
"You've Got Mail" debuted in 1998.

Warner Bros. Pictures; Michael Tran/Getty Images

  • The "You've Got Mail" cast has been in many projects since the rom-com premiered 26 years ago.
  • Tom Hanks has since held roles in films like "Elvis" (2022) and "A Man Called Otto" (2022).
  • Meg Ryan has starred in a range of films and made her directorial debut in 2015 with "Ithaca."

"You've Got Mail" may have premiered over 25 years ago, but it's still a favorite movie among fans of rom-coms and 90s classics.

The film, which was directed by Nora Ephron, starred Meg Ryan as a struggling bookseller who develops an online friendship-turned-romance with an anonymous internet user. Unbeknownst to her, she's actually messaging her nemesis, the owner of a chain bookstore, played by Tom Hanks.ย 

Here's what the "You've Got Mail" cast has been up to since the movie hit theaters in 1998.

Hanks starred as Joe Fox, a New York businessman who opens a chain bookstore.
tom hanks you've got mail
Tom Hanks in "You've Got Mail."

Warner Bros.

In "You've Got Mail," Hanks' character, Joe, is a third-generation businessman who opens a commercial chain bookstore called Fox Books on Manhattan's Upper West Side.

By the time Hanks โ€” one of America's favorite actors โ€” landed the part, he had been appearing in movies and TV for nearly 20 years, beginning with roles in sitcoms like ABC's "Bosom Buddies" and NBC's "Family Ties."

In the 1990s, Hanks impressively earned two consecutive Oscars for his performances in the dramas "Philadelphia" (1993) and "Forrest Gump" (1994), which was based on Winston Groom's novel of the same name.

He also received best actor award nominations for "Big" (1988) and "Saving Private Ryan" (1998).

In addition to appearing in the baseball film "A League of Their Own" (1992) and the NASA biopic "Apollo 13" (1995), Hanks was in "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993), another iconic Ephron rom-com in which he starred opposite Ryan.

Additionally, he voiced Woody, a Wild West action figure, in Pixar's "Toy Story" (1995).

Hanks has portrayed an impressive range of real and fictional characters.
Close-up of Tom Hanks wearing a black suit and smiling at the 2023 MusiCares Persons of the Year gala
Tom Hanks attended the 2023 MusiCares Persons of the Year gala in Los Angeles in 2023.

Frederic J. Brown

Following "You've Got Mail," Hanks had starring roles in late-1990s and early-2000s hits such as "The Green Mile" (1999), "Cast Away" (2000), and "Catch Me If You Can" (2002).ย 

He also lent his voice to the conductor in "The Polar Express" (2004) and reprised his role as Woody in all the "Toy Story" sequels, most recently "Toy Story 4" (2019).ย 

Hanks has notably portrayed a number of real-life figures on the screen, too.

He played Walt Disney in "Saving Mr. Banks" (2013), pilot Chesley Sullenberger in "Sully" (2016), Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee in "The Post" (2017), and Fred Rogers in "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" (2019), which scored him an Academy Award nomination.

He also held roles in the Apple TV+ war drama "Greyhound" (2020) and Amazon's "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm" (2020).ย 

His most recent projects include "Elvis" (2022), Disney's live-action "Pinocchio" (2022), "A Man Called Otto" (2022), and "The Bloody Hundredth" (2024).ย 

Ryan played Kathleen Kelly, a children's bookstore owner who unknowingly starts an epistolary romance with Joe.
meg ryan you've got mail
Meg Ryan in "You've Got Mail."

Warner Bros.

Ryan played Kathleen, the owner of an independent children's bookstore called The Shop Around the Corner. After joining an over-30 chat room online, Kathleen unknowingly starts an epistolary romance with Joe, her business rival.ย 

Like Hanks, Ryan began professionally acting in the early 1980s.

Some of her first credits include lead roles in the long-running CBS soap opera "As the World Turns" โ€” her character, Betsy Stewart, was a fan favorite whose on-screen wedding garnered 20 million viewers โ€” and in the Western ABC series "Wildside."

Leaving TV for Hollywood, Ryan had a supporting part in "Top Gun" (1986) as Nick "Goose" Bradshaw's wife, Carole. But it was her roles in romantic comedies that earned her a reputation as "America's sweetheart."ย 

Opposite Billy Crystal, she charmed viewers in Rob Reiner's friends-to-lovers romance "When Harry Met Sallyโ€ฆ" (1989). In "Sleepless in Seattle," she played a journalist who falls for a single dad (Hanks) after his young son calls into a radio talk show.

Ryan went on to star in the drama "When a Man Loves a Woman" (1994) and appeared opposite Nicolas Cage in the romantic fantasy "City of Angels" (1998).

She also provided the speaking voice for the title character in "Anastasia" (1997), the animated musicalย inspired by the Russian royal family.ย 

Ryan has since starred in commercial and independent movies and made her directorial debut.
Meg Ryan wearing a gray sweater and holding a microphone with one hand scratching the top of her head onstage
Meg Ryan received an award at the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival in August 2024.

Elvis Barukcic/Getty Images

In 2001, Ryan starred in "Kate and Leopold," a romantic drama that centers on a 19th-century duke (Hugh Jackman) who time-travels to present-day New York.

A few years later, she pivoted to roles in independent films such as "In the Land of Women" (2007) and "Serious Moonlight" (2009).

Ryan's projects in the 2010s have ranged from Lisa Kudrow's improvisational Showtime comedy series "Web Therapy" about a psychologist's teletherapy practice to the film "Fan Girl" (2015), which stars Kiernan Shipka as a teen who wants to make a movie about All Time Low, her favorite band.ย 

On top of making her directorial debut with "Ithaca" (2015), a drama based on William Saroyan's novel "The Human Comedy," she also starred in it alongside Hanks and her son, Jack Quaid.

She most recently directed and starred alongside David Duchovny in a romantic comedy called "What Happens Later" (2023).

Stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle portrayed Joe's best friend, Kevin Jackson.
Dave Chappelle in "You've Got Mail."
Dave Chappelle in "You've Got Mail."

Warner Bros.

Although better known as a comedian, Chappelle had several film credits to his name by the time he played Kevin, Joe's best friend and a store manager at Fox Books.

Chappelle was in Mel Brooks' musical parody "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" (1993) and the 1996 remake of the sci-fi comedy "The Nutty Professor."

He also appeared in the action-thriller "Con Air" (1997).ย 

Chappelle's comedy career took off in the 2000s with stand-up specials and his own show.
Dave Chappelle wearing a suit and speaking onstage at the dedication of the theater at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC
Dave Chappelle spoke at the dedication of the theater at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, in 2022.

Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Getty Images

Chappelle recorded his first hourlong HBO stand-up special, "Dave Chappelle: Killin' Them Softly," in 2000.

Three years later, he launched "Chappelle's Show," a weekly sketch series on Comedy Central that aired until 2006.ย 

In addition to touring his stand-up act around the country, he has earned three consecutive Grammy awards for best comedy album.ย 

Although mainly focusing on stand-up, Chappelle still acts from time to time. He played Morris in Spike Lee's "Chi-Raq" (2015) and George "Noodles" Stone in "A Star is Born" (2018).ย 

In recent years, he has appeared in his own TV comedy specials.

Greg Kinnear played Frank Navasky, Kathleen's boyfriend and a journalist obsessed with analog technology.
Greg Kinnear you've got mail
Greg Kinnear in "You've Got Mail."

Warner Bros.

Kinnear played Kathleen's boyfriend, Frank, a New York Observer writer who loves analog technology, especially typewriters, and decries the computer revolution.ย 

Kinnear had a number of small parts in shows and in made-for-TV movies in the late 1980s before making his feature-film debut in the superhero parody "Blankman" (1994).

His first major role was in Sydney Pollack's remake of the romantic drama "Sabrina" (1995) opposite Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond.ย 

In 1997, he starred in "As Good as It Gets" as Simon Bishop, a painter who lives next door to a reclusive romance novelist (Jack Nicholson). Kinnear earned his first and only Oscar nomination to date for that performance.ย 

Kinnear has appeared in buzzy indie films like "Little Miss Sunshine" (2006) and several high-profile TV series.
greg kinnear
Greg Kinnear was in "Little Miss Sunshine."

Getty Images

Kinnear's biggest roles in the 2000s spanned from baseball coach Roy Bullock in Richard Linklater's remake of "Bad News Bears" (2005) to pageant dad Richard Hoover in the hit independent film "Little Miss Sunshine."

He also played Tina Fey's romantic interest in "Baby Mama" (2008).ย 

He also starred as Jack Kennedy in Reelz's "The Kennedys," played billionaire Bill Shepherd in season six of Netflix's "House of Cards," and made a cameo as himself in Netflix's "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt."

Additionally, he portrayed a young Joe Biden in "Confirmation" (2016), which chronicles Clarence Thomas' Supreme Court nomination hearings, and has starred in festival-favorite indies such as "Little Men" (2016) and "Brigsby Bear" (2017).ย 

Kinnear appeared in the thriller "Dreamland (2019)," costarring Armie Hammer, Gary Oldman, and Lily-Rose Depp. He also held roles in the Apple TV series "Black Bird" and season four of Netflix's "You."

Posey played Joe's girlfriend, a book editor named Patricia Eden.
Parker Posey you've got mail
Parker Posey in "You've Got Mail."

Warner Bros.

Posey played one of the most misunderstood characters in "You've Got Mail" โ€” Patricia, a high-powered book editor who Joe dates for most of the movie.ย 

Despite coming off as aloof and self-absorbed, the ambitious Patricia offers to give Kathleen a job when The Shop Around the Corner is jeopardized by Fox Books.ย 

Posey gained name recognition in the 1990s from appearing in Richard Linklater's "Dazed and Confused" (1993), "Kicking and Screaming" (1995), and the cult classic "Party Girl" (1995).ย 

She also portrayed art dealer Mary Boone in the biopic "Basquiat" (1996) and starred in the mockumentary "Waiting for Guffman" (1997).ย 

In addition to acting in films, Posey has made guest appearances in shows like NBC's "Parks and Recreation" and Fox's "New Girl."
parker posey
Parker Posey plays June Harris in "Lost in Space."

Gary Miller/Getty Images

Posey's movie roles in the 2000s ranged from Fiona, a conspiracy-spouting record company executive, in "Josie and the Pussycats" (2001) to Kitty Kowalski, Lex Luthor's nurse and eventual girlfriend, in "Superman Returns" (2006).ย 

More recently, she appeared in Woody Allen's "Cafรฉ Society" (2016), a romantic drama set in the 1930s, and "Columbus" (2017), filmmaker Kogonada's feature directorial debut.ย 

Posey also starred as June Harris, also known as Dr. Smith, in the Netflix sci-fi reboot "Lost in Space," which aired from 2018 to 2021.ย 

She has also played recurring parts in ABC's "Boston Legal," CBS' "The Good Wife," and TBS-HBO's "Search Party" in addition to making guest appearances on series like NBC's "Will and Grace," "Parks and Recreation," and "New Girl."

Posey also played Blair in AMC's "Tales of the Walking Dead" and is set to appear in season three of HBO Max's "The White Lotus."

Steve Zahn played George Pappas, an employee at The Shop Around the Corner.
Steve Zahn you've got mail
Steve Zahn in "You've Got Mail."

Warner Bros.

Zahn played goofy bookseller George in "You've Got Mail."ย 

Prior to acting on screen, Zahn cut his teeth onstage. In 1991, he helped form the Malaparte Theatre Company with Ethan Hawke and playwright Jonathan Marc Sherman. The collective focused on works about male anxiety.

In 1994, he appeared with Hawke in the cult classic "Reality Bites," a film focusing on recent college grads in Houston.

He also starred alongside Hanks in "That Thing You Do!" (1996), Hanks' directorial debut about a fictional 1960s band.

Zahn has played an eclectic range of characters in movies and TV.
Steve Zahn
Steve Zahn was in "Where'd You Go, Bernadette."

Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Zahn provided the voice for the cat Monty in "Stuart Little" (1999), played Rosencrantz in Michael Almereyda's contemporary version of "Hamlet" (2000), and starred as Drew Barrymore's ex in the coming-of-age film "Riding in Cars with Boys" (2001).ย 

His movie roles in the 2010s have included parts in "Dallas Buyers Club" (2013), "Captain Fantastic" (2016), "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019), and the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" film series, based on the books by Jeff Kinney.ย 

Also known for his work as a TV actor, Zahn starred in the New Orleans-set HBO drama "Treme" as Davis McAlary and in the ABC sci-fi thriller "The Crossing" as Jude Ellis.

Additionally, he played the Dunphys' neighbor, Ronnie, in ABC's "Modern Family."

Zahn also voiced an emotional support dog that helps an anxious preteen in Netflix's family comedy "The Healing Powers of Dude." Zahn appeared as Mark, a father with an inferiority complex, in season one of HBO Max's "The White Lotus" and most recently held a role in season two of the Apple TV+ show "Silo."

Heather Burns played Christina Plutzker, George's coworker.
Heather Burns you've got mail
Heather Burns in "You've Got Mail."

Warner Bros.

Burns played Christina Plutzker, George's droll coworker at the bookstore.

Before appearing in "You've Got Mail," Burns had small parts in NBC's "Law and Order" and ABC-Hulu's soap opera "One Life to Live."ย 

Burns is known for her role as Cheryl Frasier in "Miss Congeniality" (2000), which she reprised in the movie's sequel.
heather burns
Heather Burns was also in "Bewitched."

Bruce Glikas/Getty Images

Burns has acted in multiple films with Sandra Bullock, beginning with her performance as Miss Rhode Island, Cheryl, in "Miss Congeniality" and continuing with "Two Weeks Notice" (2002) and "Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous" (2005).

She is also known for her roles in "Bewitched" (2005) and "What's Your Number?" (2011).ย 

Burns also starred in the HBO comedy "Bored to Death" and the NBC sitcom "Save Me."

She also had recurring roles and guest parts in shows such as NBC's "Blindspot," Amazon's "Sneaky Pete," and Netflix's "The Politician."ย 

She appeared most recently in an episode of the timely Netflix anthology "Social Distance." Since then, she's held roles in the Paramount+ drama "The Good Fight" and HBO Max's "Julia."

Jean Stapleton began acting in movies in the 1950s and played Birdie Conrad, Kathleen's friend and bookkeeper.
Jean Stapleton you've got mail
Jean Stapleton in "You've Got Mail."

Warner Bros.

Stapleton played Birdie, the eccentric and sage bookkeeper at The Shop Around the Corner who Kathleen confides in about her personal life.ย 

Stapleton, who had a background in theater, began acting in movies and TV shows in the 1950s. Her first film role was in the musical "Damn Yankees" (1958).

She went on to star in "Up the Down Staircase" (1967), a drama based on the novel of the same name by Bel Kaufman.

She's perhaps best known for her role as matriarch Edith Bunker in the CBS sitcom "All in the Family," which earned her three Emmys.

Stapleton died in 2013 at age 90 after a long career.
jean stapleton
Jean Stapleton guest-starred in several famous sitcoms.

Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images

Sheย  guest-starred in hit CBS series in the 1990s and early 2000s like "Murphy Brown," "Everybody Loves Raymond," and "Touched By an Angel."ย 

In 2013, Stapleton died of natural causes at age 90. Her final movies included the direct-to-video sequel "Pocahontas 2: Journey to a New World" (1998) and the rom-com "Pursuit of Happiness" (2001).

This story was originally published in December 2020 and most recently updated on December 18, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider

8 of the best ways to upgrade a box of brownie mix, from a professional baker

Brownies topped with powdered sugar and rainbow sprinkles on white background
As a professional baker, I've learned a lot of easy ways to upgrade a box of brownie mix.

Tetra Images/Getty Images

  • As a professional baker, I think it's possible to make brownies from a boxed mix taste gourmet.
  • Extracts, fun mix-ins, and a sprinkle of salt can elevate brownies.
  • Use cream or milk instead of water when making your brownies to make them even more moist.

Brownies are easily a top favorite treat for many โ€” and baking a great batch at home is easier than you think.

I'm a former bakery owner, now a professional baker and recipe developer, and although I can bake brownies from scratch, I often prefer to use a mix I've doctored up.

With a few swaps and additions, you can take a premade blend to the next level and make the brownies your own.

Here are some of the best ways to upgrade a box of brownie mix.

Make the brownies more moist with milk or cream.
Pouring milk into chocolate batter in metal bowl
Try using milk instead of water in your brownie mix.

Jen Tepp/Getty Images

Try using milk or cream in place of water when mixing the batter.

This will still check the liquid off the ingredient list while creating a richer, fudgier, moister brownie.

Add mix-ins to play with texture and flavor.
Brownies with oreos sprinkled on top
Oreo brownies are pretty easy to make.

natashamam/Getty Images

A plain brownie batter is calling for mix-ins, and the possibilities are endless. Consider adding chocolate chips or dark-chocolate chunks.

Crushed Oreo cookies, M&M's, Reese's Pieces, chopped walnuts or hazelnuts are excellent options as well.

Fold them in once the batter is prepped, and then transfer to the baking pan to bake as directed.

Play with extracts.
Extract being poured into a measuring spoon
A bit of vanilla extract can make the flavors in a brownie pop.

brazzo/Getty Images

Switch up the flavor of boxed brownies with just a few drops of an extract. Even just a teaspoon of vanilla extract can go a long way in enhancing the flavor of this treat.

You can also play around โ€” adding peppermint extract will offer a chocolate-mint combo that's wonderful for the holiday season.

Coconut extract is another great pairing to try, maybe even paired with shredded coconut folded into the batter.

Use brewed coffee in place of water for brownies with more depth.
Whisking brownie mix in metal bowl
Consider using coffee instead of water to enhance the flavor of your brownies.

Karl Tapales/Getty Images

Most brownie mixes call for a few tablespoons of water on the back of the box. To enhance your brownies, swap that water out for strong brewed coffee. This can add a more complex depth of flavor.

For an even more pronounced coffee flavor, add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients as well.

Choose a fun topping, like an icing or frosting.
Three brownies with frosting and rainbow sprinkles on cutting board
Use frosting and sprinkles to elevate your brownies.

dossyl/Getty Images

Once the brownies are baked, the sky's the limit.

You could serve them as-is, or dress them up further. Consider adding frosting to the top, whether you want double-chocolate brownies with mint frosting or peanut-butter icing.

Chocolate ganache or salted-caramel sauce are excellent toppers, too.

Sprinkle them with salty snack foods.
Stack of brownies with a pretzel pressed on top of each
Pretzels can help balance out the sweetness of brownies.

KateSmirnova/Getty Images

To upgrade your brownies and curb their sweetness, try adding some of your other favorite snack foods to them.

Opt for salty mix-ins, like crushed pretzels or salted peanuts. You can also crumble up ridged potato chips or kettle chips and sprinkle them over the batter before baking.

Combine your brownies with cheesecake for an elevated dessert.
Brownies swirled with cheesecake on cooling rack
Cheesecake brownies can look really elegant.

: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Combine two beloved desserts in one with this trick.

Make the brownie batter according to the instructions on the box. Then, combine one block of softened cream cheese, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, one egg, and one teaspoon of vanilla extract. For best results, use a hand mixer or stand mixer.

Dollop the cream-cheese mixture over the brownie butter and use the back of a spoon or a butter knife to swirl the top. Bake the brownies as directed, and you'll end up with dreamy cheesecake brownies.

Finish them with salt.
Hand picking up flaky sea salt from bowl
A little bit of flaky sea salt can go a long way.

Brett Holmes Photography/Getty Images

This sounds wildly simple, but it can make a huge difference. Just a touch of flaky sea salt will not make brownies look pretty and enhance their flavor tenfold.

Before the brownies go into the oven, sprinkle flaked sea salt on top. Then, bake as directed.

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I tried 5 different brands of powdered hot cocoa from the grocery store, and the best won by a landslide

five different hot cocoa mixes laid out on sofa
I taste-tested five hot-cocoa mixes from Ghirardelli, Hershey's, Land O'Lakes, Publix, and Swiss Miss and compared the results.

Abigail Abesamis Demarest

  • To find the best store-bought hot cocoa, I tried prepackaged powders from five different brands.
  • I bought standard mixes from Ghirardelli, Hershey's, Land O'Lakes, Publix, and Swiss Miss.
  • Ghirardelli's hot cocoa was the best โ€” it was rich and chocolaty.

There are a lot of hot-cocoa mixes at the grocery store, but which is the best?

To find out, I reviewed standard mixes from Ghirardelli, Hershey's, Land O'Lakes, Publix, and Swiss Miss. To keep things consistent, I made each with warm water instead of milk.

Here's a breakdown of how they compared, plus which store-bought hot cocoa I liked the best.ย 

I first tried Publix's original hot-cocoa mix.
box of Publix hot cocoa with pack taken out
Publix's hot cocoa came in single-serve packets.

Abigail Abesamis Demarest

This store-brand hot-cocoa mix had the simplest packaging, from the brown-and-white box to the plain single-serve bags.

The package featured instructions for preparing the hot cocoa using hot water and a microwave.

I had a small microwave mishap, but it didn't affect the hot cocoa's flavor.
white mug of prepared Publix hot cocoa
The hot cocoa overflowed in the microwave.

Abigail Abesamis Demarest

Per the package instructions, I mixed the contents of a singular pouch with 3/4 cup (6 ounces) of water in a mug and heated the drink in the microwave for a minute and a half.

I wasn't watching the mug closely, and the hot cocoa overflowed a few seconds before it was done warming up.

I waited for the hot cocoa to cool enough before trying it, but I thought it tasted very sweet and watery and lacked a strong chocolate flavor.

I tried Hershey's milk-chocolate-flavored mix, which has "real milk" as an ingredient.
brown box of Hershey's hot cocoa with pack taken out
The Hershey's hot-cocoa mix packaging looks like a chocolate bar.

Abigail Abesamis Demarest

I imagined this hot cocoa would taste like a melted Hershey's chocolate bar, and I was lookingย forward to trying it.ย 

Each single-serve packet had foil edges to resemble the iconic Hershey's bar wrapper, which I thought was a nice touch.ย 

Although the hot cocoa didn't spill this time, its flavor was disappointing.
white polka-dot mug of Hersheys hot cocoa
Hershey's hot-cocoa mix didn't dissolve as well as the others.

Abigail Abesamis Demarest

I followed the package instructions and microwaved 3/4 cup of water for a minute. Then, I added the cocoa mix and stirred until it was fully dissolved. The water must not have been hot enough, though, because some powder pooled at the top.

Although Hershey's hot cocoa had a richer feel and smoother texture compared to Publix's, the flavor was unusual and hard to place.

It tasted slightly bitter and very artificial โ€” definitely not like chocolate, Hershey's or otherwise.ย 

I'm most familiar with Swiss Miss hot cocoa.
blue box of Swiss Miss hot cocoa with pack taken out
Swiss Miss hot cocoa says it makes a larger mug.

Abigail Abesamis Demarest

I drank Swiss Miss growing up, so it's the brand I most associate with hot cocoa.

Although I'd usually go for the marshmallow variety, I picked up the milk-chocolate flavor for the sake of consistency in this taste test.

Swiss Miss' hot cocoa was frothy and made the largest cup.
white mug of Swiss Miss hot cocoa
Swiss Miss' hot cocoa had a nice, balanced taste.

Abigail Abesamis Demarest

The other hot-cocoa mixes called for 3/4 cup water, but Swiss Miss' required a full cup, so I got felt like I got more bang for my buck. All of the powder quickly dissolved in the hot water without hassle.

Although the chocolate flavor wasn't strong, the taste was balanced โ€” not too sweet or too milky. Despite not tasting the sweetest, it had the most added sugar of any brand I tried at 28 grams per serving.ย 

This Ghirardelli's hot-cocoa mix is made with semisweet chocolate chips.
blue package of Ghirardelli hot cocoa with pack taken out
Ghirardelli's hot-cocoa packaging was the fanciest.

Abigail Abesamis Demarest

The Ghirardelli hot-cocoa mix had the most polished packaging, which was a nice touch that suggested a more premium product and experience.

The instructions on the box included options for cooktop and microwave preparation but also offered a third recipe for "decadent hot chocolate," in which a square of Ghirardelli chocolate is added to the drink.

My first sip of the Ghirardelli hot cocoa was rich and chocolaty.
white mug of Ghirardelli hot cocoa
Ghirardelli's hot cocoa tasted delicious and decadent.

Abigail Abesamis Demarest

I added the package contents to a mug with 3/4 cup of water and microwaved it for a minute.

The Ghirardelli hot cocoa definitely had the most intense chocolate flavor, which I appreciated. The drink's rich taste and texture felt gourmet, but it wasn't heavy enough that I couldn't finish the whole cup.

There was a depth of flavor and body to this hot cocoa that stood out above the others โ€” it almost reminded me of drinking a bar of chocolate.

The last hot cocoa I tried was from Land O'Lakes.
brown single pack of land o'lakes hot cocoa
Land O'Lakes offers a range of hot-cocoa flavors.

Abigail Abesamis Demarest

This hot-cocoa mix was the only one I found sold as a single-serve packet, which is nice if you want to sample different flavors.

I also liked thatย Land O'Lakes had a range of fun flavors, like mint, raspberry, caramel, hazelnut, and Irish creme.

The packet offered instructions for preparing the cocoa as a hot or cold drink.

Land O'Lakes' hot cocoa had a creamy texture, but the strongest flavor didn't seem to be chocolate.
white mug of Land O Lakes  hot cocoa
The Land O'Lakes hot cocoa was sweet, though I thought it had hints of caramel and vanilla.

Abigail Abesamis Demarest

I followed the instructions for the warm alternative, pouring the mix into a mug and stirring in 3/4 cup of hot water.ย 

Like the Hershey's hot cocoa, the Land O'Lakes mix didn't taste much like chocolate โ€” it was sweet, with hints of caramel and vanilla. Despite not having the expected flavor, this hot cocoa was more enjoyable than some others because of its creamy texture that wasn't too watery.

Although these hot-cocoa mixes were inexpensive and easily accessible, they lacked the deep, chocolaty flavor I craved.
five white mugs of hot cocoa
If you want a more chocolaty flavor, skip mixes and try making hot chocolate instead.

Abigail Abesamis Demarest

As I conducted this taste test, it became clear that prepackaged hot cocoa wasn't the best option for a drink with a rich texture and deep chocolate flavor.

For these qualities, I'd recommend making hot chocolate, which is made with melted chocolate instead of cocoa powder.

Even so, Ghirardelli's hot cocoa was the clear winner of this taste test.
five different individual packs of hot cocoa
Ghirardelli's mix took the cake, and Swiss Miss' hot cocoa was the runner-up.

Abigail Abesamis Demarest

Ghirardelli's hot cocoa satisfied my desire for a rich, chocolaty drink, and its thicker texture made it taste more gourmet than the others.

My runner-up is Swiss Missย because of the nostalgia factor and theย balanced flavor โ€” it wasn't too sweet nor so milky that the chocolate flavor disappeared.

  • This story was originally published on November 16, 2020, and most recently updated on December 17, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider

How Christmas is celebrated in 21 places around the world

london christmas
Lights are a big part of the festivities during Christmas around the world.

Alexey Fedorenko/Shutterstock

  • There are lots of different ways people celebrate Christmas around the world.ย 
  • In Japan, a bucket of KFC fried chicken has become a holiday staple.
  • Christmas Eve in Finland can involve going to the sauna with your whole family.

Christmas is a time of celebration and festivity, and there are many ways to observe it.

Individuals may have their own holiday traditions, but customs also vary across different countries and cultures.ย 

From rum-soaked desserts to dazzling markets, here's a closer look at how people celebrate Christmas around the world.

Some people in the Philippines celebrate Christmas for five months.
Christmas in the Philippines
Santa figures in the Philippines.

Dondi Tawatao/REUTERS

The Christmas season in the Philippines lasts for almost half the year.

Decorations start going up in September, and the holiday fervor doesn't end until the first Sunday in January.

Many people hang up paper lanterns called parรณls and eat a big family meal on Noche Buena, or Christmas Eve. ย 

Many people in Japan like to eat fried chicken on Christmas.
kfc japan christmas
A KFC in Japan was decked out in Christmas decor in 2016.

Quality Stock Arts/Shutterstock

In Japan, Christmas is celebrated in a more secular way than in other predominantly Christian countries.

It's considered a romantic day for couples, and many Japanese families treat themselves to what has become the traditional Christmas meal: a bucket of KFC fried chicken.

One Christmas tradition in Poland involves keeping a fish in your bathtub.
Poland
Holiday lights in Poland.

AP Images

Christmas in Poland is celebrated with gift-giving, church services, and fasting on Christmas Eve before a 12-dish feast, which usually features carp for good luck.ย 

Most people simply buy a cut of fish from the market, but the old tradition was for the lady of the house to keep a live carp in the bathtub for a few days before preparing it for the Christmas meal.ย 

This tradition is also popular in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, and Croatia.

Many people in Finland celebrate Christmas with a trip to the sauna.
finland santa
Santa Claus is also a big tradition for Finnish children.

Lehtikuva/REUTERS

In Finland (and many other countries around the globe), St. Lucia Day on December 13 is one of the main events of the holiday season.

On this date, the eldest girl in each family sometimes dons a white robe and a crown of candles before serving her family buns, cookies, coffee, or mulled wine to kick off the holiday season.ย 

On Christmas Eve, many Finnish families visit the sauna to relax or go to cemeteries to remember loved ones who have died before attending midnight mass.ย 

For Christmas lunch, the traditional meal is a porridge containing a hidden almond โ€” although it's likely that this originated in Sweden. Whoever finds the almond will have good luck for the rest of the year.

In the UK, stockings are hung from the end of beds and the monarch gives an annual speech.
queen elizabeth christmas speech
The King or Queen of England gives an annual speech on Christmas Day.

Pool/Reuters

Rather than hanging Christmas stockings over the fireplace, families in the UK typically place them at the foot of their beds.

On Christmas Day, families break open crackers filled with small toys, jokes, and paper crowns โ€” which are traditionally worn throughout the midday Christmas meal.ย 

The reigning monarch gives an annual broadcast speech on Christmas Day, during which they discuss what the holiday means to them.ย 

Boxing Day, December 26, is also a national holiday in the UK.

Christmas in Croatia can involve cleaning your shoes and avoiding Krampus.
christmas in croatia.JPG
Santa is sometimes called Djed Mraz in Croatia.

ANTONIO BRONIC/Reuters

Like many places around the world, some Croatian families celebrate Christmas with an Advent wreath made of straw or evergreen.

The wreath has four colored candles that symbolize hope, peace, joy, and love.

On the night of December 5, children in Croatia make sure to clean their boots and place them by the window for St. Nicholas to fill with treats. However, naughty kids might only receive a few twigs from the Christmas monster, Krampus.

Christmas Eve is typically celebrated with a light, seafood dinner in preparation for the heavier feast on Christmas Day, complete with roasted meats and poppyseed rolls.ย 

People in Greece might keep a fire burning during Christmas to ward off holiday goblins.
night of wishes greece christmas.JPG
The Night of Wishes festival is a common Greek Christmas tradition.

ALEXANDROS AVRAMIDIS/Reuters

Greece is primarily a Greek Orthodox nation, and in addition to attending midnight church services on Christmas, families might also keep their fires burning or sprinkle holy water from a basil-wrapped cross to ward off the "kallikantzaroi" โ€” evil creatures that creep into homes through the chimney and cause mischief.

Around Christmas, many Greek cities also hold a festival called the Night of Wishes where people gather to make wishes and release paper lanterns into the sky.ย 

Some holiday traditions in Greece also include making Christopsomo (Christmas bread) and decorating boats.

Christmas in Australia is often celebrated on the beach.
Christmas in Australia
Christmas takes place during the summer in Australia.

AP Images

Since December is a summer month in the southern hemisphere, most of Australia is bathed in balmy temps during the holidays.

Accordingly, those in Australia frequently celebrate Christmas with a lunchtime barbecue on the beach. Friends and family gather to indulge in prawns, lobster, and sweets before playing a game of cricket or taking a dip.

In Argentina, some celebrate Christmas with fireworks.
argentina Christmas
Fireworks are part of both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve festivities in Buenos Aires.

Marcos Brindicci/REUTERS

In Argentina, many families put up their Christmas trees on December 8 โ€” the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary โ€” and decorate them with cotton balls to look like snow.ย 

Fireworks are typically launched at midnight on Christmas Eve after a late dinner, and families with children also often light paper lanterns to send into the sky.

Some people continue the festivities and attend overnight parties, so Christmas Day is usually a more relaxed holiday in the country.ย 

For many in Ukraine, Christmas is celebrated on January 7.
christmas caroling ukraine.JPG
Some people in Ukraine celebrate Christmas with caroling.

VALENTYN OGIRENKO/Reuters

Like many Orthodox countries, Ukraine uses the Julian calendar for its church festivals. This means some individuals there celebrate Christmas on January 7 rather than December 25.

Whenever the festivities begin, it's traditional to delay eating Christmas dinner until the first star in the sky is spotted.

Caroling in the streets and Vertep, the Ukrainian puppet theater, are also common holiday traditions.

In the US, children leave cookies for Santa and hang their stockings on the fireplace.
christmas new york
Rockefeller Center in New York City puts up a huge Christmas tree every year.

Chris Hondros/Getty Images

Families in the USย often leave cookies and milk out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve in the hopes that they wake up to presents under the tree and in their stockings, which are hung by the fireplace.

Many families also have Christmas dinner complete with ham or roast beef and eggnog.

Cities typically put up lights and other decorations, and it's common for families to do the same in front of their own houses.ย 

In New York City, people who celebrate Christmas often look forward to traditions like the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree or the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes.ย 

People in Spain often open presents on Epiphany.
madrid spain christmas
The Feast of the Epiphany falls on January 6.

Shutterstock

Rather than unwrapping goodies on Christmas Day, most families in Spain open their presents on January 6, or Epiphany, which is the day that the three wise men are said to have brought gifts to the infant Jesus.

Many families in Spain decorate their houses with ornate nativity scenes and enjoy a seafood feast on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

There's also an annual Christmas lottery, called El Gordo ("The Big One"), which is the biggest of its kind. The grand event has roots tracing back to the 1800s.

The main celebration in Brazil typically takes place on Christmas Eve.
Brazil Christmas
Fireworks are also a part of Christmas festivities in Brazil.

AP Images

Much of the holiday celebration in Brazil takes place on December 24, when families and friends will often get together for a party that includes ringing in Christmas at midnight.ย 

The holiday feast, which is typically eaten on Christmas Eve, is usually packed with hearty portions of pork, ham, rice, nuts, and fruits.

A version of Secret Santa called "Amigo Secreto" is also popular for gift-giving.ย 

Hanging giant paper lanterns is a common Christmas tradition in India.
India Christmas
Star-shaped paper lanterns are a popular Christmas decoration in India.

AP Images

Although Hinduism is the prominent religion in India, the country also has a large population of Christians โ€” which means Christmas is still widely celebrated.ย 

The holiday is usually observed by attending midnight mass and sharing a meal (and plenty of festive sweets) with family and neighbors.

Like many other festivals and holidays in the country, many towns and cities decorate for Christmas with plenty of lights, streamers, and flowers.ย 

Families might also hang mango leaves, star-shaped paper lanterns, or nativity scenes outside their homes. Inside, some people even decorate mango or banana trees.

Instead of waking up to presents under the tree, many families in India pack up boxes of sweets on Christmas morning and take them to their neighbors and friends.ย 

Father Frost visits Russian homes on New Yearโ€™s Eve.
Father Frost
Father Frost visits Russian homes.

AP Images

In Russia, New Year's Eve is usually the day of celebration complete with a New Year tree and a visit from the Slavic character Father Frost, who leaves unwrapped presents for children.ย 

On January 7, some Russian households enjoy a meatless Christmas feast that traditionally includes 12 dishes representing the 12 apostles.ย 

In Latvia, you might have to read a poem before getting your presents.
Latvia Christmas
Decorated Christmas trees may have originated in Latvia.

AP Images

One Latvian Christmas tradition involves reciting a poem, playing an instrument, or singing a song in exchange for receiving one of your presents.

Christmas markets that sell foods, drinks, and gifts are also popular in the country, and it claims to be the home of the first decorated Christmas tree.

One of the oldest recorded uses of an evergreen tree to celebrate Christmas dates back to the year 1510 in Riga, the country's capital, though it's hard to know if it was indeed the first use of the tradition.

Christmas in Kenya is all about connecting with family.
christmas eve vigil kenya.JPG
It's common for Kenyans to attend a Christmas Eve vigil.

THOMAS MUKOYA/Reuters

In Kenya, families often see family for Christmas. Many attend midnight Christmas vigils and indulge in a big meal that often includes goat, sheep, and rice.

Instead of evergreen trees, those in Kenya sometimes decorate cypress treesย or local evergreen trees with lights and ornaments.ย 

Christmas in Pakistan is a religious celebration filled with family activities.
Pakistan Christmas
Many Pakistani Christians attend a candlelight service ahead of Christmas.

AP Images

Though Pakistan is a predominantly Islamic country, Christians often celebrate Christmas by caroling with family and friends or setting up a Nativity scene in their homes and churches.

On Christmas Day, some families attend Bara Din celebrations at church. This festive event calls for spending time with family and feasting on delicious food.

Caroling is a big part of Christmas in many parts of Romania.
Romania christmas
Children perform a holiday season ritual in Bucharest, Romania.

AP Images

Children carol house to house in Romania, receiving traditional sweets and cakes in return for their efforts.

In some parts of the country, it's also traditional for one person to dress up as a goat with a colorful mask and cause mischief among the carolers. However, in other parts, a similar tradition exists but with one caroler dressing up as a bear.ย 

On Christmas Eve, many families start decorating their trees and hanging mistletoe in their houses for good luck.ย 

Decorations and festive markets are popular in Germany around Christmastime.
christmas bavaria germany
Christmas markets are also popular in Germany.

irakite/Getty Images

In Germany, preparing for Christmas often includes strolling through markets while sipping mulled wine.ย 

Families also decorate their trees with angel ornaments and light candles in their windows.ย 

A few traditional holiday desserts include stollen, a cake filled with dried fruit and sprinkled with powdered sugar, and lebkuchen, a large spiced cookie that often features a message written in frosting.ย 

In France, Christmas markets are a popular places to shop.
France christmas
People stroll through a Christmas market in Paris.

AP Images

Christmas in France usually involves strolling through festive markets and cutting into a lavishly decorated bรปche de Noรซl cake.

An actual Yule log is also often burned in the fireplace on Christmas Eve after being sprinkled with red wine to make it smell even nicer.

The holiday feast, called le rรฉveillon de Noรซl, is typically eaten around midnight on Christmas Day, and in some parts of France, it's traditional to eat 13 different desserts.

This story was originally published in December 2018, and most recently updated on December 17, 2024.

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I take about 15 solo trips a year. Here are 7 must-have products that make traveling alone easier.

A woman walking through the airport carrying a passport, ticket, and bright yellow suitcase.
There are a few products I swear by when traveling alone.

oatawa/Shutterstock

  • I swear by a few items to help make my solo trips more convenient.
  • My portable tripod allows me to capture photos of myself without relying on help from strangers.
  • My other must-haves include a back-lotion applicator, first-aid kit, and portable charger.

As a travel writer, I'm often taking off by myself โ€” as often as 15 times a year.

Because I typically travel without a partner, I make sure to pack a few essential items to make my trips easier, safer, and more enjoyable.

Here are seven things I don't leave for a solo trip without.

Having a tripod means I don't have to rely on strangers to take pictures for me.
A black portable cellphone tripod folded up.
My tripod makes it easier for me to take photos of myself.

Kelly Magyarics

I like to take pictures of myself traveling, whether to post on social media or send to my boyfriend. I'm not into selfie sticks, and unfortunately, I can't always rely on strangers to take photos for me. So, having a cellphone tripod is a good compromise.

I love my ToneOf universal cellphone tripod because it easily slips into my carry-on luggage and expands when I need to snap a picture. It also includes a rechargeable remote control for the shutter.

My portable speaker doubles as a white-noise machine.
A black speaker from LectroFan on a white surface.
My LectroFan Bluetooth speaker is a versatile staple in my travel bag.

Kelly Magyarics

When I'm traveling by myself, I always carry my LectroFan Bluetooth speaker with me. The sound is incredible considering its tiny size, and it has several white-noise settings to drown out noisy neighbors or street sounds.

When I'm feeling lonely, I also like to use it to have a solo dance party in my room.

This back-lotion applicator helps me avoid getting sunburn in the areas I can't reach.
A brown velvet back lotion applicator from Steugo.
My sunscreen applicator doesn't take up much room in my bag.

Kelly Magyarics

Since I often travel to tropical places, I prefer to pack bottles of sunscreen lotion since the coverage is heavier than spray. However, it's tricky to apply the lotion to my own back and shoulders.

Foam brush applicators are clunky to pack, but luckily, I found a cloth applicator from Steugo that folds up and doesn't take up much room in my suitcase.

I pour some lotion onto the fabric and then use the handles to rub it onto my back as if I'm drying myself with a towel. I rinse or hand-wash it between uses and throw it in the washing machine once I return home.

A first-aid kit is a must-have when traveling alone.
Multiple packs of pills in a small zip-up bag.
I supplement my first-aid kit (not pictured) with over-the-counter medicine.

Carol Yepes/Getty Images

When I get injured or start to come down with something while traveling alone, there's no one to run out to the drugstore to get medicine or first-aid supplies for me.

Sometimes, I'm not even in an area with a nearby drugstore, so I make sure to bring along any items I might need.

My first-aid kit is stocked with bandages, cleaning wipes, gauze, tick removers, nosebleed plugs, sting relief, burn ointment, and a thermometer.

I also pack some over-the-counter medicine for pain, gastrointestinal issues, motion sickness, and congestion.

A portable charger is always good to have on hand.
A blue portable charger from Iniu with a dog-paw print on it.
A portable charger prevents my phone from dying while I'm out.

Kelly Magyarics

One of my biggest concerns when traveling alone is my cellphone battery running low.

After all, I need my phone to navigate cities, book Uber rides, make restaurant reservations, and research tourist attractions. That's why I always carry a USB portable charger with me.

Slip-on shoes are a must for airport travel.
Navy blue sneakers from Kizik on a white surface.
I love my Kizik slip-on sneakers.

Kelly Magyarics

When TSA PreCheck isn't available, I often have to remove my shoes and coat and take my laptop and liquids out of my bag when I go through security.

Without a travel partner to double-check I grabbed everything, I like to make sure the process is as quick and easy as possible. That's why I always wear my favorite slip-on sneakers from Kizik.

They're also incredibly comfortable even after a long day of exploring.

Having a portable wash bag allows me to do my laundry.
A white washbag from Scrubba with directions on how to do laundry on the bag in blue ink.
My portable wash bag allows me to freshen up clothes I want to wear again.

Kelly Magyarics

I never check my luggage, and being a single traveler means I can only bring one carry-on with me. Even though I can fit a lot in my bag, I sometimes need to re-wear and freshen up my clothes.

Because hotel laundry service is often expensive, I bring my own Scrubba portable wash bag with me.

To use it, I fill the packable bag with socks, underwear, and t-shirts and then add water and a laundry sheet. Then, I deflate the bag and rub my clothes along the inner washboard before rinsing, wringing, and hanging my garments to dry.

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We got rid of our third bedroom to make the primary one bigger. We still regret having our kids share a room 7 years later.

A ranch-style home with a large lawn
Our home (not pictured) is a ranch-style house with one floor.

PattieS/Getty Images

  • Seven years ago, we took our ranch from three bedrooms to two to make the primary bedroom bigger.
  • My daughters' sharing a room has led to little space, lots of clutter, and constant arguments.
  • Now, we're planning to renovate again to add a second floor and give them their own rooms.

Seven years ago, my husband and I took our 900-square-foot ranch from three bedrooms to two.

Much of our $60,000 renovation budget went to a new kitchen and relocated basement stairs, but we used the rest to split the middle bedroom in two.

Half of that space went to our primary, and the rest was joined with the other remaining bedroom, creating an 11-by-12-foot space for our daughters to share.

We've regretted it ever since.

Many people in my life advised me not to do this, but I didn't listen

When making my plans, my main thought was that our bedroom was too small. My husband and I were squeezing past each other each time we got ready and waiting for the other to dress so we could reach our own clothes.

For me, the only logical solution was to make our bedroom bigger and have our kids share a room. Fellow parents and even my husband didn't think this was a good idea, but I ignored them.

Instead, I thought fancifully about the bonds my girls could build within those four walls and imagined the fun they'd have growing up in the same room, just as I did with my sister.

My girls don't have enough space and their living styles aren't compatible

Room with two beds with coral comforters
Our girls have struggled with sharing a bedroom.

Daniel Cortez/Getty Images

Today, I'm very much reaping what I sowed.

One of my daughters is messy and nonchalant while the other is organized and opinionated.

Instead of their shared space bringing them closer, it serves as a major point of contention between them.

They love each other but, every day, they fight over something concerning their room: closet doors left open, a cluttered nightstand, lights left on at bedtime.

When I made this decision, I didn't know their developing personalities wouldn't mesh in a roommate way. I also should've realized that as they grew, their belongings would, too.

The single five-drawer dresser that could once hold all their clothes is now overflowing. I spend many a morning stuffing sweatpants and jeans down so its drawers can shut.

My now-13-year-old's woman-sized clothing needs full-sized hangers, which don't fit in her child-sized closet. The hangers jut upward on one side while her clothes are pressed together like sardines in a tin.

As a little girl, she had only a brush, some hair ties, and bows. Now, she needs space for makeup, skincare, hair straighteners, and curling irons.

As her collection of adolescent items grows, so does her younger sister's resentment toward the disparity of storage space โ€ฆ and back to arguing we go.

We're planning to renovate again, in part so our daughters get their own rooms

I'm grateful our daughters have enough things that their drawers are too full โ€” and there are certainly families who successfully share smaller spaces โ€” but this setup doesn't work for us.

Moving isn't an option right now, so we're renovating again to add a second floor to our house. My daughters' bedroom issues aren't the only reason we're doing so, but they're definitely a contributing factor.

I'm excited to add a larger pantry, upstairs laundry room, and primary bathroom, but I'm downright elated that my girls won't have to share a space.

I can't wait for the day when they'll no longer fight over who has an inch more space atop the dresser.

Yes, they'll still argue โ€” they're siblings, after all โ€” but I'm confident my kids will get along better when they have some privacy and space from each other.

Maybe absence will even make their hearts grow a little fonder.

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I spent 6 months traveling around Europe. The experience was great, but a few simple things would've made the trip even better.

A large boat passes through the river near the Eiffel Tower on a sunny day.
I spent six months traveling around Europe.

lupengyu/Getty Images

  • I traveled around Europe for six months and realized a few things would've made my trip even better.
  • In the future, I'll prioritize waking up early and splurging on local treats.
  • Next time, I'll also use voice notes to better document my experience.

As an American, exploring countries like France, the UK, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic for six months was an absolute dream.

However, looking back, there are some things I could have done differently to minimize stressful travel days and make the most of my experience.

Here are five things I'd do differently next time as an American traveling around Europe.

Next time, I'll use my voice notes to document the experience.
An Olympic beach-volleyball stadium in front of the Eiffel Tower on a cloudy day.
I wish I had better documented the highlights of my trip.

Emily Pogue

You might think that because I'm a writer, I'd be pretty good at journaling. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. I typically find myself journaling at the beginning of a trip, but then I drop off as the exhaustion starts to hit.

However, near the end of my trip around Europe, I discovered the beauty of voice notes. Instead of journaling in my room after a long day, I could pull out my phone and record a recap while walking back to my hotel.

This would have been helpful on particularly eventful days, like when I was in Paris attending the Summer Olympics.

The details are what keep memories alive, and on my next trip, I'm excited to document my travels even more precisely.

If I visit Europe again in the summer, I'll account for train delays.
People walking toward one of a few trains in a station.
Many of the trains I took were delayed.

Buena Vista Images/Getty Images

As an American, I'm in awe of the European rail system. Pay $40 to read on a train for a few hours and end up in another country? You can't beat it.

However, my previous European train experiences have always been in the offseason. Riding the trains in the summer was a whole different experience.

Of the 20+ long-distance trains I rode throughout the summer, almost all were delayed to some degree. To say this made for some headaches is an understatement.

For example, my travel day from Switzerland to Amsterdam went from a simple two-train excursion to a nightmarish six different trains, ultimately adding five hours to an already long travel day.

This happened because my connection was 20 minutes long and my train was 25 minutes late. Next time, I'll try to give myself at least half an hour between trains.

Next time, I'll seek out more concerts and musical festivals.
Silhouettes of fans in a crowd at a concert with their hands in the air.
I'd love to see a concert the next time I'm abroad.

Andrew Lockie/Getty Images

When I was in England, it was prime music-festival time โ€” and the Brits sure know how to host a festival. However, it wasn't until some locals started listing the festivals they were attending that I even started to look into the details.

It turns out Hozier was playing down the street from where I was staying โ€” on the day I was leaving. My travel arrangements weren't flexible, so I had to miss out on seeing one of my favorite artists (for a fraction of what his tickets cost in the States).

Next time I head across the pond, I'll be sure to do some research ahead of time about who is playing nearby.

I'll definitely make it a point to eat more local treats on my next trip.
Three pastries with fruit in the middle of each on a clear plate.
Food is a great way to experience a country's culture.

Emily Pogue

Having a considerable sweet tooth, I knew I was in trouble when I was heading to England and France. From Victoria sponge cake and scones to macarons and eclairs, the temptations were everywhere.

And the other countries I visited didn't disappoint in their pastry offerings either.

Although I did indulge in the occasional sweet treat (particularly the kolaches in the Czech Republic), I convinced myself that I didn't need to splurge too often.

Now that I'm back in the States, I'm kicking myself for not sampling more of the local desserts. Food is a vital part of a country's culture, and desserts are a fairly inexpensive way to experience the locals' favorite recipes.

On future trips, I'll wake up early to explore a city while it's quiet.
A few people walking across a bridge in Prague, with statues on each side.
I visited the Charles Bridge early in the morning.

Emily Pogue

I'm not naturally a morning person, and I typically need a specific reason to get up early. On days I didn't have one, I often wouldn't be out and about until 10 or 11 a.m.

However, the morning I left Prague, I woke up before dawn to watch the sunrise on the iconic Charles Bridge. I was used to the bridge being packed with tourists, but at 7 a.m., I had the place to myself.

Although it's not my natural tendency, getting out on the streets in the early morning offers a completely different perspective of a city.

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I tried store-brand Greek yogurt from Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Costco, and Wegmans. The winner has a permanent spot in my fridge.

Four containers of yogurt, stacked in two rows, on a gray countertop. They include a white container of Kirkland Signature organic plain Greek yogurt, a white, blue, and green container of Wegmans organic plain nonfat Greek yogurt, a yellow container of 365 organic plain Greek yogurt, and a blue and white container of Trader Joe's plain nonfat Greek yogurt
I compared plain Greek yogurt from Wegmans, Costco, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's.

Andrea McHugh

  • My family tried and ranked plain Greek yogurt fromย four grocery stores.
  • My daughter and I thought Trader Joe'sย Greek nonfat yogurtย had an odd flavor.
  • The organic plain nonfat Greek yogurt from Wegmans was our winner.

My family consumes a lot of Greek yogurt โ€” most brands are low in carbs, high in protein, and contain probiotics. Plus, it serves as a filling breakfast or snack for my daughter.

Though many brands offer Greek-style varieties, I find they're often twice the price of standard plain yogurt. So, to see which Greek yogurt is the best value, I tried store-brand versions from Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Costco, and Wegmans.

I bought the most basic plain Greek yogurt I could find at each store and sampled them without any toppings. All were nonfat except the 365 brand from Whole Foods, which contained 3.5% milk fat.

Here's how the Greek yogurt stacked up, from worst to best.

Trader Joe's nonfat plain Greek yogurt had a medium-thick consistency.ย 
A white and light-blue tub of Trader Joe's Greek nonfat yogurt, with illustrations of spoons on the packaging. The container sits on a gray marble countertop with blue-and-white bowls in the background
I wanted to like Trader Joe's nonfat plain Greek yogurt.

Andrea McHugh

I liked that Trader Joe's option didn't have the ubiquitous pool of milky whey that sometimes settles on top of yogurt when I open it. The yogurt seemed to have a nice, medium-thick consistency.ย 

At $5.50, the 32-ounce tub of Greek yogurt was the least expensive of the four brands I tried.ย 

The yogurt was creamy but a bit too tangy for my taste.
A white and light-blue container of Trader Joe's Greek nonfat yogurt with illustrations of spoons of yogurt on the container. A blue-and-white bowl filled with white yogurt sits next to the container
In my opinion, Trader Joe's nonfat plain Greek yogurt was very tangy.

Andrea McHugh

Sadly, I thought this yogurt had an intensely tangy, almost sour flavor. Because of its standout creaminess, I'd be more inclined to buy Trader Joe's flavored Greek yogurt with honey the next time I'm at the store.

The 365 organic 3.5% milk fat plain Greek yogurt from Whole Foods was the most expensive option.ย 
A light-yellow container of 365 organic plain Greek yogurt with a red, orange, and yellow design on the packaging. The container sits on a gray marble countertop with blue-and-white bowls in the backgrounds
The 365 organic 3.5% milk fat plain Greek yogurt was the most expensive yogurt I tried.

Andrea McHugh

At $6.70, this 32-ounce tub was the highest-priced yogurt I tried. When I opened the container, the yogurt looked creamy and smooth.

The 365 Greek yogurt tasted mildly sweet, with no tanginess.ย 
A light-yellow container of 365 organic plain Greek yogurt with a red, orange, and yellow design and green lid. The container sits next to a blue-and-white bowl filled with white yogurt
The 365 organic 3.5% milk fat plain Greek yogurt was pretty tasty.

Andrea McHugh

The 365 Greek yogurt tasted fresh and was well-balanced โ€” mildly sweet and not too tangy or tart.

I'd likely use this yogurt in one of my smoothies, as I don't feel it would alter the taste but would add a nice boost of protein.

The Kirkland Signature organic nonfat plain Greek yogurt from Costco was the best bang for my buck.
A large white container with Kirkland Signature and black and green text spelling out "organic Greek yogurt plain" on a gray countertop with blue-and-white bowls in the background
The Kirkland Signature organic nonfat plain Greek yogurt came in a large tub.

Andrea McHugh

Costco sells many items in bulk, including the $6 Kirkland Signature organic nonfat Greek yogurt, which comes in a 48-ounce tub.ย 

At cost-per-ounce, it was the best-value item in this taste test. The entire tub was cheaper than the 365 organic yogurt from Whole Foods and contained 16 more ounces.

The Kirkland Signature yogurt would make a great base for fruit or granola.ย 
A large white container of Kirkland Signature organic plain Greek yogurt with a green lid. The container sits on a gray counter next to a blue-and-white bowl filled with white Greek yogurt
I really liked the flavor of the Kirkland Signature organic nonfat plain Greek yogurt.

Andrea McHugh

The Kirkland Signature yogurt was rich and full-bodied, with just enough tartness to give it some depth.ย 

I appreciated that this yogurt, though less dense than the others, didn't have a puddle of whey at the top.ย It seemed like an ideal base for fruit, granola, or other add-ins.

Finally, I tried Wegmans' organic nonfat plain Greek yogurt.
A white container with a green Greek key pattern in the shape of a circle, Wegmans organic logo, and text spelling out "Greek nonfat yogurt plain." The container sits on a gray counter with blue-and-white bowls in the background.
Wegmans' organic nonfat plain Greek yogurt had a creamy consistency.

Andrea McHugh

The 32-ounce tub of organic Greek yogurt from Wegmans cost $6 โ€” a pleasant surprise, as I thought it would be more expensive.

Some whey floated at the top of the yogurt, but only creamy goodness remained once I dumped it out.ย 

The yogurt from Wegmans was my favorite.
A white container with a green Greek key pattern in a circle, a Wegmans organic logo, and "Greek nonfat yogurt plain" text with blue design on the container. The package sits next to a blue-and-white bowl filled with white yogurt
I immediately thought Wegmans' organic nonfat plain Greek yogurt was delicious.

Andrea McHugh

This Greek yogurt was creamy and smooth with the slightest tang, making it a solid base for add-ins. I think its light consistency would also be ideal for recipes that call for Greek yogurt.

Notably, this yogurt had the most sugar (7 grams) of all four options. My daughter also liked it the most, so I plan on packing it in a container with some toppings for her lunch.

I liked this yogurt so much that I'm permanently keeping it in my refrigerator. The next time we need Greek yogurt, I'll reach for this one from Wegmans.

This story was originally published on June 9, 2024, and most recently updated on December 13, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I've traveled to 17 countries and have learned that a checked bag is always worth it. Here's why.

Silhouette of a woman with a carry-on bag surrounded by seats looking out onto a runway at an airport
Checking a bag makes my travel experience more enjoyable.

IgorTsarev/Getty Images/iStockphoto

  • After visiting 17 countries, I will always swear by checking a bag during my travel experiences.
  • Forgoing a carry-on and checking a bag means I don't have to compete for overhead bin space.
  • When traveling with a large checked bag, I get to pack everything I want to bring on my trip.

I consider myself fairly frugal when it comes to travel. I've booked the 6 a.m. flight to save $50 and have flown basic economy more times than I'd care to admit.

But after visiting 17 countries, there's one little luxury I can't go without when flying: checking a bag. Yes, checking a bag both ways can be expensive โ€” usually about $50 to $70 both ways. However, I believe a more comfortable travel experience is worth the splurge.

Checking a bag makes my time in the airport less stressful and helps set a positive tone for my trips โ€” which is why I'll always swear by it.

Checking my bag and forgoing a carry-on makes moving around the airport easier

A person wearing blue jeans and a red shirt puts a black bag on a scale at an airport
Once I turn my checked bag into a travel agent, I don't have to worry about it anymore.

dardespot/Getty Images

I hate maneuvering a carry-on around bathroom stalls or pulling my bag behind me while holding my lunch. I find that my carry-on bag is practically tied to me while I'm in the airport, which can become annoying.

To avoid this, I forgo a carry-on and pack everything in my checked bag. Once I turn my bag into an agent, I don't have any cumbersome luggage to bring to the gate. This allows me to move around the airport much more easily.

Boarding a plane without a carry-on is less stressful

Checking a bag means I can avoid the Hunger Games-type madness that comes when it's time to board the plane.

Most passengers with a carry-on try to board as quickly as possible before the space in the airplane's overhead bin runs out. Avoiding this anxiety-inducing exercise and not rushing to board is a little luxury worth the price of checking a bag.

Opting for a large checked bag means I can pack everything I want to bring on my trip

Several suitcases, including red, black, and blue bags, on a conveyor belt at airport
Having a checked means I can pretty much pack whatever I want.

Twenty47studio/Getty Images

When I traveled with a carry-on, there were times when I ran out of space. I often felt like the abominable snowman, wearing multiple layers and a jacket, which wasn't a nice experience.

Now, packing all my belongings in a large checked bag gives me more choices for what I can bring on my trip. As someone who's a bit indecisive and dislikes the concept of packing light, I feel great having this space to pack several clothing options.

After all, the clothes I'm in the mood to wear when packing may differ from those I want when it's time to get dressed.

In my experience, a large checked bag doesn't make transportation from the airport more difficult

I used to think that having a carry-on would be the most advantageous when I landed โ€” this type of luggage is usually smaller than a checked bag, so I figured taking it on a train or other form of transit would be easy.

However, in reality, I find that the size of my bag usually doesn't matter if I'm just going from the airport to a hotel.

If I were backpacking across Europe, sure, I'd take as little baggage as possible. However, in my opinion, cramming things into a smaller bag doesn't make sense when the effort to get from point A to point B is the same either way.

Traveling can be expensive and anxiety-inducing. Still, if you ask me, checking a bag is a relatively easy way to have a better travel experience.

This story was originally published on August 12, 2024, and most recently updated on December 13, 2024.

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9 songs Taylor Swift wrote for other artists that you probably didn't know about

Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour in Liverpool, England.
Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour in Liverpool, England.

Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

  • Taylor Swift's biggest fans might not know about these popular songs that she wrote.ย 
  • She helped write songs like "This Is What You Came For" and "Beautiful Ghosts."
  • Swift cowrote or was featured on a number of tracks including "Safe and Sound" and "Both of Us."

Taylor Swift has come a long way since releasing her first self-titled album in 2006.ย 

Over the years, she's even released hits no one knew were hers because she wasn't the main artist performing them.

Keep scrolling for some surprising songs Taylor Swift wrote for other artists.

Taylor Swift wrote "Better Man" and sent it to the band Little Big Town.
little big town and taylor swift 1989 tour
Little Big Town joined Taylor Swift on her 1989 tour.

Jason Merritt/LP5/Getty Images for TAS

In October of 2016, country band Little Big Town released their hit single "Better Man," the first preview for the album "Breaker." The song went on to garner critical acclaim, evening winning song of the year at the 2017 Country Music Awards.

But "Better Man" was originally written by Swift.

Kimberly Schlapman, one of Little Big Town's four members, told Taste of Country in 2016, "She sent us the song โ€ฆ We were like, 'Wow! Taylor sent us a song. She's one of the best songwriters ever.'"

Schlapman said Swift thought the song would be great for the country group because of their four-part harmonies.

Fans may now be more aware of Swift's credit on the song now that she rerecorded it for herself on "Red (Taylor's Version)."

Miley Cyrus' "You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home" was written by Swift.
taylor swift miley cyrus
Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift at the premiere of "Hannah Montana: The Movie."

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Swift may not have had her own show on Disney Channel, but her music served as a fan-favorite tune for "Hannah Montana: The Movie" (2009).

As detailed by the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, or ASCAP, Swift wrote the song "You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home," performed by Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana in the film.

Swift also made a cameo in the film and sang her song "Crazier."

"Best Days of Your Life" was cowritten by Kellie Pickler and Swift.
Kellie Pickler taylor Swift
Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift on the red carpet.

Michael Buckner/Getty Images

Swift and Kellie Pickler collaborated a few years back and cowrote the song "Best Days of Your Life."

"Taylor Swift and I actually wrote this song together while we were on tour with Brad Paisley," Pickler told The Boot. "I had went through a really bad breakup a while back, so we wrote the song about the relationship that went sour."

Swift also helped to write the song "Babe" for Sugarland.
sugarland taylor swift
Taylor Swift performing with Sugarland at the 2009 Country Music Awards.

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Swift worked with Train's Pat Monahan to cowrite the song "Babe" for the country band Sugarland.

Sugarland band member Jennifer Nettles told Billboard in 2018, "When she was first getting started we had just had our first little EP out, called 'Premium Quality Tunes.'"

Swift is also featured on the track and in the song's music video.ย 

"Babe" is another track that Swift has since rerecorded for her own album, "Red (Taylor's Version)."

Swift collaborated with her then-boyfriend Calvin Harris to write "This Is What You Came For."
Taylor Swift Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris and Taylor Swift dated in 2015 and broke up in 2016.

Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

Swift hasn't just written country music โ€” she also contributed to the hit single "This Is What You Came For," performed by Calvin Harris and featuring Rihanna.

At first, fans were unsure whether Swift had actually written the song.

In July 2017, TMZ reported that Harris and Swift "both knew the song would be a hit, but Taylor wrote it for Calvin and both agreed it was a bad idea to let the world know they collaborated as a couple ... it would overshadow the song."

Eventually, a representative for Swift confirmed with People that Swift wrote the song, stating, "Taylor Swift wrote 'This Is What You Came For' under the pseudonym Nils Sjoberg."

She cowrote and performed on "Both of Us" with B.o.B.
taylor swift b.o.b. bob
Taylor Swift and B.o.B. performed together at Jingle Ball in 2012.

Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

In 2012, Swift pushed even more genre boundaries and collaborated with rapper B.o.B. to release "Both of Us."

Per Hip Hop DX, B.o.B. told B96's Julian On The Radio that his collaboration with Swift "happened naturally."ย ย 

He continued, "It wasn't like the label was like, 'We need to get a Taylor Swift feature.' It was really like she hit me up and invited me to come on her set, and I couldn't make it because I wasn't in Atlanta at the time, but she actually arranged for me to come to Dallas and she brought me out and I played her the song, she liked it and it naturally happened."

Swift helped to write Boys Like Girls' hit song "Two Is Better Than One."
martin johnson taylor swift boys like girls
Martin Johnson and Taylor Swift performing at Jingle Ball in 2009.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Clear Channel Radio New York

Rock band Boys Like Girls got the chance to collaborate with Swift for their 2009 release "Two Is Better Than One." And she was prominently featured on the track.ย 

Billboard saidย the song helped to boost the band's already-successful summer and to display their "softer side."

Swift cowrote "Safe and Sound" with The Civil Wars for "The Hunger Games" soundtrack.
the civil wars taylor swift
The song won a Grammy Award in 2013.

John Shearer/Invision/AP

Some fans might be familiar with Swift's contributions to "The Hunger Games" soundtrack, but if you're not also a fan of the franchise they might have slipped past you.

Swift cowrote "Safe and Sound" with The Civil Wars, and she told MTV in 2012 that the song "just ended up so organically coming together."

She continued, "We wrote this song and recorded it one day. When we got the track back, I was so surprised by the restraint. He created this ethereal sound without making it this big battle anthem."

The group ended up winning a Grammy in 2013 for "Safe and Sound."

Swift's song "Eyes Open" was also featured on the movie's soundtrack.ย 

Swift starred in the movie adaptation of "Cats" (2019), but she also cowrote the film's original song with Andrew Lloyd Webber.
cats movie francesca hayward
Francesca Hayward sang the song in the film.

Universal Pictures

Swift played Bombalurina in the 2019 film adaptation of the musical "Cats," but she also got to collaborate with legendary musical theater composer Andrew Lloyd Webber on the original song "Beautiful Ghosts."

Francesca Hayward sings the song in the film, but Swift also recorded a studio version of it.

"There was an ambition and an aspiration to have an original song in the movie," Swift said in an interview with Universal Pictures. "It was just this beautiful haunting melody."

This story was originally published in May 2018, and most recently updated on December 13, 2024.ย 

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I worked at Sephora for 4 years. Here are 9 of my favorite beauty products that are $25 or less.

Rare Beauty liquid blushes on display at Sephora; Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow on display at Sephora
As a former Sephora employee, I've found affordable items including the Rare Beauty blushes and Fenty Beauty's Gloss Bombs.

Emma Freece

  • As a former Sephora employee, I've tried many of the store's budget-friendly products for under $25.
  • The Rare Beauty liquid blushes and Tower 28 jelly glosses add the perfect flush of color.
  • The Sephora Collection liquid foundation is one of the best base products I've tried.

When I worked at Sephora, I loved finding high-quality beauty finds that didn't break the bank.

Here are 9 of my favorite products that cost $25 or less.

A Sephora Collection foundation is one of my favorites.
Line up of liquid foundation products at Sephora
The Sephora Collection liquid foundation comes in a variety of shades.

Emma Freece

I highly recommend checking out all of the Sephora Collection lines. Sephora is owned by LVMH (Louis Vuitton) and though the brand's packaging is simple, the formulas are amazing.

The Best Skin Ever foundation is one of my favorite base products because it's the perfect formula for my dry skin.

This $22 long-wearing foundation has light to medium coverage and a natural, dewy finish.

The Sephora Collection blushes come in a variety of beautiful shades.
Sephora Collection blushes in display at Sephora
I love the selection of colors available in the Sephora Collection blushes.

Emma Freece

The $14 Sephora Collection Colorful blushes are absolutely beautiful. If a shade you like is in stock, I recommend picking it up because they sell out quickly.

The blushes come in matte and shimmer finishes. The pigmentation is great, the texture is soft and buttery, and the application is smooth.ย 

The Sephora Collection eyebrow pencils blend effortlessly.
Eyebrow pencils standing up in display at Sephora
The pencils come in a myriad of shades.

Emma Freece

If you're looking for a good eyebrow pencil, the Sephora Collection has got you covered.

The $13 Retractable brow pencil is waterproof and smudge-proof and has an ultra-fine tip for easy application. I love to brush the spoolie through my brows to soften the look.ย 

Rare Beauty's liquid blushes pack the pigmentation.
Rare Beauty liquid blushes in display at Sephora
Rare Beauty's liquid blushes come in radiant or matte finishes.

Emma Freece

Rare Beauty has quickly become one of the best brands at Sephora. The brand's easy-to-use products and packaging and the mission alone make it worth checking out.

I recommend starting with the $23 Soft Pinch Liquid blush. It's extremely pigmented so you need the tiniest dot to blend into a beautiful blushed look.

I didn't use to be a cream or liquid-blush person but once I started using formulas like these, I fell in love.

You're missing out if you aren't using a beauty blender.
Several pink beauty blenders in containers on display at Sephora
To me, a beauty blender is not just a tool.

Emma Freece

If you don't apply your liquid or cream makeup with a damp beauty blender, you're missing out. After working in the beauty industry and using this sponge for seven years, I can never go back.

I know $20 for a makeup tool may sound like a splurge but something about the design of the original beauty blender and its soft texture blends my base to a flawless finish.

Though there are more affordable alternatives that create a similar effect, I've used other sponges and brushes and still think nothing beats the beauty blender.

Fenty Beauty's Gloss Bombs create perfect, juicy-looking lips.
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow shade on display at Sephora
I'm very passionate about a great, shimmery lip gloss.

Emma Freece

I used to be a matte liquid-lipstick girl, but as I got older I thought it made my lips look dry and crusty. Now, I want my lips as glossy and juicy as possible and the $21 Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow is the most perfect lip-gloss shade and formula.

This gloss looks great on every single skin tone, age, and lip shape. I would recommend this to anyone who was looking for the perfect nude lip gloss.

I also love the shade FU$$Y, which is a soft pink. The formula is thick and moisturizing without being sticky and has a soft watermelon-like scent and a high-shine finish.

Tower 28's lip glosses add just the right amount of shine.
Five different shades of Tower28 lip gloss on display at Sephora
Tower 28's lip glosses are lightweight and shiny.

Emma Freece

If you're looking for a great lip gloss from a "clean" beauty brand, I recommend the $16 Tower 28 ShineOn lip jelly gloss.

This unscented, lightweight formula isn't sticky and has the perfect amount of shine. This gloss looks amazing with or without makeup, and there are a variety of natural-looking shade options.

Clinique's spot treatment is the way to go when you need to get rid of a pimple.
A blue tester bottle of Clinique's spot treatment at Sephora
Clinique's spot treatment is great for eliminating my pimples.

Emma Freece

Clinique may not be a brand I use a lot, but I've always loved the .5-ounce $23 Acne Solutions clearing gel.

This gel is a lifesaver if you have a pimple that you want to get rid of quickly. It has salicylic acid, witch hazel, and laminaria-saccharina extract to eliminate blemishes and prevent new ones from forming.

I apply this gel at night and see my minimized pimple in the morning.

Don't pass up a mini Supergoop sunscreen in Sephora's Beauty on the Fly section.
Supergoop Glow Screen on display at Sephora
Supergoop's Glow Screen works as a primer for my makeup or a dewy base.

Emma Freece

If you want to shop at Sephora but can't quite justify a splurge, check out the mini-sized, more affordable items in the Beauty on the Fly section by the register.

Though a lot of these products aren't a better value per ounce than the full size, they're still a good way to try something at a lower price or pick up if you need something TSA-approved.

Personally, I loved the $22 Supergoop Glow-Screen Sunscreen SPF 40 for the summer. I'm a fan of its dewy finish, how it works on its own as a primer, and the way it gives my skin radiance without makeup. I usually throw the mini size in my purse to reapply throughout the day.

This story was originally published on September 6, 2022, and most recently updated on December 12, 2024.

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My husband and I flew 15 hours in economy. Bidding on a 'bubble' seat made the long flight bearable.

Author Riana Ang-Canning and her husband smiling in front of a building
We made our long-haul economy flight better by getting a "bubble" seat.

Riana Ang-Canning

  • My husband and I improved our 15-hour economy flight by buying an extra seat, a "bubble" seat.
  • For about $200 to $240 each way, we had an extra seat in between us.
  • We loved having extra space to stretch out during our flight, and we'd do it again.ย 

Flying economy is never fun.

But on a 15-hour flight from Vancouver to New Zealand, my husband and I found a few ways to make our long journey in economy bearable.

Booking an extra seat (which some call a "bubble" seat) was definitely the best thing we tried.

We bid on a 'bubble' seat to give ourselves extra space during the flight

View over the wing of the plane on a Fiji flight
Not all airlines offer "bubble" seats, but many allow travelers to bid on upgrades.

Riana Ang-Canning

Seventy-two hours before departure, our airline offered us the option to bid on a "bubble" seat, which allows a traveler to block out the seat next to them.

This seemed like an affordable way to get more space without trying to bid our way into first class โ€” so my husband and I went for it.

We had the option to block out two seats for more money, which would've given us a whole row on the plane.

But since we were flying together and wanted to save money, we bid on one "bubble" seat to share, essentially giving us three seats for two people.

The day before our flight we were informed that our bid was accepted.

We paid 277 Canadian dollars, about $207, for a "bubble" seat on our way to New Zealand and 321 Canadian dollars, about $240, on the return trip.

Both times, we were placed in the plane's middle section, where we had three of the four seats in our row. We still had one person in our row but it was so nice to have the extra space to stretch out.

We also broke up our flight and bought lounge passes during our layover

Airport lounge in Fiji with couches and dim lighting
We spent most of our layover in a lounge.

Riana Ang-Canning

In addition to bidding on a "bubble" seat, my husband and I chose a flight with a stop in Fiji to make our long-haul journey less painful.

This layover let us stretch our legs and saved us a lot of money, as the connecting flight was half the price of a direct one.

Before our flight home from Fiji to Vancouver, we also bought airport lounge passes for $40 per person.

In the lounge, we comfortably enjoyed our layover with great food and unlimited drinks before getting back on a plane.

The 'bubble' seat was the MVP of our trip

The best thing we did to improve our flying experience was getting a "bubble" seat.

I'd love to see more airlines let travelers bid on "bubble" seats, but booking an extra seat in advance or bidding on upgrades with extra legroom could also be decent alternatives for now.

The main downside of getting a "bubble" seat is that we couldn't choose where we were seated. I usually book a window seat, but both bids placed us in the middle of the plane.

Still, although "bubble" seat prices vary, a few hundred bucks wasn't bad for an extra seat and extra space.

I'd definitely do this again for a long-haul flight.

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10 hacks to make boxed brownie mix taste gourmet

Duncan Hines ingredients Brownie Boxed Mix Taste Test

Sydney Kramer/INSIDER

  • Boxed brownie mix is a staple, and there are ways to hack it to make more gourmet creations.ย 
  • Transform it by turning it into a crust for a dessert pizza or adding it to rice-cereal treats.
  • Adding beer, mint candy, or salty snacks to your batter can take your brownie mix to the next level.

With a prepackaged brownie mix and some kitchen staples, you're about an hour away from sinking your teeth into a luxurious treat.

Here are some simple baking hacks to elevate box brownies.

An additional egg turns brownie mix into a chocolatey waffle mix.
eggs cracking egg
An extra egg makes the batter perfect for a waffle maker.

Shutterstock

Adding one more egg than what your boxed mix calls for will make the batter slightly thicker, making it sturdy enough to withstand the heat of a waffle iron.ย 

Whether you decide to dress up your chocolaty waffles with whipped cream, fruit, or more chocolate, bookmark this easy recipe from the Food Network as a reference.

Take your s'mores game to the next level with gooey s'mores brownies.
campfire camp roasing toasting marshmallows fire
Brownies and s'mores are a sweet combination.

Phil McDonald/Shutterstock

S'mores are delicious on their own, but they're even better when you add brownies in between layers of graham crackers and marshmallows.

According to a simple recipe on Delish, you don't even need a campfire to make this decadent snack. You just need a box of brownie mix (and the ingredients it calls for), chocolate bars, marshmallows, and graham crackers.ย 

Turn your brownie mix into the crust of a dessert pizza for endless sweet possibilities.
Dessert Pizza
You can add all sorts of toppings to your dessert pizza.

INSIDER

Think outside the box with your brownie mix by turning it into the crust for a build-your-own dessert pizza. As for toppings, you can make your favorite cream-cheese or whipped-cream frosting and pile it high with fruit, candy, sprinkles, or nuts.

All you need for this crust recipe from Taste of Home is the prepared brownie-mix batter, some almonds, and almond extract.

Transform your brownie mix into a crunchy brittle fit for a celebration.
Brownie batter with butter on spoon
You can even add alcohol for a boozy adult treat.

Sydney Kramer/INSIDER

Not in the mood to cut a dozen slices of cake at your next party? Serve this brownie brittle from Tablespoon instead.

All you need is the mix, an egg, some melted butter, and a large baking pan to spread the batter extra thin.

If you want to make it an adults-only treat, you can also add some cake-flavored vodka.

Combine two iconic desserts with these cookie-dough brownies.
Brookie 1
You can combine two classic desserts.

Paige Bennett for Insider

It's hard to decide between cookies and brownies, but with this recipe from food blogger Lindsay Ostrom, you won't have to.

Dollop some homemade or store-bought cookie dough on top of your prepared brownie batter mix before baking.ย 

Combine rice cereal with brownies for a crunchy and delicious treat.
rice krispy treats
You can add chunks of graham crackers for a s'mores twist.

Bhofack2/Getty Images

This hack combines an entire box of brownie mix with marshmallows and rice cereal, plus, cooked brownies are folded in to give the dessert some extra decadence.ย 

The recipe from the food blog Cookies and Cups with Shelly Jaronsky is a little more involved than others on the list, but all you'll need in addition to the brownie mix is mini marshmallows, rice cereal, and butter.

You can either make your own brownie pieces with the rest of the mix or buy some store-bought brownies to fold through the treat.

Make these Andes brownies for a minty twist.
andes mints
You can mix in your favorite mint candies.

taffpixture/Shutterstock

Don't be afraid to experiment with flavor combinations with your boxed brownie mix.

The Andes brownies from the lifestyle blog Making Lemonade combine the chocolatey dessert with the refreshing taste of mint.ย 

To make them, all you'll need is a prepared box of brownie mix batter and a package of Andes chocolate mints.ย 

Create a sweet and salty masterpiece by adding your favorite chips and pretzels.
Pretzels and chips
It's a tasty mix of sweet and salty.

mrsnstudio/Shutterstock

Delight both sweet and savory cravings by making use of that half-eaten bag of chips or pretzels in your cabinet.ย 

This recipe from Tablespoon can help you get started, but really the possibilities are endless if you're looking to clear out your pantry.

Turn brownie mix into a flavorful, adults-only treat by adding stout beer.
Guiness beer on table
Most types of stout will work.

Frantisekf/Shutterstock

Dark stout beer has so much savory depth, which makes it the perfect addition to chocolaty brownies.

Elevate your mix's flavor profile by adding your favorite stout brew to the boxed brownies.ย 

According to a recipe on Tip Hero, in addition to the beer, you'll need some extra dark chocolate to round out the flavors.ย 

Brownies can also serve as the base for an ice cream cake.
oreos
You can also just stir in pieces of your favorite cookies.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

This easy boxed-mix hack from the food blog Chelsea's Messy Apron marries brownies, cookies, and ice cream to create a tasty cake.

Bake the brownies as instructed, layer them with ice cream and Oreos (or your favorite store-bought cookies), and top everything with whipped topping for an easy, delicious, ice-cream cake.ย 

This story was originally published in September 2018 and most recently updated on December 12, 2024.ย 

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My family tried 20 of Costco's premade meals, and we'd buy almost all of them again

Kirkland Signature premade meals together on a counter
My family tried Kirkland Signature prepared meals from Costco to find the best options.

Ted Berg

  • My family reviewed and ranked 20 prepared Kirkland Signature meals from Costco.
  • My kids didn't love the chipotle-chicken bowl with cilantro-lime rice, but I liked the hearty meal.
  • The comforting and flavorful meatloaf and mashed Yukon potatoes with glaze came out on top.

As a busy dad, finding the time to prepare, cook, and clean up dinner can be challenging.

Fortunately, there are a lot of prepared Kirkland Signature meals available at Costco every time I visit, and I'm always curious to see how good they actually are.

My family ate and ranked 20 Kirkland Signature meals to see which was the tastiest and easiest to prepare.

Here's how they stacked up, from our least favorite to our top pick.ย 

The Kirkland Signature mac and cheese looked promising.
Kirkland Signature mac and cheese in packaging
The mac and cheese was covered with a layer of cheddar.

Ted Berg

I figured the macaroni and cheese would be the safest bet of the meals I took home, and nothing about how it looked changed my mind.

It was bright yellow and seemed amply portioned. My kids usually love mac and cheese.

The prep was straightforward, as I covered the tray in foil and threw it in the oven for 45 minutes.

However, the mac and cheese disappointed us all.
Baked Kirkland Signature mac and cheese
I didn't expect the Kirkland Signature mac and cheese to be so rich.

Ted Berg

In my opinion, the mac and cheese was way too rich. There was a lot of cheese and a lot of sauce, and it was unpleasantly gooey and thick.

I ate a few bites before the grease started working on my stomach. Even my kids turned it away, deeming it "too cheesy."

It was the only Kirkland Signature meal we didn't eat to completion, and the sauce was so thick that I practically had to chisel out the refrigerated leftovers to recycle the tray.ย 

The bright-yellow tortillas and sun-dried-tomato spread made the Tuscan chicken wraps with sauce look exciting.
A light tan tray with four yellow wraps and a cup with an orange sauce in the center of the tray. The tray sits on a wooden table.
I was curious to see what the flavors in the Tuscan chicken wraps with sauce would be like.

Ted Berg

The Tuscan chicken wraps with sauce looked like something I might pack for an on-the-go lunch. The wraps, which came with a sun-dried-tomato spread, seemed like reasonably sized alternatives to similar options at a deli.ย ย 

There were a lot of different elements inside the yellow tortillas โ€” Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken, spinach, bell peppers, olives, cream cheese, and red-pepper pesto โ€” but I was disappointed in how little chicken I found in the wraps I brought home.

I didn't love the meal's strong flavors, though the sun-dried-tomato spread was a hit.
A white plate with two wraps with yellow tortillas next to a small pool of orange dipping sauce.
I wasn't sure if I liked the combination of olives, peppers, and cream cheese in the Tuscan chicken wraps with sauce.

Ted Berg

The most prominent flavors in this wrap were the salty olives and oily red peppers. My first bite contained almost entirely olives, which turned me off slightly.

I thought the cream cheese and red-pepper pesto made the wrap a bit too soggy on the outside and goopy on the inside. The spinach inside the wrap was also wilted, so it didn't offer any crunch.

Though I ate the wraps the day I bought them, I thought they tasted like the flavors had started to meld together โ€” like a meal that had been sitting in the refrigerator for a while.ย 

Still, I liked that the wrap was pleasantly sweet and didn't fall apart under the weight of its ingredients.ย The sun-dried-tomato spread also had a nice, almost cheesy tang and worked well when I repurposed it for other sandwiches. But overall, I'd skip this meal the next time I'm at Costco.

The garlic-seasoned party-wing tray with ranch looked intriguing at the store.
A large tray of chicken wings with two large cups of ranch with red labels to the side
The garlic-seasoned party-wing tray with ranch came with 25 pieces of chicken.

Ted Berg

I'd seen raw, seasoned wings on previous Costco trips, but this was the first time I'd noticed a precooked version. The Kirkland Signature garlic-seasoned party wings came with a mix of 25 drums and flats and two containers of ranch dressing.

The instructions on the packaging said to heat the wings in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees or in the microwave for 10 to 20 minutes. Still, I found that my air fryer was the best method for heating them.

I experimented with temperatures, but even at the hottest settings, the chicken skin didn't crisp up the way I like it to when I make my own wings at home.

The chicken wings didn't have as much flavor as I hoped.
A white plate with chicken wings, a cup of ranch, and cucumber and celery sticks
I had to keep adding hot sauce to the garlic-seasoned party wings.

Ted Berg

The garlic seasoning, though visible, didn't add much more than a touch of salt and a vague aroma to the wings.

On the bright side, the wings weren't spicy at all, so my kids were able to eat them. But I found myself constantly reaching for hot sauce.

The air-fried chicken was fairly moist, but the wings weren't quite tasty or convenient enough for me to buy them again. With only slightly more effort, I can make better wings myself.

At first glance, the beef-and-pork meatball sandwich with marinara sauce looked delicious.
A large meatball sub sitting on a plastic tray with two small cups of marinara beside it and a tape measure in front of it
I was impressed by how large the beef-and-pork meatball sandwich with marinara sauce was.

Ted Berg

This massive beef-and-pork meatball sandwich with marinara sauce was elegantly displayed in a long, narrow container.

I'm somewhat particular about meatballs, but this meal looked appealingly enormous. However, when I took it out of the container, I didn't think the bread looked thick or wide enough to hold the sandwich together while eating.

It was also difficult to transfer the sandwich to a baking sheet without the bread falling apart under the weight of its contents.

After 30 minutes in the oven, the meatballs were hot, the cheese was melted, and the bread was toasty. I also heated some of the included marinara sauce and poured it over the meatballs to serve.ย 

Unfortunately, this meatball sandwich was a little too messy for me.
A large meatball sub with melted provolone cheese and large meatballs sitting on a wooden cutting board
The finished beef-and-pork meatball sandwich with marinara sauce looked good, but I thought it was just OK.

Ted Berg

Just as I feared, the sandwich was a mess. The bottom half of the bread basically disappeared under the grease that seeped in while it heated in the oven.

Still, a messy sandwich isn't necessarily a bad thing. The provolone cheese gave the sandwich a hint of nuttiness that distinguished it from the meatball subs available at my local pizzerias, which all use mozzarella.

However, I thought the meatballs were bland. They were also so densely packed into the sandwich that they were more likely to fall out of the bread than scrunch inside when I squeezed it. Overall, I wouldn't buy this meal again.

We figured we'd enjoy the shepherd's pie.
Shepherd's pie in a plastic container, with mashed potatoes and parsley on top
The shepherd's pie was made with ingredients we knew my family enjoyed.

Ted Berg

The shepherd's pie was filled with meat and vegetables and topped with mashed potatoes. My family already loves pie, so the novelty of mashed potatoes and pastry immediately appealed to my kids.

I removed the pie from its plastic container, placed it onto a baking sheet, and put it in the oven for about 45 minutes until golden. Individual pieces of pie fell apart as I served them, which wasn't surprising.

We weren't fans of the shepherd's pie.
A slice of shepherd's pie with pieces of beef, carrots, corn, peas, and mashed potatoes on a white plate on a cutting board
The shepherd's pie looked OK, but each component tasted dry.

Ted Berg

I thought the mashed potatoes were mealy and dry, the vegetables were mushy, and the filling was overseasoned and too sweet.

The filling was stew-like, but the ground beef was dry and crumbly. I thought I noticed pieces of steak, but these were just hunks of ground beef resembling burger meat.

Overall, my family wasn't a fan of the meal.

The Kirkland Signature Southwest wrap with rotisserie chicken seemed like a good on-the-go option.
Kirkland Signature Southwest chicken wraps
The Kirkland Signature Southwest wraps came with a sauce.

Ted Berg

The Kirkland Signature Southwest wraps were the only meal that required no prep whatsoever, making it a good option for on-the-go eating.

They came with a pinkish chipotle sauce. When I unwrapped a wrap to put the sauce inside, I saw that the employee who made the meal sealed the wrap with a tangy, creamy spread.

The Southwest wraps were moist and flavorful.
Southwest chicken wrap on plate
The Kirkland Signature Southwest wraps were made with rotisserie chicken.

Ted Berg

I thought the wraps were good because they tasted fresh, and the spread that glued them together helped prevent dryness.

There was ample chicken, and the seasoned mix of corn and beans reminded me of a burrito from Chipotle. The pinkish chipotle sauce tasted like a Buffalo sauce to me, but that's not something I'd ever complain about.

Each wrap made for a viable lunch, and at less than $4 each, they're way less expensive than takeout. I could imagine buying them again when I need a lunch that saves time and money.

The chicken pot pie was huge.
Kirkland Signature chicken pot pie unbaked
The Kirkland Signature chicken pot pie seemed large and stuffed to the brim.

Ted Berg

At nearly 6 pounds, I thought the Kirkland Signature chicken pot pie was huge and surprisingly heavy.

Some of the latticework on top of the pie broke in transit, but it was only cosmetic damage.

The instructions called for at least an hour of baking time, which I thought sort of defeated the purpose of making it as a quick weeknight meal.

Nevertheless, I baked the pie until it was golden brown, which took about an hour and 10 minutes.

The chicken pot pie felt a little too heavy after a few bites.
Slice of Kirkland Signature chicken pot pie with chicken, peas, and carrots oozing out
The Kirkland Signature chicken pot pie's filling was creamy and very rich.

Ted Berg

The first bite of the pie was great.

The pie crust was sweet, flaky, and crisp, the hunks of rotisserie chicken were huge, and the pea-heavy cream and vegetables were rich and salty without being mushy or overcooked, as they sometimes are in pot pie.

But in subsequent bites, the initial richness became a goopy sort of heaviness that didn't sit well, and the whole pot pie started to taste a little too salty.

At the very least, the crust was good enough to make me want to try one of Costco's dessert pies.

The Kirkland Signature beef bulgogi Korean BBQ seemed like a meal my kids would enjoy.
Raw beef bulgogi covered in a brown sauce with pieces of brown sauce in a tin tray on a wooden cutting board
The Kirkland Signature beef bulgogi Korean BBQ came with raw meat and onion slices.

Ted Berg

The Kirkland Signature beef bulgogi Korean BBQ is one of the more bare-bones options among the meal selections at my local Costco. The container had a large portion of thinly sliced raw beef and white onions drenched in brown bulgogi sauce.

My kids don't have much experience with Korean-inspired food, but I thought the meal would appeal to them because it's sweet, tender, and gooey.

The meal was too sweet, and the beef fell apart while cooking.
Cooked beef bulgogi on a white and orange plate with black design on the edge of the plate on a wooden cutting board
The stew-like beef bulgogi wasn't appealing to my kids.

Ted Berg

I figured I'd cook the meal in a skillet over medium-high heat until the beef was browned. However, I quickly realized it was difficult to tell when the beef was cooked through because all sides of the meat were covered in a dark-brown sauce.

I went by instinct, stirring frequently to make sure it cooked evenly. Some slices fell apart due to the constant stirring, but the dish seemed fully cooked after five minutes.

Unfortunately, the small pieces of meat made the bulgogi look more like a stew, and its appearance alone turned off my kids.

We thought the meal was tasty but too sweet, as the sauce's flavor overwhelmed the beef. I'd prefer this dish if the beef came in thicker pieces that I could remove from the sauce before cooking.

I was impressed with the portion size of the Kirkland Signature meatballs with rigatoni.
A silver tray of rigatoni pasta and six large meatballs, with a red sauce and cheese covering the pasta
The Kirkland Signature meatballs with rigatoni and sauce could be used for multiple dinners.

Ted Berg

This meal, which included rigatoniย and six enormous meatballs, cost $20 and was enough to feed my entire family twice.

Unfortunately, we thought the meatballs and rigatoni were underwhelming.
A silver tray filled with rigatoni pasta, six large meatballs, and melted cheese and bubbling red sauce set on a wooden cutting board
I wasn't a huge fan of the flavors in the Kirkland Signature meatballs with rigatoni and sauce.

Ted Berg

The meatballs were a little spongy in texture, and something about how the ground-beef-and-pork mixture was seasoned tasted more like sausage than I expected (though that's hardly a bad thing).

The rigatoni held up surprisingly well after 50 minutes in the oven โ€” not quite al dente but not at all mushy. However, the sauce was a bit too sweet and seasoned for me.

My kids liked the pasta but not the meatballs. I also thought the shredded cheese on top seemed like an afterthought, and I could've gone for more.

The Kirkland Signature udon-noodle salad with dressing and peanuts came together easily.
A clear plastic box containing a pack of udon noodles, peanuts, and a mixture of shredded cabbage and carrots with a lime wedge
The Kirkland Signature udon-noodle salad with dressing and peanuts came with many great-looking ingredients.

Ted Berg

The Kirkland Signature udon-noodle salad was extremely easy to assemble โ€” it already came with a shredded-vegetable slaw, peanuts, lime wedges, and a miso sauce.

I tossed all the ingredients into a bowl and served the finished salad alongside some chicken wings.ย 

The salad was fine, but I probably wouldn't buy it again.
A pile of udon noodles, shredded cabbage, and carrots in a glass bowl on a gray tabletop
I didn't love the Kirkland Signature udon-noodle salad with dressing and peanuts, but it would be a satisfying meal in a pinch.

Ted Berg

The dressing was sweet and tangy with a strong miso flavor, but I thought the udon noodles were a bit mushy. I also wished the vegetable mix of shredded bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, and carrots was crisper to balance out the noodles' softness.

Overall,ย the salad wasn't too heavy or saucy, so it would likely be a nice, no-cook option for a quick meal or picnic.

I was curious to see what the Kirkland Signature butter chicken with naan would be like.
A black tray with two sections holding butter chicken with meat in an orange sauce and a stack of naan
I thought the Kirkland Signature butter chicken with naan came with a generous portion of meat.

Ted Berg

The Kirkland Signature butter chicken with naan came in a tray filled with a generous portion of meat, sauce, and bread. In total, I got eight pieces of naan with the meal.ย 

I couldn't get over the odd texture of the meat.
A white bowl filled with butter chicken and two pieces of naan folded in half on the edge of the bowl
I wasn't a huge fan of the Kirkland Signature butter chicken with naan.

Ted Berg

The butter sauce lived up to its name โ€” it was thick, rich, and creamy. Still, it didn't have a ton of flavor, with garlic and tomato paste being its most prominent elements.

It got a lot better when I added jalapeรฑo and Trader Joe's Green Dragon hot sauce to amplify the warm notes of spice.

However, I didn't love the texture of the chicken, which seemed a bit different than the meat I've had in other Kirkland Signature meals. In my opinion, it was moist in a way that almost felt unnatural. I don't see myself buying this meal again.

The Kirkland Signature chicken quesadillas looked pretty large.
Kirkland Signature chicken quesadilla in packaging
The Kirkland Signature quesadillas came with eight wedges.

Ted Berg

The Kirkland Signature quesadillas came with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.

The instructions on the packaging called for heating them up in a frying pan with some oil, so my first batch got a chimichanga-esque crunchiness I don't always expect from quesadillas.

I thought it was a big portion, as there were eight wedges, and two of them felt like more than enough for an adult-sized meal.

The chicken quesadillas were quite satisfying.
Prepared Kirkland Signature quesadillas on a plate
I dipped my quesadillas in salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.

Ted Berg

It was sort of the perfect meal to suit my family's quesadilla needs.

The chicken was seasoned but not spicy, and there was tons of cheese without being too greasy.

The salsa, a sweet, fresh, restaurant-style dip with jalapeรฑo, was the surprise star for me. The Kirkland Signature quesadillas were my wife's favorite of all the meals.ย 

The yakisoba stir fry with seasoned chicken was actually packed with veggies.
Kirkland Signature yakisoba noodles
I didn't prepare a salad or side for the Kirkland Signature yakisoba stir fry.

Ted Berg

The Kirkland Signature yakisoba stir fry was aย fun and easy-to-prepare dinner.

I heated the meal in a Dutch oven because I didn't have a wok or a large enough frying pan. Per the instructions, I heated up oil and first added the vegetables, then chicken, then noodles, and then sauce.

It was ready in less than 10 minutes. And because there were plenty of vegetables, including broccoli, carrots, onions, peppers, and snow peas, I didn't have to prep a side or a salad.

The yakisoba stir fry with chicken was really tasty.
Plated Kirkland Signature yakisoba noodles
Costco's yakisoba stir fry was a comforting meal.

Ted Berg

We thought the yakisoba noodles were warm, comforting, and satisfying, with tender hunks of chicken and some nice texture from the fresh vegetables.

It was a bit sweeter than I usually like, but a hit of hot sauce helped balance out the sweetness.

If I bought this again (and I would buy this again) I'd use only one container of sauce. My kids liked the noodles, and we finished most of the portion in a single sitting.

My kids were excited about the ravioli lasagna with beef and pork Bolognese sauce.
Tray of unheated ravioli lasagna with cheese shreds on top. The tray sits on a wooden cutting board
The Kirkland Signature ravioli lasagna with beef and pork Bolognese sauce has a hearty cheese topping.

Ted Berg

I figured โ€” correctly โ€” that something called ravioli lasagna would appeal to my kids, who love a novelty.

The ravioli were stacked in twos and topped with a meaty Bolognese sauce and mozzarella. It was easy to prepare, as all I needed to do was cover it with foil and bake it for an hour.

At the end of the hour, I deviated from the instructions and gave it five more minutes uncovered in the oven to get the cheese nice and bubbly on top.

The ravioli lasagna was a pretty tasty, easy pasta dish.
Fully baked ravioli lasagna with melted white and yellow cheese and tomato sauce bubbling up around edges. The tray sits on a wooden cutting board
The cheese melted and bubbled in the oven.

Ted Berg

The lasagna was good. The Bolognese sauce was hearty and sweet and my kids appreciated that the ravioli were glued together with melted mozzarella.

It was about a dinner and a half's worth of food for my family, though it felt like a smaller portion than a traditional lasagna made in an equivalent pan size.

The Kirkland Signature chipotle-chicken bowl with cilantro-lime rice came with large portions of beans, cheese, and sauces.
An aluminum casserole dish filled with chicken pieces, rice, beans, cheese, a cup labeled "salsa," a cup with green packaging, and lime wedges
The Kirkland Signature chipotle-chicken bowl with cilantro-lime rice seemed like a hearty meal.

Ted Berg

The Kirkland Signature chipotle-chicken bowl with cilantro-lime rice โ€” nearly 3-ยฝ pounds of food in a casserole tray โ€” came with chicken pieces, cilantro-lime rice, fire-roasted corn, beans, shredded cheese, lime wedges, salsa, and Kirkland Signature guacamole.

The packaging had heating instructions for both the oven and the microwave, but I chose to prepare it in the former because I thought it seemed like the best way to judge the meal's quality. Still, it was nice to know I had Costco's blessing to quickly heat it in the microwave.

I removed the lid, lime wedges, salsa, and guacamole, mixed the rice, beans, cheese, and chicken, and heated the tray in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes.

When it was ready, the shredded cheese had fully melted, and the chicken, rice, and beans were piping hot. I squeezed the lime wedges over the whole dish and served it with the salsa and guacamole.ย 

My kids weren't the biggest fans of the meal, but my wife and I enjoyed it.
A white bowl filled with chicken, rice, beans, gaucamole, and salsa. The bowl sits on a cutting board.
The Kirkland Signature chipotle-chicken bowl with cilantro-lime rice had spicy and savory notes.

Ted Berg

I liked this meal a lot. Not surprisingly, the combination of rice, beans, cheese, and chipotle chicken reminded me of meals from fast-casual Mexican-food chains. The melted cheese gave the whole dish a pleasant creaminess.ย 

There was plenty of chicken, though some pieces seemed a little dry. The lime's lively citrus flavor amplified the rice and beans' heartiness. The guacamole helped make the dish extra creamy, and the salsa added sweetness and a spicy kick.ย 

My kids enjoyed the guacamole but thought the rest of the meal was too spicy. This meant my wife and I had plenty of leftovers for satisfying lunches.

The Kirkland Signature gyros came with a lot of ingredients, which impressed me.
Kirkland Signature gyro kit
The gyros came with pitas, meat, tzatziki, feta, and various veggies.

Ted Berg

This dish came with many components, which made me appreciate Costco's attention to detail and how much goes into prepping a gyro.

Only the gyro meat and the pitas needed to be heated, but the meal also came with a cucumber and tomato salad, red onions, feta cheese, and tzatziki.

Unfortunately, I needed to find my own hot sauce.

The finished gyros were delicious.
Plated gyro
The Kirkland Signature gyros were well-balanced.

Ted Berg

I thought the gyros were delicious. If there was a weak link in the sandwich, it was probably the gyro meat itself, which was a little heavy on the onion powder and heated up to a scrapple-like consistency.

That being said, the assertive seasoning on the meat was mellowed by the sweetness and crunch of the veggies and the tangy creaminess of the tzatziki and feta.

It wasn't better than a gyro I might get from a street cart, but the price was right, and there's no street cart inside my apartment.

I thought the container of Kirkland Signature chicken Alfredo was surprisingly heavy.
Kirkland Signature chicken Alfredo
The Kirkland Signature chicken Alfredo was topped with cheese.

Ted Berg

My first impression of the chicken Alfredo was that it was heavy. The label said it was a little over 4 pounds, and though it might not sound like much, it was a lot of food for my family.

There was an impressive amount of chicken but I expected a higher ratio of noodle-to-meat. Like the macaroni and cheese, the whole tray was covered with foil and baked in the oven.

The chicken Alfredo wasn't too overwhelming or rich.
Baked chicken Alfredo
The Kirkland Signature chicken Alfredo was full of flavor.

Ted Berg

The chicken Alfredo was better than I expected.

Alfredo sauce is often a bit too indulgent for my tastes, but I thought Kirkland Signature's version of the creamy, cheesy sauce wasn't overwhelmingly heavy. The chicken was also moist and flavorful.

My kids liked it even though they normally prefer their chicken and their pasta separated. Alongside some steamed broccoli, the chicken Alfredo stretched to two full meals for my family with little effort on my part.ย 

I was excited to give the Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken a shot.
A black and red plastic bag with a clear window showing a rotisserie chicken inside
The Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken came in a microwave-safe bag.

Ted Berg

The Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken is a popular item at my local store. When staff members display a new batch of birds, customers veer their shopping carts toward the shelves to get the freshest roast chicken.

I'd been meaning to try it for a while, but I wanted to make sure I bought it when my whole family could eat it the same day, and our schedules never lined up until recently.ย 

The price was hard to believe โ€” $5 for a large chicken โ€” and it came in a microwave-safe bag, which seemed convenient even though I didn't use it. The chicken was still warm when I brought it home, so I reheated it in the oven for only a few minutes.

The rotisserie chicken was juicy and pretty tasty.
A whole rotisserie chicken on a wooden cutting board placed on a gray marbled countertop
My family enjoyed the Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken.

Ted Berg

The skin was lightly seasoned, but it wasn't nearly as tasty as other grocery-store rotisserie chickens I've tried. The chicken itself was less salty than I expected, and despite its size, it was fairly moist, even in white-meat portions.

It had a noticeable poultry flavor but was otherwise neutral-tasting, making it easy to use the leftovers in other meals (like the store does for many of its prepared Kirkland Signature meals).

My family loves chicken, and one bird provided two full meals' worth of meat. Considering its price and versatility, we'll likely continue to buy rotisserie chicken on most Costco trips.ย 

The Kirkland Signature chicken street tacos came in a hard-to-carry package.
Kirkland Signature chicken street tacos
I was a little confused by the long container the chicken street tacos came in.

Ted Berg

For whatever reason, the chicken street tacos came in a longer container than the other meals.

I thought it was vaguely festive but difficult to fit into a shopping bag or a refrigerator. Like the gyros, the street tacos came as a kit.

I heated the chicken and tortillas and topped them with cheese, shredded veggies, salsa, cilantro-lime crema, and a squeeze of fresh lime.

The chicken street tacos were one of our favorite meals.
Plated chicken street tacos
I had the chicken street tacos with some lime that came in the kit.

Ted Berg

The chicken street tacos were excellent. The chicken was smoky with a chipotle flavor but not too spicy for my kids, the veggies were fresh and crunchy, and the sauces were tasty. I think the salsa was the same kind that came with the quesadillas.

If I were at a restaurant and got these tacos, I'd be more than satisfied with my purchase.ย 

I was skeptical of the meatloaf with mashed Yukon potatoes and glaze.
Kirkland Signature meatloaf and mashed potatoes
I'm not usually a big fan of heavy meatloaf.

Ted Berg

I'm normally not a big fan of meatloaf, and my kids' exposure to it has been limited. It's often grayish and covered in a dark red goo that looks like ketchup.

I'm also not much of a mashed potato guy and, in my experience, they never keep well.

By the time I put the Kirkland Signature meatloaf and mashed potatoes in the oven, they had been sitting in my fridge for a few days so I wasn't sure what to expect.

I didn't expect it, but the meatloaf was our winner.
Prepared meatloaf and mashed potatoes on a plate with broccoli
I served the meatloaf and mashed potatoes with broccoli.

Ted Berg

Like almost every one of these meals, the meatloaf and mashed Yukon potatoes were surprisingly good.

It was heavy (but of course, most meatloaf is), and I don't think I'd usually choose it over tacos. But my family ate the meatloaf on an unseasonably cold day when I was hungry, and the sweet, juicy, and beefy dinner hit the spot.

My son, who's normally hesitant about unfamiliar foods, took to it like he was a paid spokesperson. "I'm very happy with this," he said.

I thought the mashed potatoes were just a touch mealy, but overall, they weren't bad.

Overall, the Kirkland Signature meals surprised us.
Kirkland Signature premade meals together
We enjoyed almost all of the prepared Kirkland Signature meals.

Ted Berg

I normally cook for my family and, for whatever reason, prepared meals like those from Kirkland Signature have never been part of our dinner rotation.

But aside from the mac and cheese and rigatoni with meatballs, every one of the meals we tried was better than I expected it to be, and my kids enjoyed them more than I would've guessed.

Now, I'll likely regularly buy some of the Kirkland Signature meals when I don't have much time for meal prep.

This story was originally published on October 27, 2023, and most recently updated on December 11, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider

20 things you probably didn't know about 'Home Alone'

home alone surprised
Macaulay Culkin in "Home Alone."

Fox

  • It's been over 30 years since "Home Alone" debuted, but it's still beloved around the holidays.ย 
  • Fans may not know that Macaulay Culkinย improvised one of the film's most iconic moments.
  • The cast almost looked a little different, and Culkin's brother also made a guest appearance.

The holidays wouldn't be the same without the "Home Alone" franchise.

Few people can resist the shenanigans of a young Macaulay Culkin as he finds himself left behind to defend the house while his family heads to Paris for Christmas break.

Here are some fun facts you may not know about "Home Alone."

It took weeks to find the right house for the film.
home alone
John Hughes called the winning house "perfect."

Fox

It took several weeks for the director Chris Columbus and his crew to find the McCallister house for "Home Alone."

Ultimately, they chose a house in Winnetka, Illinois, because they thought it was both warm and menacing.

"I took some pictures and sent them over to John, and I remember John saying: 'This is perfect. This is exactly how I imagined the house,'" he told Entertainment Weekly.

Warner Brothers initially had the rights for the screenplay.
home alone dinner fox
Production for the film was stalled at one point.

Fox

Though the film was ultimately produced by Hughes Entertainment and presented by 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers initially had rights to the project.

According to an article in Chicago magazine, a budget dispute occurred three weeks before the production of "Home Alone" was set to start.

"The question was, 'Do we lay everyone off?'" the associate producer Mark Radcliffe told the publication. "John [Hughes] said to just hold tight."

Luckily, 20th Century Fox acquired the rights to the film and production continued as planned.

Culkin and his on-screen mom shared a sweet moment years later.
home alone
Catherine O'Hara played the mother in "Home Alone."

Fox

Per Us Weekly, during a 2015 interview on "Watch What Happens Live," Catherine O'Hara told Andy Cohen that she and Culkin had a sweet interaction at an art event.

"I haven't seen him for years and years, but I saw him two years ago โ€” a year and a half ago? โ€” at a Martin Mull art opening, and he was coming out, and he went, 'Mommy!' And I said, 'Baby!'" she recalled.

She added that her husband made them take a picture and that she was happy to see him.

The film held a cinematic record for nearly 30 years.
home alone
There's no denying people loved "Home Alone."

Fox

Forbes reported that until 2017, "Home Alone" had the highest single-territory total for a live-action comedy, with $285.7 million.

The film held this impressive record for 27 years, until the Chinese film "Never Say Die"ย surpassed it in 2017 (without accounting for inflation).

Regardless, "Home Alone" is still one of the highest-grossing live-action comedies in the US.

Culkin's younger brother appeared in the movie.
Home alone
Kieran Culkin played his brother's on-screen cousin.

Fox

In his first acting credit, Culkin's younger brother Kieran appeared as Kevin's cousin, Fuller, in "Home Alone."

The brothers appeared together on-screen again in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York."

The film was written in just over a week.
home alone
John Hughes was able to write the screenplay incredibly fast.

FOX

John Hughes, who also wrote 1980s blockbusters like "The Breakfast Club," "Pretty in Pink," and "Sixteen Candles," crafted the first draft of the screenplay for "Home Alone" in just nine days.

According to the same Chicago magazine article โ€” which was written by his son, James โ€” the film was written after a family trip to Europe in response to his father's severe traveler's anxiety.

"I was going away on vacation,'" Hughes told Time magazine in 1990, "and making a list of everything I didn't want to forget. I thought, 'Well, I'd better not forget my kids.' Then I thought, 'What if I left my 10-year-old son at home? What would he do?'"

Culkin has said he has trouble watching the film.
Macalay Culkin
Macaulay Culkin has said he doesn't watch the film very often.

Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

In a 2018 interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Culkin said he couldn't watch "Home Alone" without remembering a bunch of personal context.ย 

"When I'm watching it, I'm seeing like โ€” I'm remembering that day on set. You know, like, how I was hiding my Pepsi behind the couch," he said. "I can't watch it the same way other people can."

In the same interview, he referred to the film as "background radiation at Christmastime."

Columbus was supposed to direct a different Hughes-written Christmas classic.
Chris Columbus Slaven Vlasic Getty
Chris Columbus had said he didn't want to work with Chevy Chase on "Christmas Vacation."

Slaven Vlasic/Getty

Columbus was originally working on "Christmas Vacation" โ€” which was also written by Hughes โ€” but he eventually called the writer to tell him he couldn't work with the actor Chevy Chase.

"John was very understanding. About two weeks later, I got two scripts at my in-laws' house in River Forest. One was 'Home Alone,' with a note from John asking if I wanted to direct," he told the publication. "I thought, 'Wow, this guy is really supporting me when no one else in Hollywood was going to.'"

John Candy improvised most of his scenes in "Home Alone."
home alone john candy
Candy played Gus Polinski in "Home Alone."

Fox

Columbus told Business Insider's Jason Guerrasio in 2020 that the legendary comedic actor John Candy came on set ready to improvise.

"He was on the movie for only one day, but it resulted in so much great improvisation. None of that stuff was in the script," he said. "Theย funeral-parlor story, that was all improvised at 4:30 in the morning. We could barely keep a straight face on set just listening to John."

Hughes was particular about his script, but Columbus added one of the film's most touching moments.
home alone ending scene
Chris Columbus added the ending scene with Old Man Marley.

Fox

Beyond Candy's cameo, Hughes didn't allow for a ton of improvisation or tweaks to his script, but Columbus had a sweet vision for the character of Old Man Marley that he was able to sneak into the film.

Though the scene in the church was always in the script, the director added to the conversation between Kevin and Marley.ย 

"I added the moment when Marley talked about not being able to see his granddaughter. I also added the very end of the movie when Kevin sees that Marley is reunited with his granddaughter," Columbus told BI. "That is probably my proudest addition to the movie."

Robert De Niro was considered for the role of Harry.
robert de niro home alone
Robert De Niro could've had Joe Pesci's iconic role.

Toby Melville/Reuters; Fox

Before Joe Pesci took on the role of Harry in "Home Alone," the production team had its eyes on Robert De Niro.

However, Columbus said, the actor never seriously considered taking the role.ย 

"It was talked about a little internally, but when Pesci said yes, I was stunned," he told BI.

Culkin improvised one of the most iconic "Home Alone" moments.
home alone surprised
Macaulay Culkin in "Home Alone."

Fox

Kevin's reaction to putting on aftershave is arguably one of the best-known scenes of the film โ€” and it's since become one of the most iconic moments in movie history.

However, Culkin apparently didn't do it the way Columbus told him to.ย 

"If you put something on your face that burns, most people move their hands right away. So my direction to him was when you pat your face, move your hands and scream. And I think it was the first take, he kept his hands on his cheeks," the director told BI.

He added, "It's funny, the iconic moment from 'Home Alone' was an accident."

The BB-gun effect was achieved with animation.
home alone bb gun
The movie didn't have a huge budget for special effects.

Fox

When "Home Alone" came out in 1990, CGI wasn't the norm on film sets. Since the movie was already working on a tight budget, the production team had to get creative with special effects.ย 

During the scene in which Kevin shoots Marv in the head with a BB gun, the pellet is actually animated.ย 

"We paid a guy living in his mother's basement in Chicago $600 to hand-paint that BB going into Marv's head. So that was an animated effect. A guy with a paintbrush in a basement for six frames hand-painted a BB," Columbus toldย  BI.

He continued: "This was an $18 million film, so, for our budget, I'm pretty happy how it turned out."

The film has fooled many people into believing "Angels With Filthy Souls" is real.
home alone angels with filthy souls fox
"Angels With Filthy Souls" was created for "Home Alone."

Fox

Kevin uses a black-and-white movie called "Angels With Filthy Souls" to aid in his defense plan against the Wet Bandits, and many people โ€” including Seth Rogen and Chris Evans โ€” were shocked when they learned it wasn't a real film.ย 

The scene was created specifically for "Home Alone," but there's a reason it looks so real.ย 

"'Home Alone' is one of the last films shot with an oldย carbon-arc lighting system that was popular back in the 1940s through 1960s for Technicolor films," Columbus told BI.

He explained that they used the same technique for "Angels With Filthy Souls."

"That richness of black and white made it look like a movie from that era, and I think that's why some people think it's a real movie," he added.

"Home Alone" was written with Culkin in mind after another Hughes hit.
uncle buck
Culkin in "Uncle Buck."

Universal

A year before "Home Alone," Culkin starred alongside Candy in Hughes' "Uncle Buck."

After watching the actor play Miles Russell, Hughes was inspired to write a film with a young boy at its helm.

Once the idea started taking shape, he thought Culkin would be great in the role.ย 

Production of the film took place at a familiar high school in the suburbs of Chicago.
ferris bueller high school
"Ferris Bueller's Day Off" was filmed at New Trier Township High School.

Paramount Pictures

The production team shared stories about working at New Trier Township High School in Winnetka, Illinois.

Hughes liked to make his movies in the Chicagoland area, so they set up their production offices in the same building where some of his other classics, such as "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "Uncle Buck," were shot.

They also ended up building the interior sets for the McCallisters' house in the school's gym, and they inventively built the set for the Murphys' house โ€” which floods at the end of the film โ€” in the swimming pool.

Candy reportedly made less than the pizza boy for his cameo in "Home Alone."
john candy home alone
Candy was on set for only one day.

Fox

Candy filmed all his scenes during one 23-hour day on set, but he didn't get much in return as far as compensation.

The actor did the cameo as a favor to Hughes, and he received "scale" pay โ€” the minimum pay rate that a studio agrees to.

In the end, Candy ended up making less than Danny Warhol (aka Dan Charles Zukoski), who played the pizza boy.

The crew dropped everything on the second day of filming to shoot the final scene in the snow.
home alone snow
They shot the scene where Kevin reunites with his mom on the second day.

Fox

"Home Alone" was shot in Chicago in February, and the crew was hoping for snow.

Fake snow can eat away at a budget, so when a snowstorm rolled in on the second day on set, everyone jumped at the chance to film the "money shot" where Kevin wakes up on Christmas morning and reunites with his family.

To enhance the natural flurries, the crew used potato flakes to make it look as if snow was blowing around โ€” which was said to be effective but left them with a whole heap of rotting starch when the snow melted a few days later.

The stunts were real โ€” and one was even named in honor of "Home Alone."
home alone stunt
The stuntpeople had to do all of the falls themselves.

Fox

Though Culkin, Pesci, and Daniel Stern weren't responsible for all of the falls and hits their characters took throughout the film, their stunt doubles did them for real.ย 

They didn't use any special-effect tricks, and there weren't any pads built into the ground, so the film crew was under a lot of pressure to get the shots right on the first take.ย 

Pesci's stunt double for the film, Troy Brown, said on the docuseries that for his first fall on the icy stairs, he "just launched myself as far and as high as I could."ย 

The film's wild stunts had a long-lasting impact.

"Now when someone does a fall where they get a lot of air, and they fall on their back, they'd call it the 'Home Alone,'" the director of photography Julio Macat said on an episode of "The Movies That Made Us."

Columbus went on to direct another Christmas hit.
christmas chronicles 2 netflix
Kurt Russell in "The Christmas Chronicles 2."

Netflix

"Home Alone" was only the third feature-length film that Columbus directed, but he's since gone on to direct popular movies like "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,"ย and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."

In addition to taking on some fantasy classics, Columbus directed Netflix's "The Christmas Chronicles 2" (2020), marking his return to holiday films.

An earlier version of this story was published in November 2018, and it was most recently updated on December 11, 2024.

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Read the original article on Business Insider

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