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My Favorite Present

Now that the holiday season has passed us by (at last!!).  I have unpacked and put away the gifts and chosen my favorite.  It is my new Keurig Coffee Maker.  For years I looked at this item in stores, considered, picked it up, put it back, didn’t get it.  Rinse, repeat.

I am a coffee fanatic.  Love it, drink it way too much, couldn’t do without.  The appeal of having a fresh cup every time was tempting.  Then there’s IV, who only likes flavored coffee, which I loathe.  When you make flavored coffee in the pot, the pot smells like the flavor until you scrub it out.  Not with the Keurig as there is no pot, only your cup.  Genius!

As time went on, I tried other products.  Apple cider, mocha, chai, teas of all types.  Oldest son started using the machine.  Youngest son became dazzled by it while he was home for Christmas break.

I used to make tea in an electric tea pot.  The tea pot is now gathering dust.  I can make K-cup tea in 2 minutes, rather than steeping it for 5, after waiting for the water to boil.  I am all about saving time.

I like my new Chicos black and silver top, my new wheat shaded sweater, the Virgin Diet book my children bought me (no idea), the diamond earrings and necklace IV gave me.  But I LOVE this Keurig Coffee maker.

What was the best present you received over the holidays?  

Written by Lori Handeland

Lori Handeland is a two time RITA Award winner and the New York Times Bestselling author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, historical fantasy and contemporary category romance. Lori also writes western historical romance under the name Lori Austin. BEAUTY AND THE BOUNTY HUNTER, her first book in the "Once Upon a Time in the West" series is available NOW and is a RITA finalist for Best Historical Romance. The second book, AN OUTLAW IN WONDERLAND, was named one of Publishers' Weekly's Best Summer Books of 2013 and will be available to one and all on June 4. Check out her website at www.lorihandeland.com or www.loriaustin.net

Visit Lori Handeland's website  |  Follow Lori Handeland on Twitter  |  Follow Lori Handeland on Facebook


99 Comments on “My Favorite Present”

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  1. Mary Preston says:

    I don’t know that I would use a coffee machine much once the novelty wore off.

    I did receive some delicious bath products. The whole house smells divine when I use them.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      I’m a big bath and body fan myself.

  2. evlqn says:

    I have thought about those coffee makers but the way we drink coffee we would bankrupt ourselves just on the k-cups. Not to mention my sister and I blend our own beans from the bulk coffee in our store; we put nearly equal parts, double French roast, Espresso, and Rocket Java. We some times go to Costco for a bag of San Francisco Bay French Roast as well. We like our coffee strong, hot and often.

    As for my favorite gift this year, hands down it was my own Maleficent doll from my son and his family. I don’t know if anyone has noticed over the years but I like dragons, just a little and I am an evil queen hence the title evlqn. Well taking this information about me my family gave me an Evil Queen who turns into a dragon! Perfect! She is on the bookshelf next to my altar so I can see her every day I am home, this week I am spoiling g-girls.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      I got the extra cup thing-ee so I can put my own coffee in it because I also drink way too much coffee to have a k cup other than the first cup in the morning.

      Maleficent sounds so cool. I need Maleficent Barbie.

      1. evlqn says:

        I love mine, it’s not a Barbie, it is a soft sculpture one.I think I need a Barbie one too, I will have to show my family.I love that my family knows what I like; dragons, books, gadgets, Noritaki china all can make me a happy woman.

        1. LoriHandeland says:

          It’s very sweet that they take the time to learn what you like.

  3. B says:

    My iPhone 5. Duh. ;)

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Definitely. Very cool.

  4. aida alberto says:

    My laptop. My other one died and there was no way I could purchase a laptop myself. There’s a new coffeemaker out there that combines both a regular pot and the k-cups. I’ve been looking at that one.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Haven’t seen that coffee pot yet. Great idea. Everyone was very excited to have their own special, chosen cup at Christmas, but it did take a while to get everyone served.

  5. Kelly Proellocks says:

    Gamer Dude spoilt me rotten at Christmas. While I didn’t get any vampire rubber ducks, I did get a DVD season of one of the shows that I am collecting, a plush figurine which is currently sitting on my desk with another one that was purchased earlier last year and gift cards to my favorite bookshop. For my birthday though the best present came from Sci Fi Guy who got me season 8 in CSI. Gamer Dude and I had most of his earnings go in bills so I said that anything for me can wait since paying bills is kinda important. Gamer Dude has given me loads of hugs today though because I had a small meltdown just before and really needed his comfort.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Hugs are always welcome.

      1. Kelly Proellocks says:

        Oh definitely. The talk that we had while laying in the dark, cuddling on the bed helped a great deal too because we worked out that I had been doing the bottling up thing with my thoughts and not asking for help when I need it.

  6. JenG says:

    Not sure that I have a “favorite” gift per say, but the most useful gift I got was the armband for my iPhone. I walk with my girlfriends in the mornings and having that armband has definitely helped out. Also I dogwalk so yeah, having my hand and pocket free is kinda nice.

    For those of you with the K-cup coffee machines, you can buy the insert on Amazon that you put your own coffee into as to NOT bankrupt yourselves on K-cups since they are so darn expensive. Definitely read the reviews on the insert. People complained of leakage and/or too week/strong coffee. The comments also tell you how people FIXED the problem and even recommendations for amts of coffee :)

    I am still sorta brain dead as we got back from a weekend at Walt Disney World yesterday. Definitely an exhausting weekend. Magic Kingdom was a mob scene on Saturday!!!

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Disney World! Sounds like a gift to me. It’s -6 here this morning. Wah!!

      1. JenG says:

        BRRRRRRR That is just WAY too cold for me! We met some people from Wisconsin while we were in line at Magic Kingdom on Saturday. They were loving the 60+ degree temps we were enjoying.

        WDW is only a 2 hour drive from where we live so it is one of those nice things we can do with little planning (and a ton of money!!!)

        1. LoriHandeland says:

          Wisconsin Dells is 2 hours from me. Not quite the same thing. Sigh.

  7. Freshechelle says:

    The quickly disappearing case of bottled Republic of Tea Ginger Peach iced tea was definitely my favorite gift. I may have developed another overpriced habit.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Mmm. I wonder if they have K cups of that.

    2. Karen H near Tampa says:

      Like flavored coffees, which I also loathe (though they can smell nice), I generally despise flavored tea. But my sister gave me some Republic of Tea Ginger Peach tea bags a couple of years ago and I now have a flavored tea that tastes like tea with peaches instead of like chemicals. I didn’t know there was a bottled version, so this will be something to look for.

  8. cail says:

    I do enjoy the speed of a Keurig for making hot water. Only problem is, tea often tastes like coffee…

    My favorite Christmas present was a proposal (and ring) on Christmas morning. I did enjoy a nice gift card to B&N, but really, what can hold a candle to the other!

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Very true, Cail. Congrats. That has to top them all.

    2. JenG says:

      Squeeeeee!! Congratulations Cail!!!

    3. Pesky says:

      :D That’s so lovely Cali! Congratulations!

      1. cail says:

        Thanks ladies!

  9. Sue K says:

    My favorite gift was the three stack rings and the little angel necklace DH gave me. And the gift cards from Barnes & Noble.
    We have only one coffee drinker in this house and he won’t even look at one of those fancy coffee makers. DH takes a thermos of coffee to work every day.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Love stack rings and an angel necklace sounds very pretty. Someone knows your tastes.

  10. Sandi in OH says:

    My favorite was the natural light spectrum lamp my husband gave me. He noticed that the light in my “office” wasn’t good for reading. My next favorite was the MP3 player our son and his family gave me. It is wonderful for working out at the gym three days a week. My absolute favorite though were the three coffee mugs what had our grandchildren’s art work decorating them and the Christmas ornaments that included their pictures.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Aw, those mugs sound adorable. Sweet.

  11. Julie says:

    I think I would love that K-cup thing…so much that I would spend entirely too much on coffee. ;) Right now, my favorite coffee is the Karoma Estate kind from Gevalia. That is such a smooth coffee, even when you make it strong like we do. YUM! Not cheap because it’s one of their Limited Editions. I buy quite a bit when they have it on sale. Also love their Stockholm Roast and their English Breakfast Tea. The hub actually saw one at a doctor’s office and thought it looked awesome until he started pricing them and realized how UN-cheap they were–haha!! He had the idea that our coffee pot was juuuuussst fiiiine. ;)

    My favorite present I bought myself is my new Samsung Galaxy SIII—LOVE it!!! The one I love most that someone bought me is my portable back scratcher that the hub/Santa gave me–the handle extends and it’s amazing. Sure beats rubbing my back against the wall like a bear. ;)

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      They have a Keurig where we get our car serviced. I thought that was nuts. Can you imagine?

      1. Julie says:

        It may be easier to maintain for them and no one has to be on ‘coffee duty’ to make sure that there is always coffee in the pot and it isn’t nasty tar. ;)

        1. LoriHandeland says:

          Well, that’s true. I was just thinking of all the people playing with it and making stuff they don’t even drink, but that’s the control freak in me.

  12. Amanda says:

    I got a Kitchen Aid food processor. The food processors of the past kicked the bucket. This one is great. Now “coarsely chopped” veggies means “put them all in the food processor and take less time.” I love it. For some recipes, nothing works like it.

    I got DH a rice steamer. He’s into rice, for some reason, and the thing is great. I know I can boil it on the stove just as well, but it is wonderful just sticking it in the machine, and DH cooks enough that he uses both things around here.

    We had a great Christmas.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      I should probably get a food processor. My idea of chopping is making something slightly smaller than it was in the first place.

      1. Amanda says:

        I have several recipes that have like five veggies in them. That slicer saves time. And the grater for grated carrots. It is cheaper to grate my own parmesan cheese. Anyway, it is a commitment to space. I had to make room for it. Be sure this is something that will use or you’ll resent the space it takes up.

        1. LoriHandeland says:

          I am big on counter space. Which is probably why I got rid of everything that wasn’t a coffee pot.

  13. Pesky says:

    My nephews made my kitties a cat tower. My sister said they had a blast. They’re in their 20′s now and can actually cut straight and use power equipment. My furpeople love it and I do too.

    They were looking for a present that fit their budget. I told them In November. They looked up instructions online and got the material, and it is gorgeous.

    My second favorite gift My Guy got me. I just said “I don’t want to spend a mint over the holiday for presents and stuff I have too much of. Let’s keep it small and meaningful. I got him a rod and reel as hed been considering fishing all of last year and he got me a mani pedi and hair appt gift certificate set at my salon. He gets when I say, no fuss, I mean, no fuss. We both loved our gifts.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      How sweet about the kitty tower!

      IV has so many rods and reels it’s sad. I guess they are his book pile.

      1. Julie says:

        Oh,mine too. The hub has about 10 rods and reels and he changes them out all the time. Don’t even get me started about how many packages of artificial lures he has… good grief!

        1. LoriHandeland says:

          I know!! What is that?

      2. kez says:

        I don’t comment on how many rods and reels are in the basement and he does not comment on my shoes (often).

        1. LoriHandeland says:

          We have the same system.

          1. Pesky says:

            So I’m guessing this is going to be my life? Lures and reels? … Well built in stocking stuffers. :D

            1. LoriHandeland says:

              Just wait until the bait shows up in your refrigerator.

              1. Julie says:

                Oh, hail no…. ;)

  14. AmyS says:

    I love the convinence of our the Keurig, but we have issues with it not making a full cup of coffee. Sometimes the cup is only half full. That aspect of it drives me nuts. We have watched videos on youtube of how to try and fix the problem, apparently quite a few people have this problem.

    My favourite gift would have to be my new iPod touch. My old iPod gave out on me in October, and I missed having it for walking the dog, so hubby bought me a new touch. I didn’t realize you could use them for so much. My kids have been using it a lot. They really love the Facetime app, they use it everyday to talk with their cousin, and the best part is that it’s free.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      I’ve never had that problem! Knock wood. I wonder where the water goes?

  15. SuzyQ says:

    I love my Keurig! My house is like yours, I hate flavored coffees but my dh loves them. Kids love the hot chocolate and now they can make a cup themselves. For tea, I love the Chai Tea Latte.

    I have two favorite gifts this year. One was a battery grip for my camera. It stores two batteries and also has controls on it for shooting portrait. The other is my Cape May beach tag necklace (Wildwood doesn’t have beach tags so they aren’t available). There is a little gallery that makes Jersey Shore beach tag replicas into jewelery. Proceeds go towards the Superstorm Sandy fund to help rebuild the shore.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      I had to look up what a beach tag was. Very cool.

      Oldest son loves the Chai tea latte.

  16. Polly McCrillis says:

    My daughter’s boss got her a Keurig for Christmas and she loves it. I’m a hot tea drinker, good quality black tea only. Never have adapted a taste for coffee. Freshly ground beans smell divine but the brew doesn’t taste nearly as good.

    Best gift was a flight jacket and box of patches from my father’s USAF flight jackets. My mom and daughter collaborated on this knowing how much I loved wearing my dad’s gear when I was a kid and sit in cockpits pretending to be a jet fighter pilot. Now I have my own jacket and will always have a huge part of my dad’s history with me. Amazing gift.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Nice boss!

      Very cool on the flight jacket. I wish had something like that from my dad. He was a photographer in the air force. The only thing I ever saw from that era was pictures and his dog tags. I wonder where those got to.

  17. Kimberly Hope says:

    I have two favorite presents, one that is actually mine, and one that the kids got that has brought peace to the house. I got a new Sony camera and I am in love. I can post pictures online directly from the camera!

    The kids got a new computer from their grandparents, so there is no more fighting over computer time.

    As I said, peace in the house.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Very nice grandparents!

      Sounds like a great camera. I think mine can post to FB but I haven’t figured out how. Just keep using my phone for pics, which aren’t the best pics. Holding the thing still is hard.

  18. Connie Fischer says:

    My son has one of those and loves it. In addition, an author friend of mine has one and she lives for it. It think that like a cat, a Keurig is a must for any author. Drinking coffee and being comforted by a cat has to be the key for any author to stay sane and keep the words flowing.

    My favorite gift was to plan and lock in a cruise that Hubby and I will take in March. Best part is, one son, our DIL and two grandchildren will be going too. Sooo looking forward to it!

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Sounds like a great trip, Connie. Have fun.

  19. Haley says:

    Welcome to the club! The Keurig is the single most appliance that keeps the peace in my household….LOVE IT!

    My favorite present was a Kitchen Aide mixer. I adore it. It will never replace the Keurig in my heart, but it’s super close on the love scale.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      I still use a hand mixer. Sad. Then again, I don’t do much mixing.

  20. Julia London says:

    Love my keurig. That, and the toaster oven, are the only things I use in the kitchen. Ha

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      I don’t have a toaster oven, just a toaster. But I can microwave like a champ.

  21. Claudia Dain says:

    I got a load of perfume, all different “flavors.” That was my favorite gift. I love deciding which scent I want to spritz on myself every morning. Is it a Chanel day? Euphoria? Juicy Couture? It’s my morning treat.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Nummy. That’s always fun.

  22. Kelly Ryan Watson says:

    We did the same thing with the Keurig. We looked, pulled it out, looked, put in cart, took two steps and put it back. Sigh. Maybe one of these days!

    I received some pretty cool gifts for Christmas. I guess the best would be from my parents. They gave me both of my grandmothers engagement and wedding rings. It amazes me how small their fingers were. I don’t remember them being that petite.

    Stay warm!

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Oh, that’s so nice. My mom just gave me my gramma’s rings too. They are teeny! My gramma was not a small woman either.

  23. Madeline Hunter says:

    I have been eyeballing the Keurig system. I am the only regular coffee drinker here. I drink so much that I could justify making pots of it instead of instant, but I have grown accustomed to instant. But this system is cool. My favorite gift was a new carry on bag with rotating wheels, so I don’t have to drag it. Airports are so darn big now thatit is nice to be able to wheel it along side of me instead.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      I love my wheeled carry on. Could not get along without it.

  24. CateS says:

    Just so everyone knows… you can get a coffee holder for the K-Cup that you can use for your regular coffee.. Which I like because then you don’t have all that excessive waste from all those little disposable plastic individual servings. But that maybe why everyone seems so into the maker is that you can order such a variety of coffees, etc.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      The variety is nice, but for ever day I used the one where I can put in my own.

  25. Lisa Hill says:

    I received alot of nice gifts this year. My favs were the beautiful purple pajamas from my daughter, also a new purse from one best friend and a new wallet from another best friend. And believe it or not, I received a second Captain Jack nutcraker. How many women have TWO Captain Jack nutcrakers???

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Only lucky women have two. And purple PJs sound fun!

  26. Cheri Champagne says:

    My husband got one of those fancy new coffee makers, too. It was a ridiculously expensive one (over $200), but he LOVES it.

    The best thing that I got over the holidays was my new iPad. I already had a first generation one, but my mom bought me a brand new third generation one. I gave my husband my old one, and I am SO happy with my new one!

    Oh, and I am remarkably pleased with the gift cards I got this year! I got one for Starbucks (yum!), two iTunes gift cards, a $100 David’s Tea gift card, and a $100 Chapters Bookstore gift card! YAY! All the things that make me super happy :D

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Sounds like you made out at Christmas! Go you!

      I love my ipad. It is the coolest.

  27. Michelle B says:

    We love our Keurig! Hubby likes all the different coffees, DD#1 and I like the teas, hot chocolate and apple cider. We even bought the Nepresso for espresso and have the cool box that holds and displays all the flavors. Fun to offer when we entertain.

    My favorite gift was a new pair of Alegria shoes. I got rid of most of my shoes that really weren’t good for my feet anyway and promised myself I would replace them only with shoes that don’t make my feet problems worse. That’s tough since it cuts out most really cute shoes and all heels. Alegria’s fit well, lots of choices, cute styles, and fit my bill. They are expensive to me, but are so comfy.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      I will have to check out Alegria shoes. I need something that isn’t flip flops or boots but have a real problem with shoes that aren’t comfy.

  28. Sheridan says:

    My dad got me this iPad holder thing that hooks to the bottom shelf of kitchen cabinets. So now I can keep my ipad off the counter and still use it for recipe reference, playing pandora and using it as my kitchen timer :D

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Oh, interesting. I like to watch shows sometimes if I’m cooking a long time, but that happens so rarely I just prop the thing on the flour bin.

  29. Carla C says:

    A few years ago my daughter in law bought me one.. I used it and found that brewing is my fav. I have even sold it at a garage sale and bought myself a percolator. The taste of the brew process is rich and delicious.
    I hope you enjoy yours from one coffee lover to another.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Thanks, Carla. I’m dazzled now. May change my mind.

  30. Janice Hougland says:

    I got lots of gifts I love…special winter outfits for my Yorkie (handmade), gift cards to a favorite restaurant, but the most special was this sterling silver bangle bracelet studded with clear crystals. Very simple and elegant and goes with everything. I was never a bracelet person, but I wear this all the time.

    1. Madeline Hunter says:

      Hi, Janice!
      I really like the look of clear crystals and silver. I’ll bet that bracelet is lovely.

    2. LoriHandeland says:

      Your bracelet sounds lovely. I am a big fan of silver.

  31. Janae says:

    It’s a toss up between 2 presents. I LOVE my Kindle Fire because I had been using the Kindle app on my Iphone. I, also, love my wooden mandrels that I use to make rings. I’ve made one ring so far and have plans to make more in the future.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Very nice gift considering you enjoy making jewelry. Fun.

  32. Christie Ridgway says:

    I’ve been looking at those coffee makers (bday coming up). Will look some more. My fave gift: a new pair of boots that I knew about ahead of time but when we were in Nordstrom it was the dh who spotted them so he feels very proud of the gift.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Nordstrom is a good boot place. That is where I found my Pink Uggs. I wish we had one here. :(

  33. Pamiam says:

    My best present was my I-Phone which was actually a birthday present. Since it’s only a week before Christmas I am going to count it. It’s my first smart phone and I’m like a little kid with my new friend Siri. :-)

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      I am very hooked on Siri.

      My birthday is a week before Christmas too!

  34. dbrown3400 says:

    It’s just me and I make just enough coffee to drink two cups in the morning, so a Keurig would be overkill for me. I’ve got my coffeepot trained to make just the coffee taste I like. I might consider one if my coffeepot dies, but I guess I’ll wait and see.

    The girls went in together and got me the UGG boots I wanted, and my high school sweetheart sent me a generous Amazon gift card. Win, win.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Your high school sweetheart, huh? Sounds interesting.

      1. dbrown3400 says:

        Yes, we got together last year after 47 years and plan to see each other again this May. A true long-distance relationship. We talk on the phone almost every day.

        1. LoriHandeland says:

          A smell a book in that.

  35. Alisa says:

    I got a soft Pretzel Maker!
    We love it. I can’t even count the amount of times i have already made pretzels. The only thing I don’t like is that is takes about 2 hours start to finish. But OMG are they good. Hubby even said better than the mall!! and whats best is that they are fresh and I know who is handling my food!! and I can eat as many as I want when they come off the “iron”.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      I did not know there were pretzel makers! Off to google same.

  36. TinaF says:

    I got things I asked for: Amazon gift card, a table book of the modern wonders of the world and 2 lady figurines with small Thomas Kinkade paintings on their skirt.

    Weird presents from the past: Curio cabinet, video recorder and a china hutch.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      Amazon gift cards seem to abound. People know us.

  37. Rachel Gibson says:

    Jewelry steam cleaner. Awesome.

    1. LoriHandeland says:

      That would be awesome. Hadn’t heard of those.

  38. Patoct says:

    Enjoy your coffeemaker. It is nice to always have a piping hot cup whenever you want.

    One of my fav gifts was my nook and BOOKS, BOOKS and BOOKS.

  39. Michelle Fidler says:

    I don’t drink a lot of coffee anymore, but when I was working in an office I’d have at least one cup a day. I’d get a single cup coffeemaker if I got one of the expensive ones. I do have a single one that brews into a mug. It only cost about $15 or less. I’ve had it awhile. Usually I drink instant with flavored Coffee-Mate.

    For X-mas I got some cash and seven books from a Bargain Books catalog.

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