I've put together a few of my favorite things and will be giving the package (over $150 value!!) to one lucky follower. From a gift card to my favorite boutique to my most used kitchen gadgets and tastiest treats, it's sure to be a very merry Christmas to the lucky winner!!

I love the holidays - finding the perfect gifts, Christmas trees in windows, seeing the advent wreath lit one candle at a time, the music, the family time and of course, the baking!! This year, it's been especially fun experiencing the joys of it all with a curious, easily-entertained two-year-old!

This holiday season, I feel beyond grateful. I'm blessed with a supportive husband, a sweet and healthy 2-year-old, baby #2 on the way, the best friends and family, a great job and the BEST side-gig ever....thanks to you, my Dance Around the Kitchen (DATK) followers!

A year ago, I was still just thinking about starting a food blog. I thought it would be a fun way to share favorite family recipes and develop new recipes to (hopefully) become some of your favorites! During a few days out of the office around the holidays, I said "why not?!" Although I had no clue what I was doing, Dance Around the Kitchen was born!

So, this giveaway is my THANK YOU to everyone who has visited the site, made my recipes, left comments on social media, shared the blog with family and friends, etc etc!

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HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

Getting entered to win is simple!
*Receive 1 entry by commenting on this blog post below.
*Receive 1 entry by commenting on the Facebook post.
*Receive 1 entry by commenting on the Instagram post.
(Do one of the above...or all 3 options to increase your chances!)

There will be one winner drawn on December 18th.
The winner will be notified and must respond with their mailing address within 48 hours of the announcement.
Good luck!!!

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WHAT'S IN THE GIVEAWAY?

**$25 Real Deals Gift Card**

If you've ever heard of or visited the Real Deals in Ankeny, I'm 99.9% sure you're STOKED to see this as part of the giveaway!

One of my very best friends, Lindsey, quit her full-time job to follow her heart and open her own home decor and clothing boutique last year. And holy cow, she's totally KILLIN' IT! Each time I'm in the store, I hear people talking about how sweet the store owner is, how cute the home decor and clothing is, and how incredible the deals really are....I couldn't agree more!!

You hear people say all the time that "retail is dying..." but let me tell you, there's more life that that little store in Uptown Ankeny than you could ever imagine!! Visit the Real Deals Facebook page to check out all of their goodies and keep up to date on new items!

(The $25 gift card will be included in the package the winner receives in the mail and can be used for online or in-store purchases.)

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**Thermopop Thermometer**

Raise your hand if you have a good thermometer in your kitchen - one that you fully trust. Ok, although I'm *hoping* you all said yes, I'm guessing that's not the case for everyone.

I was first introduced to Thermoworks brand of thermometers when I worked at Johnsonville Sausage. When testing new product, it was critical that we had a thermometer that is fast and one we could depend on - for testing consistency AND food safety purposes.

When I left Johnsonville, I couldn't NOT have a Thermoworks thermometer in my home. So, I got one, and it's been one of the best purchases I've made for my cooking, baking, grilling, etc! Check out all of their thermometers!

(The red ThermoPop thermometer will be included in the package the winner receives in the mail)

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**Jackson Blue Earrings**

Ohhhhh this one makes me SO happy!! I mean, just look at those earrings!! Aren't they gorgeous? I think my favorite pair right now is the boho-style threaded earrings - they're so fun and can add a lot to a simple outfit.

Anyway.....Kristina, the maker of these beauties, is so creative and comes up with new gorgeous designs all the time. I love following her on Instagram, because she's A. funny and B. just so talented. From making earrings to canning veggies to feeding the cattle and taking care of her chickens, she just seems to do it all!!

If you're the winner of this giveaway, you'll get to choose whichever pair of earrings you'd like (good luck picking just one! ;)) and we'll get them sent to you! Check out her Etsy shop for all the stylish options!

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**Farm Sweet Farm Candle**

I'm so excited to be giving away a Farm Sweet Farm handmade candle, too! If you're like me...candle-obsessed....you're going to love this piece in the giveaway.

I met Shari (the hands behind these beautiful candles) a few years ago when working alongside her husband, Jarrod, on a committee at Iowa Pork. The two of them (and their ADORABLE three kiddos) live on a farm in rural Iowa raising pigs and row crops and sharing the story of agriculture in any way they can.

I wish there were more Shari's in this world. She's a hard-working farmer with a full-time job and is still managing to raise wonderful kids and build her business. She's passionate about agriculture and gives a portion of her candle proceeds to back to the community.

This giveaway will include one of her Maple Bacon Dough Bowl candles - yes please!!! Curious to see what other incredible scents she's got? Check 'em out!

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**Bread & Butter Book + Towel**

This next giveaway item is perfect for busy moms and dads and avid list-makers! My friend Ally, the blogger behind SweetAndSavoryFood.com, started selling her "Bread & Butter" book just a couple months ago and it's such a neat book!

The book is a weekly meal planner & shopping list and is the perfect size to fit in your purse to take on the go. There's also a section of the book with simple recipes from her blog, which I think is a huge bonus!! Find these easy recipes and more on her blog - oh, and grab her book while you're at it! 🙂

(If you're the lucky winner, this book and towel will be included in the package mailed to your front door!)

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**Silicon Baking Mat**

Someday, I'm going to put together a list of my favorite kitchen tools. Someday. But for now, time feels so limited....we're working on potty training, finishing up our Christmas cards and Christmas shopping, traveling to see family and oh yeah....growing a baby! 🙂

But when I DO get the time to put together my list of favorite tools, this one will be up there at the top of my list. Why? Well a couple different reasons.....

1. Have you ever made cookies and had a terrible time getting them off the pan, even though you swear you greased it?? That will NEVER happen when you're using a baking mat. Most times, I just grab the cookies off the pan with my hands instead of a spatula....yes they come off that easily!
2. No more wasting parchment paper! Although parchment typically keeps cookies from sticking too, it ends up going to waste. Luckily these baking mats can be used again and again and again!

I'll be including a sheet pan size liner in this giveaway, so get prepared to BAKE! Speaking of baking.......

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**Dance Around the Kitchen Mint Chocolate Shortbread Cookies**

A holiday giveaway just wouldn't be complete without some homemade cookies!! These festive little Mint Chocolate Shortbread Cookies are some of my favorite, so I can't wait to send them to our lucky winner!

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**Bundt Cake Pan**

And I couldn't not include a bundt cake pan!! I currently just have one bundt cake recipe on the blog (Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake), but there's another one coming REALLY soon! I wanted to make sure our winner had the necessities in order to give them a try.

I also love using my bundt cake pan for monkey bread!! It's one of my husband's favorites, so having a bundt cake pan isn't optional in our household, it's a priority! 🙂

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Alright, and that's it!!! I might be a little bias, but I think this is a pretty stellar giveaway! To summarize, here are the items included in the giveaway:

• $25 Real Deals Gift Card
• ThermoPop Thermometer
• 1 Pair of Jackson Blue's Earrings (your choice!)
• 1 Dough Bowl Candle from Farm Sweet Farm Candles
• Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats Bread & Butter Booklet
• 1 Silicon Baking Mat
• 1 package of Mint Chocolate Shortbread Cookies, from yours truly!
• Bundt Cake Pan

And how do you enter the giveaway?

*Receive 1 entry by commenting on this blog post below.
*Receive 1 entry by commenting on the Facebook post.
*Receive 1 entry by commenting on the Instagram post.
(Do one of the above...or all 3 options to increase your chances!)

Once again, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for supporting me and the Dance Around the Kitchen Blog. Best of luck in the giveaway and

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

~ Kelsey