FTC Disclosure: This post is original and created by me, but it is sponsored content in partnership with @KitchenAidUSA and @Niche Parent Network and Conference.

As I get ready for the holiday season there is so much I have to begin to consider. My mind is always thinking of growing to do list. And as much fun as it is to entertain friends and family, it is also a lot of work.

This time of year seems to fly by every year. I can see big hams, and succulent turkeys, apple pies, and all of those other great things associated with this time of year. November ushers in the Thanksgiving planning calendar, and a list of who will bring what to dinner on Thanksgiving day, and others days where we entertain, family, friends, and neighbors.

After my experience with upgrading my iron a few months ago, it is very clear that being in the dark ages when it comes to my appliances is costing me time and energy, and it is making things a lot harder than they need to be on me. I can’t remember how many times I had to go out and buy ice because my ice maker hasn’t worked in years. The water bottles that are littered around my house because people drink bottled water, instead of using the filtered water I could get from my fridge if that was still working. Plus the electric standards have changed so much since our appliances were new. Every time I think of it pictures of Fire Marshall Bill run through my head. I could only imagine what we would find if we really looked..Scary!!!
There is also the reality that I may want to consider upgrading so I can get out the kitchen faster, without wasting a ton of time, energy and water. The new ovens have so many new features and I am sure that I lose tons of produce every year, because the produce section is way out of date.
This also ushers in other memories, a sink full of dishes. If my dishwasher goes down in the middle of the holidays’ I promise you that we will be having take out for a month with paper plates. Maybe you know what I mean?

There is nothing like having one of those beloved and necessary items breakdown right in the middle of a huge event, holiday, or occasion and having to wait for someone to get you installed because your something broke at the worst possible time. So, I am thinking long and hard about being proactive this year, because I have to do dishes by hand. I am going to recreate that famous scene in The Christmas Carol at the local Chinese restaurant.

All jokes aside, my appliances are old, and whenever I see all the new features and improvements that are available today, I realize that I really am in the dark ages. So perhaps it is a good time to think about what I am really dealing with and to look for some options.

Just in case, you are looking to upgrade, I wanted to share something that I found. If you too are in the running for a new major appliance you may want to consider replacing it before it breaks down on you. The great news is that I just found out there are some great incentives going on right now on Kitchen-Aid major appliances. They are making it feel like the holidays are already here with a great promotion, where you can receive a prepaid Visa card via the mail when you purchase select KitchenAid appliances. You can get up to $1,000 back so it is well worth checking out….Click here for some additional information, http://www.bit.ly/1bk0aqp

Click here for some additional information, http://www.bit.ly/1bk0aqp