Supermarket chain Morrisons has banned 20 Christmas songs from being played in its stores, after 1,500 staff and shoppers voted on the worst festive tunes of all time.
It's true: some Christmas songs are guaranteed to fill us with festive cheer (or reduce us to tears), while others make us want to cancel Christmas altogether. Such as the offering from a pink and yellow spotty blob, which was deemed the worst festive tune ever. Up there with Mr Blobby — who shot to fame on Noel Edmonds' '90s TV show Noel's House Party, for those of you who've tried your hardest to forget — are some big names in the pop business, such as Madonna, Lady Gaga and The Spice Girls.
Morrisons' music controller Rob Perrett said: "We all know how irritating it can be when a song that really grates on you comes on the radio and in many ways it's our staff that suffer the most because they listen to the playlist on repeat every day. We're hoping that by taking Mr Blobby, The Spice Girls and Lady Gaga off the list, Christmas shopping will be a little more bearable for everyone."
Here are the top 10 terrible Christmas songs of all time — according to Morrisons. (Just in case you secretly love them and want to listen to them one last time…)
1. Christmas In Blobby Land — Mr Blobby
Christmas in Blobbyland
Christmas in Blobbyland
2. The Christmas Song — Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks
3. I'm The Christmas Queen — Miss Piggy
Miss Piggy Christmas Queen
Miss Piggy Christmas Queen
4. The Christmas Song — David Hasselhoff
David Hasselhoff Christmas
David Hasselhoff Christmas
5. Christmas Wrapping — The Spice Girls
Spice Girls Christmas Wrapping
Spice Girls Christmas Wrapping
6. Holy Night — Celine Dion
Celine Dion Holy Night
Celine Dion Holy Night
7. Please Daddy (Don't Get Drunk This Christmas) — John Denver
John Denver Christmas
John Denver Christmas
8. Christmas Tree — Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga Christmas Tree
Lady Gaga Christmas Tree
9. Christmas Conga — Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper Christmas Conga
Cyndi Lauper Christmas Conga
10. Santa Baby — Madonna
Madonna Santa Baby
Madonna Santa Baby
Is your top festive flop on the list? Let us know in the comments below.
Cut the cellophane paper into small slivers and random geometric shapes. Make them small enough to layer a few pieces on the nails without taking up the entire nail.
Step 2:
Image: Kara Ashley Endres/Sheknows
Paint 2 layers of your nude base coat on 1 hand. Let it dry enough so that it's dry to the touch but still a little tacky. (You'll be doing the design on 1 hand first, and then painting and doing the second hand afterward to make sure your nails don't get too dry.)
Step 3:
Image: Kara Endres/Sheknows
Start laying on your cellophane shards in random places on your nails. Lightly smooth them down on your nail without smudging the nail polish. If pieces stick out from the nail, use the scissors or nail clippers to trim.
The symptoms of unwelcome gluten in the system are different for each person. For some, it means cramps that leave you crying on the floor. For others, it manifests as debilitating head and joint aches. The common denominator when you’ve been glutened — you know, because your body treats the protein as a toxin, increasing inflammation and damage through the intestine.
If you’re dealing with the pain of gluten in your system, here are some tips on what to do next.
1. Check your labels and find the source
The first step is to make sure you’re not adding more gluten into your system. Read all the labels, paying special attention to new foods and brands you’ve added to your diet. Go back to being overly cautious and only eat foods you’ve carefully prepared at home to ensure what you’re eating hasn’t been cross-contaminated.
You’ll also want to make sure you’re drinking more water. Doing so will help ward off dangerous dehydration if you’re experiencing diarrhea or vomiting. Adding coconut water to your diet can help balance out your electrolytes warding off low energy and dizziness.
3. Rely on omega-3s to decrease inflammation
Inflammation is your body’s natural response when it’s been injured and that’s exactly what gluten does in the body of someone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Decreasing inflammation will help ease the symptoms you’re feeling — and the pain. Omega-3s are one of your best resources for dialing down the inflammation in your system. Eat foods like salmon, flax oil and chia seeds to give your body the chance to fight off the inflammation.
4. Rest should be a given
It’s not always easy to slow down when sick, but when your body is fighting off what it perceives as a toxin, rest is never more important. Be gentle with yourself, cut yourself some slack and go to bed earlier so you can heal.
5. Stock up on bone broth to heal your gut
Think about it: 70 percent of your immune system is based in your gut and when it takes a huge hit from being glutened, you need to do what you can to heal it — and fast.
Broth, like chicken, fish or beef, are high in the anti-inflammatory amino acids glycine and proline, which will heal your intestines and make sure you’re getting a good dose of electrolytes. They’re easy to make at home or you can purchase a brand that’s low in sodium and certified gluten-free.
Dairy is not easy to digest and it can cause an even more digestive upset when you’re battling the gluten in your system. Avoid dairy and any other foods that your body doesn’t seem to like and slowly introduce it again when you start to feel better.
The masterpiece took over 50 hours to craft and required 10 kilograms of icing, 5 kilograms of marzipan and 1 kilogram of chocolate. And it also has the garish design we've grown to expect from the average seasonal sweater.
Juliet Sear, founder of Fancy Nancy bakery in Essex, collaborated with baking company Dr. Oetker to make the red, white and green zigzag-patterned cake jumper, which also has edible ball bearings and iced gem decoration around the collar, sleeves and bottom.
And the icing on the cake (ahem) is Rudolf with his red marzipan nose and snow-topped antlers.
The only question we have is how the hell did the model get the jumper on? We're guessing it was crafted around her body and then, um, eaten off?
Take a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the "world's first edible Christmas jumper":
Edible Christmas jumper video
Edible Christmas jumper video
If you're feeling inspired, but don't think your baking skills are quite up to this level, check out the edible Christmas jumper tutorial from retailer Primark. All you need are chocolate coins, candy canes, a needle, thread and your favourite festive sweater.
Okay, I'll stop there. Here's the thing. It was a breeze to name people and groups that I'm grateful are part of my life, but I wonder if these people know how much I value them? I would venture to say no.
Then, I wonder if my loving husband knows how much I respect and love him? My kids? My poor parents. My love for them overflows from my heart, and I can only hope they know it.
The list goes on and on of people who are dearly loved and may question if they are even thought of.
This Thanksgiving week, instead of making a pretty list on adorable paper, framed for all to see, I think I'll actually tell these special people how integral they are to my life and how much they mean to me. I'll try my best to not let a whole year go by before making an effort to show my gratitude for the loved ones in my life.
I encourage you to consider the special people in your life and join me during this holiday of thanks to tell them that they are dearly loved.
Yes, Scrabble is still played in present time, however this edition was reissued to the original 1940s format! Travel back to the vintage graphics and wooden tile racks. (East Dane $25)
Fila and Urban Outfitters brought a blast from the past with this exclusive throwback Fila color block sweatshirt. Jazz it up with skinny jeans and pumps to celebrate this cult classic look. (Urban Outfitter $85)
Robby first appeared in the 1956 film Forbidden Planet, and made cameos in several science fiction movies and TV shows, sometimes without referring to the original film character. We are pretty sure Dr. Sheldon Cooper has one, which means its super cool. (East Dane $40)
Ah yes, this retro hand-held game that was popular in the 1970s is back, featuring improved sound effects. Fingers crossed your thumbs are in shape! (East Dane $22)
If you're missing the original style of Monopoly, this is the item to snag. This version was reissued in its original 1930s format, encompassing wooden houses, hotels and vintage-inspired cards. (East Dane $40)
This electronic memory game is the ultimate retro toy. It was launched in 1978 at Studio 54 and became a pop sensation in the 1980s. We just love the harmonic tuned buttons and how you can play with a group or with just Simon. (East Dane $40)
The country superstar is finally speaking out about her much-publicized divorce from fellow singer, Blake Shelton, and it sounds like it's not going as well for her as it seems to be for him.
In the interview with Cosmopolitan magazine, Lambert broke her silence to talk about how difficult marriage can be, how she's still trying to process her divorce and why it went wrong for her and Shelton.
Lambert and Shelton were together for 10 years and married for four of those years before they called off their relationship last summer. It was Shelton who filed for divorce in early July, and he seems to have already moved on, beginning a relationship with his fellow coach on The Voice, Gwen Stefani.
Lambert, in the meantime, revealed to Cosmo that whatever Shelton is doing, she's not ready to start dating again yet.
"I had a great relationship with an amazing man, so I know what good is," she said. "I have a great launching pad for the future. I will never take that for granted."
And while she struggles to prepare herself for moving on from Shelton, Lambert revealed how she's dealing with her painful divorce.
"Some of that might mean nights on my porch crying, drinking whiskey, and going, 'Man, this sucks right now,'" she said.
Lambert has been spending time with her family, especially her mom — she recently shared a snap of a handwritten birthday card given to her by her mama.
Until a couple years ago, my typical Thanksgiving consisted of me rushing over to my aunt’s house for Thanksgiving dinner, where she had to feed me by 3pm, so I could make it home for my four hours sleep after dinner. I would rush home and arrive around 4pm, brush my teeth and try my best to fall asleep, usually around 5pm. Then I would wake up at 10pm, jump in the shower, get dressed and head over to work. If I were still in retail, I would be probably be skipping sleep all together with all the stores opening at 6pm on Thanksgiving Day.
This was mandatory. In fact, anyone in management who says they can’t work Black Friday is not hired. Holidays are considered “black out.” No vacations. So if family isn’t local, I didn’t see them for the holidays.
I believe there should be a time when we can leave work behind and focus on the lives we’ve built with the people around us. It may also be wise to question how much of our focus is on material things in general.
Something I don’t think shoppers realize is that the consumer dictates sales. Everything is based on numbers. If opening at midnight is a smash hit, well, next year we’ll try opening at 11pm on Thanksgiving and see how it goes. If that goes well, then 10pm. Pretty soon, stores will just not close.
For most retailers, we expect to make our entire peak month income in a single day: Black Friday, or Green Friday as we sometimes called it. If we must have a sales event every year, I, for one, wish the peak sales day were the first weekend in December. Just to be clear, if all consumers showed up that weekend and stayed home on Black Friday, retailers would learn this is now the real Black Friday weekend.
It makes sense from a sales viewpoint to stay open when everyone else is doing it, and the money is pouring in. But does it make sense for the consumer and families to spend their time at the mall? In this overstimulated world, I would challenge that this Thanksgiving weekend could be a time better spent doing the things we don’t usually get a chance to do: play board games, go for a hike as a family, go sledding, gather around a bonfire with friends, listen to the grandparents tell stories, take naps, or read a book by the fire after a leisurely breakfast. Preparing for the next rush event in the holiday season of gift giving doesn’t seem like much of a holiday. I would love to see us take a breath and savor the moments.
What would happen if everything closed down on Black Friday? What if everyone used that time to be outdoors, be with family and loved ones, and give thanks for what we have?
If we all decided to give retail a break this Thanksgiving weekend, retailers would have no choice but to give the people what they want. After all, Thanksgiving sales started because it’s what the people wanted. We voted with our dollars and our traffic in the stores. Why not show retailers we’ve changed our minds? Why not support the retail employees joining us this Thanksgiving in being with our families? Most of all, let’s give retail employees a break and all get a day off.
In fact, the reality star just revealed exactly how she's feeling about 2015: It's been the worst year of her life.
While we all kind of secretly wish the worst year of our lives included a reality show, a book deal, looking flawless all the time and having more money than we would know what to do with, we have to say Kardashian has a point.
This is the year that her estranged husband Lamar Odom was left fighting for his life after a near-lethal drug overdose at a Nevada brothel. Kardashian has been by Odom's side through the whole ordeal, something we're sure has put some stress on her new relationship with NBA player James Harden. Plus, Kardashian is still legally Odom's next-of-kin since their divorce was never finalized, meaning she's been responsible for making some pretty big decisions about his medical care. Talk about stress!
On top of that, Kardashian recently picked up a nasty staph infection, and she's had to stay in quarantine at home, away from her family. Not exactly the way anyone wants to spend the holidays.
Kardashian recently received word that she's healed up enough from her infection to be out of quarantine, but as she prepared for hosting a Thanksgiving celebration, she chatted with fans on Twitter and revealed how she feels about 2015.
"@khloekardashian except with the whole Lamar thing 2015 was good to you Khloe. You [hot emoji] asf," a Twitter user wrote to her. She replied, "Hands down worst year of my life lol."
Khloe Kardashian tweet about 2015
Khloe Kardashian tweet about 2015
Hang in there, Khloé. 2015 is on its way out, and it's only uphill from here.
Maybe your relationships suffered or your children went from being babies to preschoolers, and you can’t remember the steps in between. Or, maybe you looked in the mirror and barely recognized the person staring back because you rarely took a moment for yourself on the way to the top of the career ladder.
And maybe you found yourself thinking it was too late to take a step back and rebalance your life for yourself and your family. I’ve been there and I’m here to send you some encouragement from the other side. Yes, there is another side.
I am a recovering workaholic
I spent years of my life pushing myself for success, working countless hours and convincing myself that it would all be worth it eventually. But “eventually” never came, and one success after another never seemed to be enough. I wanted more, I needed more. My identity (and my ego) was intertwined with my ability to produce results in the workplace. The harder I worked, the more results I got. And that felt good.
I don’t remember the precise moment that I knew I needed a change. It crept up slowly — that sinking feeling that, despite my outward appearance of being this powerhouse career woman who always "had it together," I was dropping the ball in every other area of my life. While I was waiting for the pay off that I always believed would “eventually” come from my work addiction (yup, there's that nasty word), what I found instead was that my family and friends “eventually” gave up on me. My children got so accustomed to, “Mommy needs to work,” that they no longer asked me to play. My husband got used to hearing, “I don't have time,” that he stopped trying to connect with me. My friends stopped calling. And my body and spirit grew tired.
How did I make it to the other side? I’m not going to tell you that saying no to the work will ever be easy. It will be a choice, every day, to stick to the boundaries you've set for yourself. There will always be a part of you that craves that fast-paced, results-driven career life. And I’m not going to tell you to quit work completely, because we both know that's not realistic. But what I do hope you find is balance and peace. What I do hope you take away is that you can make a change. Today. One step at a time.
What I learned as a recovering workaholic is this:
It is never too late to find your balance, and in doing so, you will claim your peace. Your peace. Not the world's peace. Not your best friend's peace. Not your husband's peace. Your peace.
How do you start?
Take a step back and evaluate the areas of your life that are lacking. Visualize the life that you want. Not the bank account or the big house or the fancy car. Visualize the memories and moments you want to be a part of. And set a path that puts you back in those parts of your life that really need you.
Learn the value of saying no when you need to. You cannot be all things to all people. You will never win the rat race — so leave your work at work. Give your family the gift of your undivided attention — it is really the thing they want most. Take time to nurture yourself. Remember what it feels like to breathe easy. Rest.
Give yourself permission to redefine what success means to you and for you, and say yes to the life that is waiting for you. That "eventually" life is out there. It just looks a bit different than you thought. Say yes to you.
How do I stay on track?
I surround myself with accountability partners that challenge me to pursue my professional dreams in a healthy, adventurous way that doesn't come at the expense of my children, myself or a fulfilled, purposeful life. If you're looking for a community of women that get it, that will help you recover — join the Modern Femme Movement. Take that first step towards a renewed life by taking a leap of faith and doing something for yourself. I bet it's the first time you've even thought of yourself in a really long time, isn't it?
Eighteen-year-old Biermann took to Instagram on Thanksgiving to share a video of her new lips, as well as the entire procedure (which took place with Kylie Jenner's plastic surgeon). She captioned the video with, "thank you thank you thank you!!! to my favorite, @simonourianmd1 !!! my lips are my biggest insecurity and I'm so happy w my results now! you truly are the best! even though I hate needles you made this very easy! thank you again #simonourian #epione."
Brielle Biermann Instagram
Brielle Biermann Instagram
Biermann is clearly proud of the work that she's had done, and she is feeling great about herself, but the reactions from fans and critics alike have been less positive.
"I truly feel heartbroken for you," penpie107 shared.
"I've never heard you talk about insecurities before. You are so amazingly beautiful on the outside. It's your inside that needs some work. You wear a cross around your neck. Respect it," dmoveup commented.
"Makes me sad that this new generation is so into their looks and not enjoying just being a teenager. By the way, bad example for those kids/teenagers who now want to get this crap done...should be uplifting people instead of telling everyone that you have no love for yourself so you inject yourself with crap," tamaraleader1989 wrote.
While roorooroster thought that Zolciak should have interjected and stopped Biermann from getting work done.
They wrote, "Nooooooo too young too pretty naturally :( Kim should not allow it. Even if she is 18, much prettier without injections! The world sees your [sic] beautiful! If you do this than [sic] all they see is the plastic surgery!"
However, Biermann also has the support of some fans, who feel that her decision to share this video was courageous.
One of the supportive posts comes from Instagrammer kris_and_chris, who wrote, "Very brave to show the world something not every1 agrees on! Do what u want to do and don't worry about what others think your [sic] not a little girl anymore and it's been awesome seeing u blossom into a young woman!"
Plastic surgery still has a stigma attached to it, and many feel it is wrong to alter your looks, especially at a young age. But there are, of course, pros and cons to every issue.
Do you think Brielle Biermann should have shied away from having lip injections? Or should she be doing what makes her happy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
When buying jewelry essentials, focus on simple styles that can blend with other items in your jewelry box and can accent any dress codes from classy and sophisticated to cocktail attire. People typically think of their wedding set and perhaps a luxury watch first, but after acquiring those items, consider these staple pieces:
An item of sentimental value: Wedding sets aren’t the only pieces of jewelry with sentimental value. A luxury watch can mark an important date or milestone, for example. Stacked birthstone rings can be a beautiful way to celebrate the birthdays of children, grandchildren or other loved ones. Sentimental pieces of jewelry will be frequently worn, so they justify a bigger investment.
Diamond Stud Earrings: Simple diamond stud earrings are a perfect cornerstone of a fine jewelry collection. They can be upgraded from time to time and can add a pretty sparkle to any outfit.
Pearls: A string of pearls and matching set of earrings are classic, but not too flashy, and make a perfect finish to any outfit and occasion.
Bangle bracelet: A simple bracelet adds a chic style to any outfit. For a fun take on this classic look, consider stacking bangles of varying metals and stones to mix and match.
When shopping the latest trends in jewelry, purchase items that are affordable. For your jewelry wardrobe staples, however, look for pieces of jewelry that will complement and complete the remainder of your collection despite the changing tides of fashion.
Duggar and Seewald took to their website on Thursday to share how grateful they are to have their "precious little son" in their lives.
"Knowing how much we love our son already only amazes us all the more that God gave His only Son, Jesus Christ to redeem mankind. We are so thankful for His love and forgiveness extended to all of us," they wrote. "This Thanksgiving we are so happy to be parents! Children are a blessing from the Lord. As we are embarking on this journey of parenthood, we appreciate all of your prayers. We pray that God would give us the wisdom to be good parents. From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!"
Duggar then shared the post via Instagram, and while most fans chose to comment on how cute her son is, there are also some of those have questioned why she chose to refer to her son simply as "baby" in her caption, instead of Spurgeon.
Jessa Duggar Instagram
Jessa Duggar Instagram
Vegaslexi wrote, "I'm so confused on why they called him 'baby'. They didn't even say 'our baby'. Now if his name hadn't been announced yet I guess I could understand but I don't. Why can't u call him Spurgeon or what u said was his nickname 'Quincy'? Can u not give him the importance of at least using a name? Don't get me wrong I love the family.... But really?"
Aldi's Christmas ad is all about feeling good, and the company chose to piggy-back on the success of another one of this year's great festive ads. Its start is not dissimilar to the original John Lewis ad, with an old man sitting alone on the moon.
But it then takes a brighter turn when the man explains which telescope he likes between a fairly expensive version from John Lewis and a cheaper one from the German retail giant. The old man then looks through the lens of one of his telescopes and proclaims, "But I'm over the moon with this one".
And then, coming straight at him, is an old lady sitting on an arm chair, floating thanks to the help of several multi-coloured balloons. But it's not just any old lady — it's Jean Jones.
Don't remember Jean? She's from Aldi's gin adverts.
"Jean quickly became a national treasure for her love of our Oliver Cromwell London Dry Gin when she first appeared on screens in 2011", joint managing director of corporate buying at Aldi, Jonathan Neale, told the The Mirror.
"We're confident our customers will be excited by her return this Christmas", he continued. "Our latest advert highlights Aldi’s ongoing commitment to offering high quality products at unbeatable prices that shoppers will be over the moon with".
The John Lewis advert was a tearjerker and raised awareness for a great cause, but the Aldi advert has certainly helped put a smile on many faces this festive season.
Reaction to Aldi Christmas ad
Reaction to Aldi Christmas ad
Reaction to Aldi Christmas ad 2
Reaction to Aldi Christmas ad 2
Reaction to Aldi Christmas ad 3
Reaction to Aldi Christmas ad 3
Reaction to Aldi Christmas ad 4
Reaction to Aldi Christmas ad 4
Reaction to Aldi Christmas ad 5
Reaction to Aldi Christmas ad 5
Which ad do you prefer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Does your teen have an active social life? Well then, Chemion’s LED glasses will be a big help. They sync with your smartphone through Bluetooth and allow you to create messages, cool animations or display equalizer images that link to the music playing on your smartphone. Express emotions in a real time, pre-program your messages and animations and share your creations with your friends and people across the globe. Draw attention to your party or cheer your sports team. The glasses are easy to see through, and their bright LED lights will not impact your vision, while creating a unique and memorable appearance. (Amazon, $99)
Do you always have a problem getting your teen out of bed? Clocky will do the job for you! Clocky is the alarm clock that runs away beeping, so you cannot turn the sound off without first catching this hip device. It jumps from a 3-foot-tall nightstand and runs on carpet or wood floors, making a robotic noise and flashing a backlight. It is offered in eight colors to complement the interior design of any bedroom. It’s a gift for both you and your child! (Nanda Home, $40)
If your child is interested in robotics, there are several new, more affordable flying drone options, with prices starting at $28 (Morrison Innovations). They are small, safe and remotely controlled. The Nano Drone can perform 360-degree flips and precise flight in all directions and has a LED light for night flights. A $40 model is a perfect drone for those who want to master basic techniques on a smaller, safer scale before spending hundreds of dollars on more complex machines. Finally, a $45 Turbo-X Drone is designed for those who are confident in their skills and are looking for speed and excitement. A great modern gift for cool kids without a heavy price tag. (Morrison Innovations, $40)
Does your teen spend all their time listening to music and pretending she can't hear when you are asking about her homework? Are you worried about him riding a bicycle and not hearing approaching cars because of the headphones? With Cynaps, they can enjoy their music, talk on the phone and hear everything around at the same time. Cynaps is the world's first Bluetooth-enabled, bone conduction headset, discreetly installed into an easy-to-wear hat. No earphones are required. Just wear your hat, and the sound from your phone or PC is conducted directly into your inner ear through vibration. In addition, the caps are sweat absorbing, keeping you cool and dry all day. (Max Virtual, $59)
In the age of laptops and tablets, there are still people who prefer to write and draw on paper. Unfortunately, old-fashioned notebooks have only a limited number of pages, and if your child likes drawing, you are going to end up with piles of paper taking space in your house and gathering dust. But there is an alternative! Esquoia is a reusable notebook with whiteboard features. It extends overall functionality of a standard notebook and aims to reduce the paper waste. You can choose among different bundle styles, five cover colors and three sizes and also buy extra pages. Pricing for a standard notebook containing 50 pages starts at $15 (Esquoia, $15).
With Merge VR goggles, your child will look like the coolest kid on the street! The goggles ($99, Amazon) turn your own smartphone into an immersive virtual reality headset. You can play games, fly into space, explore an unknown world or watch a concert from your living room just by downloading apps. Sculpted of soft, lightweight foam that fits comfortably to the contours of any face, the goggles are durable enough to be tossed into a backpack, taken on the go and shared among friends. These goggles will make your child the most popular kid at school. (Amazon, $99)
It is not an easy task to make a teenager happy. But with these gifts, you’ve got a pretty good chance!
There are a lot of things Santa Claus does that would get you arrested if you did them. We like to think of Santa as a kind and happy soul, but actions speak louder than words — and when you look at his, they're not so much jolly as scary. Check out these nine reasons why Santa Claus is actually kind of creepy, and see how different you feel the next time you hear Here Comes Santa Claus.
Because nothing says "festive" like a little B and E. The man comes by on the same day year after year. If we really don't mind him dropping by, why don't have a key made for him already?
Some parents don't pressure their children to show physical affection to family members they see regularly but still encourage their kids to hug Santa Claus. Yet if a man at the mall who isn't wearing red and doesn't have a beard asked your kid to sit on his lap, you'd be screaming for security, STAT!
Not cleaning up after your pets is the No. 2 way to make the neighbors dislike you (right after deciding to raise a rooster). In all the many images there are of Santa delivering presents on Christmas Eve, not a single one features him holding a little plastic baggie. Now who's on the naughty list?
Thanks to a gorgeous family photo posted by Kylie Jenner, we got a glimpse inside the family meal that included not only a smiling Caitlyn and Kris Jenner, but also Kris' new boyfriend, Corey Gamble.
Kylie Jenner thanksgiving instagram photo 1
Kylie Jenner thanksgiving instagram photo 1
Kylie and Tyga also posed together, looking happy despite rumors of a breakup just days before the holiday. Kylie made an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Wednesday and revealed that she was still with Tyga despite the drama.
Maybe most surprising of all was Scott Disick's appearance at the event. He was recently released from rehab after a rocky end with his relationship to Kourtney. But the two were spotted spending time together on Wednesday, and she apparently invited him to attend Thursday's festivities, further fueling rumors that these two could be making an attempt at reconciliation.
Aside from the surprising couple pairings, Kim and Kanye posed lovingly with daughter North West. Mom planted a sweet kiss on her little girl's cheek for the photo. Kourtney's three children also got in on the photo fun, each being cradled by a different family member.
Khloé played hostess this year, despite almost having to cancel because of a staph infection that has kept her under the weather as of late.
But she didn't just pull it off; she pulled it off with some serious style, of course.
Khloe kardashian thanksgiving instagram pic 1
Khloe kardashian thanksgiving instagram pic 1
Khloe kardashian thanksgiving instagram pic 2
Khloe kardashian thanksgiving instagram pic 2
She explained on her Instagram, "After our family Thanksgiving dinner is over, I invite friends to join, especially friends who don't have family around. So we have a family Thanksgiving, a friends Thanksgiving, and this year I will also be having a hospital Thanksgiving."
"Thanksgiving is a time to gather around loved ones," she continued. "Whether they are blood or bond...to be grateful for all that we have been so abundantly blessed with and also to spare a few thoughts and prayers for those not so lucky. No matter where you are in life you can always find something to be thankful for."
Which Kardashian/Jenner Thanksgiving guest surprised you the most?
As I spoke with several college students, gift cards were at the top of their wish list. They were certain to use them, especially when they are for their favorite coffee shop, restaurant or grocery store. The student who spends a lot of time wrapped up in media really appreciated the idea of an iTunes gift card. When a student is stretching their budget and likes to make trips home, gift cards to a common gas station help them stretch their limited budget and spend time with loved ones. Of course, there is the convenience and ease of gifting gift cards as they slip easily into a holiday card. Of course they also slip into a stocking or can be placed in a fancy box with glitzy wrapping and frilly bows.
One very creative young lady I spoke with said her favorite gifts were themed gift baskets! She found them thoughtful and delighted in the experience. Her idea of a perfect gift basket was a movie night in, filled with an iTunes gift card for the movie rental, a fun blanket, microwave popcorn, boxes of theater candy and gourmet hot chocolate.
For your faithful tailgater, a cooler filled with beer, chips, dip, jerky and a gift card can really keep the party going.
These have been college-student approved. I bet you'll even find a few for yourself. Happy shopping and happy holidays!
Since studying and staying in touch are critical components for students, this mighty and bright desk lamp shines a vibrant glow on both while providing a much-needed USB port. Students keep their device charged while studying and while Skyping with you. (Lamps Plus, $150)
Need the perfect light option for your budding mechanic? This multifunction, magnetic telescoping flashlight attaches to metal surfaces so he or she can work hands-free. It is also the perfect emergency light for all vehicles. The strobe option can prove exceptional when stranded. (Amazon, $29)
This five-star-rated portable phone charger provides an extra 22 hours of power for your active student's smartphone. Ideal for smartphones and other USB devices. Keep your on-the-go college student powered and available with this ultra-thin power-bank. (Target, $40)
What a fun-tabulous investment for student and business presentations — the HDMI pocket projector connects to multiple devices for a "big screen" view of just about anything. This projector's mega bright lamp is simply brilliant, no matter how you use it. The powerful 3800-milliampere-hour battery recharges via USB and even doubles as a backup battery for your devices when fully charged. (Amazon, $378)
Looking for the perfect accessory to the fun-tabulous HDMI projector? A great movie needs equally amazing sound. Let this power-packed Bluetooth speaker surround your student's next business presentation, movie night, outdoor gathering, picnic or pool party with unsurpassed sound. (Amazon, $28)
Make sure your student can always find those misplaced keys... and even their luggage, when the airlines misplace it with the Tile app. (The Tile App, $15-25 each)
For the student who shares an apartment with roommates, especially roommates who don't always lock the front door — maybe this student just wants another level of security for his bedroom door? This doorstop alarm provides an entry alarm and blocks the door from being opened. If anyone tries to open the door, the 120-decibel alarm will sound. (Goddess Armor Protection, $15)
Even students with limited space like to start the day with a hearty breakfast. This handy sandwich maker is ideal for any time of the day. Yummy, quick and as healthy as your student chef wants to make it. (Amazon, $20)
Be sure your favorite tea aficionado has the Teavana Perfectea maker from Oprah's favorite things list. She will enjoy the simple, efficient and patented way to brew and strain her favorite cup o' tea. (Amazon, $20)
Tervis Tumblers are customizable, equipped with a lifetime guarantee, are portable coolers, have a self-warming system and dishwasher armor and much more all in one well-loved gift for your favorite student. Tervis drinkware delivers the ultimate combination of personality and performance. Customize with your student's collegiate logo and give them a gift they will use with pride. (Tervis, $13-18)
Here's a new twist on the ever-practical ink pen. It has a textured aluminum body and is capable of breaking glass in the event of a fire or other emergency. It writes well and comes with a replacement ink cartridge. (Goddess Armor Protection, $10)
Is your trendy fashionista ready for a personalized touch? This handy, zippered and multifunctional pouch is perfect for all her tiny necessities. (Anthropologie, $32)
Adele announced on Thanksgiving Day that she'll be hitting the road starting at the end of February to go on tour, despite the fact that she previously said she wouldn't be going out for her newest album, 25.
In a video on Instagram, Adele explained, "I have been bluffing this whole time, and I am so relieved to tell you that I am, of course, coming on tour, and I can’t wait to see you all very, very soon."
Adele has had quite the successful week, so it's no wonder she can't keep a straight face in her video. Her tour is far from the only thing worth celebrating. Not only did she give knockout performances on Saturday Night Live and Jimmy Kimmel, but her album also officially broke *NSYNC's record for most albums sold in the U.S. in one week. Their album No Strings Attached held the record at 2.2 million units for nearly 15 years. Adele's 25 sold 2.433 million copies in just three days.
A factor that could have attributed to Adele's skyrocketing sales is the fact that she took a page from Taylor Swift's book and declined to make her album available on music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.
According to Adele's website, she will be starting her tour in Belfast and will then head to Dublin, London, Glasgow, Berlin and other European cities.
Unfortunately, the singer doesn't have any plans to extend her tour to the States just yet, but we'll be keeping our fingers crossed.
In a new video from SheKnows, Ladies of London's Caroline Fleming has some ideas for a drinking game that should keep viewers looking out for classic <em>LOL</em> antics.
Caroline thinks this should be enough for us all to be good and drunk. What would you add to the list? What about every time Annabelle mentions Alexander McQueen? Every time Jules references JUB snacks, yoga or Mapperton? How about every time Luke appears on the screen, and fans all over America swoon? Every time Caroline Fleming does something people think is inappropriate? Every time Sophie gets drunk and goes bananas at a party? Every time Juliet's adorable kids appear on the screen? Every time Marissa references Top Dog. Every time the phrase "social climber" is uttered?
It's a shame we have to wait until Season 3 (provided there is one) for opportunities to test out this game, but in the meantime, there are always reruns. Remember to drink responsibly, folks.
What would you include in a Ladies of London drinking game? What did you think of Caroline's version? What are you excited for about Season 3?
