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Scheffler goes on a run of birdies in the Bahamas and leads by 2
NEW YORK — Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge earned his second American League honor on Thursday. Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229. Judge was a unanimous pick for the first time. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points. Ohtani was unanimously voted the AL MVP in 2021 and 2023 as a two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels and finished second to Judge in 2022 voting. He didn't pitch in 2024 following elbow surgery and signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. People are also reading... Ohtani joined Frank Robinson for Cincinnati in 1961 and Baltimore in 1966 as the only players to win the MVP award in both leagues. He was the first player to twice become an unanimous MVP. He had combined with Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. in 2023 for the first year both MVPs were unanimous. Ohtani hit .310, stole 59 bases and led the NL with 54 homers and 130 RBIs exclusively as a designated hitter, becoming the first player with 50 or more homers and 50 or more stolen bases in a season. He helped the Dodgers to the World Series title, playing the final three games with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. "The ultimate goal from the beginning was to win a World Series, which we are able to accomplish," he said through a translator. "The next goal is for me to do it again and so right now I'm in the middle of rehab and working out and getting stronger." When Ohtani returns to the mound, could he win MVP and the Cy Young Award in the same year? "That would obviously be great, but right now my focus is just to get to get back healthy, come back stronger, get back on the mound and show everybody what I can do," Ohtani said. Ohtani became the first primary DH to win an MVP in a season that started with the revelation his longtime interpreter and friend, Ippei Mizuhara, had stolen nearly $17 million from the star to fund gambling. Ohtani is the 12th player with three or more MVPs, joining Barry Bonds (seven) and Jimmie Foxx, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout (three each). Balloting was conducted before the postseason. Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Witt topped the big leagues with a .332 average, hitting 32 homers with 31 stolen bases and 109 RBIs. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBIs. When Judge won his first MVP award in 2022, he received 28 first-place votes while Ohtani got the other two. Judge had discussed the MVP award with Philadelphia's Bryce Harper, the NL winner in 2015 and '21. "I was telling him, `Man, I'm going to try to catch up to you with these MVPs here, man,'" Judge recalled. "He'd say, hopefully, he could stay a couple ahead of me, which I think he'll do." When Judge won his first MVP award in 2022, he received 28 first-place votes while Ohtani got the other two. He is the Yankees' 22nd MVP winner, four more than any other team. Judge was hitting .207 with six homers and 18 RBIs through April, then batted .352 with 52 homers and 126 RBIs in 127 games. "March and April were not my friend this year." Judge said. "Just keep putting in the work and things are going to change. You can't mope. You can't feel sorry for yourself. Especially in New York, nobody's going to feel sorry for you. So you just got to go out there and put up the numbers?" St. Pete rejects money to repair Tropicana Field roof ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The St. Petersburg City Council reversed course Thursday on whether to spend more than $23 million to repair the hurricane-shredded roof of the Tampa Bay Rays' ballpark, initially voting narrowly for approval and hours later changing course. The reversal on fixing Tropicana Field came after the council voted to delay consideration of revenue bonds for a proposed new $1.3 billion Rays ballpark. Just two days before, the Pinellas County Commission postponed a vote on its share of the new stadium bonds, leaving that project in limbo. “This is a sad place. I'm really disappointed,” council chair Deborah Figg-Sanders said. “We won’t get there if we keep finding ways we can’t.” The Rays say the lack of progress puts the new stadium plan and the future of Tropicana Field in jeopardy. “I can't say I'm confident about anything,” Rays co-president Brian Auld told the council members. The Trop's translucent fiberglass roof was ripped to pieces on Oct. 9 when Hurricane Milton swept ashore just south of Tampa Bay. There was also significant water damage inside the ballpark, with a city estimate of the total repair costs pegged at $55.7 million. The extensive repairs cannot be finished before the 2026 season, city documents show. The Rays made a deal with the Yankees to play next season at 11,000-seat Steinbrenner Field, New York's spring training home across the bay in Tampa. The initial vote Thursday was to get moving on the roof portion of the repair. Once that's done, crews could begin working on laying down a new baseball field, fixing damaged seating and office areas and a variety of electronic systems — which would require another vote to approve money for the remaining restoration. The subsequent vote reversing funding for the roof repair essentially means the city and Rays must work on an alternative in the coming weeks so that Tropicana Field can possibly be ready for the 2026 season. The city is legally obligated to fix the roof. BRIEFLY PIRATES: Pittsburgh hired Matt Hague as its hitting coach, bringing him back to the team that drafted him in 2008. Hague replaces Andy Haines, who was fired after Pittsburgh finished in the bottom 10 in the majors in every significant statistical category last season, including runs (24th) and home runs (25th), while also striking out a club-record 1,504 times, second-most in the National League behind Colorado. The 39-year-old Hague spent last season as an assistant hitting coach with the Toronto Blue Jays. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Google and the US government faced off in a federal court on Monday, as each side delivered closing arguments in a case revolving around the technology giant's alleged unfair domination of online advertising. The trial in a Virginia federal court is Google's second US antitrust case now under way as the US government tries to rein in the power of big tech. In a separate trial, a Washington judge ruled that Google's search business is an illegal monopoly, and the US Justice Department is asking that Google sell its Chrome browser business to resolve the case. The latest case, also brought by the Justice Department, focuses on ad technology for the open web -- the complex system determining which online ads people see when they surf the internet. The vast majority of websites use a trio of Google ad software products that together, leave no way for publishers to escape Google's advertising technology, the plaintiffs allege. Publishers -- including News Corp and Gannett publishing -- complain that they are locked into Google's advertising technology in order to run ads on their websites. "Google is once, twice, three times a monopolist," DOJ lawyer Aaron Teitelbaum told the court in closing arguments. Presiding judge Leonie Brinkema has said that she would deliver her opinion swiftly, as early as next month. Whatever Brinkema's judgment, the outcome will almost certainly be appealed, prolonging a process that could go all the way to the US Supreme Court. The government alleges that Google controls the auction-style system that advertisers use to purchase advertising space online. The US lawyers argue that this approach allows Google to charge higher prices to advertisers while sending less revenue to publishers such as news websites, many of which are struggling to stay in business. The US argues that Google used its financial power to acquire potential rivals and corner the ad tech market, leaving advertisers and publishers with no choice but to use its technology. The government wants Google to divest parts of its ad tech business. Google dismissed the allegations as an attempt by the government to pick "winners and losers" in a diverse market. The company argues that the display ads at issue are just a small share of today's ad tech business. Google says the plaintiffs' definition of the market ignores ads that are also placed in search results, apps and social media platforms and where, taken as a whole, Google does not dominate. "The law simply does not support what the plaintiffs are arguing in this case," said Google's lawyer Karen Dunn. She warned that if Google were to lose the case, the winners would be rival tech giants such as Microsoft, Meta or Amazon, whose market share in online advertising is ascendant as Google's share is falling. The DOJ countered that it simply "does not matter" that Google is competing in the broader market for online ads. "That is a different question" than the market for ads on websites that is the target of the case, said Teitelbaum. Google also points to US legal precedent, saying arguments similar to the government's have been refuted in previous antitrust cases. Dunn also warned that forcing Google to work with rivals in its ad products would amount to government central planning that the court should reject. If the judge finds Google to be at fault, a new phase of the trial would decide how the company should comply with that conclusion. And all that could be moot if the incoming Trump administration decides to drop the case. The president-elect has been a critic of Google's, but he warned earlier this month that breaking it up could be "a very dangerous thing." arp/dw
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Londynn Jones scored 15 points, making all five of her 3-pointers, and fifth-ranked UCLA stunned No. 1 South Carolina 77-62 on Sunday, ending the Gamecocks’ overall 43-game winning streak and their run of 33 consecutive road victories. The Gamecocks (5-1) lost for the first time since April 2023, when Caitlin Clark and Iowa beat them in the NCAA Tournament national semifinals. Te-Hina Paopao scored 18 points and Tessa Johnson scored 14 for the Gamecocks, whose road winning streak was third-longest in Division I history. It was the first time UCLA took down a No. 1 team in school history, having been 0-20 in such games. The program’s previous best wins were over a couple of No. 2s — Oregon in 2019 and Stanford in 2008. Elina Aarnisalo added 13 points as one of five Bruins in double figures. UCLA (5-0) dominated from start to finish, with the Bruins’ suffocating defense preventing the Gamecocks from making any sustained scoring runs. Takeaways South Carolina: The Gamecocks trailed by double-digits at halftime for the first time since Dec. 21, 2021, against Stanford, according to ESPN. Chloe Kitts, who averages a team-leading 14 points, finished the game with 2 points on 1 of 7 shooting. UCLA: The Bruins led 43-22 at halftime. Eight different players scored and contributed to 11-0 and 7-0 runs in the first and second quarters as they shot 52% from the field. Key moment The first quarter set the tone for a game in which the Gamecocks never led. They missed their first nine shots and were 4 of 18 from the floor in the quarter. UCLA ran off 11 straight points to take a 20-10 lead into the second quarter. Key stats The Bruins dominated the boards, 41-34, and held the Gamecocks well under their scoring average of 80.2 points. Up next South Carolina travels to Florida to meet Iowa State in the Fort Myers Tipoff on Thanksgiving. UCLA travels to the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Hawaii to play UT Martin on Friday. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: andthe assistant running backs coach, has one of the most inspiring stories in the . Despite losing his right arm in a tragic accident as a child, Ellett defied the odds to become a celebrated athlete and now works alongside legendary figures like and . His journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and a touch of humor, making it one of the most remarkable tales in professional football. After enduring years of pain and limited mobility, made a life-changing decision at age 16 to amputate his non-functional arm. This courageous step freed him to focus on excelling in sports and life without physical constraints. His high school years showcased his resilience: excelled in basketball and baseball, earning district MVP honors and first-team all- recognition. His success against all odds earned him national acclaim and inspired everyone who witnessed his journey. From Utah to the NFL A chance connection with ' head coach marked the beginning of career. son-in-law introduced the two, and , impressed by determination, invited him to join the organization in 2017 as his personal assistant. hard work quickly paid off. By 2020, he was promoted to offensive quality control coach, and in 2022, he became the assistant running backs coach. His contributions have been pivotal in the ' offensive strategies and player development. A special bond with Patrick Mahomes influence extends beyond coaching. He shares a unique connection with quarterback , helping him warm up before every game despite having only one arm. credits positivity and drive as an inspiration to the entire team, even predicting that has the potential to become an head coach. An unstoppable force journey from a small town to the sidelines is a testament to resilience, grit, and unrelenting determination. His story inspires not just the but also countless fans who see him as proof that adversity can lead to greatness.
ClickHouse annuncia un accordo di collaborazione strategica con AWS per promuovere l'analisi dei dati in tempo reale e l'innovazione dell'IA generativa
TikTok future uncertain
1. A truly mind-blowing wall-crawling robot gecko that seems to defy the laws of physics?? This adorable little gizmo can scale walls and literal ceilings while mimicking the same movements of an actual gecko, operated by a remote to move it in any direction. Check out a TikTok of the robot lizard in action. Promising review: "This lizard is amazing! It crawls on walls with the remote control, and it's just wild to watch in action. Super easy to operate — my kids picked it up right away and have been having a blast. It’s sturdy, fun, and totally unique. I’d highly recommend this toy to anyone looking for something different and entertaining for kids (and adults, honestly)! — k_grays Get it from Amazon for $26.49 . 2. A PopLite personal popcorn maker with a built-in serving bowl that will give them 8 cups of movie theater-quality popcorn in two mere mortal minutes. Reviewers especially love that the popcorn doesn't burn, and the machine doesn't leave unpopped kernels like the usual microwave brands. Check out a TikTok of the popcorn maker in action. Promising review: " This little popcorn popper is perfect ! No fuss, no mess, no chasing popcorn kernels!! Fabulous! Easy to use — the popcorn maker part fits into the bowl part for easy storage. This is one perfect unit!" — Chrystal Get it from Amazon for $34.99 . Psst — if you're looking for something delicious to pair this gift with, try this internet-famous popcorn salt that makes it taste like movie theater popcorn! 3. A brand-new satin-lined Carhartt beanie , a hairstyle-friendly version of the iconic originial Carhartt knit beanie so beloved that it's amassed over 88,800 5-star ratings on Amazon. This version is designed for all hair types to help prevent hair breakage, frizzing, and general "hat head" issues that come with wearing a beanie. Check out a TikTok of the satin-lined Carhartt beanie in action. Promising review: "Fits great and looks good. Made of good quality materials and keeps you warm on those 20-degree days." — Edward Kephart Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in six colors). 4. A "Cup Cozy Pillow" to keep everything steady on their bed or couch when they're one silly little beverage away from accidentally turning themselves into a LaCroix swamp. This will not only keep all their accessories upright and on hand, but it also has expandable cup holes to fit mugs, water bottles, and snacks, with an insulating foam that keeps drinks hot or cold for longer periods. Cup Cozy Pillow is a small business that specializes in family-friendly snack and drink organizers. Check out a TikTok of the Cup Cozy Deluxe Pillow in action. Promising review: "This thing is great! I’m home on maternity leave with my new baby and spend most of my time on the couch under a sleeping baby. This product makes it easy for me to keep my drinks, remote, etc close by even with dogs running around . It’s a little more expensive than I would have liked but it works and I love it so money well spent!" — Amber Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in three styles and eight patterns). 5. Or a gaming/reading/laptop pillow so they can prop their hands up while they're playing video games, typing, or reading on their Kindle or iPad. This supports their arms for a more ~ergonomically friendly~ experience whether they're in bed or on a couch, and even features a lil' side pocket for things like remote controls, glasses, and — of course — emergency snacks. Check out a TikTok of the gaming pillow in action. Promising review: "I work from home a few days a week, and every once in a while, my work extends into the evening hours. I have a home office, but sitting at my desk all day is sometimes very tiring. I purchased this big memory foam desk pillow so that I can relax on my couch and still put my laptop up and have a comfortable working area. This pillow is big but very comfortable. It has armrests that wrap around your sides, and they also have little pockets for random things like your cell phone or the remote. It’s so nice to just lean back into my comfortable couch and have this big soft desk in front of me." — Jenn Butterfield Get it from Amazon for $47.99 (available in three styles). 6. A NeeDoh Nice Cube , an *elite* quiet sensory fidget toy — this goo-filled, delightfully colorful fidget has a satisfying squish and weight to it, and reviewers love that it doesn't have the kind of stickiness that picks up debris and makes it hard to clean. Schylling is a small business that specializes in modern and retro toys, games, and sets. Check out a TikTok of the Needoh in action (where users are suggesting to try ~freezing~ it for even a completely different texture). Promising review: "High quality and very durable! This cube is fantastic for any age and any need. The cube provides slight resistance when compressed, which is both stress-relieving and satisfying!!! Once squeezed, it quickly returns to its natural shape. A great choice!" — Joe stevenson Get it from Amazon for $9.11 (the color is either blue, pink, or purple and gets selected for you at random)! 7. A stuffed waffle maker to introduce them to the infinite glory of stuffing food into a pillowy warm carb — I'm talking jam, cheesy eggs, meats, NUTELLA (!!), pie filling, peanut butter, the whole nine yards. I'm truly shaking thinking about amassing this kind of breakfast power. Promising review: "I bought this after I saw a video on TikTok, so I had an idea about the yummy waffles I could make. First waffles were stuffed with apple pie filling. Second ones with scrambled eggs with bacon and cheese . Just amazing!!! The only way you could make this better is to send a chef!! I definitely recommend watching a video on TikTok or YouTube to inspire you before you start!!" — Adirondackdarling Get it from Amazon for $49.99 . 8. A rainbow Lego brick puzzle for all the bright, fun shenanigans of putting Legos together without the CONSTANT TERROR OF STEPPING ON ONE AND FEELING PAIN IN THE EIGHTH DIMENSION. Check out a TikTok of the rainbow Lego puzzle in action. Promising review : "I got this for my parents for Christmas, and assembled it with them over the next couple of weeks. It is visually interesting despite the simplicity, cut very well, packaged in an environmentally friendly way (no plastic bags), and it was a big hit with them . It was challenging to assemble (all the colors are in different locations and it's 1,000 pieces) without being too hard (certain colors are only touching in particular places, the orientation of the word Lego on the bricks is a clue, etc. The level was perfect — challenging enough to be satisfying without being frustrating to work on. Highly recommend. " — Ariadneowl Get it from Amazon for $17.03. 9. A two-slice touch screen toaster with all the fanciness of the $350 TikTok-famous version and none of the "YIIIIKESSSSS" of the price tag. This lets them select seven different toastiness levels for their bread, and specify if they're putting other carbs in there, like bagels, English muffins, waffles, and even gluten-free bread. Check out a TikTok of the toaster in action. Promising review: "I love this toaster! It has all the options I need: lifter, countdown timer, visual icon of the toast colors, and all the toast varieties anyone could want, from white to grain to bagel to waffle to English muffin to gluten-free. It not only has reheat and defrost options, you can even add more toasting time, too. Truly, it has all the bells and whistles anyone could want and is easy to use. " — Tanya Feddern-Bekcan Get it from Amazon for $45.99+ (available in six colors and in a four-slice toaster style). 10. A mini inflatable tube guy for their desk to cheer them on (or remind them to take a lil' dance break whenever they overwork themselves). Promising review: "OMG! I love this guy! These things, large and small, will ALWAYS make me laugh. My husband bought the desk version for me, and I can always count on it to make me laugh. My co-workers love it, too. People just stop by to turn him on for a quick pick-me-up. I would recommend getting the AC plug since batteries can run down fast. I think we should create a community of fellow air-dancer-havers and post clips of our little guys dancing to our favorite songs. Anyone in?" — Mark "Saw this on TikTok. Cool desk decoration." — Robert Get it from Amazon for $8.58 . 11. A Lego flower bouquet they will have WAY too much fun setting up with their own unique, customizable flair the instant they open the box. Why gift them regular flowers when you can gift them the kind that last forever?? Check out a TikTok of the Lego bouquet in action. Promising review : "This is a great gift for anyone who loves flowers. They are as sturdy as they get since they're Legos, and although they do take a while to build, it's a very fulfilling process. Love it and would set aside as something to gift to several people at any point. They look beautiful!!" — Gaby Get it from Amazon for $47.99 . 12. Taylor Swift: The Ultimate Fan Edition Little Golden Book Biography , an update to last year's version that now includes 22 bonus pages (!!) with activities, trivia, and — be still me Swiftie heart — STICKERS. Just like the OG version of this book, it features illustrations and a simple narrative from Taylor's yeehaw days when there were teardrops on her guitar to her current Eras tour days when she's basically carrying the global economy on her back. (Girl math.) Check out a TikTok of the Taylor Swift Golden Book in action! Promising review : "The quality of this book was amazing. I love the section that has dedicated to Taylor and Travis. I love the Swifty quizzes and the stickers." — Lilly Get it from Amazon for $8.78 . 13. Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm in Black Honey that TikTokers go feral for — this cult-classic, lightweight, slightly glossy shade is beyond "holy grail" status because it matches skin tones so beautifully that I'm personally starting to suspect witchcraft, after seeing so many TikToks of it in action. I was very adamant about not buying this for the longest time because I am stubborn about "expensive" beauty products, but this is worth every penny and then some . It's so lightweight and layerable, it's foolproof to apply, and I have yet to wear a single outfit it doesn't complement??? I love watching it instantly elevate a casual look or add simple elegance to dressy ones. I wear it every day now, and after weeks of use, I've barely made a dent . Also, and maybe this is just me, but I tend to get pigment on my teeth with a lot of lip products, and I've simply never had an issue with this magic stick. Anyway, watch this TikTok of someone using it on their lips AND cheeks , because I did and oops, this lipstick FELL into my cart. Get it from Amazon for $25 (also available in pink honey !). 14. A crowd-favorite Jeopardy! day-to-day calendar with a new 2025 version guaranteed to be just as wildly interesting, wacky, and brain-scratching as all the other years before it. This is a huge hit for families, roommates, and offices, because you can even tally your scores and see who "wins" at the end of each week! Check out a TikTok account that follows the 2024 Jeopardy! calendar . Promising review: "We are giving everyone a Jeopardy! calendar for Christmas. You will learn things you never would know without the Jeopardy! answers. Just love it!" — martin Get it from Amazon for $13.15 . 15. A Renpho percussion massager they won't even know how badly they need until they're using it — this gizmo is great for releasing knots, aches, and muscle tension, whether they got it from working at a desk too long or an intense workout. Read more about what massage guns can (and can’t) do, plus how to use them, at Cleveland Clinic . Check out a TikTok of the massager in action. Promising review: " I have tried EVERYTHING for my feet, nothing works and I am always in pain. I tried it out and I thought wow, that feels AWESOME. But the true test is how do you feel the next day right? You cannot always walk around with a massage gun in your hand. The next day, I felt AMAZING. AMAZING. I used it on my hubby's back too, and he said he felt so much better today as well! In addition, this one is way QUIETER than my original massage gun. It's just really a quality piece. You won't be disappointed in this one. It really is what it says. I know it is hard to choose from all the models on the internet, but this one is the real deal. It's worth the money if you have pain." — L Johnson Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (get this price by clipping the $20 off coupon on the product page; available in three colors). 16. A Mason jar-inspired cold brew coffee maker to save them (*crunches numbers*) one bajillion dollars at coffee shops, and a whole lot of time to boot. All they have to do is put their favorite coffee grounds in this pitcher and let them steep overnight. Now they can finally be the cool, aloof barista with amazing cold brew on tap they want to see in the world. Promising review : "This is the best way to have coffee without the acid and still have the caffeine. Easy to use and so much cheaper than buying cold brew coffee. I have bought several over the years for friends. I’ve owned mine now for four years and still love it." — Terry "Absolutely love this cold brew coffee maker. TikTok made me buy it. I use it all the time. I use 1 cup of ground coffee and 7 cups of filtered water. Once I pull out the coffee filter, I top it off with more water. I add coffee to my chocolate protein shakes every day!" — Connie Forbes Get it from Amazon for $19.94 (available in three sizes and several styles). 17. An Airplane Pocket tray cover that slides seamlessly over an airplane tray to create an instant, deeply convenient hub — this comes with a number of pockets so they can keep track of all their devices, snacks, and other odds and ends without rooting around for them in the gross back pocket or their carry-on the whole flight. Bonus: This bb is an excellent way to prevent touching a germ-y tray, and it's fully machine washable. Check out a TikTok of the Airplane Pockets tray table cover in action. Airplane Pockets is a small business that specializes in sanitary, portable travel organization products. I used this on a roundtrip from NYC to Tokyo, both with connecting flights in Canada, and cannot sing its praises enough. It fit all four of the different tray tables I used it on and was so ridiculously handy for keeping track of all my littler odds and ends like AirPods, the plane's headphones, earplugs, a sleep mask, a book, gum, a scrunchie, and little snacks. The hanging end of it easily tucked into the built-in sleeve of the seat in front of me for takeoff and when other passengers needed to scoot past me in my aisle seat. Usually, I feel like a hot mess and get frustrated rooting around in the grimy sleeve for my stuff, and this was such a refreshing solution! Several flight attendants even asked where I got it to buy one for themselves! Get it from Amazon for $26.99. 18. A Yonanas fruit soft-serve maker to magic any frozen fruit into an ice cream or sorbet texture so they can have a yummy frozen treat made to their *precise* favorite fruit combos. A lot of folks with dietary restrictions swear by this to get their ice cream kicks! Promising review: "I saw one of these in action at a friend's house like five years ago and thought it was just a made up memory, because making ice cream out of solely frozen fruit seems wild. But when I saw a TikTok about it I immediately went to Amazon and bought it. Literally this was the BEST decision of my life. I cannot believe still how amazing this thing is! It makes the creamiest, best tasting fruit ice cream ever. It’s easy to take apart and clean, and super easy to use." — DMCKAY Get it from Amazon for $36.99 . 19. Hues And Cues , a DELIGHTFUL party game that's easy and fun to play no matter how well the guests know each other. It comes with a board of 480 color swatches — the aim of the game is to make your friends guess which color swatch you're looking at with either one-word or two-word clues. Whoever gets the closest to the color in each round gets the most points! Check out a TikTok of Hues and Cues in action. I played this at a friend's apartment with a mix of people I did and didn't know, and we all had a BLAST. It was a fun opportunity for us to reference hyper specific things when trying to lock down a specific shade (if memory serves, "zombie Barney" and "aggressive banana" were ones that got thrown around) and to get to know each other's tastes and ways of looking at the world. The rules and scoring system are super easy to learn, too, so there wasn't a big hurdle getting everyone on board. I highly recommend for some good, wholesome, often laugh out loud party fun! Get it from Amazon for $19.96 . 20. A set of delightfully ~~tingly~~ self-heating soothing foot masks made with Epsom salts, lavender, and peppermint perfect for anyone whose step count is "too many." Nothing like a lil' self-care on those aching feet to lift their spirits! Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action. I'm a long-ish distance runner, and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and, after a few minutes, feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that, my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days! Promising review: "Very soothing. My husband and l used these on our European vacation, and they definitely felt good on our feet!" — KS2018 Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $11.97 . 21. A set of espresso martini mix packets that make this beloved cocktail a little TOO easy to recreate at home — all they need to do is add vodka and water, and BOOM. They're living their most delicious life (and have "Espresso" stuck in their head for the rest of the day). Craftmix is a small business that specializes in instant drink mixers. Check out a TikTok of the espresso martini packets in action. Promising review: "The closest thing to creating a drink from scratch as you can get! Tried the variety pack and the espresso martini mix, and it was a hit with folks, and most couldn't believe it when I told them it came from a packet . Especially if you're thinking of hosting or making drinks in batches, Craftmix is a real timesaver. Would definitely recommend and plan on repurchasing for future get-togethers!" — Kenneth Walfred Fojas Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $16.99 (available in eight other flavors and a variety pack). 22. Murdle, Volume 1 , a true essential for anyone who relaxes to true crime podcasts or Only Murders in the Building. The book is full of murder 100 mystery-themed logic puzzles with four different levels of difficulty that they can do solo or with pals, and in order or out of order (although if they do it in order, they get the full scoop on Deductive Logico and Inspector Irratino, whose hilarious misadventures guide you through the book). Check out a TikTok of Murdle in action. The best part?? Once you finish "Murdling," you can use your sleuthing skills on Volume 2 , Volume 3 , and a whole BUNCH of other themed Murdle books ! Promising review: "The puzzles are a lot of fun but the characters, story lines, and other details take the Murdle experience to another level. I have no idea how the author came up with all of this creativeness! You can Murdle solo or with friends. I look forward to future volumes but this one will keep me busy for awhile!" — Liz Gately Get it from Amazon for $10.25 . 23. A set of vinyl coasters to give their coffee table a delightfully retro nostalgic touch *and* protect it from the perils of condensation. Check out a TikTok of the coasters in action. Promising review : "These are awesome! Each little coaster looks like a record and the bottom has a bit of rubber to keep it from shifting. The funny thing is they all have cute sayings on them for the song name. Like 'No Marks on the Table' by The Nostalgics. I’ve received a bunch of compliments and chuckles at the silly 'song names.' I also sent these as a gift to a music lover and it was very well received! " — ra2151 Get a set of six from Amazon for $5.99 . 24. The I Love Trader Joe's Cookbook , which is basically a life hack for taking the most delicious food on earth and making it even better? They won't be able to stay humble with that kind of culinary power in their hands. Check out a TikTok of the Trader Joe's cookbook in action. Promising review : "For Trader Joe's lovers everywhere, this is a fantastic cookbook! It is filled with hints and tips, shopping guidelines, nicely organized recipe categories, and beautiful mouthwatering pictures. I love how the recipes note if they are gluten-free or vegetarian, etc. I ❤ Trader Joe's and I ❤ this cookbook!" — Love My Bookish Life Get it from Amazon for $9.99 . 25. A pair of glowing lightsaber chopsticks to bring balance to The Force *and* to their sushi. Check out a TikTok of the lightsaber chopsticks in action. As you can see from the above GIF, I bought these for myself, and I love them to pieces. TBH, I use them as decor every bit as much as I use them to eat. Sometimes I just keep them in my work area to light them up during the day to feel fancy. They toggle back and forth between a bunch of different colors, like red, blue, yellow, purple, and multicolor, so you can either make them match *or* have a red and blue one together and bring ~balance~ to the Force. Get it from Amazon for $9.97 . 26. A handy adjustable neck reading light , because they shouldn't let the sun and/or the humans living with them decide when their Designated Reading Time is over!! This flexible neck light comes with three brightnesses that all keep the focus on the page, so they can keep the strain off their eyeballs without disturbing anyone else's darkness. Reviewers also swear by these for crafts with fine detail work, like painting and embroidery. Promising review: "I had seen this product from someone I follow on TikTok and they have a great review on it. I absolutely love it!! I t’s great because it hangs around your neck and it’s lightweight. It has three different light settings on it so you can choose what is best for your eyes. And it also has a 30-minute timer you can set in case you fall asleep, so it will go off and you don't have to worry about it staying on the whole time. I highly recommend it!!" — Tabatha C. Get it from Amazon for $20.99 (available in eight colors). 27. A mushroom growing kit that grows right there in the packaging, so they can add some sweet, sweet umami flavors to all their favorite dishes by sautéing, roasting, or air frying them up. Back To The Roots is a California-based small business founded by two college friends that specializes in indoor gardening kits with a mission to reconnect families to food. Check out a TikTok of the mushroom kit in action. Promising review: "We received this as a gift last Christmas. I have since sent it to two other people as gifts. Super easy to use and the yield was good." — CKB Get it from Amazon for $19.99 . 28. A TikTok and Kindle remote control ring so they can scroll through videos or turn pages without wrangling with their phone or tablet. This is the ideal accessory for anyone who likes to be cozy in bed or anyone who likes to use exercise equipment with a screen distracting them! This lets you scroll up and down, swipe right and left, pause and start, and adjust volume. Promising review: "Chiiiiiile let me tell you I got this hooked up to my iPad annnnnd my iPhone and life is so much better. This little ring is AWESOME. It works my Pandora, iHeart Radio, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, I mean everything I use, IT REALLY WORKS ! You can even like the posts on all the sites. I be under my covers just scrolling, y’all this thing even adjusts the volume. The booklet tells you everything. This is a must have. I am extremely happy with this purchase and I’ve been using it everyday even at work ." — Deb! Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in six colors). 29. A "Gracula" garlic crusher , because you know what? If a 108-year-old vampire lurking moodily in the trees in the Pacific Northwest isn't going to fall in love with them and grant them immortality, one might as well make their life in the kitchen a little easier. Check out a TikTok of the Gracula in action. Promising review: "I love this little guy. I found him on a BuzzFeed list and had to have it as soon as I saw it! I’ve minced as many as five cloves in it in seconds. It’s a little tricky getting all of the garlic out once minced (I use a silicone basting brush to get most of it but I always use more than the recipe calls for anyway so it’s not a deal breaker). Cleanup is a breeze because he goes right in the dishwasher! " — Barbie Get it from Amazon for $18.99 . 30. A pair of horizontal glasses , because not being able to watch Netflix and starfish on their bed simultaneously is a scam. Now you can help them out-scam it. Promising review: "I saw these on a couple of TikTok videos and immediately bought them. They are literally the best thing I’ve ever bought. I was scared they wouldn't fit over my glasses but they do just fine. I use them to read, watch TV, and scroll through my social media all while lying down. Such a great buy!" — Kivy Get them from Amazon for $13.99 . 31. A hands-free portable phone charger that sticks right onto their phone plug and chills there so easily that they might forget it's there in the first place. This mini charger is designed to give one full iPhone battery per charge, making it a lifesaver for busy humans, particularly ones who love traveling. Check out a TikTok of the charger in action. Promising review: "I used these several times for the past year, traveling for business and leisure. It is always a challenge to find an outlet at the airport since some airports do not offer a charging station. Using those types can also be a security risk. That's why I love using these portable chargers. They are lightweight and fit in my travel handbag/or small backpack pocket. The portable chargers take about 30–35 minutes to fully charge if dead. Once charged, they charge fast and hold a charge for many hours." — J "I carry this in my purse. Never have to deal with a phone running out of power. Purchased a second one as a gift." — Connie R. Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in eight colors and in two-packs). 32. A Silly Poopy's Hide & Seek game , aka any parents' dream — this gizmo keeps kids entertained for hours of fun hiding it all over the house, where it makes little noises to give clues about where to find it. It's basically all the joy of playing hide and seek, except it's the *toy* hiding, not the humans. What Do You Meme? is a small business that specializes in adult and family games. Check out a TikTok of the Silly Poopy in action. Promising review: "Let me tell you that if you want hours of endless fun of hide and go seek without having to hide yourself, this is a must get! When it's hidden it makes various toot noises and says stuff so the kids know if they are close. And when they find it and press the button to do and sing the silly poopy dance ... even you will dance and sing along!!! Doesn't need batteries and come on, it's poop? Who doesn't think poop and toot noises are funny and if they don't they are lying to themselves. A must-have for fun with your kids without barely doing any work!! " — andrea kelli gorman Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (also available as an egg !). 33. Laneige Lip Glowy Balm , which unsurprisingly went just as TikTok viral as everyone's beloved Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask — the glowy balm has the same delightful flavors (including the iconic GUMMY BEAR!!) and hydrates lips with the *chef's kiss* lightweight, moisturizing blend that doesn't get all sticky and goopy like competitors. Promising review: "Laneige lip balm lives up to the TikTok hype. The Gummy Bear scent is awesome. Don't need to constantly reapply because the formula is moisturizing. Definitely will order other scents." — Charlotte T. "Literally the love of my lips’ life. Bought for myself and loved it so much I’ve been ordering more to gift to friends." — fablav Get it from Amazon for $19 (available in four flavors, including Peach, Berry, Grapefruit, and Gummy Bear). 34. A *mini* Magic Bullet Juicer that's absolutely perfect for juicing newbies, since its small profile and affordable price make it a lot less of of a commitment. They're going to be swimming in fresh OJ and celery juice in NO time! Check out a TikTok of the mini juicer in action. Promising review : "I’ve already made juice 10 times. I went from being a beginner juicer to making juice several times a day. Very easy to learn and VERY EASY TO CLEAN. That’s not something I say often because I have no dishwasher, but it’s safe and easy. LOVE!" — H Get it from Amazon for $47.99 . 35. A handy dandy condiment fork with a holder they can wrap right around a jar of olives or pickles so it'll always be at their disposal when they suddenly *need* a pickle but don't want to put their hands in the jar. This is also great for late-night snacking shenanigans, since they won't wake up half the house looking for a clean fork. Check out a TikTok of the condiment fork in action. Promising review : "Great kitchen item. Forks are great to get pickles out of the jar, but if you have kids/lazy people (lol) you know that dirty hands are going into that jar. 😉 This has really prevented that from happening . It comes with two different rings to fit whatever size jar, a stabber holder, and a stabbing stick." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $8.99 . 36. A tiny milk frother that makes rich, creamy froths in seconds, because why stop at regular tea and coffee when they can have velvety-soft milk tea and lattes? Promising review: "So I’ll admit I got this on a whim after a TikTok video, however I’m in love with this thing! It’s so much fun to use and you make your at home drinks feel so much more special. It’s easy to use and froths pretty quickly if you’re on the fence I’d say what are you waiting for buy it already!" — Denise Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in seven styles). 37. A cult-favorite portable blender , and BOY do I mean portable — it charges so they can operate it wherever they are, and it's as small as a water bottle, so once they blend their ingredients, they can swap out the lid and drink straight from it. Smoothie o'clock just became every damn time of the day. Promising review: " Yes, I did it. I bought the TikTok blender and I don't regret it one bit. I can create any smoothie I want, from healthy to dessert shakes for the kids. So easy to use, charge and clean. It's a must-buy!!!" — Debby from Warren Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in five colors). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.10 of the best books of 2024: The surprising reads that stuck
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