IN BRIEF: • Financial controllers need to step beyond compliance to create value and remain indispensable copilots to CFOs in driving organizational innovation and growth. • AI adoption enhances controller impact on enterprise-wide operational efficiency, contributing to macroeconomic growth. The rapid acceleration of digital transformation is reshaping the business landscape, compelling finance teams to manage returns on investment goals, meet customer demand for innovation, and align with long-term sustainability objectives — all at the same time. This intersection of often-competing demands characterizes today’s Age of And, where success relies on an organization’s ability to effectively navigate and excel in managing these demands simultaneously. This evolving landscape necessitates a strategic shift in roles. Financial controllers, in particular, are moving beyond their traditional focus on operational tasks such as bookkeeping, compliance, and resource allocation and are now positioned as strategic enablers of value creation. According to the 2024 EY DNA of the Financial Controller Report, 86% of surveyed controllers across 28 countries recognize that their responsibilities will evolve substantially over the next five years. To execute their redefined responsibilities, controllers must harness tools such as analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) to transform vast amounts of data into actionable insights that can support strategic decision-making. Predictive analytics enables controllers to identify trends, forecast scenarios, and optimize budgeting. For example, analyzing historical financial data facilitates cash flow prediction and improves financial planning, allowing for agile responses to business challenges. Automation tools like robotic process automation (RPA) streamline reconciliations and report generation, reducing errors and accelerating processes. Automating financial statement consolidation enhances accuracy and delivers timely insights, empowering controllers to focus on strategic activities. AI-powered solutions, such as machine learning algorithms, detect anomalies, assess credit risk, and anticipate market trends. These capabilities help controllers proactively manage risk and capitalize on strategic opportunities, reinforcing their role as value creators. However, the successful integration of these tools requires controllers to adapt their skillsets and embrace a more collaborative role with Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) as copilots in driving innovation and organizational agility. This shift fosters greater cohesion within finance teams, breaking down traditional silos that often hinder efficiency and strategic alignment. CREATING VALUE FROM DATA Organizations are sitting on a gold mine of financial data, yet this resource often remains underutilized. Controllers can unlock this value using AI tools to transform complex datasets into actionable strategies. AI automates routine workflows, such as data consolidation and reporting, enhancing accuracy and freeing controllers to concentrate on strategic responsibilities like risk assessment and planning. Additionally, AI-driven analysis empowers controllers to forecast trends and develop proactive strategies, elevating their role as strategic contributors. Beyond its micro-level benefits, AI has the potential to stimulate macroeconomic growth. In fact, a study by a global tech company estimates that AI adoption among Philippine businesses could contribute P2.8 trillion to the economy by 2030. In the vital sector of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which account for 99.63% of Philippine businesses according to the 2023 List of Establishments compiled by the Philippine Statistics Authority, a data-driven ecosystem is essential for streamlining operations, boosting productivity, and achieving sustainable growth. AI tools play a pivotal role by automating routine financial tasks such as accounts receivable (AR) collection. For instance, an AI-powered AR Collection Assistant helps prioritize accounts, identify at-risk customers, and recommend optimal actions. Integration with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems creates a unified platform for agents, improving efficiency and simplifying follow-up processes. By leveraging AI and automation, businesses can strengthen governance, reduce costs, and enhance operational efficiency, leading to long-term value creation. Additionally, integrating AI into business processes allows MSMEs to analyze complex datasets swiftly, uncovering actionable insights for strategic decision-making. For example, AI-driven predictive analytics can forecast financial trends, enabling businesses to proactively align strategies with organizational goals. UPSKILLING FOR THE FUTURE While many companies understand the importance of digital transformation, recognition alone will not drive progress. Delayed implementation risks leave organizations mired in inefficiency while competitors advance toward innovation and growth. In the Philippines, a disconnect between ambition and readiness for AI adoption stalls digital transformation among companies. A survey by another global tech company found that although 65% of Philippine companies allocate 10-30% of their IT budgets to AI adoption, only 22% are fully prepared to implement AI technologies. One critical obstacle is the skills gap, with only 23% of survey respondents reporting employee proficiency in managing AI tools. Within finance teams, this shortfall hinders controllers from meeting their redefined responsibilities, ultimately limiting their contributions and impacting organizational success in an increasingly complex business landscape. REIMAGINING TALENT STRATEGIES Redefined roles often encounter resistance, particularly as traditional roles for controllers have focused primarily on value protection (e.g., regulatory compliance) and value optimization (e.g., budget planning, cost analysis, and investment evaluation). To address this, organizations must prepare teams for future-oriented responsibilities in value creation. One clear step is articulating a compelling vision for the controller role, emphasizing how their redefined responsibilities can contribute to the company’s long-term growth strategy. This approach not only clarifies their evolving responsibilities but also motivates teams to align with broader organizational objectives. For new hires, prioritizing adaptable mindsets and a willingness to learn over rigid credentials ensures a more future-ready workforce. Meeting evolving role expectations also requires targeted upskilling through robust training programs, mentorship, and leadership opportunities, enabling controllers to excel in their redefined roles. ACTIONS FOR FINANCE LEADERS Organizational support is critical to empower controllers and their teams to develop the necessary skills while managing day-to-day responsibilities. According to the EY report, 59% of controllers state that their organizations encourage them to evolve into value creators to a large extent. However, many feel they lack adequate resources and support to make the transition. CFOs and senior leaders can address this gap by allocating budgets for technology adoption and fostering cross-functional collaboration. Providing autonomy and facilitating engagement with the C-suite and key stakeholders can transform controllers into strategic drivers of value. CFOs can further empower financial controllers by: Integrating innovation into roles. Redefine job descriptions to include innovation as a core responsibility, directly linking it to performance metrics to ensure that controller efforts contribute to enterprise-wide value creation. Leading transformative projects. Provide controllers with leadership opportunities in transformation initiatives, supported by adequate budgets, staffing, and mentorship. These experiences cultivate strategic thinking and innovation capabilities. Focusing on future-ready skills. Equip controllers with expertise in data analytics, AI, and strategic decision-making. These skills will prepare them for evolving financial landscapes and amplify their organizational impact. Expanding responsibilities strategically. Gradually assign controllers additional responsibilities to deepen their expertise and prepare them for future leadership roles, including the position of CFO. Developing a talent pipeline. Build a robust talent pipeline by identifying high-potential candidates for controllership roles. Provide these individuals with targeted training and mentorship to ensure the role remains a source of innovation and leadership. THE FUTURE-READY CONTROLLER Controllers must take an active role in their evolution. By embracing opportunities to view value creation through a broader lens, they can enhance their contributions to financial planning and analysis (FP&A) and investor relations. Strengthening engagement with the C-suite and other key internal and external stakeholders is equally essential. Successful transformation into a redefined role ultimately requires a commitment to continuous personal development. To achieve this, controllers should focus on the following key areas: Embracing uncertainty and disruption. Proactively seek new opportunities to create organizational value, balancing these initiatives with compliance oversight and operational efficiencies. Exploiting the potential of data and AI. Leverage financial data alongside operational and external data sources to generate insights that enable informed executive decision-making. Additionally, develop a roadmap for an AI-enabled controllership team, identifying the necessary data, processes, and controls. Equipping teams for the future. Encourage agility by fostering diverse skills within teams, including business, personal, and technological capabilities. Inspire team members to view themselves as innovators and problem-solvers beyond their roles as financial and compliance experts. PRIORITIZING CULTURAL ADAPTABILITY Organizations must embrace a cultural shift that prioritizes adaptability and a growth-oriented mindset over reliance on legacy processes. To complement this shift, organizations must integrate a digital-first culture to break down silos and enhance operational efficiency, giving way for better, data-driven decision-making across all functions. In doing so, controllers can leverage their redefined roles to streamline processes, provide actionable trends and insights, and drive innovation, making them integral contributors to sustainable growth and organizational success. This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice where the facts and circumstances warrant. The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of SGV & Co. Anna Maria Rubi B. Diaz is an assurance partner under the Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) of SGV & Co.
None
Minutes of an Executive meeting from June of that year state further action would be considered “as appropriate” if the DUP went ahead with a threat to rotate its ministers. The minutes are within files which have been declassified at the Public Record Office in Belfast. Devolved powersharing had been restored to Northern Ireland in May 2000 when Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble had received the backing of his party to go back into the Assembly, despite there having been no decommissioning of IRA arms at that point. Then DUP deputy leader Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds took up the offices as ministers for regional development and social development, but refused to attend Executive meetings due to the presence of Sinn Fein ministers. The party also said it would rotate its ministerial posts to prevent other parties from taking them. A minute of an Executive meeting on June 8 said Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds had refused a request from First Minister Mr Trimble and deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon to meet with them “to discuss recent public comments by the DUP concerning their positions as ministers”. The minute records that the Executive endorsed a proposal from the First and deputy First Ministers to write again to the two DUP ministers setting out sanctions against them. It says: “The First Minister and and Deputy First Minister would assume responsibility for representing the Executive Committee on transport matters at the British-Irish Council in place of the Minister for Regional Development. “The Minister for Social Development and the Minister for Regional Development would not be nominated to attend meetings of the Joint Ministerial Committee. “Pending the receipt of satisfactory assurances from DUP Ministers regarding the confidentiality and integrity of Executive Committee business, the Minister for Social Development and Minister for Regional Development would not receive Executive Committee papers as of right. “The First Minister and Deputy First Minister would seek briefing, as appropriate, from officials in the Department for Regional Development and Department for Social Development.” The minute continues: “If the DUP carried out their threat to change the holders of the two Ministerial offices on a frequent basis, the Executive Committee would consider other action as appropriate.” Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds resigned as ministers on June 27 and were replaced by party colleagues Gregory Campbell and Maurice Morrow. A minute from an Executive meeting that day says: “The Executive Committee noted that the Minister for Social Development and Minister for Regional Development would be resigning their posts that afternoon, and expressed concern at the proposed rotation of the ministries held by their Party Members.”Trump's withdrawn attorney general pick will not return to Congress(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron shared an intense series of handshakes on Saturday, reminiscent of the white-knuckled grip-off that marked a meeting between the two leaders more than seven years ago. Visiting Paris to attend the reopening of the Notre-Dame cathedral, Trump was greeted by Macron at the steps of the Elysee Palace. It was Trump's first foreign trip since winning the Nov. 5 U.S. election. Exiting his vehicle, Trump pulled Macron's right hand towards his body as the two hugged and gripped each other with clenched fists, shaking firmly back and forth. While friendly, it appeared both men were holding on tight. As they ascended the steps of the palace and turned again towards the cameras, Trump positioned his hand above Macron's and pushed down firmly as they locked hands for a second time. The sequence triggered approval from some Trump supporters online, who saw in the president-elect's actions a concerted attempt to intimidate Macron. "President Trump is back to dominating world leaders with his handshake," an account who goes by the username @BehizyTweets posted on the social media platform X. "Macron is going to need a hand massage after all that twisting and pulling Trump did to him." The two men have a history of intense handshakes. When they met for the first time in May 2017 ahead of a NATO summit in Brussels, each man gripped each other's right hand so firmly that their knuckles turned white and their jaws seemed to clench as they sat for a face-to-face meeting. Macron told a newspaper in 2017 that the white-knuckle handshake was "not innocent" and "a moment of truth" aimed at showing his U.S. counterpart, whose first term ended in January 2021, that he would not be intimidated. Trump and Macron were joined later on Saturday by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The meeting occurred with world leaders in Paris to celebrate Notre-Dame's restoration five years after it was ravaged by fire. Trump and Macron shared another firm and prolonged handshake outside the cathedral, though it fell short of the intensity of the 2017 grip-off, according to social media influencer Collin Rugg. "The handshake battle between Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron continues," Rugg posted on X. "Their handshake at the Notre Dame Cathedral lasted for 17 seconds, coming short of their previous record of 29 seconds." (Reporting by Nathan Layne in New York; Editing by Paul Simao)
Checking work mails on vacation? Study reveals the disturbing side of digital workspace
Most of us are not professional chefs or caterers or decorators, so the thought of cooking for and entertaining a Thanksgiving crowd can be daunting. That's why we turned to the experts — professional chefs and caterers and interior designers — to discuss some typical Thanksgiving mistakes and how to avoid them. "The overriding first mistake people make is they think they have more time than they do," said Bistro to Go Cafe and Catering executive chef Kate Kobylinski. She regularly hosts her extended family of 30 and knows "every single problem." "Food takes longer to cook, the table takes longer to set and houses take longer to clean than you think." Clean your house on Monday. On Wednesday, dice vegetables so they're "food-show ready," as Kobylinski put it. Prepare (but don't cook) your green bean casserole (leaving off garnishes like fried onions) so it can just be popped in the oven and set the dining room table. People are also reading... Recap: Here's how Joey Graziadei will win 'Dancing with the Stars' Zitel bound over to district court in death of child They fell in love with Beatrice. So they opened a store in downtown. Kidnapping in Nebraska prompted police chase that ended with 3 dead on I-29 in Missouri At the courthouse, Nov. 16, 2024 Chamberlain among seven inducted into Nebraska Baseball HOF No change in bond amounts in child abuse death case At the courthouse, Nov. 23, 2024 Harmonizers to perform Clabaugh family presents Outstanding Educator award Courthouse lighting ceremony planned for Sunday Inside Nebraska volleyball’s finishing kick for a Big Ten title: First up, Wisconsin Just Askin': Dana Holgorsen noncommittal on future, ranking a big week for Nebraska Athletics Historical society appoints board members, elects officers Beatrice High School first-quarter honor roll Don't feel that you have to do everything yourself. But be as specific as possible when doling out the assignments. "Don't let them make their own decisions!" Kobylinski said emphatically. Thanksgiving is "micromanager's heaven." For example, have someone bring ice on Thanksgiving Day because going out to buy it takes time and ice hogs freezer space. If you don't like making desserts, have someone bring one. If a guest wants to prepare a side dish, great, but decide beforehand what they will bring. Ahead of dinner, interior designer Kacie Cope likes to set out all of her serving platters with Post-it notes attached denoting what will go on them. "You'll be amazed if you have them labeled," she said. "People can help in a jiff." During the evening, Kobylinski gives people assigned jobs, such as serving drinks or taking charge of an after-dinner game. And the chef is forgiving about using premade ingredients, like gravy or cranberry jelly. "There's no right or wrong way to make any of your foods," she said. But you might want to give a homemade touch to prepared ingredients, like adding sauteed onions or celery to prepared gravy. "Everyone goes into Thanksgiving Day with a half-frozen turkey," said Kobylinski. "And you can't get the bag of giblets out because they're frozen in place." It takes one day for every 4 pounds of turkey meat to defrost in the refrigerator. (No, it is not safe to leave your frozen turkey out on the counter to thaw and breed bacteria.) So if you've got a 20-pound bird, you've got to start thawing on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. However, there are other methods. Kobylinski suggests submerging the bird and running a thin stream of cold water over it. "It doesn't have to be a lot of water." The U.S. Department of Agriculture says there are only three ways to safely thaw food: In the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave. To safely thaw turkey in cold water, the USDA says it takes about 30 minutes per pound. Put the turkey in a leak-proof plastic bag to prevent cross-contamination and submerge it. Change the water every 30 minutes, and cook immediately when it's thawed. If opting for your microwave, follow its instructions for thawing and cook immediately. Then, if you're running late and need to speed things up to satisfy the hungry hordes, you can cut the bird in half before cooking (skin side up). This significantly reduces cooking time, requiring about 10 minutes per pound. Kobylinski also recommends resting the turkey on vegetables in the oven to keep the bottom from getting burned. Private chef and culinary educator Emily Larsen warns that those plastic thermometers in supermarket turkeys are setting you up for failure. The USDA says that you should cook a turkey until the internal temperature is 165 degrees. Plastic thermometers don't pop out until the breast meat is at about 180 degrees, "when your turkey is completely dry," Larsen said. Plus, people forget that meat continues to cook once it's out of the oven. She recommends taking a bird out of the oven when it is at 155 degrees — she likes to use an inexpensive instant-read folding probe thermometer — and continue to monitor it. (Insert it into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding the bone.) "Ten dollars [for the thermometer] can save your Thanksgiving," she said. Some feel that buying a frozen rather than fresh bird is another no-no, since freezing leaches water out of the turkey. However, if, despite your best efforts, your turkey is lacking moisture, Kobylinski has a fix: Put warm chicken or turkey stock and clarified butter into a mister and spritz sliced turkey with it before serving. "The same with stuffing if it's too dry," she said. Grocery chains vie for a place on Thanksgiving tables with turkey dinner deals ANNE D'INNOCENZIOAssociated Press Thanksgiving Day is not the time to try out a completely new recipe. And you don't have to lay out 10 side dishes. In addition to opting for a simple menu, Kobylinski also recommends figuring out how long your items will take to cook and what method of cooking it requires ahead of time. Your turkey will be monopolizing your oven for four hours, so other oven foods should be limited or be easily reheated during the time that the turkey is resting. (As for resting a turkey, the chef puts her turkey on a hot plate with towels over it so "the meat rebinds itself and stabilizes for a smoother cut.") "Stovetop items should be staggered," she said, so you don't have a frying pan and three pots all going at once. As a sample menu, she suggests you might have one baked potato dish and one mashed. And for vegetables, one baked dish and one that is blanched or grilled. Interior designers advise against going too crazy with holiday-specific décor. "There's a lot that's being sold to us that we feel like we need," said Pittsburgh interior designer Amanda Bock. Do you really need a turkey-shaped vase or pilgrim figurines? "They're out for two weeks, and then you have to figure out where to store them," agreed Cope. "It takes an already busy season and makes it stressful in an unnecessary way." Cope says you can take things that are already part of your menu and use them as décor — a bowl of nuts or cranberries, or even removing the label from a cranberry sauce tin and repurposing it as a vase for flowers and fall leaves. Bock adds that dining room table décor should be kept to a minimum, since you'll need space for your food. You don't have to have "big chargers and five plates and three different glasses, plus all of your Thanksgiving food on the table," Bock said. If you do have flowers or a centerpiece in the middle of the table, keep it low, Cope advised. "That way, you can actually see the person who's across the table from you." Tableware and tablecloths might be in fall colors, so they can be repurposed throughout the season. Water glasses or wine goblets could be amber-toned, Bock suggests. Well in advance of your guests' arrival, think critically about the setup of your home. Don't be afraid to rearrange your furniture so your guests move to different areas and don't all congregate in your kitchen. "You want to make sure that there are areas where people can sit and chat, watch the parade or just hang out together," Bock said. Set up a drinks station and an hors d'oeuvres station in different parts of the house, Bock suggests. Though, she admits, "I can't do that in my house because my dogs would just gobble up the hors d'oeuvres." She suggests repurposing a kitchen nook for kid seating, or as a serving area. Kobylinski might set up a half-built puzzle in a side room. She even puts out winter jackets and boots for "the gentlemen" for the moment when she urges them to go out on the porch to smoke cigars and drink brandy so they won't be underfoot. As a finishing touch, don't neglect to set the mood by using lamps around the room instead of harsh overhead lights. Putting out tapers or tea candles establishes an intimate feeling. "That just leans into the cozy fall vibe," Cope said of low lighting. But don't use scented candles, Bock warns. Or a smelly flower arrangement. "That can overwhelm you when you're eating," Bock said. Putting on a favorite music playlist can set the mood and take away self-consciousness, especially early in the evening. The most important thing on Thanksgiving is simply for everyone to enjoy each other's company. A little advance preparation can help you, the host, stay relaxed throughout the evening so you can interact with your guests. As Bock advised, "Keep it simple for Thanksgiving." Let friendship and fellowship be the stars of the show. Best Black Friday deals: When to shop, what to buy and what to skip Tommy Tindall, NerdWallet 100 years of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 100 years of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade The 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade coverage is slated from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST Thursday, Nov. 28. This year's event will feature 28 clown crews, 26 floats, 16 giant balloons, 11 marching bands, five performance groups, three "baloonicles"—cold-air inflatables driven down the parade route, and numerous performers. Stacker curated a selection of photographs from the past century of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to help illustrate the history of the iconic event. The parade in New York City, presented by department store chain Macy's, was first held in 1924 under the heading "Macy's Christmas Parade" to promote holiday sales and spotlight the newly expanded and, at the time, largest in the world Herald Square store in Manhattan. The success of the event led organizers to turn the spectacle into an annual tradition. Each year, the parade ends outside the same Herald Square Macy's location. The event has been televised nationally since 1953 on NBC. The parade at first featured Central Park Zoo animals escorted by Macy's employees and professional entertainers for 6 miles from 145th Street in north Manhattan's Harlem to Macy's. A quarter of a million onlookers lined the streets. Real animals were replaced with balloons in 1927; that same year, the name of the event was changed to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The longest-running parade float is the event's unofficial mascot, Tom Turkey. Tom features moving wings, head, and eyes and usually functions as the lead float in the parade. Bringing up the caboose in virtually all the parades is Santa Claus who ushers in the holiday shopping season with his arrival at Macy's Herald Square. The parade offers a glimpse into pop culture of the time, from beloved children's entertainment to hit Broadway shows and musical acts. The Radio City Rockettes, formed in 1925, have performed in the parade annually since 1957. In 1933, the outside temperature was 69 degrees F, the warmest it's been; 2018 was the coldest day in parade history at 19 degrees F. In 2022, for the first time, the event featured a trio of women hosts. Today, more than 44 million people tune in to watch the parade. Keep reading to learn more about the parade's history and see some iconic shots of the event. You may also like: Game on: The booming growth of online gaming 1924: Macy's first parade In Macy's first Thanksgiving parade, Santa Claus sat atop a float pulled by a team of horses down Broadway. That year floats, bands, and Central Park Zoo animals were featured in the procession. At the parade's end, Santa Claus was crowned "King of the Kiddies" on Macy's balcony at the 34th Street entrance. Macy's quickly announced the parade would be an annual event. 1928: Fish and tigers The large balloons that replaced live zoo animals in 1927 were filled with regular air and had no release valves—they were simply let go to pop in the air following the parade. 1928 marked the first year of Macy's inflating balloons with helium to allow them to float. They were also outfitted with valves so the helium could gradually escape rather than waiting for the balloon to inevitably pop, and featured a return address so anyone who found them could return them and receive a reward. In this photo from 1928, a 35-foot fish and 60-foot-long tiger were featured prominently in the parade. A $100 prize was offered for each balloon recovered after its release. 1931: Hippo on parade The Thanksgiving parade enjoyed rapid growth throughout the 1930s, with more than 1 million revelors lining the parade route in 1933. In this 1931 photo, a giant hippopotamus balloon makes its way down Broadway. A blue hippo balloon—possibly this one—released after the parade was still at large several days later, thought to be somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. 1932: Balloon mishaps end rewards In this image, the Felix the Cat balloon is led down Broadway by its four handlers tailed by Terrible Turk and Willie Red Bird. The original Felix the Cat character balloon made its parade debut in 1927, but was destroyed after its post-parade release by a high tension wire in 1931. The Terrible Turk also was destroyed the same year by an electric sign. In 1932, Macy's Tom Cat balloon got stuck in the propeller of a plane when the aviator flying the plane tried recovering the balloon for a reward. While the plane eventually landed safely, that event marked the final year of releasing balloons after the parades and offering prizes for their return to Macy's. 1939: View from the top Pinnochio, Tin Man, and Uncle Sam make their way along the parade route in 1939. Mickey Mouse made his debut five years earlier with a balloon designed in part by Walt Disney; Mickey's handlers were also dressed as mice. New iterations of Mickey appeared over the next 70 years as the character evolved. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was canceled from 1942-1944 because of supply shortages during World War II, namely helium and rubber. Festivities returned in 1945. The Christmas classic "Miracle on 34th Street" was released in 1947 and prominently features actual footage from the 1946 parade. 1948 marked the parade's first network television broadcast. You may also like: Legendary interior designers from every decade of the 20th century 1949: Teddy bear on parade The 23rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was held Nov. 24, 1949. In this photo, a teddy bear makes its way through Times Square. This parade marked the second appearance for the bear. Other balloons made their debut: Freida the Dachshund, Howdy Doody on the Flying Trapeze, and Macy's Hobo Clown. 1952: Space explorer Macy's original character The Giant Spaceman made his debut in 1952's parade, measuring 70 feet long and 40 feet wide and weighing 600 pounds. More than 25 gallons of paint went into painting the astronaut. An estimated 2.25 million people lined the streets for the festivities that year. 1955: Flying high Throngs of onlookers pack the sidewalks in Manhattan's Times Square during this 1955 parade. Mighty Mouse, an animated superhero created by Terrytoons, is seen in the back left of the photo. Mighty Mouse made his debut in the Thanksgiving Day parade in 1951; he appeared in 80 short films between 1942-1961. 1958: 'I am what I am' Popeye makes his way through Times Square in the 1959 parade. A year earlier, another helium shortage meant balloons were inflated with air and hung from construction cranes to make their way through the parade route. Also in 1958, the first celebrity performances were added with the Benny Goodman sextet. Live music proved a challenge technically and logistically. The parade was transitioning to the now-familiar lip syncing by 1964. 1961: Peacockery The iconic peacock float makes its debut in this photo of the 1961 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. That same year, Miss Teenage America Diane Lynn Cox appeared in princess attire sharing a float with "Prince Charming" actor Troy Donahue. You may also like: Baltimore buried its urban streams—now an artist is bringing one back 1961: 'A Fantasy of Christmas' Teen performers appear in classic roller skates in this image from the 1961 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The sign above the skaters reads "Macy's presents A Fantasy of Christmas in New York." 1961: Shoulder to shoulder This 1961 photo shows shoulder-to-shoulder parade onlookers at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The year marks the first balloon featuring Bullwinkle Moose and the first year for floats with Pinocchio, The Racetrack Grandstand, Cinderella, Peacock, Ferris Wheel, Brigadoon, Meet the Mets, and Santa's Sleigh. Several years later, in 1968, Macy's creative team figured out how to design floats up to 40 feet tall and 28 feet wide that could fold into 12.5-by-8-foot boxes for strategic transportation from New Jersey to Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel. 1972: 'Hey, Rocky!' A Bullwinkle Moose balloon floats down Broadway in this 1972 photograph of the parade. The 46th annual parade featured five firsts for floats: Alphabet Blocks, Snow Mountain, Windmill, Curious George, and Santa's Holiday Home. 1974: A 'hareless' tortoise A solo tortoise float makes its way down the street near Columbus Circle in this 1974 parade photo. Not pictured is the accompanying hare. This marked the seventh appearance of the duo. 1982: It's not easy being green A giant inflatable balloon of Kermit the Frog makes its way down the 1982 parade route in this photo. The parade marked Kermit's sixth appearance. First-time balloons included Olive Oyl and Woody Woodpecker. You may also like: Far from making their last calls, LGBTQ+ bars evolve to imagine a new world 1989: Woody Woodpecker is a crowd favorite Woody Woodpecker greets the crowd as he floats past One Times Square during the 63rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1989. In the coming years, safety concerns troubled '90s-era parades—namely the wind. Strong gusts in 1993 pushed a Sonic the Hedgehog balloon into a Columbus Circle lamppost that broke and hurt a child and off-duty police officer. Four years later, intense winds caused a Cat in the Hat balloon to hit a lamppost, hurling debris into the air that fractured the skull of a spectator who spent 24 days in a coma. The incident, among others, led then-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to form a task force. 1995: 'Soaring Spirit' The Soaring Spirit Canoe float, pictured here in 1995, made its debut in the parade in 1986. Popular '90s balloons included Bart Simpson, Cat in the Hat, and The Rugrats. 2001: 9/11 looms large New York City first responders carry two American flags during the Nov. 22, 2001, 75th Anniversary of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which was also held on the heels of 9/11. They honored those killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that year. New Yorkers crowded the streets to watch the parade, which featured 15 giant balloons and marching bands that all added an air of patriotism to the event. 2005: Dora's debut Dora the Explorer makes her balloon debut in this 2005 photo. That same year, the M&M 's chocolate candies balloon collided with a streetlight in Times Square, and debris from it injured two siblings. 2011: Elf sprinkles A woman dressed in an elf costume sprinkles spectators with confetti in Times Square during Macy's 85th Thanksgiving Day parade on Nov. 24, 2011. Sonic the Hedgehog and Julius the sock monkey, which was created by Paul Frank, made their balloon entrances that year. You may also like: 5 tips for making your next event more affordable 2015: Familiar faces Snoopy and Woodstock made their way along the 89th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route Nov. 26, 2015. To date, Snoopy boasts the most years flown as a character balloon in the event. 2016: A most massive audience In this 2016 photo, spectators like this one recorded videos of the parade on their phones. More than 24 million people were estimated to have streamed the parade that year on TV. 2017: Pikachu and so much more The Pikachu balloon floats down Central Park West for its fourth time during the 91st annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2017. That year's lineup featured 1,100 cheerleaders and dancers, more than 1,000 clowns, 28 legacy balloons, 26 floats, 17 giant helium balloons, 12 marching bands, and six performance groups. 2020: The show must go on Performers in this photo prepare at the 94th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 26, 2020. The event was one of few public occasions to be kept on schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit in a tempered manner. Much of the performances were pre-taped and the parade route was massively reduced. Participants wore masks and balloon handlers were cut by nearly 90%. 2023: 97 years Santa Claus celebrates at the 97th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in this photo from Nov. 23, 2023. First-time giant balloons included Beagle Scout Snoopy, Leo (Netflix), Monkey D. Luffy, Po from "Kung Fu Panda," and The Pillsbury Doughboy. Copy editing by Lois Hince. You may also like: From the Roman Empire to your therapist's office: The history of the chaise lounge For the holidays: Get inspiring home and gift ideas – sign up now!Who do you think you are kidding, Mr Littler, if you think your year is done? After Luke Littler’s march into the last 16 at the Paddy Power PDC World Championship, he has one more appointment to fulfil in 2024. A date with burly Geordie dark horse Ryan Joyce on Monday, for a place in the quarter-finals on New Year’s Day, is the boy wonder’s reward for a flattering 4-1 defeat of Ian White on another track from his Saturday night fever album. And that will be a wrap. Thank you, 2024, you’ve been a wonderful audience - but just watch Luke the Nuke go in 2025. In the ultimate generation game, Littler exacted token revenge on White for distant fixtures in the Runcorn pub league, when White regularly beat his grandfather. It wasn’t always convincing. In the worst-case scenario, we feared that after Christmas Day and Boxing Day would come doomsday. Lights out, tinsel down, cancel that New Year party. But a reminder: Luke Littler is 17 years old. Give the kid a break. They said he would burn out on the relentless carousel of the Premier League . Pull the other one - he won the darned thing. They said teenage naivety would run aground when it encountered adult cynicism in the big, bad world . Another cracking joke - Littler has won 10 titles in his debut season as a professional, yielding more than £1 million in prize money. They said he couldn’t possibly sustain his fairytale to last year’s final as a 16-year-old. But if the Grand Slam, Premier League and World Series finals don’t ring any bells, there’s nobody home in the belfry. And they said darts wasn’t a ‘proper’ sport. Tell that to the masses who voted Littler runner-up in the BBC ’s Sports Personality of the Year poll. Don’t listen to the pub bores. Darts is the new night out on the red carpet, even if the carpet sticks to your feet, and Littler is our Prince of the Palace. On his return to world championship orbit seven days earlier, he was almost overwhelmed by a nation’s expectations until he found a summary cure for the dreaded first-night rectal twitch and unfurled a record-breaking set to break Ryan Meikle’s resistance. This time, as the largely teutonic soundtrack from a boisterous audience finally turned to seasonal refrains about walking in a Littler wonderland, he was riddled with nerves again. At 54, White’s best days are not necessarily behind him, but most of them are visible only in a rear-view mirror. And the Potteries veteran, whose only quarter-final appearance here was back in 2014, soon made a mockery of the bookies. The Nuke made hard work of taking the opening set with a lukewarm average of 84.53, some 56 points down on his charge for the chequered flag against Meikle. If Littler’s fast starts were a feature of his run to the final 51 weeks ago, this year he has been stalling on the starting grid. Spraying his arrows across the board like a subway graffiti artist on the rampage with his aerosol, he missed four of his first 17 darts at a double and White took advantage to level the contest. Finally, gradually, the tide began to turn in Littler’s favour, and when he took out 88 on the bullseye to go back in front, there was a sense of factory settings being restored. He rammed another 12 maximum 180s into the treble 20 lipstick - that makes 788 for the year - enough to sustain his progress into the last 16. But Littler will have to play with more conviction, and consistency, if he is going to ring in 2025 with £500,000 of pocket money.