Your Dog Understands You, "The Office" Mega Fan Gifts, and More

December 15, 2021

Tip of the Day

Old school timers still work fine for Christmas lights, but with some smart plugs you can light up your whole house by saying “Hey Alexa, turn on the decorations!”

Happy Wednesday! As is tradition here’s a Hump Day camel fact to get you through Wednesday. Camels have a really unusual modern distribution as it is practically an inverse of where they started. The first camels appeared 50 million years ago in what is now present-day North America but they (and their close ancestors) ended up far away in modern-day South America, the Middle East, and North Africa.

If that odd fact has your brain primed for more random things, check out this bit about why people put spiders in their Christmas trees (if you happened to miss it in yesterday’s newsletter). And speaking of Christmas, here are some fun gift guides from our Holiday 2021 Gift Guide collection: the best gifts for hot sleepers and the perfect gifts for The Office mega-fans.

And because it’s Wednesday you get a double dose of trivia. First, some camel facts and then a little peek back into history. On this day in 1925, Madison Square Garden opens in New York City. Then an unknown venue it would go on to become one of the world’s most famous sporting and performance locations hosting both sporting and musical greats.

– Jason

Happy Tuesday! The Christmas Holiday is drawing closer and we have some fun holiday-centric articles in today’s newsletter like the history of Christmas trees in the U.S. and why some people decorate their Christmas tree with spider ornaments.

And if you’re still working through your holiday shopping list we have some great suggestions for hot-sauce obsessed friends, your pals that love wine, and even affordable Dyson air-wrap alternatives.

For folks stocking up their game cabinets before entertaining this holiday, the popular party game Throw Throw Burrito is on sale as part of the Exploding Kittens publisher sale at Amazon today. (For more great game recommendations check out our recent list of recommended games.)

Water cooler trivia? You know it wouldn’t be one of my newsletter openers without some. Even though most of the U.S. isn’t experiencing artic-blast levels of chilly winter weather this year, here’s a very chilly bit of trivia for you. On this day in 1911, explorer Roald Amundsen becomes the first explorer to reach the South Pole. Amundsen was a legend in polar exploration having previously been part of the team that was the first to spend the whole winter in Antarctica. I like sparkling snow and winter weather but not that much.

– Jason

Christmas dinner is an event most of us look forward to every year. From succulent turkey and tender ham to mashed potatoes and green bean casserole, there are so many flavors to delight the senses. If you’re hosting this year, tempt everyone with one of these delicious appetizers while they wait for that turkey to get done. Read More »

Shopping for a fan of The Office? These gifts range from the subtle to the silly—and you’re sure to find the perfect thing for your superfan. Read More »

If you’ve purchased a house knowing you’d eventually sell it, there are some things you shouldn’t change. According to one home expert, downsizing one feature might make that sale harder. Read More »

Wooden plant stands are a stylish yet neutral way to show off your favorite plants.
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French presses are among the most well-known and well-loved types of coffee makers.
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Convenient as electronic coffee makers might be, many coffee lovers find that they don’t beat the taste of a cup of joe made with a pour-over coffee maker.
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If you’re a regular coffee drinker who wants to give the keto diet a try but doesn’t like to drink coffee black, don’t worry; there are many tasty keto-friendly coffee creamers out there.
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Many people own a collection of coffee mugs or teacups, but it’s no secret that they can be a pain to store.
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Regardless of age, location, or occupation, millions of people drink coffee as part of their daily routine.
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Let’s be honest. If you have a dog, you’ve probably talked to it. Whether it’s gibberish or a full-blown conversation, we all do it. Turns out, our pups might just understand. Read More »

If you became a plant parent during the past two years like so many others, you might be looking to add to your collection in 2022. There’s one plant, in particular, you’ll want to pick up. Read More »

Let’s be honest. No one likes wearing pantyhose. The good news about the undergarment, though, is that they can be repurposed in a way you might not expect. Read More »

One of the most anticipated board games promised for Arcade1Up’s Infinity Game Table is easily Ticket to Ride. It’s finally available for everyone to buy, but is it worth the cost? I’ve been playing it for a couple of weeks, and the answer to that question is easy. Yes! Read More »

This week Toyota gave us a preview of its electric vehicle plans, stating the company aims to release 30 different EV models by the year 2030. And while there are plenty of exciting concept vehicles, the Tacoma-like EV pickup is by far the most exciting. Read More »