
36 Unbirthday Gifts To Buy Yourself If It's Not Your Actual Birthday, But You Deserve A Treat
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
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364 days of an Instagram-famous Taylor Swift coloring book, hair ties that look like bracelets, and tea bags that secretly turn into instant espresso martinis.
1. A set of Lego sunflowers so cheerful that they'll put a lil' pep in your step every time you see them.
Promising review:"These are so cute and easy to assemble. Highly recommend as a fun gift to adults and kids." — Katie A.
Get it from Amazon for $8.39.
2. Clinique Pop Lip + Cheek Tinted Oil tailor-made for the lifelong fans of the TikTok-famous "universal" Black Honey lippie that sells out time and time again — this ~juicier~, luscious version gives a dewier finish perfect for the lips and cheeks and a tint that lasts, making it the ultimate in your "no makeup makeup" arsenal. It's basically as if Dior Lip Glow Oil, Benetint, and Clinique Black Honey had a baby.
Amazon
Promising review: "I've fallen in love with this color. It looks amazing on anyone. The lip oil is long lasting and looks beautiful on my cheeks too. It doesn't dry out my lips or feel too sticky." — Jane
Get it from Amazon for $27.
3. A TikTok-beloved "Soft" perfume rollerball that honestly has no right smelling so delectable and layering so well considering it's only five cash dollars. Reviewers are obsessed with the scent's warm sweetness with a hint of citrusy zest, comparing it to waffle cones, lemon pound cake, and warm vanilla scones ... and this $65 bottle of Pink Sugar 👀.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Like so many, I found this scent on TikTok. I was a bit skeptical at first but finally got around to trying it. First off, this scent smells amazing! Almost every time I've worn it, I receive compliments. It has a sweet smell, almost like warm cake or sugar cookies with a hint of lemon. With such an affordable price, I would definitely recommend this to anyone curious about trying it." — Chrissy
Get it from Amazon for $5.89 (available in two styles).
4. 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 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).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
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.
5. A set of espresso martini instant cocktail tea bags — all the sophistication of tea, the zing! of coffee, and the 😜 of a cheeky cocktail. All you have to do is add three ounces of cold water, 1.5 ounces of hard liquor, and the tea sachet into a glass, and you'll have a delicious (far more AFFORDABLE!!) cocktail in one minute.
Sayso is a small woman-owned business that specializes in the first-ever cocktail tea bag, perfect for cocktails *and* mocktails.
Promising review: "I was a bit skeptical when I purchased, but these are actually fantastic. The taste is great and the bags make it incredibly easy to mix up what would otherwise be complex cocktails quickly and easily. I've had the spicy marg, espresso martini, and old fashioned versions, and while they aren't exactly the same as the original they are wonderful for making yourself a cocktail at home. Highly recommend." — Meredith
Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $14.99 (available in six other cocktail styles and larger packs).
6. The Knights of Tayrealm, an Instagram sensation turned into a coloring book that reimagines of all the different eras of Taylor Swift's career. In the magical Tayrealm, you'll find the Holy Bard humming in Red Land, the Lover Archer guarding her castle, and even the Folklore Fairy on a quest to find Woodvale.
Alef Vernon, an Instagram illustrator, first started posting concepts of the eras of Taylor in her Tayrealm back in 2022 — I was always very happy to see Alef's work in my Instagram explore page, and I am over the moon he turned this into a coloring book! The pages are such beautiful quality, the Easter eggs are immaculate, and every line is drawn with such care and love. The cover itself is so gorgeous that I am leaving it out as decor whenever I don't use it. This is *the* gift for the Swifties in your life!
Get it from Amazon for $13.49.
7. A pair of luxe retro-style oval sunglasses giving Miu Miu vibes without the $489 price tag. The devil's in the chic details on this one, including the little gold embellishments on the sides and the nostalgic shape of the lenses, which are softer than the typical skinny oval lens.
Promising review: "I absolutely love these sunglasses! They suit my face beautifully and elevate any look with their stylish design. The gold details on the sides are such a stunning touch — reminiscent of high-end Miu Miu sunglasses but at a fraction of the cost. They're lightweight, comfortable, and feel durable. I've received so many compliments already. Highly recommend these for anyone looking to add a chic accessory to their collection!" — Arsalan sheikh
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in five styles and two packs).
8. A copy of Burn After Writing, a guided journal that tens of thousands of reviewers swear by — through a series of questions and thought experiments, it encourages people to take time away from their screens to explore their feelings, both new and old, so they can embrace meaningful ones and try to let others go.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I first saw this book on TikTok and decided to look more into it. I purchased four total because I know some people holding onto things that are difficult to let go of. It's a great way to look at things from a different perspective and truly hold yourself accountable to different things in your life. I love what it stands for, and I look forward to when I burn mine after I'm done. Self-love, self-care, and meditation for a better state of mind tomorrow are always the goal. I definitely recommend it to those susceptible to change and the willingness to try things differently." — Brent Helm
Get it from Amazon for $7.70.
9. Or a copy of The Book of Myself: A Do-It-Yourself Autobiography in 201 Questions to help you reflect on your life with thoughtful prompts like, "If I could have changed my profession midstream I would have become ..." and "This present I got from my parents really sticks in my memory." It's a perfect way to organize your own story *and* to make sure it's preserved for people who will want to know it down the line.
Hachette Books
This book is a kind of DIY memoir — it goes through three phases of "Early," "Middle," and "Later" years, and has 201 different prompts based on your memories, experiences, and views on the world.. This also makes for a lovely gift for family members, so you can all preserve each other's memories!
Get it from Amazon for $15.84 or from Bookshop (to support local bookstores) for $18.60.
10. A set of hair tie bracelets designed to look like *actual* jewelry, so you won't be kicking yourself when you realize you left a hair tie on your wrist for every photo.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review:"I love these! These add the cutest touch to any outfit. They make you feel better about wearing a hair tie on your wrist. And they function great as both a hair tie and a bracelet! Not too tight to wear as either. Love them!" — Tiara Scheurell
Get a set of 20 from Amazon for $7.99 (available in nine styles).
11. A NeeDoh "Dream Drop," another release from the *elite* Needoh sensory fidget toy line for anyone who wants to add more calm and focus to their day. This goo-filled, delightfully colorful fidget has a satisfying squish with a "slow rise" before going back to its original shape. Reviewers also love that it doesn't have the kind of stickiness that picks up debris and makes it hard to clean.
www.instagram.com, www.amazon.com
Schylling is a small business that specializes in modern and retro toys, games, and sets.
Promising review: "Great, and I love that it has a tray to sit on. I love how firm this is to squeeze, and the slow release is really relaxing. The included dish is a great touch — it keeps it clean and gives it a dedicated spot to rest." — AZMOM
Get it from Amazon for $7.30 (the color is either blue, pink, or purple and gets selected for you at random)!
Check out the rest of the Needoh fidget toy options on their Amazon storefront!
12. A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit for anyone on their "happy accidents" beat — this itty bitty set comes with everything you need to create three tiny masterpieces of your very own.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
The kit comes with three different numbered canvas designs, seven paint pots, a mini brush, and an easel.
Promising review: "I have to admit I was skeptical because of the price and size. However, I got these for my husband for his birthday (he loves Bob Ross) and what a find!! We had so much fun mixing colors and painting. Would definitely recommend. The fact that they are small makes them even more special. I wish there were more to paint!" — slb m
Get it from Amazon for $6.80.
13. L'Oreal Paris Makeup Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara in a new brown shade so you can have all the *vavoom* of thick, full lashes with that romantic ~softness~ of the more muted shade. Similar to the iconic black shade that made it famous, this mascara doesn't smudge, clump, or flake for alllll day wear, and washes easily to be extra gentle on lashes.
Amazon
Promising review: "I have been searching for a brown mascara, and this is it! It's the best mascara I have used in a long time. Goes on easily without clumping. Lifts and separates my lashes. I'm so happy with it! I set up a subscribe and save so I don't run out!" — jeanielemo
"I bought the latte brown and really like the look of it. Black mascara looks costume-ish on me. This color has a softer, more natural look on me. Thought it was worth a go and am not disappointed." — Garden Girl
Get it from Amazon for $9.09 (also available in three other shades of black).
14. Death Wish Instant Coffee Packets so downright (dare I say, DANGEROUSLY) delicious that even the biggest coffee snobs you know might trade in their precious pour-overs. That is, if they can handle the 300mg of caffeine per cup 👀.
Note: According to the Mayo Clinic, up to 400mg of caffeine is safe for most healthy adults.
Check out a TikTok of the Deathwish Instant Coffee in action. (Also I read at least one review of someone PUTTING THIS IN THEIR MORNING SMOOTHIE, some of you are WILD.)
Death Wish Coffee is a small business that specializes in coffee pods, grounds, whole beans, and more.
Promising review: "So let me start by saying that this coffee is delicious and works if you're someone like me who wants to stay awake. I work night shifts at a hospital, and in the mornings, when I get home, I'm quite tired and sleepy. I made myself a cup of coffee and waited for it to work. Now let me tell y'all!!! This coffee kept me awake for hours!! BOY, WAS I WOWED INDEED … best believe I went ahead and ordered three more boxes. This is now my to-go coffee if I need a BOOST!!!!!! If you like coffee and want to stay awake, then BUY THIS COFFEE!!! I'm happy I no longer have to take naps to get re-energized." — nancy
Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $10.99.
15. Sol de Janeiro Delicia Drench Shower Oil to thrill and delight you with its "oil to foam" blend, which lathers like a body wash and leaves your skin feeling silky smooth and nourished. If you haven't already tried Cheirosa 59 body mist, the cult-fave blend of vanilla orchid, sugared violet, and sandalwood this shower oil is based on, you are in for one luxurious treat!
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Here's what BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly has to say about this: "I'm obsessed with this! It's what I'm currently using because my skin has become so dry because I'm on Accutane. And the cast-iron heat in my apartment sure doesn't help. This oil foams up on my loofah ASAP and my skin looks and feels more moisturized than with any other body washes or shower oils. Also, as with all SDJ scents, it smells divine."
Promising review: "This is a beautiful scent. My skin pulls the floral aspect of this fragrance. It lathers well and made my skin very moisturized coming out the shower (which is great, in my opinion, because I have extremely sensitive dry skin). I ordered a small jar to try it out and now I want the larger size." — LaKeya
Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in two sizes).
16. A set of flower petal dessert glasses so you can serve up little puddings, ice creams, and yogurt parfaits and decorate them with edible flowers for your Meghan Markle era 🌸. Reviewers also use these for cocktails and juice!
Amazon
Promising review:"Stunning! I have been seeing a lot of fun drinkware at stores recently. However, the glass is always paper thin and looks to fragile to be used. So, I gave these ones a try. Yes, these are it! The glass is thick, the stem is sturdy, the colors are fun, and the shape is interesting. I am obsessed. You'll find me sipping my lemon water out of these from now on!" — Amanda
Get a set of two from Amazon for $21.99 (available in two styles).
17. A personal popcorn popper from BuzzFeed's Tasty line so compact, affordable, and easy to use that you might just want to equip every room in your home with one. All you have to do is fill the kernels up to the max fill line and let it do its magic. It even has a built-in measuring cup you can use as a butter-warming tray!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Everyone needs one. This makes the best popcorn. It is so easy to use and so fast. And it is healthy for you so that is a plus." — Kate
Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in four colors).
18.
Levi's Cinch Baggy Jeans, aka the closest you can get to a tailored fit — the band at the high waist can be altered to tighten to your shape, so you get your *denim's kiss* perfect fit. These also have a good amount of stretch to them, so you'll have the cutest *and* the comfiest booty in the room.
Amazon,
Promising review: "This is one of my favorite pair of jeans. I have been looking for something in this fit for some time now. I am usually a 32, and quite curvy, which causes waist gaps in most jeans. So I ordered the 32 and 33. They both fit quite well. I went with the 33 because it's longer and more roomy around my hips, and gives me the baggy fit I wanted. The cinch waist allowed me to tighten the waist. It really is perfect, and I just ordered this in another color." — Peace
Get them from Amazon for $55.65+ (available in women's sizes 24–34 and four denims).
19. A Grim Steeper silicone tea infuser to remind you that life is, in fact, too short to skip on your delicious morning cuppa.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "My best friend loved this for her birthday. She loves Halloween and tea, and this was such a cute and perfect gift." — Harley Nixon
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
20. " The Peckish Pirates," a brand spanking new addition to the cult-favorite Magic Puzzle series so beloved on TikTok. Like the others before it, this isn't just a puzzle, but a whimsically illustrated, colorful journey — there are tons of Easter eggs in it, a collection of miniature scenes full of optical illusions and surprises, *plus* a magical twist at the end. You'll have to solve the puzzle to find out!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Another stellar puzzle from Magic Puzzle Company, featuring high-quality pieces, a hidden final image, and a unique solving experience. The artwork is full of detail, making it an immersive and engaging build. The pieces fit together snugly, with no puzzle dust, and the final reveal adds an element of surprise. If you're looking for a high-quality puzzle that's more than just a standard jigsaw, this one is worth every penny." — Baloptimus
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (and check out the DELIGHTFUL assortment of Magic Puzzles for more options!).
21. Touchland Body & Hair Mist in Peachy Lychee — yes, plot twist, the iconic brand responsible for your favorite hydrating hand sanitizers just released a "Power Essence" line of straight-up decadent smells, and this one is top tier. It is soft, sweet, and delicious at the same time, and so well-balanced and alluring that I'm like, girl, please. Stop sniffing yourself in public.
Touchland is a small business that specializes in hydrating hand sanitizers and body and hair mists.
Touchland sent me samples of all of the scents in the Power Essence line, and I've truly never been more impressed by body mists. I'm not a big perfume wearer because I am incredibly picky and find a lot of scents too overpowering, or detect something ~off~ about the way they settle that I can't explain. But this collection of lightweight, scrumptious, and creative scents was just full of hit after hit. Peachy Lychee is my absolute favorite right now because it just feels like it bottled up the smell of happiness. Every time I put it on I get a lil' spring in my step!! (But vanilla-loving friends — you do NOT want to sleep on the Vanilla Velvet scent, either!)
Get it from Amazon for $17 (available in eight scents).
22. An effortlessly chic Nine West watch that not only pairs beautifully with your jewelry, but will help knock you out of that habit of checking your phone for time a thousand times a day and getting distracted by your notifications.
Promising review: "Timeless. I love the way this watch looks — elegant and rich-looking. The numbers are big enough to read clearly. I get compliments when I wear it." — Sharon
Psst — if you love the look of the tennis bracelet with it, Pavoi has a GORGEOUS and super affordable tennis bracelet for $17.95 on Amazon! I bought one about a year ago despite wearing it every single day, it looks just like it did when I bought it.
Get it from Amazon for $21.69+ (available in 17 styles).
23. Laneige's Glaze Craze Tinted Polypeptide Lip Serum in two *new* flavors — Strawberry Sprinkles and Blueberry Jelly — that are true contenders in the PANTHEON of amazing shades and flavors this line already has. (Shoutout to the ever-sold-out "Raspberry Jam!") This super nourishing, beautifully tinted, and buildable lip line is perfect for anyone who wants a bit of plump and plenty of moisture and shine in their lip routine.
Promising review (for Strawberry Sprinkles):"Love! Love! Love this product! It makes my lips feel super moisturized and is a lovely shade of pink! It makes my lips look glossy and has pigment, but not too much. The applicator is ingenious! It makes the product so easy to apply! Overall I'm very satisfied and excited to keep using this product!" — Sarina1022
Get it from Sephora for $22 (available in six shades).
24. An oh-so-snuggly Kindle, iPad, and phone lap pillow holder so you can stream content or read the latest fairy, dragon, and/or "dead girl found in the woods" book in the *ultimate* comfort. This can rotate and easily adjust the angle of the screen, and even comes with a little spot to hold a snack!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I love everything about this! Easy to use! Works great for phones or Kindles! Decently priced, lightweight, and very sturdy! The soft pillow provides a comfortable lap experience while reading!" — Kimberly
Get it from Amazon for $35.98.
25. A cheeky pair of double-buckle slides that look like what happens when a Birkenstock from the 2000s falls in love with a jelly sandal from the '90s in a forbidden time-crossed romance.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "So soft and fitted to my feet. Probably going to get other colors very soon. Love an easy slip-on that's affordable." — Bran fish
Get them from Amazon for $27.99 (available in women's sizes 6–11 and dozens of colors).
26. A cowboy boot vase for the precise floral yeehaw energy we're all going to need as Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour kicks off this spring.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Ban.do is a US-based small business that specializes in quirky accessories, home products, and stationery.
Promising review: "Such a cute cowgirl boot. I put my makeup brushes in it on my vanity and it's so cute. All of my friends want one now! Definitely recommend." — Jerrett
Get it from Amazon for $28.95.
27. A charming and oh-so-comfortable tennis skirt with built-in shorts — reviewers compare the buttery soft quality to Lululemon's Align Skirt, and love the secret inner pocket on the shorts for stashing keys and tennis balls.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I wear this going on walks or elevating an outfit to run errands. The side pocket is perfect to fit my phone or wallet. Very comfortable, especially in the spring/summer! Packs well for trips. It's a staple in my closet. Great quality for the price." — Jamie
Get it from Amazon for $29 (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and 20 colors).
28. A compact, beginner-friendly watercolor palette that comes with everything you need to start creating your own masterpieces you can use to decorate your walls in the coziest, most colorful way imaginable — especially with 100 (!!) colors to choose from.
www.amazon.com
Each set comes with a 100-color palette, a sketch pencil, a sponge, a swatch sheet, and three water brush pens.
Promising review:"Love collecting watercolor sets, and this one is amazing — so many exquisite colors to paint with. Creativity is everything, and imagination with all these colors is unlimited. Pure happiness!" — pve
Get it from Amazon for $30.99.
29. Anthropologie's Icon Juice Glass in all kinds of delightfully spring-friendly themes, because if there is one thing I know for sure, it's you can never have too many of these adorable glasses!!
Anthropologie
Promising review: "You can't go wrong with the Icon glassware. Perfect sized, beautiful, and having some weight to it, I love to gift these as housewarming gifts to friends and family." — EmPars
Get it from Anthropologie for $16 (available in 25 styles).
30. Lip Smacker Rolly Lip Gloss so cooling, so silky smooth, and so darn nostalgic that you'll want to try one in every fruity flavor — just don't come crying to me when you accidentally fall into a time machine and wake up in a Backstreet Boys video.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This stuff is not only nostalgic in flavor, style, and smell but this has truly healed my lips. My lips are always so dry and I get little pieces of skin, but this has made my lips completely normal again. This is also a fantastic mood booster for me. I can be having an overwhelming day at work and put this on and the fragrance and flavor just takes me back and boost my mood! " — Tina Laray Bessler
Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in Strawberry, Peach, Grape, and Watermelon).
31. A 5-pound bucket of Crayola Air Dry Clay to let you finally follow your inner pottery dreams without all the mess and effort of taking classes. After you pull the clay out to shape it, it'll harden on its own — no oven or any effort required! From there you can leave it as is or paint over it for a fun vibe.
32. A newly-updated bow throw pillow for anyone whose coquette era is so strong that it doesn't even take a pause when they sleep — these originally only came in solid colors (peep my pink one on my bed at home below), but are so popular that UO just realized patterned versions!
Urban Outfitters, Emma Lord/BuzzFeed
^^ That's my Galinda fever dream of a bedroom up here. I put this pillow in so many pieces for BuzzFeed that I finally just caved and bought her myself. I love her. She makes me so happy every morning when I make my bed and finish it off with a little bow on top. And then I get to "unwrap" her at the end of the day with the gift of sleep. Highly recommend, it changed the whole mood of my (admittedly very pink) room!
Get it from Urban Outfitters for: the original versions for $29 (available in five colors) and the patterned for $39 (available in six patterns).
33. A gorgeous statement checkered cutting board designed with deep grooves for juice, hidden handles on the bottom, and end grain to "heal" cuts from knives. A true overachiever considering it's worth the buy for decor purposes alone!!
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "I am OBSESSED with this cutting board. It is made so well and looks so expensive. Every time I have guests, I will use it as serving tray or display for charcuterie and I always get compliments on it." — Lorrin Farrell
Get it from Amazon for $30.09 (clip the 30% off coupon on the product page for this price).
34. A sheer lacy mock neck top just *begging* to be mix-and-matched with your favorite bras, dresses, and tops to add a dainty layer of ~intrigue~ to even the most run of the mill 'fit.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Obsessed with this lace top!! I have it in brown and am ordering in more colors. Perfect to wear on its own with a bralette/tank or can be layered so many ways! Such great quality and super affordable! Runs true to size! Love the sleeves and neckline of this one!" — Becca
Get it from Amazon for $12.34 (available in women's sizes XS–XL and 11 colors).
35. A set of pastel glitter highlighters I saw on Instagram and NEARLY BLACKED OUT from the cuteness. If you like highlighting your planner pages, favorite passages from books, or lines from your journal, please do yourself a favor and purchase these subtle but oh-so-sparkly colors to jazz them up ✨.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"These are amazing!!! Beautiful colors and the sparkle/shimmer is more than I imagined it would be. Mr. Pen did it again! If you don't have these pens, you need to get them!! Great addition to my journaling supplies!" — FBJH12
Get a set of eight from Amazon for $6.98.
36. A set of vinyl coasters to give your coffee table a delightfully retro nostalgic touch *and* protect it from the perils of condensation mid-party.
Amazon
Promising review:"Good gift. Got these for my wife for her basement bar. They're cute on the pub table and great conversation pieces." — MJ
Get it from Amazon for $10.79.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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41 minutes ago
- Washington Post
As LIV arrives in Virginia, Bryson DeChambeau is its entertainer-in-chief
Bryson DeChambeau's relentless devotion to his craft has become the stuff of legend among peers, who describe the LIV Golf star's work habits as near maniacal. Even when not on the range, the self-proclaimed perfection seeker often is assessing how he can elevate his practice regimen. That attention to preparation and execution has contributed to DeChambeau's two U.S. Open titles, including last year at Pinehurst. It hasn't, however, interfered with another responsibility DeChambeau embraces with similar gusto. As much as winning occupies a wide berth in his headspace, so, too, does being a showman. Forays into that realm have transformed the renegade from the PGA Tour, where he had been a divisive figure, into a social media sensation, with millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram. His YouTube channel has north of 2 million subscribers. DeChambeau's visibility on such platforms is virtually unmatched in the sport. 'Did I ever think it would get this big?' he said during a pretournament news conference ahead of this week's LIV event at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia. 'I had no clue. I really had no idea. Is it now an incredible responsibility? Yes, and I understand that. I want to continue to entertain my fans and continue to play the great game of golf that we all love at the highest level. 'I want to compete, and I want to entertain. Those are the two things I love doing, and it's quite an honor.' Count the president of the United States among his admirers. Earlier this week, DeChambeau visited the White House and, at the urging of President Donald Trump, hit balls on the South Lawn, turning the swath of property into a makeshift par-3. A video of the moment posted by an official White House account on X has been viewed close to 900,000 times. Another viral moment came when DeChambeau traveled to Utah, where he posted to his YouTube channel a video with the tongue-in-cheek title, 'Day in the life of a recreational golfer …' Highlights included flying in a helicopter to a mountain range to hit balls and doing the same at the Bonneville Salt Flats several hours west of Provo. The 63-second clip has generated almost 1 million views. One of DeChambeau's most viewed TikTok videos came in November, five months after outlasting Rory McIlroy by one stroke at the U.S. Open. In the post, which has garnered 1.5 million likes, DeChambeau used a wedge to hit over the roof of his home onto a green in his backyard, needing 134 swings before collecting an ace that triggered a cap-tossing celebratory sprint to retrieve the ball. 'I've always seen this side of him, this playful, fun side, intelligent side, interesting side of him,' said Phil Mickelson, the six-time major champion who departed the PGA Tour for LIV three years ago. 'Since he has really dove into the YouTube space, now everybody gets to see it because he's able to showcase that and not have it filtered by a middle person. … It's been remarkable to see the evolution of that and the way the public has responded to him, because he's always been like that. It just hasn't been able to get noticed, I guess, properly.' Still, the mere mention of DeChambeau can roil PGA Tour loyalists. Some have cast him as a turncoat since he bailed for the Saudi-financed circuit that seeks to disrupt traditional golf norms with 54-hole tournaments in which there are no cuts and team as well as individual competitions. DeChambeau sparked more controversy at this year's Masters after telling reporters that McIlroy, who won his first green jacket to complete a career grand slam, did not speak with him while they played together during the closing round. McIlroy's sports psychologist, the famed Bob Rotella, indicated during a subsequent radio interview with the BBC that the decision not to engage with DeChambeau was strategic and not intended as a personal slight. Also in the aftermath, Padraig Harrington, a three-time major winner, and analyst Brandel Chamblee were critical of DeChambeau. None of that has mattered to DeChambeau's legion of fans who clamor for his autograph at tournaments. DeChambeau reciprocates by signing and posing for pictures before and after each round. He said he plans more of the same this week while also getting his game and mind right for next week's U.S. Open at Oakmont, among the most demanding venues that have hosted the tournament. DeChambeau is aiming to become the first back-to-back winner at the U.S. Open since Brooks Koepka, also on the LIV tour, did so in 2017 and 2018. 'I feel like Bryson is somebody that changes and tries new things every time, which I feel like there's nothing wrong with that,' said Joaquín Niemann, who leads the individual LIV standings, with DeChambeau second. 'You can learn a lot from new experiences. Obviously, he's different. He's way different than me, way different than anybody. The way he approaches the game is completely different, which I feel like is unique, and in his way, it works for him.'


Business of Fashion
an hour ago
- Business of Fashion
How to Master the Art of 'Trash Talk' Marketing
The trash talk being thrown around during the NBA Finals isn't just coming from the players but directly from the marketing departments of the sportswear brands that sponsor them. Minutes after the Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated the Minnesota Timberwolves from the playoffs last week, Converse came out with a video on Instagram depicting an ant seemingly being crushed by the Converse SHAI 001. Even casual basketball fans would recognise the diss: Timberwolves' star shooting guard – and Adidas athlete – Anthony Edwards' nickname is Ant-Man, while the SHAI 001 is the first signature sneaker by Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The post's caption read 'Not hard 2 believe. @shai is headed to the Finals.' This too was a play on Edwards' 'Believe that' Adidas campaigns, itself a trash talk masterpiece, including one ad where he tosses out pairs of rival signature basketball shoes to spotlight his own signature Adidas style. The author has shared an Instagram Post. You will need to accept and consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies by our third-party partners (including: YouTube, Instagram or Twitter), in order to view embedded content in this article and others you may visit in future. 'It was really sharp, not heavy-handed, but a subtle nod [for Converse] to say 'Hey, we see you, we beat you, and we're moving on,'' said Derick Beresford, a sports marketing consultant who previously worked for the Brooklyn Nets and the consumer agency Team Epiphany, who added that the ad has helped Converse Basketball break out in a way it hasn't since the Dwyane Wade era in the 2000s. Trash talk is routine in the cutthroat worlds of soda and wireless carriers, but with a few notable exceptions is pretty rare in fashion. While notable fashion rivalries have surfaced between designers such as Guram and Demna Gvasalia, it's usually been reserved as a war of words since it's typically not chic to bring beef to the runway or glossy ad campaigns. Yet Converse isn't the only brand embracing the energy that comes with talking smack about your competitors. In May, Kiehl's teased that it would become the skincare amenity partner for the luxury New York City gym Life Time with shady posts that nodded to its viral breakup with Equinox last year. In October, the Australian drug store chain Chemist Warehouse recreated a Charlotte Tilbury ad that itself dissed beauty dupes to promote its lower-priced beauty products. Also last year, the cashmere label Naadam unfurled an Instagram campaign that took shots at its rival Quince. Within streetwear, Tremaine Emory's label Denim Tears released a collaborative capsule collection with artist Arthur Jafa in 2024 that addressed Emory's departure as the creative director of Supreme by flipping one of Supreme's iconic brand motifs into a slogan that commented on systemic racism. All these moments arrive with trash talk becoming a larger part of our cultural climate, so much that Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' diss record towards Drake topped Billboard charts and picked up five Grammy awards in February. Consumers are paying attention and are invested in the narratives created by talking smack. 'We're likely experiencing a rise in trash talk within product marketing because it's become more of an accepted form of public discourse,' said Rafi Kohan, a sports journalist who authored the book Trash Talk that explores the psychology and history behind bad-mouthing. Kohan traces trash talk back to biblical times—yes, the Prophet Isaiah penned what was essentially a diss record to the King of Babylon. But it plays especially well in the modern attention economy. Trash talk grabs eyeballs and creates an 'us versus them' narrative that calls upon a brand's audience to pick a side and defend it. So for brands, digging into a competitor can create a marketing moment that fosters a strong sense of customer loyalty and community while also establishing a narrative that positions them as the ones up top. Seizing the Narrative The author has shared an Instagram Post. You will need to accept and consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies by our third-party partners (including: YouTube, Instagram or Twitter), in order to view embedded content in this article and others you may visit in future. That's what the emerging Baltimore-based skate label Carpet Company aimed for when it trash-talked a streetwear competitor named Mertra this year for allegedly copying the brand's viral Instagram video campaign for a heat-reactive jacket Carpet released in 2024. Carpet co-founder Ayman Abdeldayem says that when his customers first tagged the brand in the comments of Mertra's strikingly similar Instagram post in November (which was posted nearly 10 months after Carpet's) he laughed it off. The author has shared an Instagram Post. You will need to accept and consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies by our third-party partners (including: YouTube, Instagram or Twitter), in order to view embedded content in this article and others you may visit in future. But upon seeing Mertra's post go more viral than Carpet's, leading Mertra to gain thousands of followers, and then noticing the brand delete comments on the post that credited Carpet for the concept, Abdeldayem decided to fire back when his label released another iteration of a heat-reactive jacket in January by copying Mertra's campaign. The author has shared an Instagram Post. You will need to accept and consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies by our third-party partners (including: YouTube, Instagram or Twitter), in order to view embedded content in this article and others you may visit in future. 'We have very loyal customers but it didn't boost sales in any way. We more so used it as an opportunity to tell our side of the story without really having to explain it,' said Abdeldayem. 'People still go on that video, and comment, 'You copied Mertra' until they read the comments and then say 'My bad, I see that they copied you.'' Beresford adds that with social media being a dominant form of communication, it's important to understand that the audience trash talk marketing speaks to can be pieced together no matter how subliminal the message is. Both Carpet and Converse didn't tag or directly mention the brands they were targeting in their trash-talking adverts. Yet the message was still clear enough for those in the know. 'People are just more heightened to the awareness of it, and are seeing it play out,' said Beresford. When to Step Back While trash-talking can lead to virality and turn into clickbait headlines or content creator fodder, there is a line. Kohan said there aren't hard and fast rules for when trash talk goes too far, but when it works, it's usually promoting competition and pushing an opponent to perform better, rather than just tearing them down. Carpet's Abdeldayem said he's never one to start beef despite how his situation with Mertra unfolded. It wasn't the first time he felt his brand had been copied. However, in other instances, he took it more as a compliment and felt it wasn't worth engaging. Especially if it was done by brands he grew up on and admired. 'If I were to clap back towards something giant, someone I had a good relationship with, I would make a more solid judgment and not respond to it openly in public,' said Abdeldayem. Granted that a viral trash-talking campaign could potentially lead to a boost in revenue—Glossy reported that sales for Naadam increased by 47 percent during the week it took shots at Quince—brands need to know what their place is in the market and what's authentic to them before talking trash, Beresford said. He noted that Skechers could easily have gone the Converse route with Knicks forward OG Anunoby, who landed memorable moments this NBA season after signing with the brand in February. But that sort of marketing isn't in Skechers' DNA. The author has shared an Instagram Post. You will need to accept and consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies by our third-party partners (including: YouTube, Instagram or Twitter), in order to view embedded content in this article and others you may visit in future. Timing is everything. Last week, Puma released T-shirts that played off the internet peanut gallery labeling Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton as 'overrated.' Beresford said while the concept was good, the execution failed to land a strong punch since it was released before the Pacers won the game that advanced them to the NBA Finals and arrived nearly a day after their last winning playoffs game. 'This game is all about being timely and you got to hit it when that conversation happens, when the moment is hot, because then you carry the conversation,' said Beresford.