Latest news with #KindleFire
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
U.S. Army Sgt. charged with 30 felonies for alleged online sexual relationship with 15-year-old
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. BEAVER COUNTY, Utah () — A U.S. Army Sergeant has been charged with dozens of felonies after investigators discovered his alleged relationship with a 15-year-old from Utah. Tomas Richard Shipman, 27, has been charged with 30 felonies. He is facing 20 charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, 10 charges of dealing in materials harmful to a minor, and one charge of enticing a minor. Sex offender arrested for attempting to meet child in Lehi, documents say According to the arresting statement prepared by the Beaver County Sheriff's Office, Shipman is employed as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army and stationed in Washington state. Officers believe he is stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and is living there at this time. Officers with the Beaver County Sheriff's Office began investigating Shipman after a 15-year-old girl confessed to her parents that she was involved in an online relationship with a 27-year-old man. Her parents turned over the teen's electronic devices to the sheriff's office to perform an investigation. One of the devices, an iPod, was given to the 15-year-old by a friend. Officers spoke with the friend, and he stated that he gave her the device to help her contact her 'boyfriend.' The friend only knew that boyfriend by the name 'Quade,' and believed that he lived in Beaver County. The friend was able to provide the sheriff's office with Shipman's cellphone number. The 15-year-old's parents found a different number in her phone records that they believed belonged to Shipman. Suspect in Riverdale homicide charged with murder, had criminal history After obtaining search warrants, investigators discovered an app called 'TextMe' on a Kindle Fire device that belonged to the 15-year-old. They discovered conversations between her and a phone number that matched the one her friend said belonged to 'Quade.' The 15-year-old told an officer that she and Shipman had been in communication since July 7, 2024. According to documents, she said that he was aware she was 15, and that they had exchanged inappropriate photos. Throughout the conversations on 'TextMe' and Snapchat, police discovered 'expressions of love and endearment' between the two. Shipman sent messages that were extremely graphic and sexual in nature to the 15-year-old girl. Sheriff's officials said that some of the most alarming discoveries were messages where Shipman was finding routes from his home in Washington to where the 15-year-old lived in Utah. Officers said he had begun exhibiting stalking-like behavior in these conversations. A proposed arrest warrant has been filed for Shipman, who is believed to be near Tacoma, Washington, at this time. Warmer temps Friday afternoon ahead of weekend storms Wasatch Mountain State Park: The crown jewel of the Wasatch Back U.S. Army Sgt. charged with 30 felonies for alleged online sexual relationship with 15-year-old National Weather Service issues first Red Flag Warning of the year in Utah SURVEY RESULTS: Utah GOP delegates asked about stripping party membership from signature-gathering candidates Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Business Insider
23-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
I'm a 64-year-old Amazon employee. Retirement wasn't even on my radar, but now I have to leave due to RTO mandates.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lee Ann Million, a 64-year-old executive assistant at Amazon of nearly 14 years who lives in northern Michigan. Business Insider has verified Million's employment history. The following has been edited for length and clarity. I've been an executive assistant at Amazon since 2011. In June, I would've celebrated my 14th year. My role is to get the leaders I work for where they need to be — a meeting, a country, whatever — as quickly and as efficiently as I can. I handle their calendars, manage their projects, track their goals, and wrangle their teams. The relationship between an EA and the leader they work for is one of the most critical to how an organization operates. I worked in virtual roles for seven years before the RTO push started in February 2023, so my manager at the time and I didn't think the mandate would have any impact on me. Instead, after receiving two remote work exceptions, April 30 will be my last day at Amazon. I'm not leaving voluntarily; as far as I'm concerned, they're firing me. I'm a good employee. My performance review this year said I significantly exceeded expectations. I've given the company 100% of myself for 14 years; to have to leave is demoralizing and perplexing. I loved working at Amazon — then RTO happened I love how you can reinvent yourself at Amazon. I've had the chance to have a bunch of different careers and get exposure to many different teams. When I started, I worked out of Seattle HQ for five years on the Kindle Fire launch team. In my first three months, it felt like all I did was run around — it was a great, electric time to be at Amazon. In 2016, my oldest daughter became ill, and I needed to move to Indiana to be closer to family. Soon after that, I was able to start working virtually and was successful at doing so. When three-day RTO was announced in February 2023, I found a house in Michigan and had to submit a change of address request. My request was rejected immediately because of RTO, and my HR rep instructed me to complete a remote work exception form. My manager, who's also a virtual employee, and I went back and forth with HR to explain that I was already a virtual employee, but we still filled out the form. I offered to work out of the Chicago office to stay on my team, since I have family there, but I was only given the option to move to Seattle or Washington, D.C., which wasn't feasible for me. In November 2023, my change of address request was approved by the VP of my organization — with the caveat that I retire in August 2024. It felt completely out of the blue. I was like, "Who said anything about retiring?" Retire is a very ageist word. After several more conversations with HR in July 2024 — a month before I was supposed to leave — they ended up extending my remote work exception until April 30 of this year. When I realized the end was coming, I thought they could at least bridge the gap I kept thinking somebody would change things. I've even tried to find other virtual roles within Amazon. There was one role that felt like it was made for me: It was fully virtual, and they were looking for someone with a lot of soft skills and relationship-building strengths, which I've been recognized for in the past. I had several informational chats, but then they went dark on me. Earlier this year, I realized, Oh my God, I'm a few months away and no one's intervening on my behalf. I thought that maybe Amazon could at least bridge the 11-month gap until I turn 65 next year and become eligible for Medicare. In my view, it'd be like a severance package, allowing me to delay taking my Social Security and maintain my insurance without having to pay for COBRA. I also have 38 shares of stock that vest in May and 37 shares that vest in November. In February, I tried emailing an Amazon HR executive to ask about bridging the gap. It's not unusual for Amazon employees to reach out to leaders directly. I was hurt and disappointed that she never replied to my email, though another HR staff member reached out and extended my termination date to June 1. The last day I'll work will still be April 30, giving me an additional month of salary, two months of insurance, and my 38 shares of stock that vest in May. My adult daughter is disabled, and Amazon has kept her on my insurance past the age of 26, which I'm forever grateful for. Losing my insurance in two months is what scares me more than anything. Amazon has been very good to me. But I just find it cold-hearted, in the grand scheme of things, for them not to bridge the 11-month gap for someone who's been there for 14 years, to get me to Medicare and give my daughter a little more time. I also won't get my 37 shares that would vest in November. I'll have to accept a permanent reduction in my monthly Social Security payment since I'm taking it out earlier than planned. I'm waiting on my final estimate from the Social Security Administration, but as of today, it looks like it'll be almost $600 less than if I worked until I was 67. Amazon didn't used to be this cold; something has changed. There are so many good things about Amazon, and it's sad that this is how it's playing out. Retirement wasn't on my radar I've always worked and supported my three daughters as a single mom, and I still help them. When my income stops, then my ability to help them — especially my disabled daughter — stops too. As long as I could work virtually, my plan was to keep going; retirement really wasn't on my radar. I'm fortunate that I love what I do. I just wish I could keep doing it. You can love your company and not the decisions that are being made; that's kind of how I feel. Sticking my head in the sand isn't a plan, so I've got to figure something out. I think my age is absolutely going to play a factor — I'm a 14-year high-performing employee and can't even get Amazon to hire me into another role. So I'm not optimistic about finding a role like this one externally. More than anything, I need to nurture myself a little bit. I'm healthy and can work. If I need to go work at the grocery store or at McDonald's or something, that's fine. I'll figure it out. A spokesperson for Amazon said in a statement: "Ms. Million's alleged experience doesn't represent the experiences of the vast majority of employees at the company. And while we don't normally share details about an individual's situation, because Ms. Million's account lacks important details and context, we're compelled to share some facts to ensure the record is accurate. We informed Ms. Million in 2023 that we'd be asking her to relocate and join her colleagues in working from the office, and we worked with her directly to address her specific requests over the years — including extending her virtual location exception on three separate occasions. We continue to believe that the advantages of being together in the office are significant, and when in-person accommodations are needed, we provide them."
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
I'm a 64-year-old Amazon employee. Retirement wasn't even on my radar, but I'm being forced to leave due to RTO mandates.
Lee Ann Million has been an executive assistant at Amazon since 2011 and has worked remotely for nine years. Due to Amazon's return-to-office policy, Million has been told that her last day is April 30. She said she isn't leaving voluntarily and feels like she's being fired despite excellent performance. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lee Ann Million, a 64-year-old executive assistant at Amazon of nearly 14 years who lives in northern Michigan. Business Insider has verified Million's employment history. The following has been edited for length and clarity. I've been an executive assistant at Amazon since 2011. In June, I would've celebrated my 14th year. My role is to get the leaders I work for where they need to be — a meeting, a country, whatever — as quickly and as efficiently as I can. I handle their calendars, manage their projects, track their goals, and wrangle their teams. The relationship between an EA and the leader they work for is one of the most critical to how an organization operates. I worked in virtual roles for seven years before the RTO push started in February 2023, so my manager at the time and I didn't think the mandate would have any impact on me. Instead, after receiving two remote work exceptions, April 30 will be my last day at Amazon. I'm not leaving voluntarily; as far as I'm concerned, they're firing me. I'm a good employee. My performance review this year said I significantly exceeded expectations. I've given the company 100% of myself for 14 years; to have to leave is demoralizing and perplexing. I love how you can reinvent yourself at Amazon. I've had the chance to have a bunch of different careers and get exposure to many different teams. When I started, I worked out of Seattle HQ for five years on the Kindle Fire launch team. In my first three months, it felt like all I did was run around — it was a great, electric time to be at Amazon. In 2016, my oldest daughter became ill, and I needed to move to Indiana to be closer to family. Soon after that, I was able to start working virtually and was successful at doing so. When three-day RTO was announced in February 2023, I found a house in Michigan and had to submit a change of address request. My request was rejected immediately because of RTO, and my HR rep instructed me to complete a remote work exception form. My manager, who's also a virtual employee, and I went back and forth with HR to explain that I was already a virtual employee, but we still filled out the form. I offered to work out of the Chicago office to stay on my team, since I have family there, but I was only given the option to move to Seattle or Washington, D.C., which wasn't feasible for me. In November 2023, my change of address request was approved by the VP of my organization — with the caveat that I retire in August 2024. It felt completely out of the blue. I was like, "Who said anything about retiring?" Retire is a very ageist word. After several more conversations with HR in July 2024 — a month before I was supposed to leave — they ended up extending my remote work exception until April 30 of this year. I kept thinking somebody would change things. I've even tried to find other virtual roles within Amazon. There was one role that felt like it was made for me: It was fully virtual, and they were looking for someone with a lot of soft skills and relationship-building strengths, which I've been recognized for in the past. I had several informational chats, but then they went dark on me. Earlier this year, I realized, Oh my God, I'm a few months away and no one's intervening on my behalf. I thought that maybe Amazon could at least bridge the 11-month gap until I turn 65 next year and become eligible for Medicare. In my view, it'd be like a severance package, allowing me to delay taking my Social Security and maintain my insurance without having to pay for COBRA. I also have 38 shares of stock that vest in May and 37 shares that vest in November. In February, I tried emailing an Amazon HR executive to ask about bridging the gap. It's not unusual for Amazon employees to reach out to leaders directly. I was hurt and disappointed that she never replied to my email, though another HR staff member reached out and extended my termination date to June 1. The last day I'll work will still be April 30, giving me an additional month of salary, two months of insurance, and my 38 shares of stock that vest in May. My adult daughter is disabled, and Amazon has kept her on my insurance past the age of 26, which I'm forever grateful for. Losing my insurance in two months is what scares me more than anything. Amazon has been very good to me. But I just find it cold-hearted, in the grand scheme of things, for them not to bridge the 11-month gap for someone who's been there for 14 years, to get me to Medicare and give my daughter a little more time. I also won't get my 37 shares that would vest in November. I'll have to accept a permanent reduction in my monthly Social Security payment since I'm taking it out earlier than planned. I'm waiting on my final estimate from the Social Security Administration, but as of today, it looks like it'll be almost $600 less than if I worked until I was 67. Amazon didn't used to be this cold; something has changed. There are so many good things about Amazon, and it's sad that this is how it's playing out. I've always worked and supported my three daughters as a single mom, and I still help them. When my income stops, then my ability to help them — especially my disabled daughter — stops too. As long as I could work virtually, my plan was to keep going; retirement really wasn't on my radar. I'm fortunate that I love what I do. I just wish I could keep doing it. You can love your company and not the decisions that are being made; that's kind of how I feel. Sticking my head in the sand isn't a plan, so I've got to figure something out. I think my age is absolutely going to play a factor — I'm a 14-year high-performing employee and can't even get Amazon to hire me into another role. So I'm not optimistic about finding a role like this one externally. More than anything, I need to nurture myself a little bit. I'm healthy and can work. If I need to go work at the grocery store or at McDonald's or something, that's fine. I'll figure it out. A spokesperson for Amazon said in a statement: "Ms. Million's alleged experience doesn't represent the experiences of the vast majority of employees at the company. And while we don't normally share details about an individual's situation, because Ms. Million's account lacks important details and context, we're compelled to share some facts to ensure the record is accurate. We informed Ms. Million in 2023 that we'd be asking her to relocate and join her colleagues in working from the office, and we worked with her directly to address her specific requests over the years — including extending her virtual location exception on three separate occasions. We continue to believe that the advantages of being together in the office are significant, and when in-person accommodations are needed, we provide them." Have a story or tip? Contact this reporter via email at janezhang@ or janezhang_businessinsider@ or via Signal at janezhang.01. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
23-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
I'm a 64-year-old Amazon employee. Retirement wasn't even on my radar, but I'm being forced to leave due to RTO mandates.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lee Ann Million, a 64-year-old executive assistant at Amazon of nearly 14 years who lives in northern Michigan. Business Insider has verified Million's employment history. The following has been edited for length and clarity. I've been an executive assistant at Amazon since 2011. In June, I would've celebrated my 14th year. My role is to get the leaders I work for where they need to be — a meeting, a country, whatever — as quickly and as efficiently as I can. I handle their calendars, manage their projects, track their goals, and wrangle their teams. The relationship between an EA and the leader they work for is one of the most critical to how an organization operates. I worked in virtual roles for seven years before the RTO push started in February 2023, so my manager at the time and I didn't think the mandate would have any impact on me. Instead, after receiving two remote work exceptions, April 30 will be my last day at Amazon. I'm not leaving voluntarily; as far as I'm concerned, they're firing me. I'm a good employee. My performance review this year said I significantly exceeded expectations. I've given the company 100% of myself for 14 years; to have to leave is demoralizing and perplexing. I loved working at Amazon — then RTO happened I love how you can reinvent yourself at Amazon. I've had the chance to have a bunch of different careers and get exposure to many different teams. When I started, I worked out of Seattle HQ for five years on the Kindle Fire launch team. In my first three months, it felt like all I did was run around — it was a great, electric time to be at Amazon. In 2016, my oldest daughter became ill, and I needed to move to Indiana to be closer to family. Soon after that, I was able to start working virtually and was successful at doing so. When three-day RTO was announced in February 2023, I found a house in Michigan and had to submit a change of address request. My request was rejected immediately because of RTO, and my HR rep instructed me to complete a remote work exception form. My manager, who's also a virtual employee, and I went back and forth with HR to explain that I was already a virtual employee, but we still filled out the form. I offered to work out of the Chicago office to stay on my team, since I have family there, but I was only given the option to move to Seattle or Washington, D.C., which wasn't feasible for me. In November 2023, my change of address request was approved by the VP of my organization — with the caveat that I retire in August 2024. It felt completely out of the blue. I was like, "Who said anything about retiring?" Retire is a very ageist word. After several more conversations with HR in July 2024 — a month before I was supposed to leave — they ended up extending my remote work exception until April 30 of this year. When I realized the end was coming, I thought they could at least bridge the gap I kept thinking somebody would change things. I've even tried to find other virtual roles within Amazon. There was one role that felt like it was made for me: It was fully virtual, and they were looking for someone with a lot of soft skills and relationship-building strengths, which I've been recognized for in the past. I had several informational chats, but then they went dark on me. Earlier this year, I realized, Oh my God, I'm a few months away and no one's intervening on my behalf. I thought that maybe Amazon could at least bridge the 11-month gap until I turn 65 next year and become eligible for Medicare. In my view, it'd be like a severance package, allowing me to delay taking my Social Security and maintain my insurance without having to pay for COBRA. I also have 38 shares of stock that vest in May and 37 shares that vest in November. In February, I tried emailing an Amazon HR executive to ask about bridging the gap. It's not unusual for Amazon employees to reach out to leaders directly. I was hurt and disappointed that she never replied to my email, though another HR staff member reached out and extended my termination date to June 1. The last day I'll work will still be April 30, giving me an additional month of salary, two months of insurance, and my 38 shares of stock that vest in May. My adult daughter is disabled, and Amazon has kept her on my insurance past the age of 26, which I'm forever grateful for. Losing my insurance in two months is what scares me more than anything. Amazon has been very good to me. But I just find it cold-hearted, in the grand scheme of things, for them not to bridge the 11-month gap for someone who's been there for 14 years, to get me to Medicare and give my daughter a little more time. I also won't get my 37 shares that would vest in November. I'll have to accept a permanent reduction in my monthly Social Security payment since I'm taking it out earlier than planned. I'm waiting on my final estimate from the Social Security Administration, but as of today, it looks like it'll be almost $600 less than if I worked until I was 67. Amazon didn't used to be this cold; something has changed. There are so many good things about Amazon, and it's sad that this is how it's playing out. Retirement wasn't on my radar I've always worked and supported my three daughters as a single mom, and I still help them. When my income stops, then my ability to help them — especially my disabled daughter — stops too. As long as I could work virtually, my plan was to keep going; retirement really wasn't on my radar. I'm fortunate that I love what I do. I just wish I could keep doing it. You can love your company and not the decisions that are being made; that's kind of how I feel. Sticking my head in the sand isn't a plan, so I've got to figure something out. I think my age is absolutely going to play a factor — I'm a 14-year high-performing employee and can't even get Amazon to hire me into another role. So I'm not optimistic about finding a role like this one externally. More than anything, I need to nurture myself a little bit. I'm healthy and can work. If I need to go work at the grocery store or at McDonald's or something, that's fine. I'll figure it out. A spokesperson for Amazon said in a statement: "Ms. Million's alleged experience doesn't represent the experiences of the vast majority of employees at the company. And while we don't normally share details about an individual's situation, because Ms. Million's account lacks important details and context, we're compelled to share some facts to ensure the record is accurate. We informed Ms. Million in 2023 that we'd be asking her to relocate and join her colleagues in working from the office, and we worked with her directly to address her specific requests over the years — including extending her virtual location exception on three separate occasions. We continue to believe that the advantages of being together in the office are significant, and when in-person accommodations are needed, we provide them."
Buzz Feed
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Check Out This List Of 24 Cool Products If You're Looking For Something A Little Different
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. Shopping · We scoured the internet for products that just *feel* extra special. 1. A teeny-tiny blender that actually works! It has two speeds and will come in handy when you need to whip up a quick breakfast for a family of mice. The blender is a toy (with plastic "blades") so it really stirs more than blends. It can be charged with a USB cord or powered with AAA batteries. Get it from Amazon for $16.26. 2. A cherry carafe with a matching leaf-adorned drinking glass. Guests are gonna be soooo impressed when they see this on their bedside table! What a sweet piece of decor. 🍒 Promising review: "I got this to have on my nightstand so I have easy access to water whenever I need it (medication, etc). The cherry design is so cute and the cup with leaf handle is just my aesthetic. Love love love." — Caitlin C. 3. Speaking of mushrooms, a 1,000-piece puzzle featuring a peaceful forest scene. The jigsaw comes in a drawstring cloth bag and a postcard of the art, making this a super cute gift! Ordinary Habit Ordinary Habit is a small business that sells puzzles. They donate a portion of proceeds to The Loveland Foundation. Get it from Ordinary Habit for $48. 4. A spherical puzzle that leaves you with a fun, patterned planter cover once you're finished assembling it! The 80-piece puzzle is faster than most jigsaws *and* it gives you a place to put your new cactus friend. It comes with an inner pot (with drainage holes!) to insert into your finished project. Promising review: "I enjoy puzzles, so my daughter got me one of these flower pot puzzles for my birthday. I had never seen anything like it! I liked it so much I got one for my sister for her birthday. It took me about 20 minutes to put mine together. The pieces are made of a thick plastic and snap together securely. I like that the inner lining of the pot has drainage holes. I planted a small succulent in mine. Great for a unique gift for the puzzle lover!" — Jaycee Get it from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in nine patterns). 5. A gooseneck tablet and phone stand you can attach to your bed frame or nightstand so you can achieve triple-screen relax mode. While I don't condone watching TV, scrolling on Twitter, and online shopping all at once, it IS something I'm guilty of. Amazon, It works with the iPad Air Mini, Galaxy Tab, Kindle Fire, Nintendo Switch, and other 4.7-10.5-inch devices. Promising review:"It is a very cool device and I love using it with my Kindle and Kindle page turner for hands-free reading!!! It is very secure and doesn't move once attached properly. It is tough to adjust if it's not attached and I like that. Highly recommend!" — Dottie Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in black and white). 6. Jelly-filled fruit gummies that are soooo good. Like sooOOOOoo good — you gotta try them. Trust me! They look like forbidden candy (Tide Pods) but you actually can eat them. 🥲 Note: Reviews looked mixed for this candy because the gummies tends to melt into a giant blob when shipped in the summer. Promising review: "AHHHHH THESE ARE SO GOOD!!! I bought them from a candy store, but unfortunately it is about an hour away and I can't drive, so I had no way to get them until Amos had a really good discount on these!! Great candy and I love the makers of it." — KEVIN V. Get them from Amazon for $14.99 (available in four flavors and different pack sizes). 7. A working claw machine you can fill with any tiny treats you'd like, from squishy toys to candy bones. Now you can say, "we have claw machine at home." The machine comes with fake coins to activate, but it also works with real quarters. Reviewers warn that it's pretty loud and burns through D batteries. Promising review: "This game is awesome! So worth the purchase! I got it for my niece's 4th birthday and it was a hit! I read all the reviews prior to purchasing and I highly recommend doing that. I was able to buy smaller toys and figurines to throw in there as well as some bite size candy so I could have it ready for her to open and play with." — Chelsey Get it from Amazon for $38.99. 8. And if you're looking for something to put in the claw machine, a pack of Squish-a-longs — miniature Squishmallows standing at only one inch tall. Each set comes with accessories for your new friends *and* a hidden figure. I wonder if you'll find the rare one! Promising review: "My kids and I love these mini-mallows. They are firm, but you don't miss the squish. We also love the accessories. Much more affordable to collect, as opposed to the full-size characters." — Squish Squad Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four sets), a pack of 14 from Target for $14.99, or a pack of 25 from Best Buy for $24.99. 9. A crinkle cutter that'll be your go-to tool when you want to make fries, wavy cookie shapes, or fruit dippers. The stainless steel tool comes in a variety of handle options so you can pick your perfect grip. Amazon Promising review: "Purchased for two reasons: one, to cut fruits and veggies. And two, to cut my wax bars to make samples. They are light and fit perfectly in my hand, are sharp and clean cut. I love the crinkle design." — Megan H Get it from Amazon for $5.99. 10. A heartbreakingly adorable kettle lighter that brings a cozy, cheerful vibe to the function that people really like. Just look at the cute face! (｡◕ ᄋ ◕｡) Lian Soy This doesn't come filled, so grab some butane here. Just remember to let sit for a few minutes after refilling before lighting! Lian Soy is a Taiwanese-American-owned brand that sells miniature goodies like hair accessories and lighters. Get it from Lian Soy for $35 (originally $40). 11. Ghosts Can't Draw — a fun, spooky blend of Pictionary and a Ouija board with a GLOW-IN-THE-DARK ghostly marker holder. The game even comes with a spooky soundtrack timer to set the mood. Amazon Here's how to play: One player will be the secret ghost. Everyone will put their hands on the placard and the ghost will sneakily try to draw a prompt. Players need to guess what the ghost was trying to draw *and* figure out who the undead artist is. This is good for 2–6 players ages 8 and up. Watch this TikTok to learn more! Get it from Amazon for $24.99. 12. A WORKING miniature slot machine keychain that's one part fidget toy and one part lucky charm. What happens on your key ring stays on your key ring. Amazon, Promising review: "SO CUTE. I got this for my friend at work who loves to gamble and it's super fun and cute! When you pull the lever, do keep in mind that it doesn't spin each slot individually, it just spins one static roll so there's only as many possible outcomes as there are rows on the one roll." — Shannon Get it from Amazon for $6.95. 13. And a miniature Otamatone keychain for playing little ditties on the go. I can't tell you how many times I've been on a date and wished I had my little music note instrument so I could serenade them. This version has classic (public domain) tunes that you can play along with by pressing the button in rhythm to the song. Amazon If you're unfamiliar with the Otamatone, it's a Japanese musical toy shaped like an eighth note that sings when you squeeze it's mouth and touch its fretboard. Promising review: "My kid loves the Otamatone. He already has an original one so I decided to get this keychain for Christmas. This one has 11 songs built in (original Otamatone doesn't) and you can demo play all songs or you can play them by yourself (it plays songs and you control rhythms)." — M. BARE Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in three colors). 14. A soft, cushiony cat bed that looks like a soup can. Your little chicken noodle will love lounging on the removable cushion and hiding under the can flap. It's good for cats and dogs up to 15 pounds. Promising review: "My cats love it, especially when I put it down in a beam of light and with a view of the window, I was worried they might not use it because the open top of the can kind of caves inwards onto the bed, but my cats don't seem to mind. Seems sturdy — my cats like to put their head on the rim and it doesn't collapse. Looks comfy too, there's a nice pillow in the can and I think it's worth the price if you have money and want a cat bed that's not just a bed. This is so cute and everyone loves my cat soup." — Bryton Get it from Amazon for $26.99. 15. A hanging air freshener for all you silly gooses out there. The clay cups come with a wool ball you can soak with your favorite essential oil, but you can also remove it and use the bird as an air plant holder. Grab essential oils here or some air plants here. Alfiggery is a small business based in Ukraine. If you want a custom size or color, message them. Promising review: "This is my new go-to gift! I love these so much! They're so beautiful, with such attention to detail, and packaging is so cute — everything is a yes. I'm so glad I found this shop!" — Hillary Get it from Alfiggery on Etsy for $33.96+ (available in 16 colors, with or without legs). 16. An automatic mouthwash dispenser that'll make you feel like you have an at-home restroom attendant. The waterproof device has an auto-cleaning feature and three dispensing modes. Just place the included magnetic cup, press the button, and freshen up. Amazon The rechargeable device can sit on your sink counter or be mounted on the wall with screws or 3M tape. Promising review: "This works great and you can adjust how much mouthwash you need. I find that I use it more because I have it out on my sink. I don't have to worry about filling the cap of the mouthwash to use. Much better and more sterile to use this device and it looks great in my main bathroom." — Lisa Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in three colors). 17. Talking Hearts — a deck of conversation cards for couples looking to deepen their connection or just pass the time on a long trip. There are 200 questions, plus two wild cards to keep conversation flowing. Promising review: "This game is so fun! My husband and I pick one card and if the question is a little more difficult we put it on the fridge and give each other time to answer. Has added a little more genuine conversation into our weeknights raising two girls." — Derrek & Abby Get it from Amazon for $18.99. 18. The I Love Trader Joe's Cookbook boasting 150 recipes that all incorporate ingredients found at everyone's favorite snack store. TJ's might not sell a lot of grocery staples, but they do have what you need to make chile and crab chowder, lamb loin with pomegranate reduction, and margarita pork chops! Amazon 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 are noted 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 $13.87. 19. A stuffed waffle maker hard at work making breakfasts and desserts previously only experienced in dreams. It's designed with a deep, bowl-like griddle so you can cook your batter with fillings. (Fruit, whipped cream, After all, why should pizza have all the fun with stuffed crust? The maker comes with built-in tongs and flips upside down to ensure an even cook. The nonstick pan is easy to wipe clean when you're done and even locks in a vertical position to make it easier to store. 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 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. 20. A freaky little butterfly figurine that serves no other purpose than looking really cool on your shelf. The trio (Happy Paul, Pretty Mary, and Sweet Peter) have a certain je ne sais quoi that'll add some intrigue to your bookshelf or desk. And yes, they glow in the dark. 😎 Leeeeee Leeeeee Toy Company is a small business that sells cool, surrealist toys. Get it from Leeeeee for $30 (available in three styles or a set). 21. A set of LED lightsaber chopsticks to make fights over the last dumpling extra dramatic. They can change colors (red, blue, yellow, purple, and multicolor) so you can either make them match or change to red and blue to recreate The Duel on Cloud City. Promising review:"The chopsticks are very durable, and the glow is bright. They're a bit bigger that I expected — but very pleased nonetheless with the product because it serves the purpose and is entertaining for kids, right up to adult Star Wars nerds. It also made the perfect gift for my fellow Star Wars nerds. I've been too busy playing with them rather than using them to eat food — but hopefully that will eventually happen before the batteries need changing." — Anthony Get it from Amazon for $11.97. 22. Soot sprite dryer balls sure to look sooo cute bouncing around in your dryer. Besides being adorable, they might reduce drying time, prevent wrinkles, and soften clothes, all without coating your stuff in a waxy residue like dryer sheets do. Dryer balls are eco-friendly *and* budget friendly because you can use them over and over. Friendsheep is a small business that sells dryer balls handmade by women in Kathmandu, Nepal. Promising review: "These are so incredibly cute! I love that they look like soot sprites! I used them today and noticed a significant decrease in drying time. No static, and able to be scented with essential oils. A great alternative to polyester, single use dryer sheets." — Daria Get a pack of three from Amazon for $18. 23. A collection of ombre nesting bowls that aren't just cute — they're nonslip, dishwasher safe, freezer safe, food safe, and BPA free. And how convenient are those windows that let you take a peek to see if your guacamole has browned? Amazon Promising review:" I like the fact that these bowls are deep rather than wide so they don't take up a lot of shelf space. The colors are beautiful. I threw all my old bowls with mismatched lids away!" — Lisa Jean Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in two set sizes, two styles, and 18 colorways). 24. A disco ball planter to make every day a party with all your houseplants as the groovy guests. It comes with two options for hanging (a sturdy chain and a macrame hanger), so set up is a breeze.
