Latest news with #SecretSanta


Time Business News
7 days ago
- Business
- Time Business News
20 Hilarious Gift Ideas That Make the Best Funny Office Gifts
If you're on the hunt for the funniest office gifts that will have your coworkers talking long after the party ends, you're in the right place. Whether you need a last-minute item for a workplace celebration, a holiday exchange, or a Secret Santa surprise, this list of funny office gifts, funny coworker gifts, and funny white elephant gifts has you covered. Why Go for Funny Office Gifts? Humor is one of the best ways to break the ice, bond with coworkers, and make your workplace a bit more enjoyable. A well-timed joke gift can lighten the mood, improve team morale, and even become the highlight of the office party. With that in mind, let's dive into some hilarious ideas your coworkers will love. 1. Desktop Punching Bag Perfect for those stressful workdays. Just stick it on a desk and let the rage out — quietly and professionally, of course. 2. 'Meeting That Could Have Been an Email' Mug Because we've all sat through one. This mug is passive-aggressive humor at its finest. 3. Mini Wacky Waving Inflatable Tube Guy Straight out of a car dealership ad, but in miniature. It dances, it waves, and it cracks everyone up. 4. Toilet Golf Set Why not multitask during bathroom breaks? A weirdly popular gift and a true conversation starter. 5. Fake Mold Sandwich Bags Great for protecting your lunch — nobody's stealing that old-looking sandwich. Funny Coworker Gifts That Will Win You 'Most Fun Colleague' Award If you're shopping specifically for a teammate or buddy at work, these funny coworker gifts are ideal for birthdays, farewells, or just-because moments. 6. Decision-Making Dice Let your coworker roll their fate—options include 'Ask Again,' 'Take a Break,' or 'Panic.' 7. Memo Pads with Sarcastic Phrases Because 'ASAP' and 'I need this yesterday' don't always cut it. 8. Tiny Hands Set Hand over reports with these and see how long it takes for HR to notice. 9. 'I Survived Another Meeting' Award Ribbon Perfect for your overachieving office buddy who bravely attends all those endless Zoom calls. 10. Custom Bobblehead Send in a picture and get your coworker immortalized — with an oversized wobbling head. Best Funny White Elephant Gifts to Steal the Show For chaotic and fun gift swaps, nothing beats a good funny white elephant gift. These are supposed to be weird, unexpected, and hilarious. 11. Taco Cat Jigsaw Puzzle It's random, it's colorful, and it's confusing — everything a white elephant gift should be. 12. Bathroom Guest Book Let your guests (or coworkers) reflect deeply during their bathroom breaks. 13. Emergency Underpants Tin Yes, it's real. Yes, someone will definitely steal this gift during the swap. 14. Fart Machine A classic gag. Hide it under a desk or chair and let the laughter begin. 15. Miniature Desktop Dumpster Fire The most relatable 2020+ themed gift ever created. Ideal for anyone who says, 'It's fine, I'm fine.' Bonus: 5 More Funny Office Gifts That Everyone Secretly Wants 16. USB-Powered Coffee Warmer (because lukewarm coffee = sad worker) 17. Sarcastic Ball (like a Magic 8-Ball with attitude) 18. Canned Air from Another City (like NYC air, now in a can!) 19. Cubicle Guestbook (for all your 'visitors') 20. 'Out of Office' Desk Bell (ring it and walk away dramatically) Final Thoughts Whether you're shopping for a hilarious Secret Santa exchange, a coworker's birthday, or just to spice up the office vibe, these funny office gifts, funny coworker gifts, and funny white elephant gifts will make sure you're remembered for all the right (and ridiculous) reasons. TIME BUSINESS NEWS


The Guardian
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘Something to believe in, even if it's deeply silly': why 15,000 people signed up to a letter-writing project
When you think of your mailbox, what comes to mind? Fliers that head straight to the trash, tax forms and bank statements, the dreaded jury duty notice. Maybe a magazine or two, if you're lucky. Most likely, it's been a long time since you've been excited to get snail mail. But after nearly five years of being a habitual letter writer, Rachel Syme has found that there's so much to savor that can only come through a mailbox. The joy of receiving a written recipe, or sending delicately pressed flowers to a friend; of luxuriating in the scandalous office drama of a pen pal from across the country, or writing a poetic screed about a nemesis. Syme learned that letters aren't just a medium of communication, but also a form of art. After sharing letter-writing tips in newsletters and online for years, Syme packed all of her advice into a book, Syme's Letter Writer: A Guide to Modern Correspondence, released in January. The book is loosely inspired by a Victorian-era how-to guide written by Sarah Annie Frost-Shields, a housewife who published several volumes on etiquette. Syme came across Frost's manual in 2020, as she was researching the history of letter writing. While Syme's version leaves out such dubious tips as 'cold water refreshes and invigorates but does not cleanse', she does offer readers advice on what to collect to put in letters (think pre-wrapped tea bags and Polaroids; but sending 'glitter bombs' is close to sin) and how to sharpen their language when writing about the weather (instead of describing summer as 'hot' or 'humid', how about 'sultry' or 'torrid'?). Much of her advice encourages a certain kind of noticing that only happens offline. It's the satisfaction of picking out the perfect stationery, spritzing a letter with a touch of perfume and finding the perfect way to describe a cloudy day. (Syme favors handwritten notes, though typewriters work in a pinch.) Letters give correspondents 'the opportunity to tour through your curiosity and tastes every time you sit at your desk', Syme writes. 'It also gives you the chance to believe in something, even if it feels deeply silly.' For Syme, life as a habitual letter writer started in the early days of the pandemic in 2020, when she put out a pen pal request on her social media accounts. Hundreds responded, an impossible number of correspondents to manage. So Syme became a pen pal fairy godmother of sorts, matching pen pals around the world with each other using Elfster, a website designed to coordinate Secret Santa exchanges. More than 15,000 people would ultimately sign up for the project, eventually called Penpalooza. At the peak of her letter writing, Syme said she was getting 10 to 15 letters a day. Over the years, she's filled at least 20 shoe boxes with them. While it's natural for many pen pal relationships to fade away over time, Syme said she'd heard many stories of pen pals she set up maintaining their correspondence for years. She herself has two ride-or-die pen pals. 'There's an unwritten rule of a letter, which is that whatever happens in this letter stays in the letter,' Syme said. 'Letters give you that kind of permission. There's an intimacy to it.' It's also one of the few things in the age of the internet that feels like it exists outside of time. You can take your time with a letter. The rush to read or reply is removed. The letter is there, waiting for you when you're ready. 'You're just getting to know one another, you're just writing about what you're thinking and what you're feeling. It's so low stakes that in so many ways, I find it to be the most freeing way of talking to anybody else,' Syme said. 'You're writing with a goal of a deeper connection with another person. I don't know that many mediums that have that goal any more.' To understand the depth achieved in letters, Syme explored the relationship between several writers and their closest correspondents. Julia Child was pen pals with the book editor Avis DeVoto for most of her adult life, where they shared their dreams and fears, gossip, delicious musings on cooking – and even their thoughts on sex. After reading Peyton Place, a novel about women experiencing their sexual awakenings during the second world war, Childs wrote to Devoto: 'Before marriage I was wildly interested in sex, but since joining up with my old goat, it has taken its proper position in my life. 'Those women, stroked in the right places until they quiver like old Stradivarii!' she said about the book. 'Quite enjoyed it, though feeling an underlying abyss of trash.' The writer James Joyce wrote excited love letters to his wife, Nora Barnacle, who he once called 'my dirty little fuckbird' in a letter. Jane Austen often sent sharp-tongued letters to her elder sister Cassandra while she was in a period of frustration over her writing. 'I am forced to be abusive out of want for a subject, having nothing really to say,' she wrote at the time. Even though Syme, a staff writer at the New Yorker, is busier now than during the pandemic's lockdown, she prioritizes her letters. She brings them to read on the subway, and will start writing a letter if she's waiting for a friend at a bar. And she has made a ritual out of responding to her correspondences, making a kettle of tea, putting on some music and lighting candles. 'I've never gotten a letter and have been like, 'Ugh, another one.' Never once,' Syme said. 'I just get excited to hear from people. I'm an extrovert, I love to connect with people. It's all I ever wanted when I was a little kid growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, staring out of my window at tumbleweeds going by. That's not an exaggeration. I just dreamed of having so many people that I could communicate with and write to.' For those who want to try letter writing, you can start with friends and family. Many organizations also connect people with strangers to start correspondences with. Letters to Strangers matches up pen pals with the aim of promoting mental wellbeing. The World Needs More Love Letters allows people to nominate someone in their life that could use kind letters. Some organizations match people with a pen pal from a specific population, like incarcerated individuals or elderly people, who are at risk of isolation or loneliness. Prisoner Correspondence Project and the Black and Pink are geared toward supporting the queer incarcerated community. Syme warns in her book that at first, letter writing can seem 'a little bit silly, a little bit anachronistic, and a little bit melodramatic. 'But also know that your letter, no matter its legibility or coherence, will be met with absolute excitement,' Syme writes. 'Whatever you put in the mail, even if it does not rise to the great epistolary heights that you someday hope to emulate, it is still a surprise on its way to enliven someone's dreary mailbox.'
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
My mom says these Sony headphones (down to $38) are the best gift I've given her
Have you ever had to shop for someone who's a little ... particular? I love my mom, but she can be a bit like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally; she wants things the way she wants them. That's why, when I was tasked with buying her a gift for our family's Secret Santa exchange last year, I spent a lot of time considering what to get. She prefers practical gifts, but I didn't want to buy anything too boring. Just as I was about to cheat and text my dad to ask what she would want, I remembered hearing her say how uncomfortable earbuds were for her to wear. Well, wireless headphones it was! I compared different models and opted for an affordable yet highly rated pair of Sony Wireless Headphones. Spoiler alert: She loves them, and they're down to an insane $38 at Amazon as we speak. At nearly 40% off, these headphones are within a few bucks of their lowest price ever. That said, even their full price of $60 is a steal when you consider that a similar pair of Beats retails for nearly $200. Plus, Sony is a longtime respected name in electronics, so you're not taking a gamble on an unknown brand. Now, my mom is no audiophile, so comfort and affordability were my main focuses when deciding which headphones to buy. The Sonys are super lightweight and have an adjustable, cushioned headband, as well as soft padded ear cups for long-term wear without pain. I also wanted to ensure my 63-year-old mom would have no trouble pairing them to her devices, so user-friendliness was a factor as well. I'm happy to report they checked all of these boxes, as she says, "They are comfortable and easy to hook up to via Bluetooth." (They can actually be paired with two devices at a time.) Something else she appreciates? "The battery stays charged for a pretty long time" — up to 50 hours, according to the brand. And while these headphones don't have a true noise-canceling feature, she says the sound quality more than meets her standards, and there are different presets she can choose from to suit whatever type of music she's listening to. Need to take a call? The built-in microphone makes doing so a hands-free task. One note: "Like all headphones, they hurt my ears if I wear them too long," she says. That said, she thinks they're the most comfortable pair she's ever tried overall. My mom isn't alone — nearly 13,000 Amazon customers say these headphones are worthy of a perfect five-star rating. "[I] can't stand the feel of earbuds, so these are great," shared a kindred spirit of my mom's. "They are lightweight and comfy to wear. Great sound quality as well. I wear them working out, traveling and I have even used [them] ... to block out annoying snoring." "I've had these headphones for about six months now and the battery life [is] incredible," raved another satisfied shopper. "I will charge it for an hour on Sunday and they will last the rest of the week." "I am not tech-savvy, and these headphones are so easy to use," said a third. "They are comfortable and can fold down pretty flat, so I can take them to work in my laptop case. Highly recommend!" "I would not say they're noise-canceling," wrote a mostly satisfied buyer, "but they do have good insulation from outside noise. ... Battery life is impressively long, they charge quickly and the sound quality is great." "Good sound, easy to use," echoed a final fan, noting, "My only complaint is the buttons in the earpiece are very small. It would be nice to have them larger for easier operation." And to keep them protected and pristine in transit: If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.) The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.


Korea Herald
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
OneWe to launch 1st international tour
OneWe announced Friday that it would embark on its first international tour on March 21. The band of five will kick off tour, expanding its standalone concert O! New E!volution IV, in Vietnam. From April 6, it will visit fans in North America for over a month before returning to Seoul for a two-day concert. The band will also hold encore concerts in Seoul. The new dates for the city come about six months after its standalone concerts last year. OneWe's last album is third EP 'Planet Nine: Isotropy' from April last year but it put out digital single 'Off Road' and special album 'Secret Santa' in September and December, respectively. WEi to host 1st concert in Taipei Boy band WEi will host a fan concert in Taipei on Feb. 15-16, agency WE Entertainment announced Friday. It will be the first time the band is performing its own concert in the city and the set list for the two-day show will include 'Not Enough,' the lead single from its newest album -- seventh EP 'The Feelings.' The band wrapped up promoting the mini album it brought out last month, after over 1 1/2 years. The EP featured only five members, as Kim Yohan is shooting rugby drama 'Try,' and the former X1 member is likely to be absent from the upcoming concert as well.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I've bought Chelsea Peers pyjamas for over five years, here's why I won't buy any other brand
I love a matching pyjama set more than anything else. As someone whose wardrobe is pretty neutral (you'll often find me in all-black or navy outfits), it's the only part of my closet where I like to wear big, bold prints while lounging around the house. There are a few requirements too: they need to be loose-fitting and stretchy, I don't want to spend a fortune on them, and I love a long-sleeve set. After years of shopping with everyone from ASOS to Amazon, I discovered the pyjama brand Chelsea Peers in 2019, and since then, I haven't bought my pyjamas from anywhere else. To date, I have five pyjama sets and one fleece dressing gown from Chelsea Peers, spanning a range of styles, including a mix of jersey, satin, and fleece fabrics. I think they're worth every penny, even when I've purchased them at full price. Browse Chelsea Peers pyjamas Browse Chelsea Peers pyjamas on sale Browse Chelsea Peers dressing gowns Browse Chelsea Peers bestsellers They've been consistently worthwhile purchases for me. The pyjama sets are incredibly comfortable, fit true to size (I'm a size 12), never bobble, are always the perfect length (I'm 5'5"), and wash well without pilling, shrinking, or the bold prints fading. For me, Chelsea Peers pyjamas are the epitome of comfort, and since first stumbling across them years ago, I've gone on to buy them as Secret Santa gifts for friends and Christmas presents for family members. They also often have fantastic sales on their own website, so it's worth keeping an eye on there. Here are some of my favourite pieces that are still in stock and why I think they're worth every penny. Some are no longer available, in which case, I've included the most similar style I could find. This is my most recent purchase from Chelsea Peers - I snapped it up as soon as it became available last year and have been wearing it non-stop. It's the softest, cosiest, warmest item I own, with a tie waist and inner ribbon tie for extra security, and is a ideal long length. It's perfect for putting on first thing in the morning when I'm making my daily coffee, chilling in bed on the weekend, or simply pottering around the house in winter when it's too cold to wear anything else. While it's currently sold out, keep your eyes peeled in case it comes back in stock. There is, however a very similar option on site right now. Have you ever seen such a fluffy, cosy, super soft gown? There's nothing not to love about this midi length dressing robe. These are without a doubt the fanciest pair of pyjamas that I own, and I only wear them on special occasions, such as Christmas morning (pictured) or my birthday. These playful polka-dot pyjamas were part of Chelsea Peer's collection last autumn and I immediately loved the fun frill sleeves, timeless print and longline shirt. The elasticated waistband also feels secure but not too tight, so it never cuts in when I'm sitting on the sofa or running after my toddler nephew. While they're not best suited to cooking in (I almost always spill something on the sleeves), they're perfect when you want something special while staying in your pyjamas. Unfortunately, my turquoise pair is no longer available as I bought it so long ago, but this is the closest style I could find that's made with the same satin fabric. The elasticated waistband on the satin pyjamas is super stretchy, and despite losing some weight last year, they still fit perfectly. I love the bold print, and the satin feels like a luxury set that premium brands like Desmond & Dempsey offer for much higher prices. My navy jersey star set on the right was the first pair of pyjamas I ever bought from Chelsea Peers in 2019, but sadly, the style is no longer available. However, they do have a newer design made from the same soft jersey material. The jersey fabric is so comfortable and always makes me look and feel put together. They're super soft, wash well, never shrink in the machine, and dry quickly. Plus, they're still going strong all these years later. I honestly have nothing bad to say about anything I've ever bought from the brand, and while you could find bold printed pyjamas elsewhere, none compare to the long-lasting quality of Chelsea Peers, in my opinion. This button-up navy set is also available in brown or sage in sizes 6 to 16. Made from a soft organic cotton, it has a revere collar, contrast piping and relaxed fit. If you want a colourful pyjama set but love a classic stipe, this pink two-piece is a great compromise. I also love the fun red heart button detailing. While we love this sage colour, this satin two-piece also comes in cream, blush pink, purple, navy and pastel blue. Looking for a moisture-wicking, short pyjama set for lounging around the house all year round? Look no further than this Tencel Modal design. Have you ever seen such a fluffy, cosy, super soft gown? There's nothing not to love about this midi length dressing robe.