Latest news with #Tamagotchis
Buzz Feed
8 hours ago
- Business
- Buzz Feed
People Are Sharing Super Specific "Recession Indicators"
Recently, Reddit user Soup_stew_supremacy asked people to share the funniest, most random "recession indicators" they've noticed, and the responses really delivered. Here's what people think are sure-fire signs the economy is on a downturn: "Hot people in minimum wage jobs...I've seen quite a few really hot people working at McDonalds over the summer." "At least one 'buy gold!' ad in every one of my podcasts." "I read an article saying that there's no song of the summer for 2025 due to the economic environment, and of the top 10 most streamed songs this year, only one was released in 2025." "Bartenders and strippers making less tips." "I have a relative who monitors how much toilet paper is being used in the house, including your own personal usage." "Everyone is suddenly into re-selling and thrifting again, but the market is beyond flooded now." "More 'at-home' nail polish kits and nail art." "The work fridges are filled with lunches brought from home." "The labubus are a cheap trend everyone's gonna be sick of soon." "Girls who have been blonde for YEARS going brunette." "A proliferation of Vampire media — was Twilight in 2008, this time around it's Interview with a Vampire, Sinners, and the new Dracula movie." "The 'it bag' this year was a $2.99 Trader Joe's tote." "It feels super easy to get a tattoo appointment right now." "The idea that IKEA has now become fashionable home decor." "Tamagotchis are back." "Sooooo many big time celebrities in TV commercials lately!" "Sequels and remakes abound." "'No makeup' makeup/fresh face." "Everyone I know is suddenly into gardening, canning, and knitting." "Body mists. Companies have been releasing them and pushing them so hard as an alternative to their perfumes." "I saw pics of Vegas being dead this summer, truly tragic." "I read yesterday that the most popular selling beer this summer is Miller High Life. Cheap as shit, shitty beer." "I go to thrift stores on the weekend to shop for fun things, hobbies, vinyl records, tools, whatever. Prices have gone up substantially since January." And finally, "When Kesha drops a banger, it's a recession indicator." What random recession indicators have you noticed? Share in the comments or in the anonymous form below!
Wales Online
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Parents warned of 'dangerous' Labubus in Wales after counterfeit versions of viral toy are found
Parents warned of 'dangerous' Labubus in Wales after counterfeit versions of viral toy are found Labubus are the latest trend to make waves on social media and some sell for hundreds of pounds online Shoppers are warned on fake Labubus (Image: HANDOUT ) Every era has that weird and wonderful trend that is sure to have left it's mark on childhoods; from Pogs and Trolls to Furbies and Tamagotchis. Now, this generation has its very own - and it's made waves across the world. Labubu is the latest craze to capture attention worldwide, particularly on TikTok. These collectible monster elves, created by designer Kasing Lung and sold by Pop Mart, have been flying off the shelves for ridiculous prices. But, with anything popular comes individuals hoping to exploit that demand. Now, a warning has been issued from Neath Port Talbot Council which recently seized suspected counterfeit Labubus after safety concerns were raised. The council's Trading Standards officers are currently investigating these counterfeit toys, which they say could pose serious risks to children; including exposure to harmful chemicals or choking hazards due to small parts. The toys, which were sized from an unnamed shop in the Neath Port Talbot area, are being examined for safety violations. Consumers are urged to be cautious when buying toys to ensure they meet safety standards. Inspired by Nordic fairy tales, these strange looking monsters are known for their pointed ears, serrated teeth and fluffy body. Article continues below Counterfeit Labubus were seized from a Neath Port Talbot shop (Image: NPT Council ) Although a very Marmite kind of purchase, these creatures have become a must-have item among influencers and collectors. Originally priced at £31.50 at Pop Mart, Labubus are now being resold for hundreds of pounds across different sites, with one seller asking for £2,556 on eBay. Stay informed on everything Neath Port Talbot by signing up to our newsletter here The toys come in mystery boxes and were initially popularised by former Love Island star, Olivia Attwood. Their viral success has made them a hot commodity, and demand has even led to fights breaking out in some stores up and down the UK. However, as the craze grows, so too does the market for fake Labubus - often called 'Lafufus.' These counterfeits are identified by their poor quality with exaggerated features, mangy fur and shoddy materials. In light of this, the Trading Standards Team is offering the following advice to consumers to ensure they stay 'shopper safe': Check goods and their packaging carefully. On toys there should be age warnings and safety symbols such as a CE or UKCA mark. Check for spelling mistakes or poor quality labelling; this usually gives the game away. Buy from reputable sellers, so you can return goods if a problem develops. Check the price. Be suspicious if it's a lot cheaper than you would expect. Cllr Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council's cabinet member for nature, tourism and wellbeing, emphasised the need for shoppers to stay vigilant, adding: "Due to the discovery of these suspected counterfeit toys we want to alert consumers and particularly parents to be extra vigilant. "If toys are found to be counterfeit they can potentially pose significant dangers to children, including the likes of exposure to certain chemicals and choking hazards due to small parts." Counterfeit toys often lack proper safety testing and the council encourages anyone concerned about the safety of toys to get in touch. Article continues below Consumers can contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0800 223 1123 and traders can contact Trading Standards on (01639) 686877 tsd@
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What the Heck Is a Labubu and Why Are Kids Obsessed?
Fact checked by Sarah Scott You've probably seen them by now: fuzzy creatures a few inches tall, smiling mischievously—and perhaps a little forebodingly—while dangling from backpacks and handbags. They're Labubus, and kids, teens, and adults are obsessed with them. But what are these trendy creatures and why does your child love them so much? Labubus are the latest must-have-it fad sweeping the nation, and we're currently at Peak Labubu; if it feels like they exploded overnight and are suddenly everywhere, it's because they are. The plush creatures sell out in seconds and are worn by kids and celebs alike, even decorating ultra-expensive Hèrmes Birkin bags. Though this trend transcends age, younger people in particular are all about the Labubu life. 'It's a fascinating moment that says a lot about how Gen Z [and Gen Alpha] engages with style, identity, and online culture,' says fashion stylist Julie Matos. Labubus are collectible plush monster toys that frequently come in unmarked boxes, which means you don't know which character you're going to get—and that mystery only adds to that 'must buy them all' factor. The characters were created by artist Kasing Lung and have been around since the mid-2010s, but the trend really began when Blackpink band member Lisa decorated her bag with a Labubu toy. Matos cites massive trends like Beanie Babies, Tamagotchis, and early Supreme as similar ultra-fads, where people were lining up in droves to get their hands on a collectible item. But unlike Beanies, Tamagotchis, and Furbys, which happened in a pre-social media world, Labubus have TikTok on their side. 'Now it's layered with TikTok virality, niche fandoms, and resale culture,' she says. 'It's a collectible, a flex, and a conversation starter all in one.' The best place to get a Labubu is via Pop Mart, the official retailer; Labubus are available online and in a physical retail store, though they tend to sell out in seconds. You can also shop on their official Amazon store or buy resale via outlets like eBay and StockX. But watch out for fakes, or 'Lafufus'; as with any ultra-trendy accessory, counterfeit Labubus popped up overnight. Unlike Beanie Babies, which were undeniably adorable, Labubus are cute but also a bit sinister—and that's part of the appeal. 'Labubus are weird, cute, and collectible, which is exactly why teens are hooked,' says Matos. 'They hit that niche sweet spot of being just offbeat enough to stand out, while still being incredibly shareable on social.' Kids, teens, and style-minded adults have been decorating their bag with charms and small stuffed animals as a way to add extra personality for the last few years, and Labubus fit right into that trend. They also align with the '-core' aesthetics popularized on TikTok. 'In a time where personal style isn't just about what you wear, but what you collect, decorate with, and post about, Labubus has become part of the larger 'aesthetic identity' teens are curating,' Matos shares. Hanging a Labubu on your bag or collecting specific styles is one way to show off your personal style or put your own twist on a trend. Labubus cost about $25-30 for a typical box, but if you can't snag one on drop day, expect to pay a lot more. Are they worth snagging yourself, or worth your child's hard-earned allowance or weekend job money? That all depends on your financial situation and your overall feelings about participating in buzzy, often short-lived trends. 'I always say: if it sparks joy, confidence, or creativity, it's worth considering,' says Matos, noting that buzzy trends like Labubus can help teens express themselves or feel like part of a community. But if you don't want to sit at the computer or in line at a store waiting for a new drop or can't afford a sold-out Labubu, feel free to skip it. The same philosophy applies if your child wants a Labubu solely for the FOMO of it all. 'Buy into the meaning, not just the moment,' says Matos.'At the end of the day, you should wear the trend, not let the trend wear you.' Read the original article on Parents
Daily Mirror
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
‘We gave up the internet for five days - I'm surprised my marriage didn't end'
In a world where we're all a little bit too reliant on the internet, what happens when you switch off for five days? We tasked social media influencer Laura Dove, who lives in Lancashire with her husband Gareth and four children, with giving it a go. Rewind 30 years back to 1995 and you may remember a time before the internet really took off when we had landlines, knocked on our friends' doors to see if they could play out and came home when the streetlights came on. So if you were asked to go back 30 years and give up the internet for five days, could you? Social media influencer Laura, 44, who relies on the internet to share the best bits of her family life with her 107k Instagram followers, agreed to take on the challenge of switching off the wifi for five days. Her children Lewis, 21, Eva, 12, Megan, 11 and Harrison, 10, are also avid internet users and have unlimited access to Nintendo and EA Sports FC games, Disney +, Netflix and SnapChat. Laura says the funniest thing that happened during the five day switch off was when her 10 year old asked her 'Where did the internet come from?' 'I had to tell him I had no idea because I couldn't Google it,' she laughs. 'The experiment was great at first but the kids soon got annoyed with each other, because they had to spend more time together and they missed talking to their friends. 'We talked more, there were less distractions and we watched TV together as a family because there was no streaming so we couldn't all watch separate things. I really enjoyed taking the kids back to 1995, because I grew up in the 1990s and telling them if we wanted to play with our friends we knocked on their doors.' Surprisingly, when Laura told the kids they were going to be going without WiFi, data, or their phones for five days they were actually excited about it. One of the highlights of the experiment was when they plugged in the old dial up landline. 'Megan was like 'This is like something I've seen in a museum' which was devastating for me, as I remember them. They used the phone to ring their grandparents which was nice, as they usually just text them. But they couldn't ring their friends as they didn't know their phone numbers. "In the evening, without our normal gadgets, I suggested we listen to some music on the personal headset - I made them listen to the Spice Girls, and they were like: 'Did you really listen to this?' I told them I did, I even went to see them live. They quite liked playing with Tamagotchis too - they have made a bit of a comeback recently so they weren't as unfamiliar as some of the other gadgets we had.' But two days in and the cracks began to show. 'After a couple of days I started to feel quite stressed about not being able to connect - not just for work but also for things like banking, school updates and reminders from other parents. Our day-to-day lives are not set up to live in a world without the internet - I even do my banking online as my local branch has shut down.' 'Harry asked me: 'How long is this going to last?' and I have to admit I could see where he was coming from - as I wasn't enjoying it either,' Laura says. 'Literally everything we do now is online - my job, the kids' homework, school correspondence, our food shop, banking. I wouldn't want to do it again unless I had a whole week off work and I didn't have any commitments. It's nice for a weekend but Monday to Friday, no.' That said the experiment did have some positives as well as negatives. 'We're constantly being bombarded with noise from everything - pings from our phones, watches - so it's nice to switch off as we don't need to be constantly connected. "There are also a lot of positives to social media, working from home, connecting with other people but I'm glad I had the experiences I did growing up. 'And the experiment wasn't all bad - at bedtime Eva was reading, Harry was doing Lego, and Megan was playing with loom-bands. And when I said it was bedtime they just went: 'Ok.' We'll be having more screen free nights going forward - even if it's only once or twice a week. I was surprised there were no major meltdowns and my marriage didn't end.' Katie Milligan, Deputy CEO of Openreach, said: 'It's fascinating to see how different parts of the UK are embracing the online world and adapting to it in unique ways. At the same time, it's encouraging that many recognise the importance of taking time away from devices and digital connectivity." 'With full fibre now available to almost 19 million homes and businesses across the UK, thanks to the dedication of Openreach engineers, we're proud to provide the nation's most reliable broadband technology. It's a game-changer, allowing people to do what they need to do - only faster and more efficiently.'
NZ Herald
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
How Labubu dolls and other pop culture trends are taking over the world
Plush toy collectables, Labubus, are taking the world by storm. Collecting, coveting, and curating have been pop culture staples for decades. There's an innate human need to purchase the new 'in' thing. Whether it's a hacky sack, troll dolls, Tamagotchis, fidget spinners, Pokémon cards, or Beanie Babies - consumerism is quick to take hold of a fad and make
