A Texas father sold his dream car to pay for his newborn son’s diapers. This year, for his dad’s 65th birthday, his son surprised him with a restored version of the same 1967 Chevrolet Camaro — right down to its color (blue with white stripes). The video will melt your heart.
Scammers are targeting teens – Warn your Gen Zer about these tricks
© Tero Vesalainen | Dreamstime.com
I told you about the 14-year-old who committed suicide after following the advice of an AI chatbot. Another family is suing the same one — Character AI — after it told an autistic 14-year-old to kill his parents. It also exposed an 11-year-old to sexual content.
These stories are heavy reminders young people are especially vulnerable on the internet, but AI isn’t the only thing targeting them.
The fine folks at the FBI’s crime division say teens lost 2,500% more money to scams over a recent five-year stretch. Compare that to an 805% increase for seniors, which is still not great, but at least it’s not 2,500%.
So, why teens? Because thieves have more ways than ever to target them. Talk to anyone in your circle born between 1996 and 2010 about this. It’s a big deal.
Under the influence
Say a kiddo in your family idolizes an online influencer. That person is so easy to impersonate. All a fraudster has to do is set up a phony account that looks real, run a contest and trick “winners” into handing over their personal details (or more) to claim their (nonexistent) prizes. Done and done.
Pro tip: Stick to “official” influencer accounts with substantial follower counts. A smaller account is almost always a scammer, not some secret one. And never give financial info or money to someone via DM.
‘Hey there, handsome’
This one is a classic for a reason. Scammers grab pictures of an attractive teen or 20-something and play digital Casanovas. All too soon, they profess their love — then comes the request for money, gifts or info.
Pro tip: Try a reverse image search to see if those pics pop up elsewhere online. If the person refuses to video call or meet you in person, it’s a bad sign.
‘Send me a photo’
This is the dangerous intersection of smartphones, sexting and scammers. Someone shares sexy pictures and asks for some in return. As soon as the victim sends a pic or video, everything changes.
Practical gifts everyone will love at $10, $20 and $50
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Thank goodness I’m almost done shopping! I’m here to help you be a hero on Christmas morning at whatever budget floats your boat. Psst, if you need stocking stuffers, use this link.
⁉️ “Hey Kim, I still need to find the perfect gift for …” Worry not! I have hundreds of ideas for you right here. You’ll get it done in a jiffy with my picks!
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Son gifts dad the car he sold to buy diapers 40 years ago
'Where'd you get this?!'
🎁 Gifts that are almost too cool.
- This vintage Kate Spade tea kettle (16% off) is so dang cute.
- A migraine relief beanie could be the gift of the year for the person who needs it.
- Sandwich cutters and sealers (27% off) are great for parents who don’t want to shell out for Uncrustables.
- This magnetic wooden trivet ($50) attaches to any metal cookware so they can place hot pots and pans anywhere.
- Make the nice tequila extra fancy with Himalayan salt shot glasses ($20).
- Declutter their kitchen with magnetic spice jars. They come with labels, too!
- This beeswax candle ($30) extinguishes itself when the flame reaches the clip, and it looks like a little beehive! Cute.
- A pretty at-home fondue set (19% off; clip the coupon for an extra $5 off) will have them saying, “I don’t mind if I fondue.”
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Stop faking it: How to get the presents you want
Tired of pretending to love bad gifts? An Amazon Wish List trick makes sure you get what you really want — no fake smiles required.
12 hours per week
Time children should spend reading, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed 10,000 kids and found the earlier they started reading for fun, the better their learning, memory, speech and mental well-being. Looking for some book recs? Here are the bestselling kids’ books on Amazon right now. They make great gifts, too!
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Most popular gifts: $10, $20, $50 and splurges
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If it’s not if they sell out … it’s when. This is me giving you permission to buy yourself something, too. Happy shopping!
✅ Hit this link for hundreds of my great ideas for guys and gals of any age.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Romantic gifts for your significant other
❤️🔥 Turn the holidays into lovin’.
- A hand-casting kit (20% off) makes a mold out of your and your partner’s hands. Freakin’ adorable.
- Scratch off all the food you’ve eaten together on this travel print (11% off). Or maybe just decide what’s for dinner.
- Don’t tell them you got a stuffed waffle maker (29% off), and surprise them in bed with a Nutella-filled waffle. Not advised with white sheets.
- A chalkboard coffee mug ($13) lets you write a new message every morning for your partner. Cute!
- For long-distance lovers, tap this lamp, and your partner’s matching lamp will light up in the same color.
- This portable picnic table (22% off, $35) has wineglass holders — no spillage disasters allowed.
- This homemade gin kit comes with two bottles, so if you mess up yours, you can just steal sips of theirs! That’s love.
- They knead a massage gun in their life.
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Gifts that give them something to do
🏡 And they won’t even have to leave the house.
- Stop spending hours in the candle aisle trying to guess what scent they like. They can make their own with this kit!
- A cozy cup holder is great for movie lovers … or anyone who doesn’t want to tear apart an entire sectional looking for a lost remote.
- You’ll have the hottest gift of the day with a hot sauce-making kit. Maybe pair it with a gallon of 2%.
- A dream decoder ($16) might help them figure out why they keep dreaming about pugs wearing tuxedos.
- For the person who loves YouTube and podcasts more than crafting, these headphones sound as good* as models three times the price.
- A sushi-making kit (23% off, $8), because paying $16 for a California roll at a restaurant is lunacy.
- Channel Columbo with a fun murder mystery game (33% off).
- This cookbook (29% off) has 100 recipes straight from Disney’s parks. And yes, it has the Magic Kingdom Dole Whip. Mmm.
- This book (34% off) is like paint-by-numbers but with stickers. Even I can do that!
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Unique gifts for kids
🎁 These are way more memorable than a gift card or Robux.
- If you ever need space from your little ones, turn on a star projector (30% off, $35). They’ll be over the moon. 🌝
- An LCD doodle tablet ($20) is basically a fancier, way cooler Etch-A-Sketch. Click the box for 10% off!
- A slime kit ($9) is the perfect gift for a fidgety kid (or adult — I don’t judge).
- I used to love these rubber band bracelet kits (18% off). I’m so glad they’re still around.
- Minecraft Legos — need I say more?
- This DIY kit ($10) keeps ‘em busy making cute mini donuts.
- Kinetic sand ($14) is so much fun. Bonus: It’s way easy to clean up.
- Indisputable fact: Every girl wants pink hair at some point in her life. This temporary hair chalk ($15) even works on dark hair.
- A bath bomb potion kit ($20) is basically a bathtub science lab.
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Stock up before you’re too busy
😵💫 Have guests coming for the holidays? Mark this off your to-do list today. Some make good gifts, too, just sayin’.
- Unscented candles (30% off) for cozy light without covering up the smell of fresh cookies.
- Holiday hand soap (35% off a 3-pack) so every bathroom feels festive.
- Toss around extra throw blankets to help guests feel snug and right at home.
- Fancy (but inexpensive) salt ($8) for sprinkling on chocolate chip cookies, steak, roasted veggies — whatever.
- Leather-looking tissue box covers ($9!) to class up the place. Love these.
- Bottle stoppers (2 for $3) for the wine you don’t finish.
- Riddles and brainteasers to solve with the whole fam. If you’re all competitive, stick with Uno.
- The easiest snack to put out with drinks when you have no time.
- Deli-style to-go containers (18% off) to send everyone off with leftovers.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Best Cyber Monday deals
🪄 I did the digging so you don’t have to!
- 50% off clean floors? Yes, please! This voice- or app-controlled Shark robotic vacuum is a deal ($299.99, 50% off). It makes an easy gift for anyone who loves spotless spaces and doesn’t want to do the work (or doesn’t have the time).
- Salon style at home: Darling, you look marvelous! This Revlon one-step volumizer ($31.75, 55% off) dries and styles hair at the same time, giving it volume quickly and easily. It’s also perfect for traveling!
- Wrap her feet in cozy luxury: These fuzzy slippers ($15.99, 56% off) with memory foam will have her feeling like she’s walking on clouds, keeping her feet toasty and supported.
- Santa, I’d use this: This lightweight heated jacket delivers up to 10 hours of adjustable warmth, and it even warms your hands, too. Grab it for men or women ($104.99, 38% off). It’s perfect for chilly commutes, walks, outdoor work or freezing offices.
- HEYDUDE! Yup, the comfy shoes he’ll wear all the time are deeply discounted for a limited time ($38.99, 41% off).
- Rev up his style: This quality, stylish leather jacket ($134.38, 77% off) is the ultimate year-round staple, ideal for layering from fall to spring. It’s so nice!
- Brighten their space: This Amazon Echo Spot smart speaker and color-changing smart bulb bundle ($44.99, 51% off) lets you play music, get the news and ask Alexa set the mood for you, with 16 colors and schedules. Perfect for any age, really!
- Up to 60% off Amazon devices: Whether it’s a kid’s tablet, Fire TV Stick or outdoor security cam, this is the secret Cyber Monday link to use!
👉 Shop all Cyber Monday deals: Gifts under $10 | Electronics | Toys and games | Cooking and baking | All deals
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Black Friday deals under $25
😎 Because giving good gifts shouldn’t burn a hole in your pocket.
- Electric salt and pepper grinders (20% off, $19) are a fun kitchen upgrade for the cook who has it all.
- A new Crock-Pot (50% off, $25), because every family still has that crusty 30-year-old one that shows up at all the parties.
- These memory foam slippers ($16) look like Uggs but are a quarter of the price.
- Turn on the coffee machine before leaving bed with a voice-controlled smart plug (48% off, $13). So good.
- This vitamin C serum ($21) is so popular, it’s almost always sold out! Grab it while it’s 56% off.
- A lighted vanity mirror (53% off, $19) will help them reflect on how good their skin looks. 😏
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Techy Black Friday deals
💰 Give the gift of gadgets without breaking the bank. These deals are live right now:
- These over-the-ear Bose headphones (43% off) are all the buzz. They’re noise-canceling and come in seven different colors. The blue and lilac are limited edition, so they’ll go fast.
- The newest Amazon Fire TV Stick (56% off) is under $25 right now. 4K can be a New Year’s resolution. 😏
- Heated eye massagers (42% off, $52) are so relaxing, I wouldn’t blame you for buying a second one for yourself.
- A Tile tracker (20% off a two-pack) is perfect for the person who’s always losing their keys (and mind). If they have an iPhone, go with an AirTag (17% off).
- A smart bird feeder (39% off) records all winged visitors and can identify over 6,000 different species. I want one!
- I was floored when I saw the Shark robot vacuum is 50% off. Ah, the gift of fewer chores.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Tips to avoid big return fees
Some gifts don’t quite make the cut. Here’s your guide to returning them without any extra charges.
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Plus, I’m hooking Jessica from Illinois up with tips for cheap last-minute flights. Doing some holiday shopping? Here are the top tech gifts this season. Free tool to block online trolls and unique remote jobs. Also, try these Siri/Google voice commands for emergencies!