Technology

AMD has just launched FSR Redstone, a collection of features made of machine-learning-based upscaling and frame generation, along with two other components—Ray Regeneration and Radiance Caching—that aim to improve ray tracing quality and performance. FSR Redstone looks promising, but not all's rosy.

Whether you’re heading home for the holidays or heading overseas for an epic ski vacation, when getting prepped for travel, you’re usually more concerned with having enough underwear and socks than with what’s on your phone if there’s a delay or cancellation at the airport.

Be honest now: how many random thumb drives do you have lying around the house? What about external SSDs?

Arguably, the biggest hurdle to switching from iPhone to Android is transferring all your stuff. It’s painless moving from iPhone to iPhone, but changing platforms is a different story. Oddly enough, Apple is taking steps to make it easier. You read that correctly.

Google just rolled out CC, a new experimental AI productivity agent powered by Gemini, designed to help you organize your daily life right from your inbox. This new tool comes straight out of Google Labs and should handle tasks and appointments.

Heading into 2026, new-car prices are high enough to make many buyers think twice. While used cars may seem like the safer bet, there are still some surprisingly affordable new options out there.

This season, you can jam to your favorite music with Spotify's holiday offerings, from playlists and festive mixes to features built to help you throw a perfect party. Whether you're collaborating with friends or crafting a curated playlist, Spotify has you covered.

SAVE $100: As of Dec. 16, the De'Longhi 15-bar manual espresso machine is on sale for only $99.95 at Amazon. That's a 50% price drop and its lowest cost to date.

Opens in a new window Credit: De'Longhi De'Longhi 15-Bar Manual Espresso Machine $99.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $100.00   Get Deal

Most espresso machines come with major sticker shock, so finding one for under $100 is a huge deal. Whether you're looking for a last-minute gift for less than $100 or you want to treat yourself, this De'Longhi espresso maker is on sale at Amazon for its best price ever.

Typically $199.95, which is already a pretty solid price for a countertop espresso maker, the De'Longhi ECP3630 manual espresso machine is on sale for only $99.95 at Amazon as of Dec. 16. That's 50% off and the lowest price we've ever seen on this model, beating its Black Friday price by a long shot.

While it's not loaded with extra bells and whistles, this sleek and compact espresso machine will definitely get the job done. And by job, I mean pumping out piping hot quality cups of caffeine on your countertop. It's equipped with an Italian 15-bar pump, a premium adjustable frother, and adjustable controls to modify to your taste preferences. There's no major learning curve like bigger, fancier machines. Choose from single or double espresso and select your milk setting, then create your own authentic coffeehouse favorite at home.

Everyone knows a coffee addict. This could be the perfect gift for that person in your life and it won't set you back hundreds if not thousands of dollars like some espresso makers would. Less than $100 for at-home daily espresso? That's just 33 double shots of espresso at Starbucks, to put it in perspective.

SAVE $90: On Dec. 16 only, the 15-inch touchscreen Skylight Calendar is on sale for $229.99 as the Best Buy drop of the day. That beats its $249.99 Black Friday price by $20 — get the rare deal in the Best Buy app.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skylight Skylight Calendar 15-inch smart touchscreen calendar and chore chart $229.99
$319.99 Save $90 Find savings in the Best Buy app Get Deal

The best gift for a parent is ultimately the gift of less chaos. You could buy them AirTags, offer to watch their kids, or send them on a vacation. The ultra-helpful digital Skylight Calendar is one of Mashable's top gift ideas for moms and dads, and it's $90 off at Best Buy as the Dec. 16 drop of the day.

At $229.99 on Dec. 16 only, Best Buy's price beats the record-low $249.99 price tag we saw at Amazon during Black Friday. The 15-inch Skylight Calendar is currently full price ($319.99) at Amazon, so this near-$100 savings is rare.

You'll only see the sale price on the Best Buy mobile app (Best Buy drops don't show up in a web browser.) From there, you can add it to your cart and check out like usual. The catch is that all Best Buy drops have a limited inventory, with a live status bar keeping track of the percentage left. As of 12:15 p.m. ET, 75% inventory was left for the Skylight Calendar.

SEE ALSO: Last minute gift ideas: Save 15% on 15+ e-gift cards from Uber, Crumbl, Hulu, a ton more

Skylight can sync with Google, iCloud, Outlook, Yahoo, and Cozi calendars to streamline schedules of multiple people to one communal device. Appointments, meetings, events, weekly chores, and even grocery lists can also be added right from the Skylight app, even if something pops up while you're not home. Everything can be labeled and color-coded for each member of the household.

But busy parents aren't the sole target audience for the Skylight Calendar — it's a life hack for literally anyone with a lot going on. Mashable contributor Jae Thomas, who is a journalist and editor, a dog trainer, and who works at a kennel one day per week, instantly felt more organized after bringing a Skylight Calendar into the weekly mix.

Thomas can confirm that yes, having a central hub like the Skylight is a worthwhile upgrade over merely sharing a Google Calendar with someone. "I find myself getting little hits of dopamine when I check things off my to-do lists, and it's easier for me and my partner to stay in sync on where we'll both be during the week. I truly wish I had this when we were sharing a car — it would have saved us many arguments and miscommunications about scheduling."

As 2025 comes to a close, there are certain iPhone accessories that I’ve used far more than others. While not all of these came out in 2025, these are my four favorite iPhone accessories.

SAVE $100.01: As of Dec. 16, get the Shark Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo for $599.98, down from its usual price of $699.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 14%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Shark Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo $599.98 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $100.01   Get Deal

Here's one indelible truth: No one enjoys spending all their time cleaning their floors. It's a thankless task, and it's one that always needs to be done if you want to keep a tidy house. Thankfully these days we have robot vacuums that can handle it all for you. If you're ready to offload all your cleaning tasks, you'll want to recruit these gadgets to do so.

As of Dec. 16, get the Shark Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo for $599.98, down from its usual price of $699.99 at Amazon. That's $100.01 off and a discount of 14%.

SEE ALSO: 7 gadgets to help keep your home clean, from robot vacuums to electric scrubbers

This Shark combination robot vacuum and mop can handle just about anything you ask of it. It has powerful suction for vacuuming through dirt, debris, and hair, and it can also mop up tough stains. It uses NeverStuck technology to help lift it over obstacles and across thresholds, and keeps the mopping pad held above carpets to avoid issues with getting water everywhere, too.

When your robot's reservoir is full, it can handle itself there, too, emptying its debris into a 60-day capacity bin and refilling its own water tank for up o 30 days. It also washes and dries its mopping pad afer every time it runs. That means minimal interactions with you so all you have to do is set a schedule and let it go.

With LiDAR mapping, a 3D sensor, schedule-making, and targeted cleaning options, you don't even have to figure out how best for your vacuum and mop combo to tackle messes. Just sit back, relax, and watch it go. And be glad this is no longer something you have to worry about actually doing.

SAVE $1,150: The Anker Solix F2000 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $849, down from the list price of $1,999. That's a 58% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix F2000 portable power station $849 at Amazon
$1,999 Save $1,150   Get Deal

Winter officially arrives in just a few days. But you've probably already been feeling cool temps and dealing with seasonal storms. If high winds, torrential rains, or ice storms threaten a power outage, there's a better way curtail the inconvenience — a portable power station. Amazon has a great model on sale today to put you in better shape during the next outage.

As of Dec. 16, the Anker Solix F2000 portable power station is on sale for $849 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $1,999. That works out a massive savings of $1,150 from a 58% discount.

Anker consistently knocks it out of the park with designing portable power stations. In testing, the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 is my all-time favorite model for moderate power needs. But if you want more power to deal with a power outage, the Solix F2000 is a great option. It packs in 2,048 Wh of power while being able to power almost all of your home's appliances. Use it to keep the refrigerator cooling, the WiFi router online, and keep small devices charged.

SEE ALSO: Take a full $1,000 off this Bluetti portable power station and two solar panels

Anker says the Solix F2000 can keep a refrigerator cooling for 10 hours, a CPAP machine on for over 32 hours or a washing machine for 1.5 hours. Plus, you can keep some lights on at home so you won't have to fumble around in the dark.

Come camping season, you can take it along to power up an air fryer, mini fridge, portable freezer, and a projector. Its telescoping handle makes it easy to bring along to the campsite. It's also an excellent addition to the worksite, powering tools like a chainsaw, drill, or yard work tools.

While it's on sale for a shocking 58% off, equip your home and camping adventures with the Anker Solix F2000. Everyone in your party will thank you for the extra power.

SAVE $400: As of Dec. 16, the TCL 85-inch T7 QLED 4K TV is on sale for only $999.97 at Amazon. That's nearly 30% off its list price of $1,399.99 and matches its Black Friday cost.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 85-inch T7 QLED 4K TV $999.97 at Amazon
$1,399.99 Save $400.02   Get Deal

From holiday movies to the Olympics to the NFL playoffs, there's plenty of excuses to snag a new TV this season. Not to mention, it's one of the best times to score a big screen for a big discount.

As of Dec. 16, you can get the TCL 85-inch T7 QLED 4K TV on sale for only $999.97. That's nearly 30% off its list price of $1,399.99 and matches its Black Friday cost, which also happens to be its lowest price on record.

TCL just launched this monstrous screen last month as part of its new T7 Series — a lineup of budget-friendly QLED TVs packed with bells and whistles. So, just know that you're getting a brand-new 2025 model that's relatively future-proof. Despite its affordable price tag, it still features quantum dot technology, a native refresh rate of 144Hz, an AI processor that automatically optimizes color, contrast and clarity, Dolby Atmos audio, and Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support. It's powered by Google TV, so you can open apps, change the channel, or launch a movie right where you left off via hands-free voice control.

The TCL T7 is also a solid pick for gamers on a budget. Besides the 144Hz refresh rate, it also features Game Accelerator 288, an Auto Game Mode that automatically enables the lowest input lag and latency, and Motion Rate 480 with MEMC Frame Insertion for the ultimate clarity.

Don't endure any more dark and blurry viewing sessions. Upgrade your TV to the 85-inch TCL T7 while it's under $1,000. If that's too much TV for you, the smaller models (55, 65, and 75 inches) are also on sale for up to 33% off.

Once you’ve set up a Home Assistant server, there aren’t a lot of preferences to fiddle with, and you’ll mostly spend your time adding devices and building automations.

There is probably not a universe where The Housemaid was going to be a "good" movie in any traditional sense. It's based on the trashy Freida McFadden novel of the same name, with a twist suited to a Dateline episode. Still, the adaptation could have been a fun movie, or a good bad movie. But instead, it's another Sydney Sweeney-fronted dud following Madame Web, Eden, and Christy.

In adapting McFadden's book, director Paul Feig could have leaned hard into the erotic thriller aspect of the novel, evoking gloriously trashy '90s films like The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, Cruel Intentions, or Basic Instinct. In these movies, sex, greed, and mind-fuckery all blend to a heady effect. Sure, some might decry it as lowbrow, but these movies are undeniably satisfyingly thrilling entertainment.

Or Feig could have gone the way of his Simple Favor movies, leaning into the campy, twisted fun of watching two cinematic divas face off. The Housemaid might have resembled such epically sexy and sick movies as The Favourite, The Substance, Single White Female, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, or — my personal favorite — Death Becomes Her. 

Sadly, The Housemaid doesn't have enough style to hold a candle to any of these fierce films. And it certainly doesn't have substance. But it does have Sydney Sweeney, once more proving her lack of range. 

Sydney Sweeney is woefully miscast in The Housemaid.  Sydney Sweeney as Millie Calloway in "The Housemaid." Credit: Daniel McFadden / Lionsgate

After the flopped biopic Christy, Sweeney takes another swing at playing a working-class woman with unhoused twentysomething Millie Calloway, who is in desperate need of of a job and a home. So, the live-in housemaid gig at the Winchester mansion in Great Neck, Long Island, seems too good to be true. 

Tending to the needs of thirtysomething stay-at-home mom Nina Winchester (Amanda Seyfried), her snotty daughter, Cecilia (Indiana Elle), and her dashing husband, Andrew (Brandon Sklenar), should be easy enough. But no sooner does Millie move in that Nina begins to bully and gaslight her. The housemaid's only respite from Nina's cruelty is the kindness of Andrew. But as the maid and the man grow closer, so does danger. 

It's a premise that flips the Hand That Rocks the Cradle conceit on its head, where it's the humble help that's being tormented by a vicious housewife. However, McFadden's book was told from the perspective of Millie and Nina, giving us an insight into their thought processes — especially when they don't dare say aloud what they're thinking. The movie brings over some of this through Millie's diary and a letter Nina writes to Cecilia. Mostly, however, The Housemaid relies on the actresses' dialogue delivery and reaction to build their characters. And Sweeney is giving us nothing. 

Confoundingly, the adapted screenplay from Rebecca Sonnenshine offers little out the gate. The movie opens — not in medias res like the book — but with a sullen Millie driving through Nina's posh neighborhood in her POS car. Sweeney's blank expression offers nothing about who Millie is or what she's feeling. And it's this same expression that pops up again and again whether Millie is being tormented, seduced, or pushed to a dramatic reaction. Far from establishing the scrappy survivor from McFadden's novel, Sweeney's take on the character is so blasé that it's just boring to watch her. She gave more emotion in that polarizing jeans ad.

Amanda Seyfried goes for the gusto, but can't save The Housemaid.  Amanda Seyfried is Nina Winchester in "The Housemaid." Credit: Daniel McFadden / Lionsgate

Feig went against the book's description of Nina, who was called "fat" in a variety of ways in the novel, instead casting Seyfried, who looks a lot like Sweeney. There's a bit of a Single White Female intrigue to that, as these doppelgängers face off. But Seyfried, who turned in one of the best performances of 2025 with The Testament of Ann Lee, is left unsupported by her fellow cast members and her director. 

Nina Winchester is meant to be outrageously unhinged. Her behavior — in both the book and the movie — is viciously volatile, as she repeatedly sets Millie up to be scorned, embarrassed, and much worse. On the page, she reads like a Ryan Murphy diva, the kind who'd raise hell on All's Fair. Seyfried reaches for these dark places, caterwauling and glaring accusingly. But she is effectively in a vacuum of blah. 

Feig has not given her the eye-catching fashions of A Simple Favor or the fascinating set designs of The Substance. The cinematography from John Schwartzman doesn't embrace Seyfried's projected madness, but shrinks from it. For instance, in one scene where Nina has a meltdown in the kitchen, smashing plates and slinging accusations, the edit (from Brent White) bounds from one angle to another, never catching her face in frame. Instead, the focus is on Sweeney and Sklenar, who are giving the kind of wooden performances most often seen in forgettable Lifetime movies. (Not looking at you, A Deadly Adoption! You're sublime.)

The Housemaid's sex scenes aren't too hot for TV.  Brandon Sklenar as Andrew Winchester in "The Housemaid." Credit: Daniel McFadden / Lionsgate

As you might expect, Millie turns to Andrew for comfort from his cruel wife, then the two begin an affair. The sex scenes are numerous and involve nudity from both performers, which might titillate. Yet as torrid as their romance should feel, the scenes themselves lack heat. There's no real chemistry between Sweeney and Sklenar. And frankly, as at-home audiences are thrilled over the forbidden romance and hot sex in Heated Rivalry, it's almost funny how tame this rated R theatrical release feels. Almost. Another word for how The Housemaid feels is disappointing. 

McFadden's novel initially leaned heavily on black-and-white portraits of put-upon Millie and malevolent Nina to the point where it telegraphs the big twist. But that extreme portrayal in the novel could have been explored in the film with theatrical performances that urge the audience to enjoy the audaciousness of their conflict and its chaotic climax. Fieg and Sonnenshine could have radically shifted the film's aesthetic once the big secret of Nina's is unveiled, changing the way we see her with an engaging visual shift. But they chose not to.

To Sonnenshine and Feig's credit, they strive to work in horror elements, like a mirror jump scare, a leering groundskeeper (Michael Morrone), and a revised finale that goes into slasher territory. But it all feels pretty shallow. None of these genre cliches elevate the material or even live up to the novel's addictively trashy energy. 

Props to Elizabeth Perkins though, who appears as Andrew's icy mother. With high, meticulously coiffed white hair, a blood-red lipsticked scowl, and the fashion sense of a Waspy Cruella de Vil, Perkins delivers the kind of sharp performance that could have made this movie work — if the others followed her lead. When she cuts her eyes to her daughter-in-law in scorn, I almost expected Nina to bleed.  

Alas, this is a movie that contains Perkins' acerbic performance but doesn't deserve it. The trailers and source material of The Housemaid suggest it should be a good night out, relishing in lusty twists, deranged turns, and electrifying diva showdown energy. But in this battle of wild wills, Seyfried is left to shadowbox while Sweeney sleepwalks. Far from fun, The Housemaid is underwhelming as an erotic thriller, a dark comedy, and even a Sydney Sweeney movie. 

The Housemaid opens in theaters on Dec. 19.

Stephanie Valentine, also known online as Glamzilla, is passionate about beauty. She loves finding a formula that works and discovering exactly why it does so. She loves hunting down new products, giving her audience her first impression, and diving into the details. 

The makeup artist and influencer has over one million subscribers on YouTube and Instagram, but it's on TikTok where her content truly shines. With 2.7 million followers on the app, it's no wonder that she was nominated for the Okay Slay award for fashion and beauty at the 2025 TikTok Awards alongside Katie Fang (@katiefanggg), Meredith Duxbury (@meredithduxbury), Darcei Giles (@missdarcei), and Wisdom Kaye (@wisdm8). 

SEE ALSO: How to vote for the TikTok Awards 2025 — plus date, nominees, and how to watch

We caught up with the creator ahead of the award ceremony to talk about where she finds inspiration, her first time going viral, and what she loves most about the beauty community online. 

Glamzilla is all about beauty. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable Composite / Daniele Venturelli / WireImage / twomeows / Moment / Getty Images How do you find inspiration and ideas for your videos and for your work?

I find inspiration in different ways. Is it watching a video? Is it being inspired by a print? Is it just wanting to find the latest and greatest in beauty? Looking at different product innovations, being inspired by what the future holds for beauty, and what the potential opportunities are? How can formulas be better? What am I looking for in formulas? What does my audience want to see? What would old me want to see? What would new me want to see?

It's ever-evolving. I'm inspired by many different things because, if you look at things from a beauty lens, and view everything as beautiful, that's all you can find, right? Beauty.

When you aren't feeling inspired or motivated, what drives you?

This is actually a struggle for me. I'm somebody who is really passionate about beauty. I'd like to test a new formula. I need to want to be excited about things. And that's why a lot of my videos go viral. Because when I find a beauty formula that's amazing and something I've never seen before, I post about it online. And sometimes that video just took 10 seconds to make, right? But I'm sitting here, and I'm trying hundreds of formulas. Testing all different types of liners, all different types of lipsticks [and] foundations. And when something makes me feel, "Wow," it's uncontrollable. However, if something doesn't evoke any feelings in me, my life becomes boring. And the only thing that picks me up is truly eating really good food, reading a book, [and] hanging out with my family.

Do you remember your first viral post? What was it? How did it change your approach to content creation?

My first viral post was in 2016. I saw MAC on the runway, and freckles were in. So I took my [Anastasia Beverly Hills] brow pencil, and I freckled on Instagram, and that surged.

At that point, I had only about 3,000 followers. That surged me to 25,000 followers overnight. That was a big moment for me. That was my first real viral moment. And then after that, everyone was using freckles. 

My first TikTok viral video was a lip swatch video because I fell in love with this NYX Shine Loud Liquid Lipstick. It was bringing back an old trend where the lipstick was transfer-proof, had long wear, and then you added a clear glaze on top, making it transfer-proof. And I showed that on camera, and TikTok went crazy. The product sold out. It was sold out worldwide. And that was my actual first TikTok video. But I was doing one-minute reviews for years on other platforms. TikTok was the perfect platform for me.

How did that one video going viral change the way you approached content creation?

I pioneered the one-minute review, and I'm doing it on other platforms. My content hasn't changed. If you check my oldest videos on other platforms, you will see that everything's exactly the same. I haven't changed the formula; just the lighting has improved, my hair has grown longer, and that's it. I've never changed the format of my videos, because that's what I love and that's what I'm passionate about.

It's always been the same.

What does TikTok do for you that these other platforms don't?

It allows me the freedom to be myself and form my own community, and it allows people to find me and my content without me trying to push it. At the end of the day, my content is just me trying to connect with other beauty lovers from across the world. If you love lipstick as much as I do, that this being transfer-proof is "wow" to you, you get it. You're my people. And that can be anyone from all over the world. And that's the beautiful thing about beauty. I have become best friends online with people I don't even know because we like lipstick. And that's what TikTok does.

Your comments on TikTok are filled with fans who feel deeply connected to you. How does it feel to be on this side of parasocial relationships?

This is how I felt when I watched beauty influencers [before I became an influencer myself]. And I connected with them because we liked the same thing. And when I was living my regular life, my day-to-day, the only thing that would make me happy was literally lipstick and foundation. And if someone else online loved it as much as I did, that was amazing. And what's so funny about it is that my best friends and the people who work with me all started as my followers. 

I answer every single DM. Every single comment that you see online is me. We really prioritize that. And it's important because that's how I started my career. Community is everything to me. And regardless of how big I become or how viral a video goes, the beauty community is everything because it's what saved my life and helped me grow.

Can you walk me through your workflow?

Every single day, I open up all the apps. I look up Sephora, Ulta, drugstore, Target, Walmart... I look at everything, and I see what's launched and what's new. If I need to drive over to the [U.S.-Canada] border and pick it up at Ulta, I will. I proudly do not accept PR, because I want to be able to actually purchase a product and understand its value, as well as what it means to a regular consumer. 

I film maybe 10 videos a day when I'm testing out formulas, and sometimes you won't see them at all because it's not good. And when I post a review, it's a first impression. It's really a first impression. 

And the videos go viral because I know how to manipulate the formula, and I know how to use it. 

Are you recording all of this on your iPhone? 

Yes. At least 10 videos a day.

How do you not run out of storage?

I have three iPhones, and then if I'm not passionate about it, they get deleted right away. And I film on the TikTok app. So, in every single video, it's just me going "beep, beep, beep, beep, beep." That's it. I film directly on TikTok. It's my favorite.

How many drafts do you have? 

A lot.

I bet. How long does testing take?

It depends on my mood. Am I really happy? Am I excited? Am I thrilled to do this? What am I looking for? It really depends on the vibe that day, because one day I might want to wear a teacher hat and teach like a makeup artist, or I want to find the next product, or I want to be silly. It really depends. And that's the power of social media. 

TikTok gives me the power to be myself and share all the different versions of me. If I want to do a cooking video, I will find cooking people. If I want to talk about my weight loss journey, I'll find people who relate to that. And if I want to talk about lipstick, I'm home.

Who were the creators who really inspired you before you made your way into the creator industry?

Patrick Starrr. Michelle Phan. Jackie Aina. NikkieTutorials. Makeup By Mario. I love everyone who contributed to our beauty space. That's who I'm inspired most by. 

And I've taken bits and pieces of them that I admired, and I've made it my own. And I wouldn't be here without any of them. And I've told all of them this. 

What advice would you give to someone who aspires to be a content creator in the beauty industry?

We are all creators. Even if your video doesn't perform, as long as you're sharing and being open, honest, and passionate about beauty or any other topic you want to discuss, you're a creator. You don't need numbers. And that's the beauty of social media. You will always find your community, and you'll always find a home because it's the magic is you.

How do you feel about the way the beauty community has changed?

I miss the old beauty community. I think we're at a stage right now where, over the last four years, everything is about going viral. And that's beautiful. And that really leveled up our beauty space. It created space for a bunch of new creators [and] a bunch of brands.

However, the truth of the matter is that we've lost the meaning of the beauty space because we've focused too much on products. Now it's time to really engage in our communities and be a part of them. And I think that's the most important thing, and that's why I'm slowly changing my content from being a viral content creator, from selling out so many different SKUs [and making] different viral videos. I've realized education and really honing in on community is number one. And that's forever. 

A quick look at the best last-minute gift card deals Uber $100 e-gift card $15.00 at Amazon (save $15) Get Deal PlayStation Store $100 e-gift card Free $15 Target gift card with purchase Get Deal Blackhawk OC Game & Grub $50 e-gift card (GrubHub, Xbox, Buffalo Wild Wings, more) $42.50 (save $7.50 at Staples) Get Deal Hulu $50 e-gift card $42.50 (save $7.50 at Staples) Get Deal

So you just made the connection that Christmas is less than 10 days away and you're scrambling for a good last-minute gift idea. Don't overcomplicate your search by filtering for short shipping times — just snag a gift card on sale. The practicality of a free $25 here or $100 there to spend on whatever they deem a priority is kind of priceless these days.

SEE ALSO: The 71 absolute best stocking stuffers for 2025

Buying a gift card on sale for yourself is also an underrated money-saving hack if you already know you'd spend the full amount at said gift card vendor anyway. If you already know you'll spend $100 on Uber or Uber Eats in the upcoming year, why not grab a $100 Uber gift card on sale for $85 and gift yourself $15 off a trip or food delivery?

Whatever their interest or favorite place to shop, there's probably a discounted gift card for that. Here are the best last-minute gift card deals on digital gift cards as of Dec. 16:

$25 to $50 gift cards

• Starbucks $25 e-gift card — free $5 Starbucks gift card with purchase

• DoorDash $25 e-gift card — $21.25 at Staples (save $3.75)

• Hulu $50 e-gift card — $42.50 at Staples (save $7.50)

• Crumbl $50 e-gift card — $42.50 at Staples (save $7.50)

• Fanatics $50 e-gift card — $42.50 at Staples (save $7.50)

• Rent the Runway $50 e-gift card — $42.50 at Staples (save $7.50)

• Total Wine & More $50 e-gift card — $42.50 at Staples (save $7.50)

• Tractor Supply $50 e-gift card — $42.50 at Staples (save $7.50)

• Darden $50 e-gift card (Olive Garden, Yard House, Longhorn Steakhouse, more) — $42.50 at Staples (save $7.50)

• Game & Grub $50 e-gift card (GrubHub, Xbox, Buffalo Wild Wings, more) — $42.50 at Staples (save $7.50)

• Self-care $50 e-gift card (Sephora, Spa Finder, Panera, more) — $42.50 at Staples (save $7.50)

• Happy B-Day $50 e-gift card (Taco Bell, Barnes & Noble, Dave & Buster's, more) — $42.50 at Staples (save $7.50)

• Weekend Vibes $50 e-gift card (Southwest, Lyft, TopGolf, more) — $42.50 at Staples (save $7.50)

$100+ gift cards

• Uber $100 e-gift card — $85 at Amazon (save $15)

• PlayStation Store $100 e-gift card — $85 at Target (save $15)

• One4All $100 gift cards (Ulta, Jersey Mike's, GrubHub, Nordstrom, Cheesecake Factory, more across various gift cards) — free $10 Target gift card with purchase

SAVE $50: As of Dec. 16, get the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 portable speaker for $89.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $139.99. That's a discount of 36%.

Whether you've got holiday parties to attend or you're throwing one of your own, music can add some much-needed ambiance to any get-together. This year, bring holiday music and other fun additions wherever you go with an affordable portable Bluetooth speaker that's perfect for spreading holiday cheer.

As of Dec. 16, get the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 portable speaker for $89.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $139.99. That's a discount of 36%.

SEE ALSO: The 12 best Bluetooth speakers of 2025

This speaker is all about great sound and portability, with a lengthy battery life and a lightweight body that puts reliability at the forefront. It offers a surprising 24 hours of playtime, so you can spend as much time as possible playing music at any event you head to this holiday season.

It's waterproof and can float if you're going to be around water and any potential mishaps, so it's a good sidekick to have around for those purposes. But it also has LED lighting and other bells and whistles in addition to being able to play the heck out of some music.

If you're ready for an affordable and easy way to listen to your favorite tunes at holiday parties this year or just want a good, reliable gift to give this year, this is a good option.

GET A FREE $5 STARBUCKS GIFT CARD: Buy a $25 Starbucks gift card and receive a free $5 Starbucks e-gift card while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Starbucks Starbucks gift card buy $25 worth of Starbucks gift cards and receive a free $5 Starbucks e-gift card Get Deal

Last week, we were all buzzing with news that Starbucks was releasing more viral Bearista Cups via the app. Fast-forward to today and we're all virtually running around Milan collecting red Starbucks cup in an attempt to win big. If you're not having much luck with the Starbucks Merrython, there's another way to feel like you're winning with the coffee giant.

From now until Dec. 19, purchase a $25 Starbucks gift card and receive a free $5 Starbucks eGift card. You can qualify for this deal by buying one $25 gift card or five $5 gift cards. Supplies are limited to the first 400,000 customers, so it's possible this offer will sell out before the Dec. 19 deadline. The promo is limited to one free $5 gift card per person.

SEE ALSO: Ben & Jerry's is launching Ice Cream Bars — how to get free Cookie Dough bars

Getting something for nothing in 2025 feels like a huge win. Since many of us are already stopping by Starbucks for a pick-me-up, this is a great deal to jump on. Buy one $25 gift card for a friend of five $5 gift cards, and you'll get a free $5 e-gift card for yourself. In either case, you'll be snagging a stocking stuffer almost anyone will love.

If your daily morning routine involves stopping by Starbucks and you're done with holiday shopping, grab this deal for yourself since a free $5 is a free $5. It might not buy you an entire 16-ounce drink, but it'll make a nice dent in the price.

While Starbucks is giving us a few days to snag this free gift card deal, the fine print mentions it's limited to the first 400,000 people who take advantage of the deal. Given how popular the coffee chain is, this deal could sell out before Dec. 19, so snatch it up quickly.

Oh, you don't want an AI chatbot on your TV? That's too bad, buddy, because you're getting one. Well, if you have an LG smart TV, at least.

Tech site Tom's Hardware spotted that users began complaining that a recent software update to LG TVs included the addition of Microsoft Copilot and it could not be deleted. The complaints first surfaced on Reddit's r/mildlyinfuriating, which feels right. The post has racked up some 36,000 upvotes and thousands of comments, most of which expressed annoyance.

Reddit

Tech site Endadget wrote that two staffers with LG TVs confirmed that, yes, Copilot had been installed and was not removable. At best, you could hide it from the home screen.

SEE ALSO: Merriam-Webster names "slop" the word of the year, and boy was 2025 sloppy

Why would you want an AI assistant app on your TV? Good question. I don't necessarily have the answer. But guess what? If you own an LG smart TV, it looks like you have it, whether you want it or not.