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We can probably all agree that the holidays are hectic. Between shopping for gifts, air-frying the turkey, and assembling unwrapped gadgets, we could all use a little help getting things done. 

Just ask husband-and-wife duo Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Dancing with the Stars sensations-slash-champions, famous for their chic style and supercute couple’s banter. As a mom of three young kids, Murgatroyd is quick to admit the holidays are crazy around their house, and she’s eager to share her no-fail trick to quell the stress.  

“I have learned that you get gifts early. You do not wait,” she said during her and Chmerkovsky’s holiday gift guide livestream on Walmart Live. 

Basically, the couple’s number-one tip to help you stay sane this holiday season is to knock off your gift list already. And they want to help you do it.

In their recent Walmart Live x TalkShopLive livestream (which you can view above), you won’t see the two doing their usual ballroom dancing and gravity-defying lifts. Instead, the interactive event is filmed right in Murgatroyd and Chmerkovsky’s dining room, showcasing the couple’s top tech gift recommendations, along with other category picks, for everyone on your list. 

Think instant cameras for content-obsessed teens, wellness tech for the perpetually stressed, and trusty laptops for students. The stream is loaded with stylish gifts, and because they’re coming from Walmart, they’re all wallet-friendly.

One of the top perks about the couple’s livestream (besides getting to meet their adorable poodle, Hachi) is that you can add all items to your cart during the stream — making holiday shopping at Walmart easier than ever.

HP Victus 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP Victus 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop $689 at Walmart
$729 Save $40   Get Deal

“Everyone needs a laptop. Everyone,” Murgatroyd says, before presenting two machines that anyone on your list would love to get. The HP Victus 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop is a sleek choice for both gamers and creators, featuring a blazing Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics card (GPU) for tear-free gameplay or video editing, and up to 10 hours of unplugged play.

Acer Chromebook 315 Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Chromebook 315 $209 at Walmart
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If you’re gifting a student, or if you’re on a budget, the Acer Chromebook 315 is lightweight and backpack-ready. It runs on Chrome OS, which is ideal for daily tasks such as browsing, streaming, and schoolwork.

Therabody SmartGoggles Opens in a new window Credit: Therabody Therabody SmartGoggles $129.99 at Walmart
$199 Save $69.01   Get Deal

Both Murgatroyd and Chmerkovskiy are also obsessed with Therabody SmartGoggles, a luxe gift for anyone who stares at a screen all day. The padded device heats up and vibrates, providing a gentle eye and temple massage that will make your giftee say yup.

Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World Bundle Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World Bundle $499 at Walmart
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The holiday livestream features all the hot toys your kids want, of course, but the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle is a Walmart exclusive. In the box is a Nintendo Switch 2 console and a full game download for the exclusive Mario Kart World. 

Fujifilm Instax Mini SE Instant Camera Opens in a new window Credit: Fujifilm Fujifilm Instax Mini SE Instant Camera $55 at Walmart
$73.95 Save $18.95   Get Deal

The Fujifilm Instax Mini SE Instant Camera is another amazing gift for just about anyone. The simple point-and-shoot feature is great for youngsters and for parents who want to get their kids off their phones. Cart one of these for yourself and take instant pics of your pup wearing his seasonal reindeer antlers to put on the fridge.

The Walmart Live x TalkShopLive holiday livestream also includes Murgatroyd and Chmerkovskiy’s beauty picks, under $25 finds, cool kitchen gadgets, and even the same beige sweatsuits the couple is twinning. Add in the inside DWTS scoops for die-hard show fans, and your holiday shopping is wrapped.

SAVE $250: As of Dec. 17, the base configuration of the 13-inch M4 Apple MacBook Air is on sale for just $749 at Amazon and Best Buy (or $250 off). That's a record-low price for most of its colorways, and you can get it before Christmas if needed.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749 at Amazon
$999 Save $250   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749 at Best Buy
$999 Save $250   Get Deal

Apple's M4 MacBook Air remains undefeated as one of the best value laptops of the entire year. It's gorgeous, quiet, equipped with a great 12MP webcam, and faster than it has any right being. (It's speedier than 85% of the models in our entire testing database, including a handful of current-gen gaming laptops.) Mashable's Stan Schroeder was correct when he deemed it "the best-buy Apple laptop, period."

Augmenting this is the fact that the M4 MacBook Air has been regularly on sale for at least $200 off since August, just five months after it debuted. Right now, its discount is even bigger.

As of mid-December, the base configuration of the 13-inch MacBook Air on sale for just $749 at Amazon and Best Buy (normally $999). The sky blue variant was $10.96 cheaper on Cyber Monday, but this is a record-low price for the three other colorways: midnight, silver, and starlight. It's a great deal on a great, new-ish laptop regardless.

SEE ALSO: The best MacBooks to buy in 2025: The M5 is our new battery life champ

As far as gifting goes, the starlight colorway was the only one I saw Amazon guaranteeing to arrive before Christmas. Best Buy was offering same-day pickup and delivery on all of them in many locations at the time of writing. (I checked several Best Buys in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Florida, and Austin, and its availability was pretty consistent.)

Our top pick for students and anyone who prioritizes portability, the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air starts with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. If you want to upgrade it for future-proofing's sake (a good call amid the AI-induced component shortage), the other configurations with 512GB of storage and/or 24GB of RAM were also $250 off when I last checked. That includes the 15-inch version, which has two extra speakers and a slightly better GPU.

SAVE $350: As of Dec. 17, get the KitchenAid Espresso Machine for $1,649.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,999.99. That's a discount of 18%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon KitchenAid Espresso Machine $1,649.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $350   Get Deal

If you're the type of person who needs your daily caffeine fix in the form of coffee, you probably take a lot of trips to Starbucks or your local coffee shop. All those visits, or all the times you buy coffee every day wherever it is, can add up. Stop spending money every day when you could invest in a coffee machine that could provide great-tasting, professional-quality drinks at home for what will eventually be a fraction of the cost.

As of Dec. 17, get the KitchenAid Espresso Machine for $1,649.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,999.99. That's $350 off and a discount of 18%.

SEE ALSO: The best coffee machines for modern kitchens

The KitchenAid Espresso Machine is a professional, automatic-style coffee maker that can create drinks from over 40 recipe options, including espressos, lattes, cappuccinos, and more. It's a stainless steel powerhouse that's built to last, with a removable bean hopper, a milk container to keep fresh milk, and a dual-drink setup so you can make two beverages at the same time if you so choose.

Really, all you need to do is press a button to brew your favorite beverage. That both eliminates the need for complicated setups and ensures you get your favorite drink every time, all done totally quietly to keep your mornings peaceful. This multifunctional machine may look intimidating, but it's built to make sure you get a fresh drink every day that tastes just like a barista made it.

If you need a gift for the ultimate coffee fan or just want to level up your kitchen, this is a great way to do it, so grab it while it's on sale.

SAVE $600: The DJI Power 2000 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $699 until 3 a.m. ET on Dec. 18, down from the list price of $1,299. That's a 46% discount that matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 2000 $699 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $600   Get Deal

I live near the Puget Sound in Washington, and in case you haven't heard, the weather has been angry lately. In December alone, we've dealt with massive rain, flooding, landslides, and power outages. As of this morning, there are outages all over the region impacting thousands of homes. If you hate the inconvenience of a power outage, consider the incredible upgrade of a portable power station. There's a great model on sale for a limited time only to keep you powered up.

The DJI Power 2000 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $699 until 3 a.m. ET on Dec. 18, marked down from the usual price of $1,299. That means you'll be saving a sweet $600 from the 46% discount. This sale price also matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Portable power stations are some of the most useful advancements we've had in recent decades. DJI makes a small handful of capable models that are perfect for a power outage or for a content creator to take out in the field.

SEE ALSO: DJI to U.S. government: Don't ban us, answer us

As the name suggests, the DJI Power 2000 comes with 2,048Wh of capacity, which you can utilize via the four USB-C ports, four USB-A ports, three AC ports, or the 30amp. Unlike the majority of other portable power stations, the DJI Power 2000 comes with two SDC ports, which will be awesome for anyone who wants to recharge a drone.

In under an hour, you'll be able to recharge the Power 2000 from zero back to 80 percent, and the ergonomic side handles make this model easier to haul around. You'll want to keep it charged up and ready to go during inclement weather this winter, and you'll also want to pack it for camping trips once the weather improves. Add a solar panel to the DJI Power 2000, and you could be looking at unlimited power.

In real-life situations, the DJI Power 2000 is capable of keeping a WiFi router on for over 150 hours or a refrigerator cooling for almost two days. Take it out camping and recharge your mobile phone over 110 times or a drone about 24 times.

Before this sale ends at 3 a.m. ET tomorrow, snag the DJI Power 2000 while it's sitting at a record-low price. You'll be infinitely thankful you jumped on this deal when the next storm knocks out power.

SAVE 50%: Now through Dec. 24, get up to 50% off MasterClass annual memberships or MasterClass Certificates.

Opens in a new window Credit: MasterClass MasterClass Annual Membership: 50% off through Dec. 24   Get Deal

I’ve always been a little skeptical of “growth” apps, but MasterClass is the one exception that actually delivers. If you’ve been looking for a gift that doesn’t just end up in a drawer, the company’s running a 50% off sitewide sale from now through Dec. 24.

An annual MasterClass membership gives you access to more than 200 classes that you can watch anywhere (desktop, TV, mobile) and anytime. Each class is taught by a person who’s at the top of their field, with some being led by literal icons like Anna Wintour, Gordon Ramsay, and Martha Stewart. Each class has around 20 video lessons that average about 10 minutes each, though I’m sure some run a little longer. With Offline Mode, you can download lessons and watch them without WiFi, and a membership also gets you on the exclusive, members-only newsletter list.

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The discount runs across all three program tiers (billed annually): Standard ($5/mo), Plus ($8/mo), and Premium ($10/mo). The main difference is that Standard covers one device and doesn't include offline mode, while Plus covers two devices and Premium covers six — both with offline access included. Each membership also comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so if you hate it, you can cancel for a refund as long as it’s within 30 days of purchase.

In addition to the memberships, MasterClass is also taking 50% off certificates. These are a little more intense, offering 15-20 hours of info including a syllabus, learning modules, quizzes, and a capstone project. You’ll get instant feedback and a shareable certificate upon completion to display in your office or use to help land a promotion. These courses usually start at $299 without the discount and include programs like “Scaling AI Strategy” with NVIDIA and “Lead With AI” with Microsoft.

The lights are back on at the Muppet Theatre, because The Muppet Show is back!

The beloved variety series, which ran for five seasons from 1976 to 1981, returns for a special event on Disney+ and ABC next year. The original Muppet Show featured musical giants like Elton John, Johnny Cash, Diana Ross, Debbie Harry, Gladys Knight, Liza Minelli, and Paul Simon. Who's going to join their ranks as a guest in 2026?

SEE ALSO: All the ways 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' avoided failure to become the greatest 'Christmas Carol' ever

None other than Sabrina Carpenter. The Grammy-winning "Espresso" star will be joining Muppet favorites like Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy onstage. This isn't the first time Carpenter and the Muppets have crossed paths. At the final show of Carpenter's Short n' Sweet tour, Miss Piggy earned the honor of being Carpenter's "Juno" arrest, meaning Carpenter arrested Miss Piggy with a pair of fuzzy pink handcuffs for being "too hot." Flattery will get you everywhere with Miss Piggy, so I'm guessing they'll get along just great during the special.

On top of the Muppets and Carpenter, The Muppet Show will bring back veteran Muppet performers Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman and Matt Vogel. Goelz was one of the original performers on The Muppet Show, originating the roles of Gonzo, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, and others.

The Muppet Show premieres Feb. 4 on Disney+ and ABC.

PRE-ORDER ASCENDED HEROES: Unlike previous Pokémon TCG releases, it seems that The Pokémon Company is releasing Ascended Heroes preorders in waves, with the Pokémon Center only releasing preorders for Elite Trainer Boxes and Booster Bundles at the time of writing.

Where to pre-order the Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box Pre-order from Amazon Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box $49.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from best buy Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box $49.99 Pre-Order Here Pre-order from Target Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box $49.99 Pre-Order Here Pre-order from Walmart Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box $49.99 Pre-Order Here

Ascended Heroes is listed as a “Holiday” or “Special” set, so there's no booster boxes this time around. That means getting the Elite Trainer Box is one of the best ways to get booster packs this time around. You'll also get Mega Dragonite-themed card sleeves (65), card dividers, a tournament-legal coin, purple damage dice, a green transparent status die, a set of Energy cards, and an N’s Zekrom Illustration Rare promo card. Oh, and of course, nine Ascended Heroes booster packs.

Where to pre-order the Ascended Heroes Booster Bundle Pre-order from Amazon Ascended Heroes Booster Bundle $26.94 Pre-Order Here Pre-order from Best Buy Ascended Heroes Booster Bundle $26.94 Pre-Order Here Pre-order from Target Ascended Heroes Booster Bundle $26.94 Pre-Order Here Pre-order from Walmart Ascended Heroes Booster Bundle $26.94 Pre-Order Here

Booster Bundles are always the cheapest way to grab six booster packs, and it's no different here with Ascended Heroes. It's a simple package: just six Ascended Heroes booster packs in a box that can double up as a deck box.

Where to pre-order the Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection pre-order from Amazon Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection $49.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Best Buy Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection $49.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Target Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection $49.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Walmart Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection $49.99 Pre-Order Here

Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collections are absolutely stacked. 10 Ascended Heroes booster packs alongside a Mega Lucario ex or Mega Gardevoir ex Mega Attack Rare promo card. The included poster is also a giant print of the aforementioned promo card, coming in at 27 inches by 39 inches.

Where to pre-order the Ascended Heroes 2-Pack Blister pre-order from Amazon Ascended Heroes 2-Pack Blister $9.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Best Buy Ascended Heroes 2-Pack Blister $9.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Target Ascended Heroes 2-Pack Blister $9.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Walmart Ascended Heroes 2-Pack Blister $9.99 Pre-Order Here

The two-pack blister does exactly what it says on the tin: two Ascended Heroes booster packs, a tournament-legal coin, and a promo card. It's cheap and cheerful for just under $10, with a couple of cheeky bonuses thrown in for your trouble.

Where to pre-order the Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collection pre-order from Amazon Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collection $15.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Best Buy Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collection $15.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Target Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collection $15.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Walmart Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collection $15.99 Pre-Order Here

Focusing on Mega Charizard Y and Mega Gengar stickers, each blister comes with three Ascended Heroes booster packs and a respective Charmander or Gastly promo card.

Where to pre-order the Ascended Heroes First Partners Deluxe Pin Collection pre-order from Amazon Ascended Heroes First Partners Deluxe Pin Collection $24.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Best Buy Ascended Heroes First Partners Deluxe Pin Collection $24.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from target Ascended Heroes First Partners Deluxe Pin Collection $24.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Walmart Ascended Heroes First Partners Deluxe Pin Collection $24.99 Pre-Order Here

This Deluxe Pin Collection focuses on the starter Pokémon found in Pokémon Legends: Z-A: Tepig, Totodile, and Chikorita. You'll get an enamel pin with them all on, as well as three promo cards for each starter Pokémon. You'll also get five Ascended Heroes booster packs.

Don't want to wait? Buy the Japanese Mega Dream ex set. Buy the Mega Dream ex sealed product and top chase cards Available Now Mega Dream ex booster box (High Class Pack) $101.99 Shop Now Available now Mega Dream ex Booster Pack (Japanese) $9.29 Shop Now Available Now Mega Gengar ex - 240/193 $399.99 Shop Now Available Now Mega Dragonite ex - 250/193 $240 Shop Now Available Now Mega Dragonite ex - 246/193 $232 Get Deal Available Now Pikachu ex - 234/193 $202.49 Shop Now

Ascended Heroes has already released in Japan, but it's called Mega Dream ex. The good thing about Japanese sets is you're guaranteed a top chase card. Specifically, you can look forward to pull rates similar to other Mega Evolution sets:

• 1 x Super Rare or better (Mega Ultra Rare/Special Art Rare)

• 1 x item-specific Super Rare

• 3 x Art Rares

• 5 x Double Rares

The Mega Dream ex High Class Booster Box also means there's a small chance to get a “God pack,” which is a booster pack that contains most (if not all) top chase cards in one pack. So if you don't mind your chase cards being less valuable than English ones and just want Pokémon cards for the artwork, Japanese sets are great products to open.

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Fallout's second season is full of Easter eggs and references to the post-apocalyptic Bethesda games it's based on, including one iconic location that's usually crawling with enemies.

In Season 2, episode 1, Lucy (Ella Purnell) and Cooper (Walton Goggins) are tracking her father across the Wasteland when they wander into a crumbling outdoor cinema, where cars and audience members remain parked exactly where they were when the nuclear blast hit 200 years ago. This is the Starlight Drive-In, a location you'll visit — or try to avoid — in Fallout 4.

SEE ALSO: 'Fallout 2' is full of game details. Here's a handy guide.

Production designer Howard Cummings has crafted a stunning onscreen version of the Starlight Drive-In for the series, with its retro-futurist aesthetic and towering, dilapidated movie screen. You'll see on the cinema's ravaged marquee that the very last movie to be shown here was A Man and His Dog 3, starring none other than Cooper Howard — double-billed with a Dracula movie.

Featured Video For You What tech would the 'Fallout' cast steal from the show?

In the games, the drive-in and its surrounding area is infested with mole rats and radroaches (irradiated cockroaches), Feral Ghouls (zombie versions of the mutated humans) and the odd Super Mutant — a formidable enemy yet to feature in the Fallout TV series. Luckily, no such enemies await Lucy and Coop in the episode.

In another treat for Fallout fans, the drive-in is located near the entrance to Vault 24, a vault that was actually cut from Fallout: New Vegas (meaning the TV series has a blank slate for its backstory).

And there's plenty more Easter eggs for Fallout fans to spot in the series.

Fallout Season 2 premieres Dec. 16 at 9 p.m. ET on Prime Video, with a new episode every week.

SAVE OVER $30: As of Dec. 17, the Lego DC Batman Construction Figure and The Bat-Pod Bike set has dropped to its lowest price yet of $31.99 at Amazon. This is $33 off its list price of $64.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego DC Batman Construction Figure and The Bat-Pod Bike $31.99 at Amazon
$64.99 Save $33   Get Deal

Lego fans of all ages have had some nice deals to check out leading up to the holidays. If you're shopping for a younger Lego builder this year, Amazon is currently offering an excellent 51% discount on the Lego DC Batman Construction Figure and The Bat-Pod Bike, dropping to its lowest price of $31.99 for a limited time.

Usually this Lego Batman set is listed for $64.99, so this is a great opportunity to grab it at its lowest-ever price and save $33. Amazon even states on the sale page that it'll arrive before Christmas, so you'll have plenty of time to wrap it up if you're gifting it this year.

SEE ALSO: The 30 best new Lego sets run the gamut from Game Boy to 'The Goonies' and the U.S.S. Enterprise

The Lego DC Batman Construction Figure and The Bat-Pod Bike is an excellent build for younger Lego and Batman fans, with a recommended age of 12 and up. It comes with 713 pieces that create The Dark Knight with movable shoulders, arms, hip, and leg joints for posing. He can even be attached to the motorcycle once that's built, which comes with two stud launchers, so he's ready for action once everything is pieced together.

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There may not be much longer to take advantage of this deal, though. Act fast to save 51% on the Lego DC Batman Construction Figure and The Bat-Pod Bike set at Amazon ahead of the holidays.

If you're still getting some last-minute shopping done and looking for more ideas to give this year, check out our breakdown of the 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025 to see even more options we think are worth your time and money this holiday season.

The Fallout games have been long celebrated for their soundtracks, a plethora of '30s, '40s, '50s, and '60s tunes that somehow make the horrors of the Wasteland more tolerable. It's something Season 1 of the Prime Video adaptation appreciated, and the first episode of Season 2 makes it clear we're in for more where that came from.

In particular, thanks to music supervisor Trygge Toven, the first episode includes one hell of a needle drop: "Big Iron," Marty Robbins' iconic 1959 Western ballad, a song known to Fallout fans as associated with the game Fallout: New Vegas.

SEE ALSO: 'Fallout' Season 2 review: Our introduction to New Vegas is a blast, and more relevant than ever

At the start of episode 1, we find Lucy (Ella Purnell) and Cooper (Walton Goggins) in a literal bind, with Coop captured by the Great Khan raiders, a gang from Fallout: New Vegas located in the Mojave Wasteland. For the Fallout show, the gang's base is actually the Dino Dee-lite Motel, another location from the game which features that giant T-rex in which Lucy is hiding.

Featured Video For You What tech would the 'Fallout' cast steal from the show?

Of course, Coop and Lucy fight their way out of peril in signature Fallout style, and it's all set to "Big Iron." The song is available to play in the New Vegas game through the radio station accessible on your Pip Boy (the wearable computer all Vault-Dwellers have). When you're not listening to the game's score, you can tune into America's last bastion of broadcasting with either Mojave Music Radio or Radio New Vegas. The jaunty tunes make it wildly less terrifying to venture into locations infested with enemies, just as "Big Iron" makes surreal the bloody scene in episode 1.

It's also not the only needle drop in the episode, with Peggy Lee's "Cheek to Cheek," The Del-Vikings' "Come Go with Me," and The Ink-Spots' "It's All Over but the Crying," and Roy Orbison's "Working for the Man" all featuring in scenes.

And importantly, "Big Iron" is not the only Easter egg for Fallout fans.

Fallout Season 2 premieres Dec. 16 at 9 p.m. ET on Prime Video, with a new episode every week.

SAVE $60: As of Dec. 17, the JBL Tune Buds are still on sale at their lowest-ever price of $39.95 at Amazon. This saves you $60 off their list price of $99.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Tune Buds $39.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $60   Get Deal

If a new pair of earbuds has been on your shopping list for the holidays this year, whether to give to yourself or someone else, Amazon's had some excellent last-minute deals available. The JBL Tune Buds are among the options on sale right now, still marked down to their lowest-ever price of $39.95, though probably not for much longer.

Amazon has the JBL Tune Buds listed as a limited-time deal, so the clock is ticking to grab them for $60 off their list price of $99.95. It even says on the sale page that they'll arrive before Christmas, so last-minute shoppers can feel a bit more relaxed grabbing them now.

SEE ALSO: The 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025: Find unique gift ideas you'd never think of on your own

Not only do the JBL Tune Buds boast high-quality audio that's boosted by JBL's Pure Bass Sound, they also have noise-cancelling features. For when you want to block out sounds around you entirely, they offer Active Noise Cancelling, and for when you want to be a bit more aware of your surroundings, you can swap to Ambient Aware. They even provide up to 48 hours of battery life with the case.

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All of that for just under $40 is a steal. So why wait to pick them up? Now is the time to grab the JBL Tune Buds while they're still at their lowest-ever price.

Looking for even more deals like this one ahead of the holidays? Our roundup of the 65 best tech gifts of the year features even more items worth giving this year.

SAVE OVER $200: As of Dec. 17, you can get a free pair of earbuds when you buy the Sony XM5 headphones at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 + Sony WF-C700N $248 at Amazon
$519.98 Save $271.98   Get Deal

If you're looking for a pair of headphones and earbuds, you might be prepared to spend a small fortune. Thankfully, with Amazon's latest Sony bundle, there's no need. When you purchase the Sony XM5 headphones, you'll also get a pair of the WF-C700N noise cancelling earbuds for free.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are an excellent choice. They use two processors and eight microphones to give impressive noise cancellation and clear call quality. They also benefit from a newly developed driver, along with DSEE Extreme and high-resolution audio support, to help maintain detail across all different types of audio, whether you’re listening to music, podcasts, or taking calls.

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And the earbuds are impressive too, boasting great noise cancellation, balanced sound, and a lightweight, ergonomic design.

This deal won't be around for long. In fact, the listing states it will run out on Dec. 31, so if you want to grab this bargain, don't wait around.

TL;DR: Ben & Jerry's is launching Ice Cream Bars. More than 150 Scoop Shops are handing out free Cookie Dough bars on Dec. 17.

We're coming at you with a double dose of good news.

First, you should know that Ben & Jerry's is officially launching Ice Cream Bars. This exciting new product line features five delicious flavors arriving as soon as January 2026. We're getting Cookie Dough, Strawberry Cheesecake, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Peanut Butter Pretzel, and Caramel Blondie in handy-on-the-go-bars. What a time to be alive.

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But that's not all. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Ben & Jerry's is hosting a huge giveaway. On Dec. 17, over 150 participating Scoop Shops nationwide will be handing out free Cookie Dough bars (while supplies last). Over 20,000 of these new bars are being given away in total. Get to your nearest location nice and early to avoid missing out.

Free ice cream simply cannot be ignored. Find participating locations and further info here.

TL;DR: Live stream Newcastle United vs. Fulham in the EFL Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Newcastle United are enduring a fairly tough time right now. They're in the bottom half of the Premier League standings and just lost to fierce rivals Sunderland. The EFL Cup could be a welcome distraction, but if they're dumped out by Fulham at the quarter-final stage, the pressure will mount on manager Eddie Howe.

If you want to watch Newcastle United vs. Fulham in the Carabao Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Newcastle United vs. Fulham?

Newcastle United vs. Fulham in the Carabao Cup kicks off at 8:15 p.m. GMT on Dec. 17. This fixture takes place at St. James' Park.

How to watch Newcastle United vs. Fulham for free

Newcastle United vs. Fulham in the Carabao Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Newcastle United vs. Fulham in the Carabao Cup for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Newcastle United vs. Fulham for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Carabao Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Newcastle United vs. Fulham in the Carabao Cup before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Newcastle United vs. Fulham in the Carabao Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There is quite simply no tournament like the Africa Cup of Nations. It's an electric combination of heated rivalries, colorful fans, and flair that is sometimes lacking from elite competitions. We know that the eyes of the footballing world are already fixed on the 2026 World Cup, but this incredible tournament should whet the appetite of fans before the main event next summer.

The likes of Mohamed Salah, Achraf Hakimi, Sadio Mane, Bryan Mbuemo, and Victor Osimhen will be taking center stage in Morocco. We're expecting some scintillating football from the best of the best.

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If you're interested in watching the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the Africa Cup of Nations?

The Africa Cup of Nations (or AFCON) is the main biennial international men's association football competition in Africa. 24 teams are drawn into six groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams advance to the knockout rounds.

The defending champion is Ivory Coast. Egypt is the most successful nation in the tournament's history, winning seven times and securing three consecutive titles in 2006, 2008, and 2010.

When is the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations?

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is the 35th edition of the competition. This year's event takes place from Dec. 21 to Jan. 18 in Morocco.

How to watch the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.

Channel 4 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can stream the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Connect to Channel 4

5. Watch the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch AFCON without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Channel 4?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms like Channel 4, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95.

Live stream the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

We're just days away from the New Moon, with the Moon now shrinking to a just a thin sliver of light. This waning phase marks the final stretch of the lunar cycle.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Wednesday, Dec. 17, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. This means only 6% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

If you don't have any visual aids, you won't be able to see anything. However, with binoculars and a telescope, you should be able to see the Grimaldi Basin.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Jan. 3. The last full moon was on Dec. 4.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes around 29.5 days to complete one full cycle. During this time, it passes through a series of phases as it orbits Earth. Although the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of sunlight reflecting off its surface changes, which is why it can appear fully illuminated, partly lit, or completely invisible at different points in the cycle. This process is divided into eight main lunar phases:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a devout Christian.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for December 17, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Small boats

• Green: Flat

• Blue: Popular cars

• Purple: Religious figures

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Human-powered watercraft

• Green: Flush

• Blue: Honda models

• Purple: Biblical figures plus starting letter

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #920 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Human-powered watercraft: DUGOUT, KAYAK, RAFT, SHELL

• Flush: EVEN, FLAT, LEVEL, PLANE

• Honda models: ACCORD, CIVIC, ODYSSEY, PILOT

• Biblical figures plus starting letter: FLUKE, LABEL, MADAM, TRUTH

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 17, 2025

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you don't seek perfection.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 17, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 17, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Out of line

The words are related to positioning.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things that aren't straight.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is A Little Off.

NYT Strands word list for December 17

• Askew

• Crooked

• Lopsided

• A Little Off

• Uneven

• Titled

• Aslant

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love the outdoors.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 17, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for December 17, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Green plant.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter S appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter G.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

GRASS

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 17, 2025

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 17, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 17, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 17 Pips

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this yellow space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 17 Pips

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 2-0, placed vertically; 2-0, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 0. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 0-6, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 17 Pips

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 3-1, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this yellow space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 1-5, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 3-2, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.