Category: Berry Interesting

Life advice you didn’t ask for, trends you’ll forget by next week, and feel-good fluff designed to help you stop doomscrolling, at least for five seconds.

How Often Do We Listen to Music? For One in Four, the Answer Is: Always

If you feel like life should have a soundtrack, you’re in good company.

One in four Americans, according to a new YouGov poll, say they more or less always have music on, turning their daily routines into personal concerts.

23% listen to music “almost all the time”

The jumps to 36% for younger listeners as Gen Z’s headphones continue the process of fusing to their skull. Another 44% of Americans listen daily.

Not everyone listens to music

18% only pump the tunes a few times a week, 13% said even less than that, and then there’s the elusive 2% who claim they never listen to music at all, which… we don’t even know what to do with. Silence? On purpose?

Who’d you listen to this year?

The numbers dropped alongside Spotify’s annual Wrapped feature, the thing that lets everyone flex their favorite artists and songs from the past year—or quietly hide them, depending on how 2025 went for your playlists. (3% of us think our taste in music is so cringe, we’d rather keep it a secret.)

A quarter of people say their musical taste evolved over the past year. Maybe they got into jazz, finally gave in to K-pop, or circled back to emo after pretending they’d outgrown it. As for the rest of us? We stuck with our tried-and-true faves like it was still 2011.

So whether you’re blasting music all day or saving it for special moments, the numbers don’t lie – America’s love for music is still going strong, earbuds in and volume up.

Look at how much this guy loves music.

Australia Banned Social Media for Kids Under 16—Here’s How It Could Backfire

It’s official: Australia just hit the digital reset button on childhood – but not everyone’s convinced it’s actually a good idea.

As of December 10th, 2025, kids 15 and under in Australia are banned from using any social media platform, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, and others. It’s the first country in the world to enforce a nationwide age-restricted ban, and reactions immediately started coming in faster than a group chat meltdown.

The law, which passed in November 2024, gave platforms a year to comply. They face serious fines if they don’t play along, and also have to take “reasonable steps” to prevent kids from setting up new accounts.

Will Real-World Socializing Make a Comeback?

Supporters of the move are hoping it turns back the clock a bit. Like, pre-smartphone era back. The idea is that without apps to scroll through 24/7, kids might (gasp!) actually start hanging out face-to-face again.

A poll found 77% of Australians support the crackdown, so a lot of parents are probably crossing their fingers that this means more bike rides and fewer TikTok dances in the living room.

How It Could Backfire

Not everyone’s convinced it will work as planned. Critics say kids could just end up feeling isolated or less informed, especially if the only online voices they can access are their parents’ Facebook posts from 2011. If kids can’t connect (and get their news) from social media, will they go elsewhere? Or will they just not connect at all?

The negative effects could be even more pronounced for children with health issues or disabilities that keep them isolated, effectively eliminating their only social outlet. Others argue enforcement could be impossible anyway, since kids are already finding ways to get around the law.

A Global Test Case

It’s a massive shift for a generation that’s never known a world without social media. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is a proponent of the ban, but even he admitted, “This will be one of the ­biggest social and cultural changes our nation has faced.” He predicted it would eventually become “a source of national pride.”

Other nations are closely watching to see how it plays out as governments everywhere struggle with how to protect kids online. Will it lead to more analog childhoods, or just more creative loopholes?

The Cities Most Likely to Force Pets Into Holiday Festivities

Pets can tell when the holidays hit. One day everything is normal, and the next, a giant indoor tree appears, the house is glowing like a casino, and their humans are wearing sweaters with bells on them.

Sometimes the pets themselves are wearing the sweaters, which is when they realize humans are absolutely unhinged.

PetSmart just released a new list ranking the cities where people are most likely to drag their pets into the holiday spirit.

This is based on what people are buying in local stores, including festive toys, Santa sweaters, reindeer antlers, and whatever other glittery nonsense pets quietly judge us for.

Here are the Top 15 cities where pet participation is basically mandatory:

  1. Midland, Texas
  2. Dickson City, Pennsylvania
  3. Lexington, Kentucky
  4. Amarillo, Texas
  5. Johnson City, Tennessee
  6. Winter Garden, Florida
  7. Lubbock, Texas
  8. Pensacola, Florida
  9. Florence, Kentucky
  10. Athens, Georgia
  11. Portland, Oregon
  12. West Jordan, Utah
  13. Antioch, California
  14. Roseville, Michigan
  15. Cape Coral, Florida

If your city made the list, your pet has already accepted their fate. They will be in at least one holiday photo… possibly wearing a tiny scarf or a pair of antlers they did not consent to.

And if you live in Midland, Texas, which topped the list, your dog is probably already in a costume with a matching hat.

Overall, PetSmart says 90% of pet parents plan to involve their pets in the holidays this year in some way. That includes snacks, toys, apparel, accessories, or whatever festive thing will make their pet briefly tolerate the situation before plotting revenge.

So if your cat gives you side-eye all December or your dog mysteriously disappears every time you pick up a tiny sweater, remember, they knew what season it was the moment the tree came out of the box.

Five Quick Tricks to Force That Christmas Spirit to Show Up

If you’re still waiting for the magic of the holiday season to hit you like a peppermint-scented snowball, you’re not alone.

According to The Guardian, plenty of their staff admitted they don’t naturally feel festive this early, so they listed their go-to tricks for forcing the Christmas spirit to kick in. Fake it ’til you feel it, basically.

And while we’re still a few weeks out, these might just help you jumpstart your seasonal joy early (or at least get you to stop side-eyeing the neighbors who put up their lights the day after Halloween).

Here are five little nudges that might push you into holiday mode:

1. Get your tree up already.
Putting up the Christmas tree, stringing some lights, and blasting festive tunes are classics for a reason. Even the grinchiest folks start to feel something once the twinkle lights come on and Mariah Carey defrosts.

2. Wrap a few gifts early.
You don’t need to have all your shopping done—just grab a couple of presents you have bought and do a little wrapping session. Add a mug of hot cocoa and boom, you’re living inside a holiday rom-com.

3. Eat or drink something festive.
This one’s personal. One Guardian staffer said fish pie does it for her (which, okay…). But for the rest of us, this is your excuse to spike the eggnog, bake cookies, or buy that absurdly flavored peppermint mocha.

4. Hit the ice.
Ice skating is the kind of activity most people only do this time of year, so it naturally comes with those frosty, nostalgic vibes. Fall down a few times and laugh about it—it’s good for the holiday soul.

5. Rewatch your favorite holiday-ish movie.
It doesn’t have to be a straight-up Christmas classic. If Die Hard or Harry Potter screams “holiday season” to you, go for it. It’s all about that personal connection.

Some of the more specific holiday kickstarters people shared included hearing a certain song or even going to a local outdoor sauna (very Nordic, very festive). The bottom line? Everyone’s got their own weird little ritual that unlocks the holiday joy.

So if you’re still not feeling it, no shame. Just trick yourself into it. Holiday cheer is a state of mind—and sometimes, a strategically timed sugar cookie.

What about you? Got a go-to move that instantly makes it feel like Christmas?

Avoid a Christmas Catastrophe: Don’t Listen to “Frosty the Snowman” and Drive!

They call it The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, but Christmas can also be the most DEADLY.

From falling off ladders while hanging Christmas lights, to drinking bad eggnog, to . . . listening to “Frosty the Snowman” in the car. Wait . . . what???

According to a study from Insuranceopedia, songs with over 120 beats per minute can lead to dangerous driving habits. And “Frosty” is one of the most dangerous holiday songs of them all, at 172 bpm.

Here are the Top 10 Christmas hits that can lead to vehicular disaster:

1.  “Frosty the Snowman”,  Gene Autry:  172 beats per minute (BPM)

2.  “All I Want for Christmas Is You”,  Mariah Carey:  150 BPM

3.  “Feliz Navidad”,  José Feliciano:  149 BPM

4.  “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town”,  The Jackson 5:  147 BPM

5.  “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”,  John Lennon, Yoko Ono , and The Plastic Ono Band:  146 BPM

6.  “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”,  Frank Sinatra:  143 BPM

7.  “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”:  142 BPM

8.  “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday”,  Wizzard:  140 BPM

9.  “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”,  Judy Garland:  137 BPM

10.  “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”,  The Jackson 5:  129 BPM

Are These the Best Christmas Songs of All Time?

If you needed an excuse to blast Christmas music at full volume, congratulations, the calendar just handed you one.

Now that December has officially arrived, the holiday playlists are coming out, the peppermint mochas are flowing, and TimeOut.com has dropped its new ranking of the 50 Best Christmas Songs of All Time.

According to TimeOut, the top spot belongs to a song most of us have already heard at least six times today. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” continues its undefeated streak as the queen of modern holiday music. Whether you think it’s a masterpiece or a seasonal earworm, its grip on December is unshakeable.

Just behind it is Wham!’s “Last Christmas”, a synthy heartbreak anthem that somehow still feels cheerful enough to soundtrack a shopping mall. In third place is “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, a song that’s emotional, messy, and beloved in the same way an ugly Christmas sweater is beloved.

Lists like this tend to spark strong opinions, partly because the soundtrack of December is so tied to nostalgia.

For some people, Christmas music means childhood memories and family gatherings. For others, it means surviving retail shifts and trying not to lose their minds as Jingle Bell Rock repeats for the 17th time. Either way, we all have that one song we think deserves better.

If you’re building a holiday playlist or just want to know where your favorites landed, TimeOut’s full Top 50 is worth checking out. And if you disagree with their rankings, don’t worry, there’s plenty of time left for spirited holiday arguing.

Here are TimeOut’s Top 20:

1.  “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, Mariah Carey

2.  “Last Christmas”, Wham!

3.  “Fairytale of New York”, The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl

4.  “Santa Tell Me”, Ariana Grande

5.  “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”, Darlene Love

6.  “Feliz Navidad”, José Feliciano

7.  “The Power of Love”, Frankie Goes to Hollywood

8.  “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

9.  “White Christmas”, Bing Crosby

10.  “Step Into Christmas”, Elton John

11.  “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday”, Wizzard

12.  “Must Be Santa”, Kurt Vile

13.  “Christmas Will Break Your Heart”, LCD Soundsystem

14.  “Wonderful Christmastime”, Paul McCartney

15.  “Underneath the Tree”, Kelly Clarkson

16.  “Christmas Tree Farm”, Taylor Swift

17.  “Dominick the Donkey”, Lou Monte

18.  “Child’s Christmas in Wales”, John Cale

19.  “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”, The Jackson 5

20.  “River”, Joni Mitchell

10 Things That Happened 10 Years Ago: Dec 7-13

Crystal Pepsi, rude texts, and Margot Robbie in a bubble bath. Here’s what was in the news 10 years ago this week.

Willard Scott Retires from the “Today” Show

After 35 years of birthday shout-outs, Willard Scott said goodbye to “Today.” The man who once was Ronald McDonald (seriously) left behind a legacy of smiles, smooches, and Smuckers-sponsored centenarians. He’d already been semi-retired for a quite a while, with Al Roger filling in as the main weatherman on most days since 1996.

Ending Texts with Periods Makes You Sound Rude

A study found ending your texts with a period made you seem cold or angry. Gen Z agreed. Suddenly punctuation became passive-aggressive, and everyone started ending messages like this instead

Texting Makes You Temporarily Deaf

Meanwhile, a separate study found focusing on your phone can actually make you “temporarily deaf.” So if your spouse yells your name while you’re deep in a text thread… you’re not ignoring them, it’s just science.

Crystal Pepsi Comeback

A grassroots movement to resurrect Crystal Pepsi caught fire online in 2015, complete with petitions, hashtags, and an overwhelming amount of communal nostalgia. It actually worked – Pepsi handed out 13,000 six-packs that December, and eventually brought it back for real in the summer of 2016. It hasn’t been offered again nationwide since then.

Facebook’s Most Talked-About Topics of 2015

Before TikTok ruled the world, Facebook was where we debated everything. The site dropped lists of 2015’s most talked-about stars, shows, and athletes – proof we’ve always loved arguing in the comments. Ed Sheeran topped the list of the most talked-about entertainers,“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was #1 among movies, and“Game of Thrones” topped the list of TV shows.

Taylor Swift Is Billboard’s Artist of the Year

Her “1989” album topped their Billboard 200 Albums list that year, and also their Digital Albums list.

YouTube’s Most Viewed Music Videos of 2015

The biggest hits of the year lived on YouTube. The #1 video from the list still sits among YouTube’s all-time most-watched a decade later. “See You Again” by Wiz Kalifa and Charlie Puth racked up 1.2 billion views in 2015. (“Baby Shark” owns the record by an impressively wide margin.)

The 10 Holiday Smells We Love Most

A poll by “Huff Post” and Glad found the Top 10 in order are: Hot chocolate, freshly baked cookies, the smell of a fire, peppermint, apple cider, pine trees, potato latkes (a Hanukkah staple), pie, candles, and gingerbread.

“Walking Dead” Star Bitten by a Fan

Actor Norman Reedus got bit by an over-excited fan at a 2015 convention in New Jersey. He wasn’t hurt and handled it like a champ – dude had some experience in avoiding a serious bite.

“The Big Short” hit theaters across the U.S.

The Adam McKay flick finally helped fans understand the basics of the 2008 financial crisis that wiped out their savings – thanks to a cast of A-listers, fourth-wall breaks, and Margot Robbie explaining subprime loans from a bubble bath.

People Exercise Less in the Winter Because It’s “Too Cold and Too Dark”

It’s always easy to come up with an excuse for NOT exercising, and it’s even easier in the WINTER.

In a survey, 31% of people admitted to being “less active” in the winter months.

Here are the Top 10 excuses they gave for not exercising as much:

1.  It’s too cold.  (As opposed to the summer, when the top excuse would probably be “It’s too hot.”)

2.  It’s too dark.

3.  It’s too wet.

4.  It’s harder to find the motivation.

5.  I worry more about safety when exercising in the dark outside.

6.  I have less energy.

7.  I’m more likely to pull a muscle or strain something because of the cold weather.

8.  Hibernation mode kicks in… I’d rather stay in and watch TV.

9.  I’m less body-conscious in the winter because we wear more layers.  (These last two are probably the most honest.)

10.  Costs are get higher in winter due to heating bills and paying for Christmas, so I want to save on a gym membership.

Here are four “tips” to stay motivated: 

  1. Get outdoors every day, even if it’s just for a short walk.
  2. Explore new outdoor places, and new types of indoor exercises.
  3. Stick to regular routines to help cement healthy habits.
  4. And listen to upbeat music all year ’round, at least when being active.  “All I Want for Christmas Is You” isn’t exactly a WORKOUT BANGER.

Six Things to Never Leave in Your Car When It’s Freezing

You’d never leave a gallon of milk in your trunk during a July heatwave, right? Well, winter has its own set of car-destroying, mess-making, regret-inducing mistakes.

Leaving the wrong stuff in your car when it’s below freezing can be just as bad – or worse – than when it’s too hot. If your car turns into an accidental walk-in freezer, bad things happen.

Here are six things you should never leave in your car when it’s below freezing.

Aerosol Cans

You know those cans of hairspray, deodorant, or air freshener rolling around your trunk? Yeah, they’re basically little pressurized time bombs in cold weather. Extreme temps can make them explode. Nothing says “good morning” like a can of Febreze blowing up in your backseat.

Canned Food

Bring those groceries in asap! Freezing temps can make the food inside expand, which can cause tiny cracks or even cause the can to swell. That’s how bacteria sneaks in and ruins Taco Tuesday. The USDA says if it looks swollen, toss it. If it doesn’t look swollen, maybe still toss it. Just don’t trust a cold can.

Eggs

Yes, eggs freeze. And no, they don’t bounce back from it. If you leave them in the car after a grocery run and they freeze and crack, they’re no longer safe to eat. Also, egg goo in your back seat is no fun at all.

Electronics

Phones, tablets, laptops – basically your entire digital life – is not a fan of the freeze. Cold weather can make batteries act weird, screens go wonky, and when they warm back up, condensation inside can fry them. So unless you want your iPad to become a very flat, very useless ice cube, bring it in.

Medication

Some medications, like insulin, can become unstable or even useless if they freeze. The rule of thumb with any frozen meds is: don’t guess, just toss – or talk to your pharmacist before you end up with more problems than you started with.

Loved Ones

This should go without saying, but just in case: don’t leave pets, kids, or anyone else in a freezing car, even for “just a sec.” If the idea of sitting in an ice-cold vehicle makes you miserable, don’t subject Grandma or the golden retriever to it. Your car turns into a walk-in freezer with seatbelts faster than you think.

This Is the Best Temperature to Set Your Thermostat in the Winter

(And before you say anything, we know it’s not technically “winter“, but it’s December and cold mostly everywhere soooooo.)

If you’re constantly arguing with your partner, roommate, or pet about how warm (or not) the house should be in winter, our government has entered the chat—and they’ve got a magic number for you.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 68 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal indoor temperature during the colder months—when you’re awake and at home. If you’re sleeping or out running errands, they suggest turning it down even lower.

Although shouldn’t they have said 67? Think of all the jokes your kids would make!

This recommendation isn’t just about comfort. It’s about saving money and energy, both of which are in short supply during peak heating season. And with electricity prices up more than 41% since 2020, that dial on your thermostat now controls more than just the temperature—it’s also managing your bank account.

Here’s something that might surprise you:

Keeping your thermostat set to a lower temperature doesn’t just reduce your energy use—it actually slows down heat loss from your home. In other words, the cooler your home is, the more heat it retains.

Science wins again.

So why is 68 degrees the golden number? It strikes a balance between comfort and efficiency. If you’re bundled up in cozy socks, a hoodie, and maybe a throw blanket or two, 68 won’t feel like the Arctic. But your heating system won’t have to work as hard, and your energy bill might actually give you a break.

If you’re one of those people who immediately cranks the heat at the first sign of a cold snap, this might be your sign to chill—literally and financially.

And hey, it doesn’t mean you have to suffer. Layer up, invest in some fuzzy slippers, and maybe bake some cookies (you know, for warmth). You’ll stay toasty while your furnace takes a breather.

What temp do you keep your house at in the winter? Asking for our energy bill.

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