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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.

Red Wine and Ice Cream Sounds Good (But Is It?)

Is vanilla ice cream topped with red wine really every desperate mom’s new favorite treat?

I’m a strong proponent of “don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.” So, I’ll reserve judgement until the next time I have a half-pint of ice cream in the fridge and a half-bottle of zin on the counter.

That said, this recent review from TikTok has me thinking that in this case, the whole may not be greater than the sum of its parts. 🤮

@barreldork

🍷🍦… This might be a career low point. #wine #winetime #winelovers #winecocktails #redwinelover

♬ original sound – Barrel Dork

Plenty of others claim it’s amazing. 🤩 But the question as always with wannabe influencers is… are they dirty liars just doing it for the clicks.

@jennandshae

♬ Intimidated (feat. H.E.R.) – KAYTRANADA

Christmas Carols from Hell That Will Haunt Your Holidays

If you think hearing “All I Want for Christmas Is You” 400 times a day is rough, buckle in.

The internet has curated a list of Christmas songs so chaotic, so unhinged, so unintentionally hilarious, they feel like they were handcrafted in the warm glowing fires of holiday torment. And yes, they are all real.

This roundup of Christmas Carols from Hell has been making the rounds again, and honestly, it’s the perfect seasonal content if you enjoy holiday music with a side of chaos. If you’re searching for worst Christmas songs, weird Christmas covers, or just need something to ruin your family’s sanity for fun, this list delivers.

Here are 11 tracks waiting to jingle your nerves:

  1. “Here Comes Santa Claus” by Mrs. Miller
    Mrs. Miller was discovered by the announcer from “Laugh-In”, and once you hear her approach to holiday cheer, you will understand exactly how that happened. Imagine your grandma singing karaoke after a sherry or three.
  2. “Silent Night” by Wing
    Wing Han Tsang went from hobbyist singer to cult legend in New Zealand. She eventually became famous enough for “South Park” to parody her. Her version of “Silent Night” sounds like your GPS trying to serenade you.
  3. “White Christmas” by Tiny Tim
    Tiny Tim’s falsetto already makes this a unique experience, but check out “Silent Night” for a spoken-word rant calling out hypocrites, fornicators, and child molesters. Nothing says holiday spirit like that vibe shift.
  4. “Little Drummer Boy” by William Hung
    Yes, William Hung from “American Idol”. And yes, there is an entire generation that doesn’t know who he is. Those of us who do will never forget.
  5. “I Got a Cold for Christmas” by The Three Stooges
    Not awful, not great, but definitely something that exists.
  6. “Jingle Bells” by William Shatner, featuring Henry Rollins
    Shatner talk-singing while Henry Rollins screams holiday joy in the background. A fever dream in audio form.
  7. “Santa Claws Is Coming to Town” by Alice Cooper
    Featuring John 5, Billy Sheehan, and Vinny Appice, because why wouldn’t a Christmas metal track include three legends casually hanging out?
  8. “The Night Before Christmas” by David Hasselhoff
    As cheesy as a Hallmark movie marathon, but somehow exactly what you expect from The Hoff.
  9. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Regis Philbin
    Donald Trump shows up to offer Rudolph a job. That is not a joke. That is actually what happens.
  10. “Jingle Hell” by Christopher Lee
    Yes, that Christopher Lee. The metal-loving film icon spent his later years shredding holiday classics like a festive warlock.
  11. “Away in a Manger” by The Brady Bunch
    Only Marcia, a.k.a. Maureen McCormick, is featured. It comes from “Merry Christmas from the Brady Bunch”, an album that absolutely belongs in a time capsule.

If you need new holiday music to torture your friends, your family, or maybe even your HOA, this list will do the job. Enjoy responsibly.

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.

“Eggnog” as a Baby Name? It’s Happened 23 Times in 500 Years

Whether you’re a boy or a girl, you can’t get much more unique and festive than “Eggnog.” Yes, it’s been done.

A site in the U.K. called Find My Past poured through 14 billion historical documents from the past five centuries looking for people with festive holiday-themed names, and this one in particular caught our eye.

At least 23 “Eggnogs” have walked the earth

They found records of at least 23 people in the past 500 years named “Eggnog.” “The Mirror” got their hands on the full list but obviously didn’t have a copy editor take a very close look. Their article says “37,” but the list itself says “23.” (Remember when fact-checkers were a thing?)

Depending on which number you believe, that’s one Eggnog baby every 14 to 22 years over the past five centuries. So come on, people! Take one for the team and name your next kid Eggnog. No one will call child services… probably.

The 20 most common holiday names

Not surprisingly, 23 isn’t enough for “Eggnog” to crack the Top 20. Top honors go to “Ivy,” which is holiday-adjacent at best. (Is Christmas really the first thing you think of when you hear “Ivy”? I think of Wrigley Field… or of that time I went camping and accidentally wiped with the poison variety.)

They found 2.3 million Ivys since the 1500s, and “Angel” is a distant second place. But the list gets more and more fun as you go.

1. Ivy (2,332,758)

2. Angel (652,337)

3. Present (459,150)

4. Holly (452,011)

5. Star (327,747)

6. Wine (311,116)

7. Santa (157,840)

8. Chestnut (141,666)

9. Christmas (131,926)

10. Turkey (27,550)

11. Sleigh (17,843)

12. Pudding (12,022)

13. Crackers (3,711)

14. Reindeer (3,190)

15. Sprout (2,827)

16. Tinsel (2,634)

17. Mistletoe (2,015)

18. Snowman (579)

19. Bauble (293)

20. Nutcracker (284)

Wait, 284 couples have named their child “Nutcracker”? Y’all are nuts. 🤪

The Greatest Christmas Movie Villains of All Time

When it comes to holiday movies, we like to pretend everything is cozy, sparkly, and wrapped in a bow. But deep down, we all know the truth.

Christmas movies would not hit the same without a deliciously grumpy, cackling, chaos-loving villain stirring the hot cocoa.

And thanks to “People“ magazine, we now have an official ranking of the Greatest Christmas Movie Villains of All Time.

It includes everything from old-school classics to modern holiday mischief, and it proves one thing: Christmas might be all about goodwill, but audiences really love a character we can boo from the couch while wearing pajama pants.

Topping the list is Mr. Potter from “It’s a Wonderful Life”, played by Lionel Barrymore.

He is the ultimate Christmas curmudgeon, a man who looks at holiday cheer the way most of us look at expired eggnog. His brand of villainy is grounded in pure greed and zero remorse, which pretty much makes him the blueprint for every cinematic holiday grouch that came after. (Fun bonus trivia: Lionel Barrymore is Drew Barrymore’s great uncle.)

Right behind him is Oogie Boogie from “The Nightmare Before Christmas”.

If you enjoy your villains with a little musical flair and a whole lot of creepy charm, Oogie’s your guy. He is basically a festive fever dream made of burlap and bad intentions.

Coming in third is the neighborhood tormenter of every kid’s childhood, Scut Farkus from “A Christmas Story”.

His entire personality hinges on bullying children in the snow while wearing that iconic coonskin hat. Generations of viewers still flinch when they hear his name.

It is a fun reminder that holiday movies are not just twinkly lights and heartfelt lessons. They are also home to some of the most memorable villains ever created, the kind we love to hate because they make the hero’s big Christmas redemption feel that much sweeter.

And if People ever expands the list, yes, Stripe from Gremlins absolutely deserves a spot.

Here’s the full list:

  1. Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) from “It’s a Wonderful Life”
  2. Oogie Boogie from “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
  3. Scut Farkus from “A Christmas Story”
  4. Comet and the Abominable Snow Monster from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
  5. Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) from “Die Hard”
  6. Ted Maltin (Phil Hartman) from “Jingle All the Way”
  7. Harry and Marv (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) from “Home Alone”
  8. The Grinch (Jim Carrey) from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
  9. Ebenezer Scrooge (George C. Scott) from the 1984 version of “A Christmas Carol”
  10. Jack Frost (Martin Short) from “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause”

Christmas Spirit Poll: Are You More of a Santa, a Scrooge, or a Grinch?

It’s December, so you’re probably getting a pretty good idea of where your Christmas spirit vibes are for this holiday season… so are you feeling the joy… or feeling the stress?

There’s a poll that’s kicking around online that asked people if they’re mostly identifying with the giving spirit of Santa… the penny-pinching of Scrooge… or the grumpiness of the Grinch this season.

  • 58% of people said they’re feeling Santa vibes
  • 31% say they’re more like Scrooge
  • And 11% admitted to being in Grinch mode.

There is some gray area. There are surely people who are not a full-on Grinch… at least not yet… but they’re not prepared to be barreling into the holiday season. Of course, there are others who have been barreling in for weeks now.

Just for fun, here are some playful, naughty-and-nice Signs You’re Way Too into Christmas:

  • You watched Hallmark Channel the last two months without gagging.
  • You have a massive nativity scene in your yard.  And you’re Jewish.
  • You attached antlers to your head.  Surgically.
  • You don’t stop at kissing under the mistletoe.
  • You named your testicles “Naughty” and “Nice.”
  • To make space in your house for a tree, you got rid of a sofa.  And two kids.
  • You shoved grandma in front of reindeer just to relive the magic of that song.
  • Your kids have to break it to YOU that Santa’s not real.
  • Milk and cookies?  Please.  You offer Santa SEX.

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

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