VIRTUAL TIMES SQUARE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE

You Can Explore Times Square (Virtually) on New Year's Eve https://t.co/0nI64OyAT0

— Kathryn Sprowl (@KMOM14) December 31, 2020

On Newsy.com it reported that due to social distancing/COVID for there first time in 113 years there will not be the standard celebration in Times Square in New York.

Instead, the area will be blocked off and closed to the public and there will be a live ball drop and celebrity performances and there is an official virtual Times Square so you can visit virtually.

The article indicates:

"Justis Kao, chief communications officer at Loop: "You'll see other people running around. You can wave to them. There's a lot of sponsors involved, so there's a lot of digital billboards, built-in teleportation into the different lounges. … We were fortunate enough to be able to partner with a great company, Ultimate Gamer and Jamestown Productions — which puts on, traditionally, the ball drop — and be part of the first virtual experience."

Unique Ads: 1960s - Menswear Ad

 

Source

While there is nothing unusual about each piece on its own, the combination is a bit jarring to me.  

Someone in the comments of this post on Facebook indicated:

"I think that this is a NZ ad possibly from Hallensteins. The acceptable summer male teacher dress code included shoes and knee high socks."

 

ELECTRICAL BOX DECORTED LIKE WALL-E

 

Source

Some creative clever person decorated an electrical box to look like Wall-E from the 2008 movie by the same name.

SANTA - THE AFTERPARTY

After a tough night delivering presents around the world, Santa's helpers need an afterparty to relax and tell stories of their adventures.
 

CHRISTMAS: SAKS FIFTH AVENUE, NY, NY

 

Source

Monarch Butterfly Migration - Michoacán, Mexico

 

Screenshot from video below

What an amazing sight!  

From an article on Travel & Leisure:

*Every November, the forest located between the Mexican states of Michoacan and Estado de Mexico is covered in fluttering orange, black, and white wonders. As part of their migration cycle, monarch butterflies fly around 2,800 miles from Canada and the United States to spend the coldest months of the year in warmer lands."

Below is a short video from Reddit:

The monarch butterfly winter-migration (Michoacán, Mexico). from r/BeAmazed

CHRISTMAS TREE FARM - DRONE VIEW FROM MILLHOUSE, OHIO

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Daily Overview (@dailyoverview)

MERRY CHRISTMAS: NORTH POLE DANCER

 

Source

Someone on Facebook posted that their Grandma has this on their door at the nursing home.

Looks like they have a sassy Granny with a sense of humor.

CHRISTMAS: NORAD TRACKING OF SANTA AND HIS REINDEER

 

Screen shot from site

NORAD SantaTracking is a fun way to share with your young ones where Santa is in the world.

Wikipedia indicates this service on Christmas Eve has been in effect since 1955 and relies on volunteers to make the service possible.

CHRISTMAS 2020: HEARTWARMING VIRAL IRISH GROCERY COMMERCIAL

 

Screen Shot from Video

This Christmas there are more important things to kids than presents, as captured in the viral commercial for SuperValuIreland.

xx

CHRISTMAS 2020: WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS CHRISTIMAS TREE

Source
 

CHRISTMAS: SPACE THEMED CHRISTMAS TREE

 

Source

While it might not be the most festive as far Christmas is concerned, it does look very cool and could also serve as a teaching tool in discussing planets if still on homeschooling due to COVID-19 lockdown.

CHRISTMAS: A 2020 CHRISTMAS CARD

 

Source

A Redditor posted the above Christmas Card that his friend sent him for 2020.

I like that despite the dumpster fire of a year this has been, the gl and her dog still are festive and happy.

UNUSUAL AD: 2014 HOLIDAY PSA BY SAVE MO LIVES

Photo: Source

This is a public service ad from 6 years ago by Save Missouri Lives.

Christmas: Patrick Stewart Knitting Wearing Christmas PJs

 Source

Hard to get more unique than Captain Picard (Sir Patrick Stewart) knitting while wearing Christmas jammies.  How adorable!

CHRISTMAS: GODZILLA CHRISTMAS TREE

 

Source

While a Godzilla Christmas tree would be extra in itself, but the appearance that it is breathing out smoke makes it ultra special.

CHRISTIMAS: GLASER & EBBS...WHEN YOU MEAN BUSINESS WITH CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!

 

Where I live you can't watch daytime television it used to be you were sure to see at least one commercial, if not several, for Glaser & Ebbs, Attorneys at Law.  

Although the spokespeople have changed over the years, the tag line of "When you mean business" has remained the same.

Depite all of that commercial gruffness, they festively decorated the outside of their local in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Here is an older Commercial with Robert Vaughn as spokesman:

Christmas: Frank The Christmas Gargoyle and Friends

 

This is a saga of a woman's response to a neighbor who complained about the poster's heavy gargoyle that was on the front stoop that they decorated with a beard and hat.  

After that, the poster continued to add other things to the front porch, including a place for the nosy neighbor to leave her notes.

There is an article along with the posts from Facebook on Bored Panda.

Karen Keeps Leaving Notes Complaining About Woman's Decorations, Woman Responds By Adding Even More https://t.co/ZomKa9tVrR via @boredpanda

— Kathryn Sprowl (@KMOM14) December 17, 2020

CHRISTMAS: ELF ON THE SHELF - "ALIEN" EDITION

 

Photo:  Source

Not appropriate for most kids, but if you have a vintage sci-fi l"Alien" series loving kid, they might appreciate this.

CHRISTMAS: HOW TO HIDE A PRESENT IN PLAIN SIGHT

 

Screenshot from video below

If you live in a tiny place and have some art skills, this might be an option of hiding a large Christmas present in plain sight.  

Even if your painting skills might be a bit off, it would still make an interesting conversation piece.

Short video is below:

How to Hide your Christmas Presents from r/funny

CHRISTMAS: INFLATABLE CHRISTMAS LAWN DECORATIONS OVERLOAD

 

There are so many snazzy inflatable decorations on this lawn you could probably do an I-Spy page for a book on it.  It will look like a magical Winter wonderland once it snows.

Spotted this near Tower Park in Warren, Indiana.

CHRISTMAS: CHRISTMAS CATWALK...WITH ACTUAL CAT

 

Source:  Screenshot from video

When you are stuck inside you have to work with what you have, but in this case, Naomi Campbell and Heidi Klum have nothing on this gorgeous supermodel of the world that struts with grace and elegance.  

The Christmas ornaments to define the catwalk is a bonus.

Below is a short video.

Christmas cat walk was a grand success from r/aww

CHRISTMAS: COVID-19/GRINCH THEMED CHRISTMAS TREE

 Source

Someone made a Covid-19/Grinch themed Christmas tree with toilet paper for the tree decorated with lights and green masks topped with a Corona beer for the angel and a Grinch hand to the left with "2020 Stink Stank Stunk".

CHRISTMAS: GINGERBREAD HOMEWRECKER

 

Source

He has on his "I was only just looking at it!" face on with a touch of guilt, but also with a tinge of defiant "I thought you were making it for me".

A word of caution if you own a dog (or cat) is that Gingerbread can is not good for them.

Per Firstvet.com indicates:

"Gingerbread is not a great treat for dogs, but occasional crumbs do not pose a danger, even for a small puppy. If a dog eats several gingerbread cookies, or gingerbread dough, there is a risk of a stomach upset, such as diarrhoea, vomiting or bloating.

Ingestion of large amounts of bicarbonate, or repeated ingestion of spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg can also be toxic. If inhaled, these powdered spices can cause choking and coughing, breathing difficulties and asthma-like signs. Ingestion of large amounts of nutmeg may cause hallucinations, disorientation, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, dry mouth, abdominal pain and seizures. These signs can last for 48 hours."

"Cats are often less voracious than dogs, but if they were to taste gingerbread, it is highly unlikely for it to be dangerous for them either."

Also, many of the goodies that are used to decorate a gingerbread house can be dangerous (sugar-free gums or chocolates may contain Xyitol, which can be fatal) and make your animal ill or just not be good for their diet so keep a watchful eye on animals and consider precautions if you plan on displaying rather than consuming it.

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS: A VISIT TO SANTA IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

 

Source

Social distancing due to the still-rising COVID-19 cases in many areas of the world has changed the way we live.  Visits to Santa are one of them.

As an adult, I can see this is an ingenious solution to keep kids from running up and trying to see Santa as an excited child is going to forget all about social distancing as soon as he sees them.  I would hope that there were vents for air somewhere on that wall so Santa could breathe properly.

If I were still a kid, it would just not be the same not being able to sit on Santa's lap to give him my Christmas list, but instead, have to yell or pantomime with a plastic wall in between us.   But at least I would still get to see Santa and deliver my list.  

CHRISTMAS CARD INSPIRATION: GLAMOUR SHOT WITH YOUR PET

Photo: Source

Live your late 80's to early 90's fantasy and dress in period clothing, put on a lot of makeup - young or old, female or male, after all, it is a 

it is a Glamour Shot and it is supposed to be extra!  

At a minimum, you need some face powder and over pencil those eyebrows, but you may want to go bold and add eyeliner to make your eyes look piercing and a stripe of blush on each cheek as your badge of honor.

With the hair, the bigger the better, and even a teased mullet is welcome.  

Don't forget to get a little bit of lipstick on your teeth and open your mouth so it shows to get that purrfect look. 

After you are dolled up, just grab your pet and your phone and take some well-timed selfies:

• One with a head-on pose with both looking at the camera.
• One from the side in a reflective pose each of you and your pet.

When you have the shots you want, photoshop them into a collage create inspirational photo from that era.

 

CHRISTMAS: HOME ALONE 2- STILLS FROM NYC THEN AND NOW

 These stills from Home Alone 2 from r/OldPhotosInRealLife

XX

 

 

CHRISTMAS: EVERY HALLMARK CHRISTMAS MOVIE IN UNDER 4 MINUTES

Screenshot from video

This video parodies but at the same time captures pretty much every Hallmark Christmas movie.

CHRISTMAS: PHOTOSHOOT FOR CAT FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS CARDS

Screenshot from video

From the look on that cat's face he is a bit miffed he stuck his head out and has not gotten his treat yet, so this would probably work better if you have one person taking pictures while another person is administering the treat then getting out of the way.

I wonder if would work with kids and Skittles...

Glue bulb wreath to cardboard and tape to a desk or other surface.

The short video at bottom of post.
Give kitty treat to get it to stick its head through the cutout

A perfect Christmas photoshoot from r/aww

 

CHRISTMAS: AN ORNAMENT FOR 2020 - THE 12 DAYS OF CORONA

 

Source

CHRISTMAS: 'TIS THE SEASON TO FILL POTHOLES

Someone in Redditor u/RyanTheGuyan's hometown found a creative way to get the attention of the officials in his town to fix the streets by planting little Christmas Trees in the potholes.

CHRISTMAS - 2020 CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

 

Photo:  Source

Redditor u/katarokkar said his wife made these 2020 toilet paper ornaments for Christmas.  

With the toilet paper shortage during the lockdown this year, it does commemorate this year and would make a funny thing to make and give for a White Elephant exchange.

CHRISTMAS 2020: ELF ON THE SHELF

Photo:  Source
 

If you do Elf on the Shelf for your children at Christmas something like this would show the not even the Elf on the Shelf is exempt for self-quarantine and wouldn't need to start moving him around until December 15th.

MAP OF POWER SOCKET TYPES IN EUROPE

 

Source

I didn't realize when I went to Germany years ago that they didn't have the same electrical plugs that we do in the US.which dashed my hopes of hot rollers and big hair that was popular then.  

You now can purchase converters but before you travel find out what is being used where you are going beforehand.  As the above map shows there are 6 different types in different parts of Europe alone.

CHRISTMAS: 2020 CHRISTMAS DECOR

 

Source

This would be something to craft and give to that person on your Christmas list that already has everything...except possibly a face mask holder as we didn't need that until this year.

Christmas: 2019 vs. 2020

 

Source

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 

Turkey See, Turkey Do?

  The man is enjoying gobbling then have all of the turkey's repeat, but from an article on Wideopenspaces.com about what turkey sounds means:

"This sound is an indication that a tom, or jake, is excited and wants a hen. It is used to attract hens but also to deter other toms and jakes.

Jakes sometimes can fool you into thinking they are a tom when they gobble, however sometimes will yelp in response to your calling until they actually can gobble."

That's a formidable army ngl from r/funny

Cinnamon Roll Turkeys

Screenshot from video below

Some people say bacon makes everything better and in this case, it is combined with a cinnamon roll to use as tail feathers to make a turkey.

The link with the instructions and the video below from Delish Kids shows how these can be made with some dairy case cinnamon rolls, candy eyes, candy corn, and some crispy bacon.

I have not tried this combination myself, but I can say when I made Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies they were a big hit as the salty bacon offsets the sweet for a burst of flavors melding in your mouth.

 Cinnamon Roll Turkey instructions here.

Video:

UNUSUAL RECIPES: THANKSGIVING IN A BUCKET

 

Photo:  Source

This was a suggestion on Buzzfeed to save space on your table and serve something interesting my making Thanksgiving in a bucket.

It suggests starting with a clear plastic ice bucket and layer the items as follows:

• Stuffing
• Mashed Potatoes
• Brussel Sprouts
• Sweet Potatoes
• Turkey and Gravy
• Cranberry Sauce

It advises the best way to take out of the bucket for serving would be with two long cake spatulas and it would result in something like this on the plate.

Photo:  Source

2020: HURRICANES. WILDFIRES AND FLOODING, OH MY - RECORD-BREAKING NATURAL DISASTERS

A running list of record-breaking natural disasters in 2020 https://t.co/qwdeVF4cm5 pic.twitter.com/UJNuZNLqEP

— Scientific American (@sciam) November 17, 2020

As if the Coronavirus was not bad enough, natural disasters are also breaking records this year.

The list from Scientific American:

"So far this year, the U.S. has had 16 natural disasters (including wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes and drought) that each caused at least $1 billion in damage, tying the record set in both 2011 and 2017—with several months left to go. Such statistics have been compiled since 1980."

Below are the Hurricanes listed:

"This is only the second time that the official alphabetical list of hurricane names has been used up, meaning forecasters have had to move to the supplementary list of Greek letter names.

• The 2020 season has surpassed 2005 as the one with the most named storms on record: 29. (Named storms are those that reach at least tropical storm strength, with winds of 39 to 73 miles per hour.)
• Twenty-six of the 29 storms that formed so far this season were the earliest of their storm number to do so. For example, Delta was the earliest 25th named storm of any season, beating out Tropical Storm Gamma, which formed on November 15, 2005.
• When Tropical Storm Eta made landfall on Florida’s island of Lower Matecumbe Key on November 8, it became the only 12th named storm to hit the U.S. in a single season. It broke the record set just weeks earlier by Hurricane Zeta and Hurricane Delta before it. Prior to 2020, the season with the most landfalls was 1916, which had nine.
• Hurricane Zeta was the sixth hurricane to hit the U.S. this year, tying 1886 and 1985 for the most continental U.S. hurricane landfalls in a single season.
• Zeta was the record fifth named storm to hit Louisiana in a single season.
• Delta’s landfall was the first time a Greek-alphabet-named hurricane has made landfall in the U.S.
• Hurricane Eta became the strongest Greek alphabet-named storm in the Atlantic on Nov. 2, with sustained winds of 150 mph.
• September, which falls within the peak of the hurricane season, saw a record 10 named storms form within the month. (The previous record was eight.)
• In mid-September, there were five storms churning around the Atlantic Ocean simultaneously for only the second time on record.
• September 18 marked the second time on record that three named storms—Wilfred, Alpha and Beta—all formed on the same day. The only other time this was known to happen was on August 15, 1893, before hurricanes received official alphabetical names.

(The Atlantic hurricane database, managed by the National Hurricane Center, extends back to 1851. The lists of alternating male and female hurricane names have been in use since 1979.)"

 For the complete article visit Scientific American

PLACES: RED SQUARE, MOSCOW, RUSSIA

 

Although it looks cold, it also looks almost ethereal with all of the snow coming down.

COFFEE ART: CAT AND AN EXPLOSION

 

Photo:  Source

There needs to be a class that teaches you how to do this.

UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE: EIFFEL TOWER, PARIS FRANCE

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Europe | europestyle_ (@europestyle_)

While the Eiffel Tower has been photographed millions of time, this is a unique perspective with being shot from the ground with the fallen Fall leaves and with buildings on each side. 

REPURPOSED: Old Grocery Store to Temporary Library

Photo:  Source

While I pondered if "Frozen" was in the frozen section, other commenters on Redditors posted:

"PorkfatWilly

​

1.4k points·8 hours ago

The reference section in the frozen food aisle, because it's cold hard facts."

"mauldin8302

45 points·4 hours ago

Or suspense novels because they are chilling."

Another quipped"

"TDIsideHustle

​

5.6k points·8 hours ago

2

All they had to do was remove the “B” from the bread sign!." 

For other comments, visit the post here.