Nine days after going missing, 4-year-old German shepherd mix Athena rang her owner’s doorbell. It was Christmas Eve at 2:30 a.m. — a holiday miracle! The Green Cove Springs, Florida fam searched as far as Jacksonville and Saint Augustine.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and lots of love from me
Christmas Day is a time for reflection, gratitude and connection. This year, it’s extra special as Hanukkah also begins tonight. Both holidays remind us of the importance of light, hope and the traditions that bring us closer together.
When I was a kid, the magic of Christmas came in the form of glowing string lights on a fresh-cut tree, the scent of my Mom’s cooking and my Dad’s laugh as we opened gifts. Those memories of warmth and love are what I carry with me every year, and it’s what I hope for each of you to experience today.
As we celebrate this season, I want to take a moment to thank all those who work tirelessly to make the holidays brighter: Health care workers, first responders, retail staff, delivery drivers and everyone else working behind the scenes to bring a little joy to our lives.
Let’s not forget the thousands in law enforcement and national security protecting us; the firefighters and medical professionals on call today; and the pilots, flight attendants and air traffic controllers reuniting families. And, of course, the men and women of America’s military, who serve to ensure our freedom.
I want to give you a special thanks, too
I’m thrilled you’re here with me day in and day out. I love reading your comments that say, “Wow, Kim, it feels like you’re talking to me in this newsletter.” Yes, it’s real, human Kim here gathering what you need to know in the world of tech and writing it for you.
That’s especially important now that AI is everywhere. I want this email and the info I pass along on my shows, podcasts and writings in USA Today, the Daily Mail and other places to be something you can trust.
Some of my Christmas traditions
Below, I put links to the recipe for my annual Christmas dinner, movies and lots more. But I want to reach out to you if you’re not having a great day.
Years ago, my Dad was a little depressed and missing his mother terribly one Christmas. My Mom thought a quick trip to Las Vegas would get him out of the slump. I gave him a Mannheim Steamroller Christmas CD to listen to on their drive. When they returned, my Mom had a huge smile on her face and said, “Wow! That CD is wonderful! It totally turned his frown upside‑down!”
I shared this story with Chip Davis, the founder of Mannheim Steamroller. He explained he did that on purpose with the tempo so people would have an emotional lift. If you’re a little down, here’s a YouTube playlist. When I miss my loved ones, it helps me, too.
In this season of hope and joy, whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah or simply enjoying time with loved ones, I’m keeping you in my prayers. I pray for your health, happiness, and that you find peace and comfort in the moments that matter most.
5 ways to connect when you’re apart for the holidays
Christmas Eve is here. It’s a time for joy, laughter and cherished moments with loved ones. I know how busy this day can get, but a little bit of tech-savvy can help make it even more special.
Here are five quick and simple ways to use technology to connect with family and create memories without taking up too much time.
I love a deal
❄️ Amazon’s Winter Sale is here, with discounts of up to 40%. Gift yourself the thing you really wanted this year.
- There’s nothing better than sitting in front of the fireplace with a blanket, hot cocoa and a nice pair of fuzzy socks (23% off).
- Time to tear down the Christmas tree … and throw away that old box you used to store it. A tree storage bag (40% off) is so worth it.
- Somehow, no one got you new slippers for Christmas. Get ‘em yourself: Women’s and men’s picks that are comfy and affordable.
- A pair of Beats Studio Pro headphones ($170) is 50% off right now. Go, go, go! 🏃💨
- Upgrade your upcoming travels with nice, new luggage (41% off) in a fun color. This way, it’s so much easier to find your bags at the airport!
- OK, this is as cheap as Apple AirTags get — 29% off!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
There’s still time to get it before Christmas! I like classy clothes you can dress up or down. If you need a gift that feels like quality for your spouse or adult children, check out the bestsellers at Quince. They have washable cashmere, silks and more that all look great and last.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Stop porch pirates this Christmas
Criminals are getting bolder when it comes to stealing your deliveries. Here’s how to outsmart them before they even try.
Potty mouth: Viral sensation “Skibidi Toilet” is coming to Fortnite. You might know that as the phrase kids and tweens won’t stop saying. Other rumored Fortnite crossovers: Anime’s Demon Slayer and Hatsune Miku, plus the return of Spider-Man. Now you have something to talk to your 12-year-old about at Christmas!
5,000 Christmas trees
Planted by an Indiana couple 10 years ago. Bruce and Shawn Carpenter’s Christmas tree farm is helping fund college for their eight grandchildren. About 1,000 trees are ready for sale. I wish I lived close enough to go get one!
Tips to take the best holiday photos
Forget getting everyone together at Christmas for a photo opp and having them all say, “Cheese!” Instead, use words that end in ‑ah. These sounds put the muscles around the mouth to work, creating a genuine smile. Try “yoga,” “mocha” or “banana.”
5 clever tricks holiday scammers use
JD in Dallas emailed me with a story. He and his wife were at the mall and stopped for a Christmas selfie. Two young men walking by offered to take the pic for them — and one kept wiping the phone’s lens inside his jacket.
Gadget gifts galore
🏴☠️ Upgrade your loved ones’ lives (and your gift-giving reputation) with a tech treasure.
- One charge on a Kindle Paperwhite lasts 12 weeks. Pair that with the three free months of Kindle Unlimited, and whoever’s getting this gift had better have some PTO saved up.
- Amazon’s brand-new Echo Pops come in purple now?! I’m sold. It’s under $40, and the speakers are darn good.
- OK, this is sweet. Sony’s compact waterproof speaker (under $50!) can go anywhere in any weather and gets 16 hours of playtime on a single charge.
- Your pet-obsessed pal needs a Furbo dog camera (14% off) to watch Fifi while they’re at work.
- An external CD/DVD drive (under $30!) is perfect for the DVD lover in your life. This way, they can play disks on their laptop, which is way easier than digging through every streaming site. Bonus: They can rip those audio CDs, too!
- Take movie night anywhere with a 4K outdoor projector. Click the coupon box for $40 off!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
All I want for Christmas is a capybara: No, not me! The semiaquatic rodents that live up to 12 years and weigh up to 150 pounds have stolen the internet’s heart with viral videos. In a Reddit post, a 24-year-old brother asked if he was a jerk for thinking it’s just a TikTok phase his 16-year-old sister will grow out of. Spoiler: She will.
Did AI ruin Coke’s Christmas ad?
Coca-Cola’s iconic holiday ad took an AI twist this year, and it backfired. Viewers aren’t feeling the warm fuzzies.
Useful gifts under $20
🤑 Because who doesn’t love lots of bang for the buck?
- The first aid kit they’ll actually use. Slip one into every stocking. Hopefully, they’ll never have to use it.
- Pimple patches are all the rage. These look like little stars and come with a mirror compact. The teen in your life wants this but is embarrassed to tell you.
- A suction phone case mount (under $15!) sticks to walls and mirrors for prime picture-taking. Get it for the butterfingers in your life!
- Two words: Jar openers. They’re under $10 and so helpful, it doesn’t even matter they’re a little boring.
- Cooks can never have enough stovetop spoon rests (under $15 and 30% off!). This one looks like a little crab. It made me LOL!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
See when your gift list items hit the lowest price
I love shopping online. I don’t have to leave the house. I don’t have to be nice to anyone. I don’t have to put on a bra (guys, same thing for you and pants!). There are already Christmas, Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales on every site now, but finding what you want at the lowest price is tricky. Fear not! I’m here to save you from all the clicks, countdowns and wasted money.
Winter essentials to grab before they sell out
Don’t wait for the holiday chaos to hit. The best shopping trick this season isn’t about gifts — it’s about stocking up on essentials now. Beat the rush, avoid packed stores and snag better prices while you still can. This will save you time, stress and money. Get it done today and make your winter easier.
A trick from the Komando brain
🧑🎄 I get stocking-stuffer shopping done early so I can focus on the bigger gifts later. (I won’t tell anyone if you get one of these for yourself!)
- Guys, give your gal a jewelry cleaning stick to shine up her rings. It’s small enough to carry around and it’s under $10.
- For the caffeine lover in your life, grab a five-pack of dark chocolate-flavored coffee bites for about $9. Each packs as much caffeine as one-third of a cup of coffee.
- No-show socks are out; these $10 flat no-show inserts are in. They slip into any shoe and are machine washable.
- This Grandmother’s Journal (39% off) is such a sweet gift. It’s a way to get her to write about her life so the whole family can remember her stories for years to come.
- A cute scarf as low as $6 (57% off)? Yes, please. It’s extra long, so it can pull double-duty as a blanket.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
50-plus years
Christmas classics “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Frosty the Snowman” are moving from CBS to NBC. “Frosty” will air on Dec. 5 at 8:30 p.m., and “Rudolph” will air on Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. If you have cable, both will also be on Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas” lineup starting on Dec. 7.
🦑 Ready to play (again)? Netflix dropped an early Christmas gift — the trailer for Season Two of “Squid Game.” The first season was the most-watched series of all time on the platform. I liked it, despite all the blood. The new season drops on Dec. 26. How festive.
🎄 ICYMI: It’s not the holidays without a Hallmark movie (or five). Luckily, Hallmark just released its holiday movie schedule. Here’s a link so you can print it out for friends, family — or yourself. ‘Tis the season!