Daily Skimm Weekend: It's not the same as it was

What's Happening

…in your home: 'Tis the season for evergreen debates over real or artificial Christmas trees and when to hang up lights. Also, ornaments that look like Birkenstocks, pastrami sandwiches, and Post Malone.

…in your TikTok: B Dylan Hollis is bringing back some forgotten recipes. But hold the hungry eyes.

…in your phone: Why texting yourself is the best and out-of-the-blue calls are the worst.

…in your social feeds: So long WFH, Gen Z's making RTO cool again.

Top Story

On Watch

American soccer: Right now, the US men's national team is facing off against the Netherlands in the round of 16 in the World Cup. (No, really, right now.) It's a big deal, given that the USMNT hasn't made it past this round since 2002. Will Americans tune in to watch?

The Story

For nearly two weeks, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has been hitting global airwaves with multiple games per day as teams from around the world competed in the group stage. Now 16 teams have to win or go home in the knockout stage, starting with the US v. Netherlands. Maybe, like tens of millions of others, you've been watching the World Cup in real time. Maybe you've been catching its highlights on social media. Or, maybe you've tuned out in protest of all its controversy. Regardless, more and more Americans have been following the World Cup lately. Fueling a shift in US fandom that's been playing out for decades.

What do you mean?

The number of Americans who say soccer is their favorite sport to watch has gone up sevenfold in the last 30 years. No surprise, since Major League Soccer has only existed since 1996 in the US. Since then, its presence has grown, thanks to high school teams and major soccer events hosted here. (Think: The 1994 and 1999 men's and women's World Cup, respectively.) And you can't talk about the sport's growing popularity without crediting the success of the US women's national team — including their 2019 World Cup victory. All of which has helped people tap into the sport's appeal. This year's US v. England game set a record for the most-watched men's soccer match on US television, with a peak of nearly 20 million viewers. The sport should get even more of a boost in 2026, when the World Cup is coming right to Americans' backyards.

theSkimm

Soccer may be the world's most popular sport. That's not the case in the US. At least for now. But many are catching on — and maybe even tuning in today to cheer on Team USA. Cross your fingers for a gooooal.

Bookmark'd

Here's a look at the reads we've saved, texted, and emailed to our friends…

Can This Man Stop Lying?...compulsive lying ruined his promising career in theater. But what if it's a matter of mental health?

Whoops, I Deleted My Life...what one writer lost — and gained — when he accidentally erased all 90,000 messages in his Gmail inbox.

A Month in a Tuscan Villa Didn't Fix My Burnout...turns out, relaxation and perspective are difficult to bring home.

Spotify Paid Alex Cooper $60 Million. What's Next?...the "Call Her Daddy" creator talks about her journey to the top. And why she'll fight to the end for her "Daddy Gang."

Downtime

Downtime doesn't have to mean doing nothing. Here's one idea for making the most of your weekend.

The holiday shopping season is in full swing, so hopefully you've made your list and checked it twice. But no matter your shopping strategy, there's bound to be at least a little stress. Think: Those notoriously picky friends and family members — not to mention stubbornly high inflation and fears of a recession. That's why we've gathered some key tips to make holiday gift-giving a little more merry and bright.

Focus on their interests. Start with what they love to do. For an avid runner, that could mean upgraded gear, like a superior fitness tracker, or something pampering, like a foot massager. For someone who loves to cook, it might be a couple of your most beloved cookbooks. (Pro tip: Mark your go-to recipes to make it even more personal.) Or, use their interests to pick an experience they'd enjoy. Think: A cake-decorating class for a passionate baker or tickets to the ballet for a former dancer.
Elevate the everyday. Because, there's no better feeling than knowing someone will actually use what you got them. If your mom still swears by paper planners, get one that's a bit fancier than her standard. If your dad is your favorite walking buddy, help him step up his shoe game with a nice pair of sneakers. If your little one goes through coloring books quicker than actual books, get them a set of crayons that spell out their name.
Don't be afraid to DIY. Your siblings or parents might not appreciate a homemade picture frame (unless, of course, you're a pro woodworker). But they will appreciate a holiday treat, like hot chocolate mix or peppermint toffee bark.
Think outside the (gift) box. Feeling extra worried about your wallet? Trust us, you're not the only one this year. Remember that you don't have to get a present for each and every person — and that in this economy, others are likely feeling the same way. Instead, you could organize a Secret Santa or White Elephant exchange with your friends or family. Or, you could ditch gifts entirely and have everyone over for a holiday movie marathon, a game night, or even a home-cooked meal.

Skimm Picks

Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. A gift that'll really pop. This brand's gourmet popcorn brings tasteful cheer with sweet, salty, and swalty flavors like Vanilla Cake Pop, Chedapeño, and Maui Heat. Plus limited-edition ones like Holiday Fancy Butter, Salty Caramel, and Cocoa Mint. Snag free shipping on their gift collections.*

2. How to dash through checkout all holiday szn long. Apple Pay makes checkout faster, easier, and more secure. Whether you're shopping in-store or online. Oh, and it's extremely simple to set up. See what we mean.*

3. 25% off everything at Everlane. Even sale items. Get moving.

*PS This is a sponsored post.

On Our Radar

Cookbooks to grab now before you officially start hibernating. Hey, it's winter, and staying home with freshly baked bread sounds...just about perfect.

Skimm More

More Skimm, more knowledge. Here's what else we covered…

We texted with "Sister, Sister" star Tia Mowry
Find out what's going on in China. And why Congress's lame duck session might be anything but lame
Could video games be good for kids? The answer might surprise you
"Gaslighting" is Merriam-Webster's word of the year. Here's what it actually means
The Balenciaga controversy, Skimm'd

Save the Date

Like ours, your work and personal calendars are probably hectic. So here are some events you should know about...

Party Like a Pro. Register for our virtual event on how to be the best host or guest this holiday season. Plus, attendees will receive an exclusive $15 Club Membership and $10 off their first in-club purchase† from our partners at Sam's Club.

Georgia voters will once again head back to the polls to vote in the runoff election for US Senate. That'll send either Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) or Herschel Walker (R) to Congress. And decide whether Dems have an outright majority in the chamber.

Tune in at 11 pm ET to watch host Trevor Noah's last episode of "The Daily Show" — a role he's had for seven years. TBD who'll be next.

PS: Want more events like this on your cal? theSkimm App gives you a heads-up on when everything from holidays to sports games to awards shows are going down. Download it here.

†Sam's Club Terms & Conditions