40 Housewarming Gift Ideas That’ll Make You the Best Guest Ever

Molly Griffin
Sep 03, 2021
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Moving is tough. Sure, it's also a fresh start and a new experience, but we know carrying those belongings up several flights of stairs is hardly easy. Whether you're the best friend helping the movers pivot the couch in a walk-up, the new next-door neighbor, or just invited to the post-move gathering, make sure you reward their successful relocation with a thoughtful housewarming gift. We've hunted down everything your hosts will appreciate, from smart items you can order online to the little entertaining extras.

One Hope Winery Best Seller 6-Pack

One Hope Winery Best Seller 6-Pack

We love this Napa Valley wine for the taste and the mission: to share wine and give hope. One Hope has donated more than $7 million to organizations that provide access to clean water, hunger relief, health research, and education. It's the gift that really does keep on giving.

Huski Wine Cooler

Raise a glass to your new neighbors — and a chilled one at that! A wine cooler paired with your favorite bottle, like this award-winning Los Vascos Chilean wine, is the perfect way to toast to their new digs.

Bottle Opener

They’ve just landed the dream home, and it’s time to celebrate! Be a bon ami, and show up with a six pack and a beautiful bottle opener that they’ll always associate with their first days at home.

Salt + Pepper Grinders

Help them get their seasoning on with salt and pepper shakers. These gourmet grinders are so sleek and pretty, they can even stay on the counter when not in use.

Crate & Barrel Herb Garden

Jump-start the new homeowners' herb garden with this ceramic container with a dedicated slot for the accompanying scissors.

Benchmade Table Knife Set

For the serious chef, this beautiful set of four dinner knives is seriously a cut above the rest.

Etsy Chunky Wool Throw

We feel cozier and calmer just looking at this snuggly throw. Bring on the movie nights.

Atlas Coffee Club

Give coffee lovers a subscription to this coffee-of-the-month club, offering single-origin coffee from more than 50 countries.

GROSCHE Milano Stovetop Espresso and Coffee Maker

Have we mentioned how much we love coffee? And what better way to start the day than with this vintage-style metal brewer, perfect for waking up at breakfast.

Woodford Reserve X Williams Sonoma Cocktail Mix


Gift bourbon fans these Woodford Reserve mixers for an Old Fashioned, Mint Julep, and Whiskey Sour and they will no doubt by delighted.

Pottery Barn Harper Cocktail Shaker

Set your BFF up with the tools to throw a party where the drinks are flowing. Pair this cocktail shaker with drink mixers to really get the housewarming party started!

Our Place Always Pan

This is hands-down our favorite pan to cook with. Think fry pan, saute pan, steamer, skillet, saucier, saucepan, non-stick pan, spatula, and spoon rest ALL IN ONE!

Hawkins New York Dinner Napkins and Placemats

For the mover who has everything — you can be sure they don't have elegant fringed cocktail napkins, dinner napkins, and placemats in mix-and-match hues.

Aurelie Glass Jar Candle

Kick this housewarming classic up a notch with these glass jar candles. Once the candles are all used up, the various votives make amazing catchalls.

Anthropologie Old Havana Platter

A lot of stuff gets tossed during a big move, like plasticware from the kitchen. That's where you come in, replacing old, stained bowls with gorgeous platters like these that are sure to add a punch of color.

Half Baked Harvest Super Simple Cookbook by Tieghan Gerard

Take a very simple housewarming gift idea, a cookbook by one of our pals Tieghan Gerard, and vastly improve the presentation by wrapping it in a tea towel or cloth napkin.

Crate & Barrel Wood + Marble Salad Server Set

These radiant salad servers are sure to wow the crowd. Whether it’s a dinner party or a home date night, salad has never looked this good.

Pendleton Roll-Up Chess And Checkers Set

Game on! This Chess and Checkers set in Pendleton style is the perfect gift for friendly game nights.

Bliss Gardens Air Plant Terrarium Kit

Add a little greenery to their new home with the DIY terrariums. It’s perfect for hanging or placing on a mantel or bookshelf.

Make Life Beautiful by Syd and Shea McGee

Pals need a design assist? Help them create a place that feels like home with inspo from the McGees!

Wild Creations By Hilton Carter

For major plant inspiration, Hilton Carter is the most lovable plant guy with all the care and styling tips.

The Gold Foil Map Company Prints

Whether your pal is new to the city or has just left one behind, we love how bright and blingy these gold foil maps are.

Freshware Bamboo Cutting Board

Gift these organic cutting boards to complement the marble knives.

Mosser Glass Crown Tuscan Mixing Bowl Set

Everyone needs new kitchenware, right? Spruce up the space with this adorable pretty-in-pink set of mixing bowls.

Knack Herbivore Calm Experience Spa Gift Set

Your friends will LOVE this gift. After a long day of lifting boxes, a little pampering is all they'll want (and need!)

Pehr Pom Set of 3 Canvas Bins

If you like the practicality of the basket idea, but want to get something a bit prettier, bundle up some necessities for the home in this pom-pommed basket.

DIY Bacon Kit

Take some inspiration from Sur La Table and give the gift of homemade bacon. Need we say more?

Xilli Salsa Macha (Set of 2)

Bring over a bag of chips and this salsa macha set and be the most popular guest in the room.

Uncommon Goods Cocktail Bitters Set

Your host is sure to crack open these bottles right away and get to mixing their fave drinks STAT.

Mkono Macrame Wall Hanging

Here’s an easy way for your bud to add some pizazz to walls they can’t paint: a pretty wall hanging.

Macrame Plant Hanger Set

Even if they don’t have the greenest of thumbs, this macrame planter will make any plant look cute hanging in their new home.

PrintableSky Welcome Home Sign

Let your friends feel welcome in their new abode from the moment they walk through the door.

Sqirl LA Everything I Want to Eat Cookbook

LA-based restaurant restauranteur Jessica Kaslow shares her vision of delish and healthy meals in this wonderful cookbook. This gem is sure to inspire your friends to get their creative cooking on.

Blue Apron Food Delivery

Give the gift of easy-to-cook every night dinners made with farm fresh produce and hormone-free mean. You can also choose 2-Person and Family Plans.

West Elm Deco Barware Collection

If your pal is more of a cocktail connoisseur than a craft brew fan, this will make a fantastic addition to their new home bar.

Chef’s Daughter Travel Spice Kit

Restocking the kitchen cabinets after a move can be such a pain, so these 20 herbs and spices are perfect for getting your friends through the first few weeks of quick meals.

Kupia Handpainted Vase

Toss in some pretty florals with an even prettier vase and you have a gift that will breath life into their new place.

Amazon Echo Dot

We all know that moving is a little easier with some good background tunes. This compact Bluetooth speaker will do just the job, in addition to telling them what’s on the rest of their to-do list!

Calloway Mills Hello Doormat 

Welcome them home on the friendliest note. A doormat is a #genius home decor idea that they probably never thought of!

Knock Knock Things to Do Around the House Pad

So much to do, so little time! Let your friends know you're thinking about them during the big move with a cute pad that'll keep their priorities in order from A to B.


Find more gift ideas on our Pinterest page!

This article has been updated.

Additional reporting by Theresa Gonzalez

These Taylor Swift-Inspired Fuzzy Dice Are A Cute & Cuddly Valentine's DIY

If you know me, you know how much I love Taylor Swift. Something about hearing music written by someone while they experience the same life stages feels so personal, and there's a good chance that almost every emotion I feel can be summed up by a Taylor Swift song. In short: I just love her.

Taylor frequently drops merchandise when a holiday rolls around and for Valentine's Dayin 2022, she released a collection inspired by her 2019 album Lover. I fell in love with a pair of fuzzy dice inspired by her hit song "Cruel Summer," and apparently so did everyone else because the next time I visited the website, they were sold out! So, I decided to make a simplified version of them with my sewing machine for a fun V-Day activity and to add some extra pink to my space. Check out our online sewing class to brush up on your skills and keep reading for a low stakes tutorial on how to make your own!

Here's how to make your own Taylor Swift "Cruel Summer"-inspired dice for Valentine's Day.

Supplies For Your Own "Cruel Summer" Taylor Swift Fuzzy Dice:

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

  • Sewing machine
  • Pink fleece fabric
  • Pink thread
  • Pink felt
  • Scissors
  • Blue rope/cord (I took mine off a loofah)
  • Needle + pins
  • A copy of Lover to listen to while you sew ;)
  • Poly-Fil Stuffing (not pictured)
  • Ruler (optional)
  • Glue gun + glue gun sticks (optional, use it to touch up your seams if you need)

Instructions:

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Start by marking your fleece with the measurements for your squares. Since the size of the dice on Taylor's official website was listed as 3.5", I marked them just above 3.5" so I could leave room for a hem. You'll need 12 squares total.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Next, cut out your squares. I used the first square as a template for the others, then went back in and cleaned up the edges where necessary.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

The first image I made was a sun, and I started by drawing a circle on my felt. I used the rim of my thread spool to make sure I had a perfect circle but you can also free hand if you want the circle to be a different size.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Pin your felt to the center of a fleece square.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Sew the circle to the fleece using a regular straight stitch.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Next, move your sewing machine from a straight stitch to a zigzag stitch and decrease your stitch length to a lower number like 0 or 1. This will allow your art to have more of a filled-in border, instead of a messier, chevron finish.

Go back over the rim of your circle with the zigzag stitch to give it that embroidered look. I did this with the fabric right side up, then I did it again with the fabric flipped upside down just to be extra thorough.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

After your circle is complete, it's time for the sun rays! Use the same zigzag stitch and 0 stitch length to move from the circle outward. This is where you'll want to add another element: stitch width.

To give the sun rays their triangular shape, adjust your stitch width as you move out from the heart of the sun. While the stitch length ensures your sewing won't have empty spaces, the width will let you move from a wider sunbeam base to a thinner point. I just decreased the width every few stitches as I went along.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Your finished sun will look something like this! I went back in with a needle to clean up loose threads by hand. I waited to trim them until I had threaded them to the back so that the front image had a more polished look.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Repeat the above steps for your devil and angel hearts. There are only a few differences between these and the sun; you'll cut the felt into hearts instead of circles, and to fill in the horns and the wings, I used a straight stitch to give it a colored-in look, reserving the zigzag stitching for the borders.

I know the original dice had "Cruel Summer" lyrics stitched onto these squares, but I ended up leaving them off. It makes the design more minimal and easier to work with.

One thing to note about this step: beware of bunched fabric! Filling in the angel wings brought the edges of the squares in a bit, but I wasn't too upset about it. I think flaws give a craft some personality!

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

The "Lover" stitching got a little more complicated than the images. I first traced the word with my pen so that I would have some guide as to what the word should look like. Move the stitch width back down to one of the lower settings.

Then instead of just moving the fabric in a circle like I did for the sun, I moved it all around to follow the word I had written in marker. Repeat this a few times until you're satisfied with the thickness. I definitely tried this step a couple different times so don't worry if you don't get it on the first go!

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

For my final embroidered square, I did a simple "TS," which of course stands for "Taylor Swift."

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Before you can sew your squares together, line the edges up and pin them. I used my ruler to mark how far I wanted my hem to go (I did 1/4" at every edge) for a sewing guideline.

I pinned the squares one at a time, checking at each step that they were pinned the right way (especially after I sewed two together incorrectly and had to pick out the stitches. Oops.)

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Arrange the images in a similar way to the official dice, or change it up however you'd like! I chose to arrange the squares so that there was a blank in between the images.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Pin and sew your remaining three squares around the middle square so that you end up with a cross.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

I continued pinning and sewing the edges to one another until I had an inside-out cube. Here's a tutorial to help you better understand which edges should be sewn together.

I did one square at a time, making sure to focus on the corners and going back in to tighten them up once I was done. You only want one gap, which is where you'll flip the cube inside out and then stuff it.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Once you have a cube, flip the fabric inside out. I used my pen to make sure all the corners and edges were good to go.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Next, stuff your cube with whatever filling you prefer. I didn't stuff it super full because I didn't want it to have a rounded look when I was done.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Ta-da! A little wonky but very cute :)

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

When you have both dice, cut a small hole in the top for your cord. Knot the ends and stuff them into the holes, then use your needle and thread to attach the cord and the fleece together.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Voilà!

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

They're soft, fuzzy, and pink. What could be better than that?!

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

If you don't want to hang these in your car, they also make excellent Valentine's (or Galentine's) decor.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

If you need me, I'll be blasting "Cruel Summer" for the rest of the month.

Loving these Taylor Swift fuzzy dice? Follow us on Pinterest and TikTok for more entertainment inspo, and don't forget to check out The Latest On Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce's Relationship!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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Pedro Pascal Just Commented On Those Jennifer Aniston "Romance" Rumors After Their 3-Hour Dinner

Jennifer Aniston and Pedro Pascal fans are in a frenzy over a possible budding romance between the A-list singles. The rumors were sparked after the pair reportedly spent three hours on a dinner date together.

This past Saturday, Jennifer and Pedro were seen leaving the Tower Bar at the Sunset Tower Hotel, located in West Hollywood, California. The former Friends star and Gladiator II actor were both rocking leather as they spoke by the valet area. Jennifer wore cuffed pants, a white T-shirt, a leather vest, and boots; meanwhile, Pedro looked cool in jeans, a leather jacket, and loafers.

But was it actually a date? Here's what we know!

Scroll to find out what's really going on with Jennifer Aniston & Pedro Pascal...

Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images

Photos of the celebs together prompted many social media users to share their approval of a potential partnership. Others pointed out how Pedro could just be appearing on The Morning Show, an Apple TV+ drama series starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.

That's because, during the 2024 Critics' Choice Awards, Reese and Pedro discussed the show on the red carpet in a clip that's since resurfaced on X. She told the actor that a "really good part" was open for him on The Morning Show, and he replied, "Pitch it to me now. I'm in. I'll be waiting to hear from my agents. Draw it up. Send me a script. Or just pitch it to me in the room."

As Pedro responded to Reese, Jennifer held Pedro's hand, looked at the camera, and mouthed, "Oh my god." It seems that, just like fans around the globe, even Jennifer is endeared by the Chilean-born actor.

Nonetheless, if it was unclear whether her and Pedro's three-hour dinner date was for business or pleasure, a source told Page Six, "“There is no romance going on between Jennifer Aniston and Pedro Pascal. They respect each other as artists but it’s strictly platonic and they’re not dating.”

So I guess that answers that!

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Jennifer, who is now 56 years old, has previously been married twice. She first tied the knot with Brad Pitt in 2000, and they announced their separation five years later on January 7, 2005. Then, she got married to Justin Theroux in 2015, but they separated in February 2018.

Pedro, on the other hand, has never been married and prefers to keep his romantic endeavors more private. Nonetheless, he reportedly dated Maria Dizzia for a decade and has been linked to other celebrities, including Game of Thrones actress Lena Headey and Robin Tunney, who's most well-known for her role on the show The Mentalist.

Jennifer and Reese's drama series, The Morning Show, debuted on November 1, 2019, and has since had three successful seasons. The project has been so well-received, in fact, that it's earned over 50 award nominations and received an early renewal for a fourth season in April 2023, before Season 3 even debuted.

Still, fans will just have to wait and see if Pedro, beloved for his performances in The Last of Us, Gladiator II, The Mandalorian, and Game of Thrones, will be joining Jennifer on-screen in future episodes of The Morning Show, or otherwise!

Looking for more celebrity news? Be sure to follow us on Facebook so you never miss a thing!

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17 DIY Valentine's Gifts Guaranteed To Get You Some X's And O's This Year

Valentine's Dayis one of our favorite holidays for many different reasons. The desserts! The dinners! The cocktails! Not to mention the fact that it's basically an entire holiday dedicated to pink, red, and all things romantic. You can always gift your sweetie flowers and chocolates, but if you want to get creative with DIY Valentine's gifts, you've come to the right place.

We love that V-Day is low-pressure as far as gifting holidays go, and that it celebrates love in its many forms. We've thought a lot about what to give and get here at Brit + Co, and whipped up a list that includes a few hits that you can give after trying one of our fun date night ideas. Here are our favorite DIYs for the big day.

DIY Valentine Gifts Your Partner Will Love

Brit + Co

Give your sweetheart hugs and kisses via these easy-to-sew XOXO pillows. Pick fabric that goes with your decor or use the brightest red and pink fabric that you can find.

Brit + Co

This floral backdrop is perfect for a doorway surprise for when your love or little ones wake up on Valentine's Day morning. Plus, by the time your V-Day celebrations end, you might as well leave them up for March.

Studio Ink

Keep the surprises coming withbreakfast in bed. We heart these Red Velvet Heart Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze — yum! Sprinkles are encouraged.

Brit + Co

Challenge your love(s) to a game of Jenga with this cute DIY Valentine's gift. This will make for an adorable game to play any time of year.

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Make your own box of chocolates with a piñata twist. We'll take two, please!

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Gift your gal pals a hand-stamped scarf for the occasion or make a DIY night of it! Since you make the stamps yourself, you can create any pattern you want.

Brit + Co

Dig into this DIY conversation heart cake for the sweetest V-Day dessert you ever did try.

Brit + Co

Put a ring on it! Chocolate ring pops for the DIY Valentine's gifts win. Our favorite part is definitely the fun colors.

Brittany Griffin

Here's a long distance-friendly idea: Make theseConversation Heart Piñata care packages to send to your BFFs or you can surprise your fam in the morning with a goodie-filled one.

Brit + Co

Give your sweetheart something delicious and gluten-free with these Cassava Flour Brownies.

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Get cozy with these conversation heart pillowsfor your favorite texting pal.

Brit + Co

Serve your Galentine's Day guests Celebrity Heartthrob Cookies— the next best thing to the real deal. Pass us the Ryan Gosling cookie please!

Make a stack of pixel-inspired Pop-Up Heart Cardsfor your favorite people.

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Add a green twist to your Valentine's Day surprise with these Air Plant Wall Artpiecesthat creatively make use of nails and string.

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For a more hands-on DIY Valentine's gift, whip up these fun DIY Conversation Heart Coasterswith polymer clay and letter stamps.

Brittany Griffin

Map your travels together with this clever Photo Map Wall Artfor a personal and so special touch!

Brittany Griffin

Celebrate your Valentine's favorite food with these extra cute (and yummy) Heart-Shaped Boxes. Fill them with candy today and love letters tomorrow.

Happy Love Day! If you make a DIY Valentine gift, tag us in a pic — and don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter!

This post has been updated.

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Everyone's Losing It Over This "Batsh—t" 'Yellowjackets' Theory: "Everything Came Together"

We've spent the last few years dissecting just what the heck is happening in Yellowjackets, and have witnessed everything from literal cannibalization and the antler queen. And this season, when the woods began singing back to the girls, it really pushed the show's creepy factor to the breaking point. But according to one major theory, Yellowjackets season 3 episode 7, "Croak", just proved everything we've witnessed has just been one giant delusion — and it's all to do with frogs. Yep, you read that right.

Keep reading for the Yellowjackets season 3 frog theory that sucked all of us, including Lottie and Shauna, in.

The supernatural element of 'Yellowjackets' could actually have been frogs the whole time.

Yellowjackets season 3 episode 7 features a pair of frog scientists named Edwin and Hannah, along with Kodiak, their guide. After Lottie kills Edwin with an axe because she believes the wilderness doesn't want them, Hannah and Kodiak are ultimately met with the team anyway; Travis and Akilah save Kodiak from falling off a cliff and Natalie and Shauna bring Hannah back to camp.

@quigonnjake points out on TikTok how the arrival of the frog scientists could prove the wilderness supposedly singing back to the team is actually a frog call, and that the team has been wrapped up in one big delusion this whole time.

"These girls have been isolated and alone and stranded for months — over a year!" he says. "It would make sense for them to create something in their mind after everything they have experienced, the other members of their team that they've lost, the eating of people."

He also points out that because of Lottie's "psychological past," it makes sense for her to create something for the girls to believe in and fully hold on to. "And if we thought Lottie was batsh—t before, there's no term imaginable that describes her now," he concludes.

And 'Yellowjackets' fans are totally here for it.

Naturally, the idea that a central part of Yellowjackets (AKA the magic of it all) isn't what we thought sent fans into a tizzy. "This 👏 show 👏 is 👏 not 👏 supernatural!" one user agreed in the comments, and I'm totally here for this. After seeing (somewhat) realistic shows like Outer Banks and Riverdale descend into absolutely unhinged supernatural plotlines, I'd love for a show we all thought was supernatural to wrap up with a scientific explanation! Oh how the tables have turned.

Another Yellowjackets fan points out how Ben was the team's last tie to humanity, and that "Lottie's and Shauna's reactions prove it. They had the chance to go home, it was right there and they chose the wilderness," while a third theorizes "the trees engraved with the symbol are triangulation stations used for surveying and mapping the area and identifying areas of geothermal energy."

We'll just have to keep tuning in until we get the full picture. But either way, another TikTok user says, "I was wondering why they all disliked Lottie in the adult timeline when they had been pretty much worshipping her in the wilderness. Everything came together."

When does Yellowjackets season 3 air?

Kailey Schwerman/Paramount+ with SHOWTIME

Yellowjackets season 3 premiered on February 16, 2025 and new episodes air on Fridays at 12 AM EST on Paramount+ and Sundays at 8 PM EST on Showtime. Here's the full list of episodes:

  • Season 3, Episode 1 "It Girl" premiered on February 16, 2025
  • Season 3, Episode 2 "Dislocation" premiered on February 16, 2025
  • Season 3, Episode 3 "Them's the Brakes" premiered on February 23, 2025
  • Season 3, Episode 4 "12 Angry Girls and 1 Drunk Travis" premiered on March 2, 2025
  • Season 3, Episode 5 "Did Tai Do That?" premiered on March 9, 2025
  • Season 3, Episode 6 "Thanksgiving (Canada)" premiered on March 16, 2025
  • Season 3, Episode 7 "Croak" premiered on March 23, 2025
  • Season 3, Episode 8 "A Normal, Boring Life" premieres on March 30, 2025
  • Season 3, Episode 9 "How the Story Ends" premieres on April 6, 2025
  • Season 3, Episode 10 "Full Circle" premieres on April 13, 2025

Who's in Yellowjackets season 3?

The Yellowjackets season 3 cast includes:

  • Melanie Lynskey and Sophie Nelisse as Shauna Shipman Sadecki: Jackie's best friend in high school who's actually sleeping with Jackie's boyfriend Jeff and gets pregnant with Callie. As an adult, Shauna's discontent with being Jeff's housewife and struggles to connect with their daughter Callie.
  • Tawny Cypress and Jasmin Savoy Brown as Taissa Turner: A competitive member of the Yellowjackets who's secretly dating Vanessa before the plane crash and, after they wind up on the island, starts sleepwalking, which evolves into psychogenic fugue and follows her into adulthood.
  • Christina Ricci and Samantha Hanratty as Misty Quigley: The Yellowjackets' equipment manager who's frequently bullied as a teen and has a crush on Coach Ben. She proves to be helpful after the crash, and as an adult, Misty works in a nursing home and takes part in the Citizen Detectives crime solving club.
  • Sophie Thatcher as Natalie Scatorccio: A member of the team who struggles with substance abuse, but who takes charge after the plane crash.
  • Simone Kessell and Courtney Eaton as Charlotte "Lottie" Matthews: A wealthy member of the Yellowjackets who has schizophrenia, and whose parents provided the plane that crashed in the wilderness.
  • Lauren Ambrose and Liv Hewson as Vanessa "Van" Palmer: Taissa secret girlfriend before the crash who plays goalkeeper on the team. She believes Lottie while they're trapped in the wilderness, and as an adult, she owns a video store.
  • Steven Krueger as Ben Scott: Yellowjackets assistant coach who does not return Misty's affections.
  • Warren Kole as Jeff Sadecki: Shauna's husband and Callie's father, as well as Jackie's ex boyfriend.
  • Kevin Alves as Travis Martinez: Coach Martinez's son who finds himself trapped in the wilderness with the Yellowjackets.
  • Sarah Desjardins as Callie Sadecki: Jeff and Shauna's daughter who gets sucked into her parents' illegal activity.

Stay tuned for the latest Yellowjackets news and read up on The "Genius" White Lotus Season 3 Theory Everyone's Saying Is "Crazy Good".

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10 "Shocking" Ways 'Gilmore Girls' Actually Aged Really Poorly...

To this day, Gilmore Girls is still a coming-of-age classic that many people continue to rewatch. It's packed with witty banter, quirky small-town characters, and heartwarming portrayals of the mother-daughter dynamic between Lorelai Gilmore and Rory Gilmore.

However, while the show remains extremely popular, even among new generations, there are some undeniable issues that make Gilmore Girls feel outdated. From problematic portrayals to underrepresentation and flat-out bad character behavior, here are 10 ways the series hasn't aged well.

Scroll to see all the ways Gilmore Girlsjust didn't really age well...

1. Cultural Stereotypes Are Everywhere

Warner Bros. Television

It's no secret that Gilmore Girls relied on stereotypes, particularly when portraying non-white characters. The most notable example of this is Lane's mother, Mrs. Kim.

She's supposed to be an overbearing, traditional Asian mother who has a rigid sense of discipline and is obsessed with her daughter's academic success. This portrayal might've been intended to reflect cultural differences, but Mrs. Kim's character often just comes across as a caricature.

2. Where's The LGBTQ+ Representation?

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The show also largely overlooked the inclusion of any LGBTQ+ characters, despite it featuring plenty of recurring roles over its seven seasons. While the 2016 revival Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life briefly revealed that Michel was married to a man, the OG show never mentioned his orientation or love life.

It's particularly glaring since, aside from centering on mother-daughter relationships, the series frequently navigates the main characters' romantic issues. For modern audiences, the inclusion of only straight relationships just isn't relatable or representative.

3. Rory Needs To Check Her Privilege

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There's no doubt that Rory feels tension between her working-class upbringing and the privilege she ultimately gets from her grandparents, Richard and Emily Gilmore.

As a young kid, she was raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for her. So, at the beginning of the series, Rory is a lovable character who values hard work.

However, she becomes increasingly entitled as Gilmore Girls goes on. For instance, remember when she dropped out of Yale (which was paid for by her grandparents), got to live in their luxe pool house for free, and acted like the whole experience was such a hardship? Many fans have to skip over this cringey time in Rory's storyline altogether.

4. Fatphobia Isn't Witty

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During the 2000s, fatphobia was a go-to comedic device, and Gilmore Girls fell into that trap. It's a shame, too, since the show was so revered for its quick, eclectic wit.

Nonetheless, characters like Lorelai, Rory, and even Emily made fatphobic comments that came across as cruel as opposed to funny. Perhaps the worst instance of this came in Season 4, when Rory reported on a Yale production for the newspaper and called a ballerina a "hippo."

The ballerina later confronted Rory out in the cafeteria, calling her review "mean, petty, and despicable," but Rory didn't apologize and responded, "This was all in the line of duty. It was an assignment from my editor, so it was nothing personal."

5. Rory's Affair: Need We Say More?

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Rory's affair with her married ex-boyfriend, Dean, marked one of the most controversial moments in the show. They previously dated at the very beginning of Gilmore Girls, but after they broke up, Dean finally moved on and married someone else.

Well, when Rory felt lonely, she started an affair with him while knowing he was married. It was a particularly low point for her as a character, showing her selfishness and disregard for the consequences of her actions.

6. Christopher Got Too Much Positive Screen Time

Christopher is arguably one of the most frustrating characters, considering the show's tendency to paint him in a surprisingly positive light. He's largely absent during Rory's childhood, and even when he does re-enter his daughter's life, he isn't a stable parent.

Even so, Gilmore Girls continues to present him as funny, charming, and deserving of multiple chances at romance with Lorelai. Nowadays, modern audiences would probably find it hard to overlook his repeated shortcomings.

7. Emily Gilmore Serves Up Classism On The Regular

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We get it: Lorelai's parents, Richard and Emily, needed to be kind of horrible in order to make the storyline work. Why else would Lorelai flee her home as a pregnant teen and cut them off?

Regardless, Emily maintains an elitist attitude throughout the entire series and never stops looking down on people she deems beneath her, especially those with less privileged backgrounds.

For instance, she's infamous for treating her household staff terribly and firing them frequently. Her disapproval of Rory's relationship with Dean, who's a working-class boy from Stars Hollow, also couldn't have been more different than her warm welcome of Logan, a wealthy Yale student. The discrepancies are glaring.

8. Rory And Lorelai Lack Healthy Boundaries

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Rory and Lorelai's mother-daughter relationship is critical for Gilmore Girls, but their bond often crosses into territory that feels uncomfortably codependent. It might've been more understandable when Rory was still a teenager living at home. Yet, even when she goes off to college, the strange dynamic continues.

In fact, Rory actually begged Lorelai to visit New Haven on her first night at Yale and stay over in her dorm room. Not only did Lorelai agree, but she also threw a party for Rory and her new roommates!

9. Zack Shouldn't Have Been Lane's Consolation Prize

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After watching Lane fight back against her mother's controlling tendencies throughout high school, Gilmore Girls fans had high hopes for her future. Unfortunately, those were squashed when she got married to Zack and wound up pregnant with twins.

She was always supposed to end up with the character Dave Rygalski, played by Adam Brody, but Dave was written off the show due to Adam's commitment to The O.C. So, Lane was stuck with Zack, and the relationship felt forced. More importantly, her character arguably never reached her full potential.

10. Michel Deserved More

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Finally, we believe that Michel, the sole Black character on the show, deserved more. Instead, his uptight and snobby role was just used for comic relief.

Gilmore Girls never delved far into his personal life or explored his character in any meaningful way. The lack of depth is especially noticeable today. Plus, Michel's surface-level storyline feels like a missed opportunity considering actor Yanic Truesdale's talent.

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