35 Instagram Moments to Give You Major Re:Make FOMO

Cortney Clift
Sep 16, 2014

Re:Make 2014 is over, you guys! From Friday’s Re:Make conference to Saturday’s festival, we packed Fort Mason with folks DIYing, shopping goods from makers, stuffing their faces with food truck deliciousness and watching live demos of some of today’s coolest new tech. Whether you weren’t able to make it or you just want to relive it all over again, here are 35 of our favorite highlights from the weekend. If you weren’t there, be prepared for FOMO.

1. Philz: The day started early, but luckily we had the best coffee in San Francisco to get our brains buzzing. (via @philzcoffee)

2. Wall of Makers: The pavillion was full of inspiration everywhere you turned. For example, this envy-worthy hang out space packed with work crafted by makers who’d be selling their goods on Saturday. (via @dianawillard)

3. Paint by Numbers: It’s a paint by numbers project on steroids! All weekend Re:Make attendees jumped in to do their part and transform this giant drawing into a multicolored masterpiece. (via @secondsunco)

4. Balloon Bliss: What do you mean all conferences don’t have tasseled balloons? (via @showe)

5. Yoobi Bus: For any item you buy (or simply social!) they donate a Yoobi item to a classroom in need. The founder came to lead one of the day’s panels, but he also brought along a renovated school bus decked-out with Yoobi goodies and awesome activities. (via @yoobi)

6. Inspiring Panels: Yoobi and Yes To’s co-founder, Ido Leffler led a discussion with Oh Joy! founder Joy Cho and STORY’s founder Rachel Shechtman about how technology is changing the way we shop. To keep the audience on their toes, Leffler got hold of a pack of Oh Joy! paper plates threw it out into the crowd, frisbee style. (via @maureenluyun)

7. Cork Board Vases: All the inspiring talks and panels were teaching us a lot, but they were also making us eager to get making! Thankfully we had #MakeBreaks where attendees got to do fun, hands-on activities. Our first project was led by our friends at Michaels. We did our thing transforming vases using cork board and paint! (via @amyprwang)

8. Doodles for Days: Even after the vases, some attendee just couldn’t stop living our new favorite hashtag #iamcreative. Luckily the tables were covered in butcher paper and Yoobi crayons were within reach! (via @sarayahm)

9. Epic Mealtime: All this learning worked up an appetite. We had lunch outside on a sunny San Francisco afternoon at the picturesque Fort Mason. (via @lisamwojcik)

10. Hangin’ With R2D2: Mashable’s deputy editor, Chris Taylor, came to tell us all about the 501st Legion, an international Star Wars fan-based organization dedicated to the construction and wearing of screen-accurate replicas of Imperial Stormtrooper armor. To join, you have to have made the costume yourself AND it has to be totally accurate. At the end of his talk he brought out a surprise guest who turned out to be no other than everyone’s favorite robot. Taylor brought R2D2’s creator on stage to show him off and explain a little bit about what exactly goes into making a functional robot. And then, the selfies ensued. (via @thebritmorin)

11. Cupcake MakeBreak: We already had a chance to make a souvenir to take home, but we also made something that definitely wasn’t going to last more than a couple minutes. Wilton gave us cupcakes and super convenient pre-piped icing pouches and told us to decorate our treat however we pleased. (via @shansimp)

12. Future of Fashion Panel: Lucky Mag’s Verena Von Pfetten moderated a discussion about how new technologies and platforms are changing the lifestyle and beauty industries. The hot topic of this talk was Grace Choi’s 3D makeup printer. Sad you missed the talk? Check out Grace’s just-released tutorial on how to turn your inkjet printer into a makeup maker. (via @caivka)

13. Eventbrite: With all this new information about technology and design we started wondering if we were ever going to have to leave the house? Thankfully Eventbrite’s cofounder Julia Hartz came on stage and gave us some pretty convincing statistics about all the benefits of meeting up the good, old-fashioned way. (via @maureenluyun)

14. Emcee Selfie: Comedian Heather Gold was our emcee for the day. She also hosted a discussion with paper company, Mohawk Paper’s VP and Creative Director, Chris Harrold. In typical 21st century fashion she didn’t let the chat end until she got a selfie with both him and the crowd. (via @heathr)

15. Maleficent Transformation: YouTube beauty guru Kandee Johnson picked one lucky girl from the audience to undergo a Disney villain-inspired beauty transformation. Mission accomplished, Ms. Johnson. (via @britandco)

16. Re:Make Festival: After Friday’s conference, the pavilion was transformed into a space full of vendors, DIY stations and awesome demos. (via @instagramercy)

17. Miniature Air Plants: As soon as you walked in, you could head to the B+C DIY station and make this itty bitty project. We painted miniature wooden pots and simply plopped in our mess-free air plant (no soil necessary!) for a DIY that will add some life to any desk. (via @helloglee)

18. Robot Love: R2D2 came back to hang again on Saturday and was totally the star of the show. People were snapping pics of the vocal little bot all afternoon. (via @moyerthedestoyer)

19. Hand Stitched Cards: Hallmark hosted a DIY station full of string, needles and these pretty cards. Folks created their own pattern and sent it away to a very lucky recipient (or maaaaybe kept it for themselves). (via @drifterandthegypsy)

20. Behind-the-Scenes Braiding: Yes To hosted a hair station during Saturday’s festival, but we couldn’t wait to get our braid on ’til then. Brit + Co intern Kelly snuck in a pretty, purple plaiting sesh behind the scenes of Friday’s conference. (via @wabisabibeauty)

21. Lego Mania: Kids and adults alike headed over to the Lego station to build anything from their alter ego to a massive castle to a Lego loom. The best part? They got to take it home! (via @shopellalou)

22. Photo-Friendly Cookies: Wilton had a cookie decorating station, where the cookies doubled as wait for it…. photo booth props! If ever a food was Instagram-worthy, these sweet treats were it. (via @wiltoncakes)

23. Leather Luxury: Over 80 makers set up shop at Fort Mason for the day. These gorgeous leather goods came all the way from Alabama. (via @loyalstricklin)

24. Magazine Wall Art: Beacon Adhesives set up an upcycled magazine wall art DIY station. (via @beaconadhesives)

25. Tote-ally Crafty: Izzie provided tape and fabric dye to help guests make original tote bags. We immediately put our creation to use by stuffing it full of souvenirs and projects, natch. (via @izzeofficial)

26. Robot Shopping: R2 definitely had a fan packed-day, but it seems he still managed to save some time for a browse around Half Hitched Goods‘ Doka truck! (via @halfhitchgoods)

27. Festive Photos: So. Many. Instagram backdrops! (via @bambina_bakes)

28. Golden Tunes: It’s not a festival without a DJ. And it’s not a Brit + Co festival without a gold fringed DJ booth. (via @judyzpixs)

29. S’more Snackin‘: Why yes, there was a vendor making gourmet s’mores with a blow torch on this amazzzing geometric stone! (via @generikany)

30. Watercolor Lettering: Hallmark also hosted a watercolor lettering DIY station. This was not your grade school paint session, people. The results were unreal! (via @cafcaf_)

31. Save the World Sandals: Teysha was one of the most popular vendors of the day – and with good reason. The ultra-vibrant shoe and accessory company partners with artisans and communities all across the globe to help craft these beautiful (not to mention ethical) kicks. (via @drifterandthegypsy)

32. Sitting Pretty: This wasn’t a simple lemonade stand kind of set up. Vendors really went all out to make their space look unique. (via @theweekendpress)

33. Headband Heaven: Forever 21 helped us step up our hair accessory game with a DIY station. There were studs, fabric dye and rubber bands for tie dying. (via @charissadot)

34. Giant Twister Board: It was a giant Twister board and bouncy all in one. The little ones couldn’t get enough of this dotted fun! (via @britandco)

35. Grand Finale: And that was Re:Make 2014! Our community editor (and a maker who set up shop at the festival on Saturday!) Alexis celebrated a successful weekend with a bottle of bubbly. Cheers to that and to Re:Make 2015?! (via @secondsunco)

Were you at Re:Make? What was your favorite moment from the weekend?

4 Easy Tips To Make A Truly Impressive Christmas Charcuterie Board

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’ve fully assumed the role of the #1 charcuterie-maker in my family. Maybe it’s the perfectionist in me, but I go absolutely crazy for laying out an elegant snack spread, no matter the occasion.

I’m fixing to make the journey back home to Texas this week ahead of the holidays, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn't excited to absolutely pop off on this year’s Christmas food plans – charcuterie included.

At this point, I’ve made about 20 charcuterie boards for so many different occasions. From 2-person Valentine’s Day dates to larger Christmas parties (I’m talkin’ 15+ people), I’m a self-proclaimed pro, and am happy to share all of my best tips for creating the ultimate charcuterie!

Christmas charcuteries in particular are super fun – as the board-maker,g it’s your chance to not only put together the perfect series of snacks that recalls the spirit of the season, but impress all of your friends and family members while you’re at it.

If you’ve ever wondered, “How can a charcuterie look so good?”, you’re in the right place.

My top 4 tips will guide you through all the steps of the Christmas charcuterie board process so you can create your own Pinterest-worthy spread in no time!

Meredith Holser

1. Get a good board.

Throughout the years, I’ve learned that your charcuterie is only as good as the board you use to craft it. I’ve had moments where I tried to use a single dinner plate or even a plastic cutting board for my creations, and, well, they just didn’t cut it.

The perfect charcuterie board is durable, easy to transport, and easy to clean once all the snacks are gone. Of course, the size of your board matters, too, but that really all depends on the amount of people you plan to serve.

Uncommon Goods

Uncommon Goods Compact Swivel Cheese Board with Knives

I was lucky enough to be gifted this wonderful foldable charcuterie board ($87) from Uncommon Goods (thanks, mom), and it’s my go-to for small gatherings (more typical than large parties, per my lifestyle).

I also really enjoy it because it’s easy to travel with if I’m setting up a snack spread at someone else’s place. The foldability also makes it a breeze to stow away in my kitchen cupboards between uses.

My only (very minor) complaint about it is that the nooks and crannies between the folding mechanisms can be hard to fully clean.

Crate & Barrel

Carson Acacia Cheeseboard

If you plan to take your charcuterie skills to a larger get-together, I recommend looking for a long board, like these ones from Amazon ($65) or Crate & Barrel ($70).

Meredith Holser

2. Variety is key.

Now that the board’s out of the way, it’s time to get into the fun stuff – the food!

My personal preference when it comes to charcuterie boards is that they have a ton of variety. Not just variety in flavors, but color, texture, and layout.

Having a wide range of different snacks will please the palette and the eyes, which is the number one key in impressing those people that hover around the snack table, leaving them with a lasting memory about your charcuterie work.

Meredith Holser

As a quick guide, I always strive to have at least one item from each of these categories on my charcuterie board: meats, cheeses, crackers, nuts, olives, fruits, and chocolates (because who doesn’t like chocolate?!).

Bonus points for fancy picks like veggies, dips, breads, honeys, baked bries, cookies, pastries, and dipping oils.

Meredith Holser

Now, all of that is just for a regular-schmegular charcuterie moment. When it comes to a Christmas charcuterie board, you may want to stick to seasonal foods (like Christmas cookies, cheese balls, and rosemary crackers) and flavors (like cranberry, gingerbread, and peppermint) to really nail the theme. Using red and green foods is also welcome!

Wencee Minimo

It’s no secret that I love to shop at Trader Joe’s for all of my charcuterie needs. They carry a ton of items in each of the aforementioned categories, and the best part is their products typically favor the more-elevated culinary palette (not to sound pretentious AF!).

Plus, their aisles change according to the seasons, so you’re bound to find the perfect items for your Christmas charcuterie board in a single trip. I can’t recommend TJ’s more!

Meredith Holser

3. Get creative with presentation.

The presentation of your charcuterie is the part that people will remember the most, which is why I fully lean into my creativity to create an eye-catching snack spread.

My best advice is to simply be patient and don’t rush this step! It should be pure fun – sometimes it’s even more fun for me than actually eating the charcuterie!

You really can’t mess up the presentation, and if you do, everything is easily rearrangeable.

Meredith Holser

Meat roses – it sounds so silly, but making meat roses was the first thing that really leveled up my boards’ presentations. You can create them by layering slices of cured meats (like salami) around the rim of a glass. I watched a quick TikTok tutorial to learn how (thank you, internet!). This YouTube video also has some really helpful and clear tips!

I also enjoy employing methods like alternating and layering different cheeses, stylishly folding meats onto toothpicks, stuffing olives, creatively cutting berries, and more.

Amazon

Selamica Ceramic Dipping Bowls Set

The next tip kind of goes hand-in-hand with my notes about using a good board, but it definitely plays into presentation: using small bowls to section out things like olives, baked bries (my fave), jellies, and dips. Tiny bowls like this set of 6 from Amazon ($23) not only look cute, but they help in separating charcuterie items that shouldn’t touch other things (AKA oily olives or piping-hot baked cheeses).

You’ll learn more and more about your charcuterie presentation preferences through practice. Plus, no two boards are the same, so you really have free reign on each one!

Meredith Holser

4. Scale your charcuterie appropriately for the occasion.

If you’re going to serve a big Christmas party, you’ll want to up the ante with the size of your charcuterie spread. As I noted with the size of your board, you’ll want to have enough snacks to fill the blank space on it.

The real key with this is just being prepared – make sure you get a solid head count ahead of your charcuterie shopping trip, and you’ll know exactly how much to buy!

If you’re only feeding a few mouths, it’s okay to keep it small! For reference, between two people, I only need to grab one of each item. For larger gatherings above 10 people, I might be extra cautious and grab 3 or 4 of each.

I’ve found that meats, cheeses, and crackers are typically what’s gone from my boards first, so I’d recommend focusing on having enough options there for your own creation.

Meredith Holser

Another important thing to take into consideration is if your guests have any special dietary needs like allergies. That way, you can know what to avoid (or set out separately from the main charcuterie board if you’re up to making a couple of options).

Meredith Holser

If you’ve committed to the charcuterie for a function at someone else’s house, make sure you arrive in advance with all the components packaged. Building the board beforehand opens up the possibility of it getting messed up during travel.

I’d tow along my board, a bag full of the snacks, and some necessary prep items like knives and bowls. Bringing your own paper plates to coordinate could also be helpful to the host!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more food + hosting tips!

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

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The 25 Worst Christmas Songs Everyone Agrees "Suck"

I'll admit, I'm one of the people who begins listening to Christmas music in September — if not earlier. And while I always have "December" by Gabrielle Aplin & Hannah Grace and everything Nat King Cole has ever sung on repeat, there are some tunes even I can't stand. And I know I'm not the only one, which is why I scoured the internet for the absolute worst Christmas songs ever recorded. Feel free to hate-listen while you hate-watch the worst Christmas movies!

Here are the worst Christmas songs nobody wants to listen to.

The 25 Worst Christmas Songs Of All Time

Blue Ox Studio/Pexels

1. "Christmas Shoes" by Newsong.

This heartbreaking song is about a kid trying to buy shoes for his dying mother, and it traumatized children everywhere. "The song about the Christmas shoes is the worst," @VonHush wrote on Reddit, while another user agrees, "It does really suck."

2. "Last Christmas" by Wham!

According to one Reddit user, their "least favorite [Christmas song] is motherf—king Last Christmas." This is also my dad's least favorite Christmas song, and he always has a visceral reaction when it comes on the radio. What's with the drama, gents? Regardless of whether you love or hate this, I'll always stand by Taylor Swift's cover.

3. "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" by Elmo & Patsy

This is one of my least favorite Christmas songs because I'd rather sing about peace and joy, not envision my grandmother getting mowed down by Rudolph.

4. "It's the Holiday Season" by Andy Williams

It might be time to celebrate the holidays, but this song really doesn't inspire holiday cheer for some listeners. "The lyrics really grind on my nerves," @ fresnosmokey says on Reddit. "'Woopdie doo and dickory dock and don't forget to hang up your sock.' WFT is that? Were they under pressure to put out a Christmas song as quickly as possible? Because that's just plain lazy writing."

5. "White Winter Hymnal" by Pentatonix

Okay, this is a hot take because people love this cover of the Fleet Foxes original, but it's always given me such an eerie feeling. The song isn't necessarily about death in a literal sense, but "with scarves of red tied 'round their throats / To keep their little heads from falling in the snow" and "You would fall and turn the white snow red / As strawberries in the summertime" literally send shivers down my spine.

Spencer Backman/Unsplash

6. "Do They Know It's Christmastime" by Band Aid

While this is an update addition to any playlist, one X user considers this one of the worst Christmas songs ever. "[It's] just so smug and patronizing."

7. "Mary Did You Know?" by Michael English

I haven't been able to listen to this song the same ever since I saw someone point out that yes, Mary did know. The angel told her! Touché.

8. "8 Days Of Christmas" by Destiny's Child

While we can always expect covers of old school Christmas songs, some people are really not a fan of changing up a classic. Take "8 Days Of Christmas" for example. "What arrogance compels you to just change a classic and then gurgle on about all the stuff you want?" @disco54 says on Reddit.

9. "Do You Hear What I Hear?" by Harry Simeone Chorale

And with so many new & incredible songs to enjoy, some of the older tunes are harder to listen to. “'do you hear what I hear' is so so slow and I just can’t enjoy it anymore," one X user says.

10. "Mistletoe" by Justin Bieber

Sorry y'all, I just missed the Bieber fever, which means this is a skip for me. The use of "shawty" haunts me to this day.

Brit + Co

11. "Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt

Some people consider it a classic, others consider it like nails on a chalk board. "Not sure how controversial this is but I hate Santa Baby," one Reddit user says. "It has very little redeeming qualities for me and I will put on a non Christmas station when it comes on."

12. "Little Drummer Boy" by the Austrian Trapp Family

This song is both so long and so repetitive that it makes it hard to enjoy listening to the entire thing.

13. "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" by...Anyone

I consider this one of the worst Christmas songs simply because of how long it is. I start zoning out around "5 golden rings."

14. "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" by Gayla Peevey

I've always considered this song a silly addition to my Christmas playlist, but I have found myself skipping it recently in favor of more classic carols. "'i want a hippopotamus for christmas' is the worst," @polivtical says on X. "only to be tied with 'all i want for christmas is my two front teeth'. both should be considered torture."

15. "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" by Spike Jones and His City Slickers (or Alvin and The Chipmunks)

This makes the worst Christmas song list purely because of the above tweet. Enough said.

Brit + Co

16. "Crabs for Christmas" by David DeBoy

Just the title of this Christmas song (which is apparently about someone asking Santa for a crab feast for Christmas) has me questioning whether it's good. One Reddit user jokes it's the reason they moved out of Maryland.

17. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" by Camila Cabello

Camila's viral performance (and everyone instantly meme-ing the way she pronounces "Christmas") means I can't listen to this song the same way ever again.

18. "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney

Wow, some of y'all really hate this song. Why?! Despite the fact it's upbeat and cute, a lot of people really don't like it.

19. "I Never Knew the Meaning of Christmas" by NSYNC

Did we really need another Christmas pop song? Especially one that tells single people they don't know the meaning of Christmas if they're not coupled up? Yikes.

20. "Dominick The Donkey" by Lou Monte

Some people simply don't want to listen to a donkey bray while they're enjoying their Christmas Eve dinner. And you know what? I get it.

Elina Fairytale/Pexels

21. "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" by Michael Bublé

Hot take! So many people love Michael Bublé's Christmas music, but one X user says they refuse to listen to "anything with Michael Bublé." I'll admit, I'll always choose the Frank Sinatra version over Michael.

22. "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" by Bing Crosby

While we do wish you a Merry Christmas a happy holiday, this song ain't it for Christmas music lovers — especially the figgy pudding lyric. "I've never had figgy pudding, but if it tastes anything like Fig Newtons, then I sure don't see how it's worth overstaying your welcome," @newbuzzcola says on X.

23. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by The Jackson 5

Even though this is technically a classic, it's still not that enjoyable to listen to IMO. And it took me way too long to realize Santa's actually just the dad in costume.

24. "Christmas Time is Here Again" by The Beatles

The Beatles might be certified stars, but this song is just too repetitive. "This may be the worst song ever created," @knowpium says on X. Here's hoping it's not in the new Beatles movies.

25. Everything by Manheim Steamroller

Unfortunately, we'll have to add Manheim Steamroller's entire holiday catalogue to the worst Christmas songs list because, in the words of one Reddit user, "F—k everything about Mannheim Steamroller." Wow.

What do you think the worst Christmas songs ever are? Did we miss one? Let us know in the comments!

christmasholidayentertainmentmusicpop culture

OMG Lady Gaga Just Dropped A New Christmas Song (& Finally Brought Back Carpool Karaoke)

Christmas has come early for two reasons: Carpool Karaoke is back — and so is Lady Gaga! Wondering what they have in common? Everything!

The 2010's sensation gave us amazing celebrity appearances with James Corden as driver extraordinaire, and stars like Harry Styles, Katy Perry, and Selena Gomez. Lady Gaga joined the carpool in 2016 — with over 88 million views on Youtube — singing songs like "Million Reasons" and "Bad Romance" to her heart's content.

Finally, the pop star — and the show itself, TBH — made a return this week! And more than that? Lady Gaga even debuted her new Christmas song. I've already played it multiple times, so I know it's about to top my most-played Christmas songs. Excited? Here's everything you need to know about the surprise song drop, the return of Carpool Karaoke, and more!

See how Carpool Karaoke gave us the biggest surprise of 2024 — a new Lady Gaga Christmas song!

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

In an unexpected trailer for A Carpool Karaoke Christmas, Zane Lowe can be seen accepting a phone call from the one and only James Corden who has a huge favor to ask. The first passenger Lowe picks up is the "Bad Romance" songstress herself — followed by Chappelle Roan and Dua Lipa's own individual appearances.

The car's decked out in green wreaths and festive red bows which adds to the Christmas spirit as everyone sings along to famous holiday songs. Lady Gaga can also be heard singing "Christmas Tree" which has fans in the trailer's comment section besides themselves with glee!

According to Deadline, the special premiered on Apple TV+ December 15, so it's not too late to watch it if you're just as excited as we are. But that's not all!

The outlet also reported Lady Gaga and Lowe released a new version of "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" on all streaming music platforms! This means you get to hear the pop star give the nostalgic song a punk rock vibe that's now stuck in our heads.

If Lady Gaga tells us not to pout or cry, we're going to listen! (And sing along while we're at it 😉)

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