How to Use Tape to Trick Out Holiday Gift Bags, Tags and Cards

Twas the night before Christmas (or Chanukah) and all through the house, you were definitely stirring, frantically wrapping the last of the gifts! This year, rather than waiting until the last minute, or even if you only have a few to spare, we’ve got an easy wrapping solution to make your prezzies look amazing. We’ve joined forces with Hallmark to make cards, gift tags and gift bags perfect for the coming holiday season.


blank bags

– blank tags

– blank cards

– string

Tools:

– Scotch masking and washi tape

– cutting mat

– X-acto knife

– scissors

– ruler

We’ve partnered with Hallmark this year and will be offering gift wrap tutorials in thirteen of their stores so that you can re-create these presents. So head to one of their locations, go crazy with the supplies they’re offering and get creative. Head here for more deets on where and when you can #DIYtheHalls! If you can’t make it in person, follow along to check out three techniques we used to make designs and patterns we love.

Stripes are the best DIY pattern. They are totally doable regardless of your skill level, and they always look great!

Roll out some tape and place it on your cutting mat. Using your ruler and X-acto knife, and slice the strip of tape into thinner pieces.

Stripes

Pull them off of the mat and adhere them to your gift tag. Then snip off the excess tape.

Now add the string.

Cut a short piece of string, fold it in half and thread the loop through the hole in the tag. Then pull the loose strands through the loop.

How cute are these tags!

Snowflakes are gorgeous, unique and there are so many ways you can draw them. So get out your pen. We recommend that you draw your snowflake first.

When you’re ready, stick some tape to your cutting mat. For larger pieces, add two pieces of tape overlapping them a bit so that they stick together. Then use your X-acto knife to cut out the pieces that will come together to form your snowflake. Add each section to your bag.

Snowflake

We added some stripes to give this back some extra flair.

So fun!

Bring on the tribal patterns!

As with the snowflake, draw your pattern first. Then add tape to your cutting mat slightly overlapping each piece to create a sheet of tape. Use your ruler to ensure you cut straight lines, cut our your design and stick it to a blank card.

Navajo Pattern

It’s amazing what you can do with a couple rolls of tape!

We just LOVE how these turned out!

How are you wrapping your gifts this season? Share your secrets in the comments!

There are so many ways you can reach customers today, from online marketplaces to social media platforms, websites and beyond. But which is right for you? To keep up with the fast-paced world of online selling, you want to explore ways to stand out in your market and create new revenue streams. A unique way that’s proven to be fun and actually effective for many small businesses? Live selling.

What exactly is live selling? Think of it as your own online show, where you invite new and loyal customers to chat and join in a livestreamed auction of whatever you’re selling. Entrepreneurs sell everything from trading cards, comic books, and memorabilia to fashion, beauty, electronics, and even live plants on Whatnot’s livestream platform. They share product details in real-time, chatting directly with potential buyers, and selling to the highest bidder.

Here are five reasons why small business owners are loving Whatnot to build their business, grow their online community, and connect with their customers.

1. Create new revenue streams

As a small business owner, you want to look for additional ways to boost your income or diversify your revenue streams. With Whatnot, you can tap into the rapidly growing livestream shopping market and boost your bottom line. In fact, according to Whatnot’s State of Livestream Selling Report, 66 percent of Whatnot sellers earn more than $10,000 per month through livestream selling, and one in four sellers report making over $300,000 each year! That’s a pretty sweet side hustle, andyou may even find it’s your favorite way to sell.

2. Build your community

Whatnot isn’t just a sales platform; it’s a space where you can build a strong community. Through livestream selling, you can connect with customers in real-time, build meaningful relationships, and host dynamic auctions or flash sales – turning sales into engaging experiences that drive loyalty and repeat business.

3. Reach a wider audience

Finding the right customers is critical, and your odds are better when you can reach a broader audience instantly. Whatnot’s interactive format lets you share your product or service with millions of users. Livestreaming offers a way to reach potential customers who may not have discovered your business through traditional channels.

4. Make selling and buying more fun!

Whatnot takes e-commerce to the next level by making sales more interactive and fun. Livestream selling turns ordinary sales into exciting events, with real-time auctions, flash sales, and engaging chats. This approach not only boosts sales but also creates memorable experiences that keep customers coming back for more.

5. Stay competitive

By offering a platform that blends community and commerce, Whatnot empowers small business owners to scale faster, adapt to market changes, and stay competitive. The sense of community is an element that makes the sale less transactional and more relational. And that’s good for business!

Learn how to become a seller on Whatnot today – it’s a total game changer!

You don't have to conquer your commute in uncomfortable, painful shoes – these commuter shoes blend fashion and function seamlessly! Whatever it takes to get yourself to work – perhaps a train, bike, car, or a good ol’ walk, these commuter shoes stand up to many different situations and make all the difference in a painless commute.

The best part? They’re still stylish as ever. From sneakers to flats, there’s a perfect pair out there for you.

Scroll on for our 15 favorite pairs of commuter shoes for every kind of commute!

Vans

Vans Mary Jane Shoes

With just enough dressy flair, these comfy Vans are the ultimate style option when it comes to commuter shoes. They're super easy to take on and off, though you could likely get away with wearing them in-office, depending where you work!

Anthropologie

Jeffrey Campbell Jellz Flats

For the warmer months, these flats will really let your feet breathe – which is much needed after a day spent in constricting heels or stuffy work boots.

Nordstrom

Adidas SL 72 Sneakers

Adidas sneakers will never not be stylish, and they're always uber-comfy. If your commute involves walking or biking substantial amounts, these bad boys will definitely protect your feet!

SeaVees

SeaVees Bodega Clogs

Easy to slip in and out of, these waterproof – yes, waterproof – clogs also come with some good traction on the bottom so you can step out safely in rain, ice, or snow. They're equally stylish with or without socks.

Naturalizer

Naturalizer Soul Intro Flats

With an extremely soft footbed, these semi-dressy flat shoes will feel like total heaven during your long commute. They're crafted from durable materials, too, so they'll last you a long time and stand up to lots of different terrain and weather situations.

Free People

Hoka Clifton 9 Sneakers

Hokas are endlessly touted for their comfort, so if that's what you seek, opt for the Clifton 9's. These will come in super handy if your commute is walkin' to work!

Rothy's

Rothy's The Max Square Mary Janes

Rothy's flats are not only commute-ready, but they're office-ready, too, since they're shoppable in plenty of more-formal silhouettes like these Mary Janes!

Reebok

Reebok Club C 85 Vintage Shoes

These all-white sneaks will match with any get-up, whether you're commuting or not.

Matisse Footwear

Matisse Tasha Loafer Mules

With a taste of office style but plenty more practicality (so easy to slip on!), these loafer mules are a commuter's dream. They may not be super suitable for walking or biking, but if you commute via car or train, your tired feet are gonna love 'em.

Sam Edelman

Sam Edelman Talia Velcro Sneakers

Ooh, nice! The pattern on these easy-on velcro sneakers will give you major style points wherever you wear them.

Blundstone

Blundstone Classic Chelsea Boots

Blundstone boots are beloved for their ability to withstand all kinds of weather and terrain, from country trails to city streets. All the while, they still look stunning with a variety of outfits and keep your feet comfortable with every step!

On

On Cloud 6 Sneakers

Renowned especially in the doctor and nurse communities, these sneakers from On are impressively comfortable and add a cushioned feel to your every stride. Even if you wear them all day long, you won't be experiencing any aches or pains. For your walking or biking commute, they feel like a breath of fresh air... on the feet.

Target

A New Day Sandy Mule Flats

Slip into these cute mules once, and you'll never want to take them off! They have a relaxed feel that's certainly going to feel great after a long workday.

Free People

Birkenstock Boston Soft Footbed Clogs

Same thing goes for these clogs – they come complete with a soft footbed that's welcoming as ever to tired feet.

Anthropologie

Back 70 Ghost Sneakers

These practical and stylish sneakers can be worn pretty much anywhere, for anything, at any time. The laces and side stripe details make 'em even more fun!

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

Whether she’s choosing the perfect ‘fit for a movie premiere, choreographing a music video, running a marathon, or sparking viral TikTok trends like “I don’t want it,” Anna Sitar brings authenticity, humor, and a genuine positivity to everything she does. It’s no wonder she has built a community of nearly 12 million followers on TikTok, or as she calls them, “friends,” and more than a million on Instagram.

Anna has always been passionate about staying true to herself and maintaining authenticity in her content creation. By doing so, she’s fostered a community that connects with her genuine self. Over time, she’s discovered various tools and techniques that help her share her best creative ideas with her audience. Anna attributes her ability to bring her creative visions to life in a way that represents her, to having full creative control when working with tools like Photoshop.

www.tiktok.com

Replying to @laurenashleygibbs ask and you shall receive 👀 spooky season is upon us so unleash that creativity with @Photoshop !! Update or download Photoshop using the link in my bio. #AdobePhotoshopPartner

10 million new friends

Anna first learned about Photoshop in high school. It fueled her passion for bringing her creative visions to life. Then, at the beginning of her grad school career, an exciting new opportunity to express herself came along when a friend told her about this new app called TikTok that was blowing up.

Anna was getting a masters in film and television production in Los Angeles, which, she says, “was a full 180 switch” after graduating in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

“My mom and dad always instilled in me that you should take chances while you're young,” says Anna, who has always had a passion for multimedia.

She started playing around and making content on TikTok that felt natural to her creativity and sense of humor. Six months later, COVID hit, and she was sent back home to Michigan to study online.

“I was like, ‘you know what? I should really try this TikTok thing,” Anna recalls. It marked the beginning of her journey to establish herself as a content creator and commit to producing content consistently on the platform. She started doing fashion and makeup GRWM videos, and. music became a big inspiration for her during this. “I would create morning musicals where I make a music video out of my morning routine. Then, I started making these “I don't want it” videos,” she recalls, which ultimately took off as a major social trend.

While she says she was “mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared to be some director's assistant for the next 10 years,” before she knew it, she had over 10 million friends on the app.

“It was such an incredible way to not only connect with people, but to share creativity and feel so freely self-expressive too. I'm so happy to be here,” she says. “TikTok reignited that creativity that I had as a kid,” she told us.

www.tiktok.com

out with brat summer, in with feral girl fall 🍂 whats your aesthetic this fall? @Photoshop #adobephotoshoppartner

It’s all about the (creative) process

Anna admits that she’s not really a planner. “My mom always jokes, ‘I get my best ideas when I'm sleeping,’ and I feel the same way,” she says. Her creative process always starts with whatever inspires her when she wakes up in the morning. Then she’s able to turn a creative idea into something that’s fun and silly and resonates with her audiences. And that’s why she works with tools like Photoshop, the ultimate image editing and design app, that lets her bring her creativity to life at the speed of her imagination whenever and whenever her inspiration strikes.

“Photoshop allows me to just have such creative freedom. It's such a powerful app and allows me to not only have precision and creative control, but it lets me bring ideas in my head to life. I love that it's something that connects all of us,” she says.

She’s able to take a photo or video and elevate it in a way that makes it even more beautiful and powerful than it was before. Photoshop can be used in so many ways during the creative process beyond photo editing – creating mood boards to kick off the creative process, graphic design for marketing and even for storyboards for videos. Photoshop has a diverse set of features that help with inspiration too. So what is her latest obsession with Photoshop?

“I'm obsessed with making collages – that's my new little love right now in life,” she says. When we spoke, she was getting ready for a spec shoot, and using Photoshop to put all of her ideas in one place, making sure colors worked well together and idealizing and expanding images. She was focused on building the flow of her video through inspirational imagery, so she could execute the perfect setups, fashion, theme and a plan to film her video. As a creator, she doesn’t just shoot and post, but loves to get creative with tools like Photoshop to bring a larger concept to life. “I love that I have an app that just allows me to expand further from just taking a photo and posting it on Instagram versus really bringing different ideas to life,” she adds.

Anna Sitar

Social media Dos and Don’ts

Anna is known for herrefreshing down-to-earth personality – you can feel it throughout her content. She’s really just herself and living her best life.

“Authenticity is an absolute DO,” she says. But that doesn’t mean you have to focus on just one aspect of yourself. “People often say to try to fit into a niche and I disagree. I don't think you should make content that's catered toward one idea. I think that YOU are the exciting idea, and everything that you have – all of these passions and things that you love – are a mosaic of what makes you creative,” she adds.

Another major DO? Finding the creative tools that most authentically support your content creation process. As an avid Photoshop user from a young age, Anna has continued to utilize the app for creative design across her channels to create content that is undeniably HER, without limits.

For all the chatter about posting multiple times a day to gain an audience, you might be surprised by Anna’s Don’ts. “You make your best content when you feel creative and when you feel like posting and making things that you're enjoying. If you're in a creative block, one, two, three days of rest are actually only going to benefit you in the long run,” she says. And along the lines of authenticity, “don't feel the need to make what everybody else is making to make something good,” she adds.

Adobe Photoshop tips and tricks

Anna has had a passion for photography since childhood. “I loved making little home movies out of our family vacations, and I grew up really loving photography,” she says. Photoshop is a tool that seamlessly fits into her life as a professional and in her day-to-day.

“I think when people think Photoshop, they think, ‘oh my gosh, I have to be doing these major changes to whatever I'm creating.’ But the truth is, I really do use it for everything from my Instagram post for my podcast page to giving a photo a different color scheme, or resizing or creating a little collage to inspire whatever I want to do next,” she says.

While talking about her community, Anna mentioned how much her Instagram community loves the black and white posters she creates withPhotoshop. “Even for the simplest tasks, the first app that I reach for is Photoshop. I really enjoy having an app that makes me feel like I can have my creativity at my fingertips. It has so many uses beyond just being a tool for elite creatives. It really is a great app for day-to-day life as well,” she adds.

Anna Sitar

Finding inspiration as a creator

As a creator, it can be easy to live your life online. Anna avoids that way of life and it makes her content even stronger for it. “When you're on a phone all the time and creating content, it's so easy to get lost in filming 90 percent of your life, and filming every time you go to a coffee shop, every time you have a hang out with a friend, every time you wear a good outfit that you're proud of. But my greatest inspiration comes from actually what I'm truly firsthand living and not documenting my life. And then the lessons that I learned and the things that I see and the value that brings to my life is only further elevating the content that I make,” she says.

Anna’s advice

If you’re someone who aspires to have a creative outlet, Anna has some advice for you.“Even if it's little baby steps that you take a photo every single day, or you make a video every single day, or you brainstorm every single day, I think action is the best way that you're going to learn,” she says.

Anna also recommends doing what she does, tinker with different tools and apps, this helps make her content shine. “You can learn so much by just testing out different features to edit photos, different ways to expand and add text and ways to make your creativity really come to life,” she says

“I think the best advice is to play and do what makes you happy."

Thanks Anna! Learn more about how Adobe Photoshop empowers big and small businesses to create without limits.

I've been anxiously awaiting news on The Last of Us season 2 release date ever since that crazy season 1 finale in March of 2023. ICYMI, Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) have returned to Jackson but unfortunately, all's not well that ends well, because Joel is hiding a huge secret — and it's totally shaken Ellie's trust in him. I love this reluctant duo so much and I'm already making plans to visit my best friend so we can watch (and rewatch) the premiere together.

Here's everything we know about The Last of Us season 2 release date, plus the new The Last of Us trailer.

'The Last of Us' season 2 trailer teases lots of terror.

We've already gotten our first look at Kaitlyn Dever's Abby (a character fans of the game love to hate), but this is the first time we've gotten to hear her — or see her Firefly pendant. We also catch a glimpse of Ellie and Dina (Isabela Merced) dancing during what appears to be an iconic game scene and Tommy (Gabriel Luna) helping defend Jackson from the infected.

While season 1 was full of earthy tones and tons of light vs. dark imagery, The Last of Us season 2 is already showing off a much more aggressive color palette with blacks and reds that underscore just how explosive things are this season (and judging by the flares, I mean that quite literally).

When can I watch The Last of Us season 2?

Liane Hentscher/HBO

Yes, The Last of Us season 2 release date is coming sooner rather than later, and the show will hit Max on April 13, 2025. We're still awaiting confirmation on whether we'll get all the episodes at once, but I'm guessing it'll be another weekly release schedule to bring us from the spring through the summer.

Who's in The Last of Us season 2?

Liane Hentscher/HBO

The Last of Us cast for season 2 includes Pedro Pascal as Joel, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Rutina Wesley as Maria, Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, Danny Ramirez as Manny, Jeffrey Wright as Isaac, and Catherine O’Hara.

Is Last of Us season 2 coming?

Liane Hentscher/HBO

Yes, The Last of Us season 2 is on its way! The show was renewed in January of 2023 after the pilot aired. The game sequel opens five years after the events of the first game, and Joel and Ellie's relationship has splintered because of Joel's secret: his promise that Ellie's immunity couldn't be used for a cure is actually a lie — and he murdered an entire hospital of Firefly rebels to save her life.

When Ellie finds out Joel lied to her — and when a certain someone finds out Joel's responsible for the massacre — their worlds implode.

Bella Ramsey told Vanity Fair "it’s really a story about revenge and a continuation from the first season about the dangers of unconditional love."

Meanwhile, Pedro Pascal teased to Deadline that The Last of Us team “are always going to find ways to build on the incredible source material that they have, and surprise us with how they can use that material in a different format like a television show."

Check back here for the latest The Last of Us season 2 release date news! And read up on the other most-anticipated TV shows coming in 2025.

This post has been updated.

What do The Bear, Mystic Pizza, and Marvel's Spider-Man: No Way Home have in common? Cast members Ayo Edebiri, Julia Roberts, and Andrew Garfield are all starring in a new thriller called After the Hunt from Challengers director Luca Guadagnino! I love each of these names individually, and this movie is my dream collaboration. I CANNOT wait to see how this story comes together. The flick is coming to theaters this fall and it's already one of my most-anticipated 2025 movies.

Here's everything we know about After the Hunt, starring Ayo Edebiri, Julia Roberts, and Andrew Garfield.

When is After the Hunt coming out?

Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for FLC

After the Hunt is coming to theaters on October 17. Since it's being released by Amazon MGM, we can expect the movie to hit Prime Video after its theatrical run.

What is After the Hunt about?

This new movie follows a college professor (Julia Roberts), who finds herself at a "crossroads" when a beloved student (Ayo Edebiri) makes an accusation against another professor (Andrew Garfield), and the secrecy of her own past is threatened.

“It’s not a movie about sexuality or love. It’s one of my very rare movies where I didn’t tackle that,” Luca said on WTF with Marc Maron. “It’s a very timely movie for where we are now. In terms of the society and the division in society and the extreme positions that we can have vis-a-vis an opinion in a way.”

“It’s about what happens in the milieu of academia between younger and older people and the idea of consent,” he continues. “I can tell you that it’s very loaded. I can tell you that the movie is very provocative, but not in a stupid way, but I would say in a very articulate way. It’s a great script from this first time writer, Nora Garrett.”

And the cast is as intrigued by the story as we are. “I’m very excited,” Ayo Edebiri told Deadline. “[Luca Guadagnino] is a visionary, I think. He cares so deeply about human beings and their relationship to each other. [The film] is sticky. It’s a complicated movie, but I feel so proud to be a part of it and excited to see it. I know that I’m biased, but me aside, everybody’s so amazing. I really was blown away, so I’m really excited.”

Who's in the After the Hunt cast?

Neilson Barnard/Momodu Mansaray/Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

After the Hunt stars Ayo Edebiri, Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Chloë Sevigny.

Considering Julia Roberts plays a professor in Mona Lisa Smile (one of my favorite movies ever), she definitely has the authority and grace to knock this role out of the park.

Check out 25 Most-Anticipated New Movies You Don't Want To Miss In 2025 for even more.

This post has been updated.