Teachers share their sweetest gifts from students and it's a moving lesson in generosity

Some of the most precious gifts come straight from the heart. A former teacher shared an incredible story of a student's selflessness, generosity and thoughtfulness. Nine years ago, the student didn't have a Christmas gift for her, so he opened up a pack of crayons, gave her the purple one, and said "I hope you love it, I know it's your favorite color." Flex those love muscles; share stories that show you care and recognize heartfelt gestures with admiration 😊

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Record Snowfall Delights Bear at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago

While a major snowstorm blanketed the Midwest over the weekend, some animals at Brookfield Zoo near Chicago didn’t seem to mind at all. Video from the zoo shows Tim the Brown Bear joyfully rolling in the fresh snow on Saturday, clearly unfazed by the chilly weather. A nearby bison appeared just as content, calmly standing in the wintry landscape. The snowfall was part of a widespread storm system that dumped over 20 centimetres of snow on parts of Northern Iowa and was expected to bring similar totals to Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan. Forecasters also warned that the northeastern U.S. could see its own early-season snowstorm later this week. At least at the zoo, the animals are making the most of it.

Bruce Willis' Wife Declares 'Die Hard' a Christmas Movie

Some families argue over presents. Others over politics. But the debate that’s raged on for decades — often with the most passion — is whether Die Hard qualifies as a Christmas movie. In 2018, Bruce Willis put his foot down during a Comedy Central roast, declaring, “Die Hard is not a Christmas movie.” That should’ve ended it, right? Not quite. His wife, Emma Hemming Willis, has officially disagreed — publicly and proudly — and she’s got holiday tradition on her side. “I think it’s important to put Die Hard on because it’s a Christmas movie,” she told People during the End Well 2025 conference in Los Angeles. Emma spoke candidly about how much Christmas has always meant to their family, especially before Bruce was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. “Bruce loved Christmas, and we love celebrating it with him,” she said. “There is still joy. It just looks different.” Bruce and Emma share two daughters — Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11. He’s also a father to Rumer, 37, Scout, 34, and Tallulah, 31, with his ex-wife Demi Moore. And if there’s one thing the Willis family has quietly redefined in Hollywood, it’s what a blended family can look like. Over the years, they’ve remained remarkably close and supportive, with public displays of unity and warmth that stand out in an industry often known for the opposite. Last year, Emma posted a video to Instagram showing herself and her daughters decorating the family’s Christmas tree in Bruce’s honor. It wasn’t just a glimpse into a family tradition — it was a quiet celebration of resilience and joy, even in the face of change. The post drew hundreds of comments, including one from a follower who opened up about their own caregiving journey: “My Mother had dementia and passed away 12-22-23, so it was tough this year, but supporting you in your fight!! It is not easy for the families/caregivers! I had both my Mom and Dad here in my home at one point, both in hospice, and I work!! It takes a village!!” Emma responded with appreciation, making it clear she reads the messages and sees the community that has formed around their story. So is Die Hard a Christmas movie? Bruce said no. Emma says yes. We say: if it’s a tradition that brings people together, if it reminds families of joyful memories, if it sparks laughter and togetherness — go ahead and press play. For many families, including the Willises, it’s not really the holidays without a little bit of action, a few explosions, and one very determined man trapped in a Los Angeles high-rise. Yippee-ki-yay, Christmas.

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A 19-Year-Old Just Beat His High School Civics Teacher in a Local Election — and They’re Still on Great Terms

In a small corner of Virginia, politics looked a little different this year. Less yelling, more mutual respect. And a whole lot of heart. In Surry County, 19-year-old Cameran Drew ran for a seat on the Board of Supervisors. It was a bold move by any standard — but even more so because of who he was running against: his former civics teacher, Kenneth Bell. Bell wasn’t just an opponent. He was Cameran’s favorite teacher. And yet, somehow, the race stayed civil from start to finish. “There was never any bitterness,” Drew told CBS News. “I’m just lost for words because of the fact he’s been so gracious.” The two men — one a 44-year-old incumbent, the other a recent high school graduate — turned what could have been a tense political battle into something rare: a campaign rooted in admiration and decency. Bell called his former student a “wonderful young man.” And rather than question Drew’s age or experience, he defended him publicly. “Yes, he’s young,” Bell said, “but he’s really invested in trying to make a difference.” Drew may be young, but he’s not exactly new to leadership. After graduating in 2024, he launched a motivational speaking business called Prez Productions, and founded a mentorship nonprofit, the Produce Your Future Foundation. His campaign focused heavily on youth advocacy and local development, and he used Instagram videos to connect directly with voters. The race came down to the wire — and when the dust settled, Drew had won. By just 10 votes. It was the narrowest of victories, but a solid win for goodwill. Bell offered a heartfelt concession and praised his former student. “He would have been formidable against any opponent,” he told CBS News. Drew’s story joins a growing list of young people stepping into politics, including the country’s first Gen Z Congressman and grassroots organizers making waves across the U.S. But what makes this one stand out isn’t just the age gap. It’s the bond. The student ran against the teacher. The teacher rooted for the student. And somehow, they both walked away proud. If only more elections played out like that.

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Mom's Emotional Reunion With Cake4kids Baker Brings Tears On Kelly Clarkson Show

It started with one cake. Fifteen years later, it’s a nationwide movement delivering joy—one sweet bite at a time. During a recent episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, the singer and talk show host was visibly moved by a segment on Cake4Kids, a nonprofit that provides custom birthday cakes and baked goods to children in foster care, homeless shelters, and other difficult circumstances. The moment quickly turned emotional for everyone on set—including Clarkson herself. “They get to choose the flavor and the theme, so it’s personalized just for them—exactly what they want,” explained Alison Bakewell, Cake4Kids’ executive director. That could mean cupcakes, brownies, or a full-blown three-tier cake, but the key ingredient is always the same: love. Founded in California by Libby Gruender, the nonprofit began after she read about foster children missing out on birthday celebrations. She decided to make a difference, baking and delivering the first cakes herself. Before her passing in 2013, Gruender had kickstarted a movement that’s now on track to deliver 20,000 cakes this year through more than 25 volunteer-led chapters across the U.S. One of those volunteers, Roberta, has been baking with Cake4Kids since 2018—and has delivered an astonishing 825 cakes. “The biggest ingredient that we put in is the love that we feel,” she said, holding back tears as she sat beside Clarkson on stage. But the real surprise came when Clarkson introduced Kasandra, a mother whose daughter had once received a custom Toy Story cake from Cake4Kids during a hard time. Living in a small rented room with her husband and two daughters, money was tight—and birthdays weren’t always easy to celebrate. “You were the one who baked my daughter her first cake,” Kasandra revealed to Roberta, sparking a wave of emotion across the room. Clarkson, choked up, stood up to grab tissues. “I am going to need a minute,” she joked, wiping away tears. Kasandra continued, through her own tears, “Sometimes we’re not able to give her everything we want. So, seeing her really happy… really made me and my husband grateful for you guys.” A photo of the Toy Story cake—elaborate, colorful, and covered in characters—flashed on the screen as the live audience gasped in appreciation. Then, Clarkson announced a $5,000 donation to Cake4Kids to help fund even more moments like this one. It was a reminder that something as simple as a cake can carry incredible meaning—especially when it shows up in the hands of someone who cares. Cake4Kids continues to accept new volunteers and donations at cake4kids.org , helping more kids across the country feel celebrated, seen, and loved.

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Baby Otter Repeatedly Jumps Into Rescuer's Boat After Being Returned to the Wild

When Mats Janzon went for a walk in the woods near his home in Sweden, he wasn’t expecting to meet his most loyal companion. But after following the sound of soft, desperate peeps, he stumbled upon a baby otter in crisis. The tiny creature, barely the size of his hand, was starving and struggling to breathe. Janzon, who had some experience with animal rescues, stayed back at first, hoping its mother would return. She never did. Janzon later discovered the mother had been hit by a car nearby. That left him with a choice—and a challenge. He’d never rescued an otter before, but decided to do what he could. It took round-the-clock care. He fed her, kept her warm, and eventually earned her trust. The bond came quickly. The otter cried when Janzon left the room and curled up in his lap like a dog. “The first time she let me pet her, I remember thinking this can’t be real,” he told the TikTok channel SoulPaws Tails. “It felt like a dream—this wild, free otter choosing to trust me.” Janzon named her Leya. As she grew stronger, he knew it was time to prepare her for life back in the wild. He started with a kiddie pool in his backyard. At first, Leya struggled in the water. But instinct soon kicked in, and before long, she was diving and playing like a natural. Then came the big moment. Janzon brought her to the nearby lake. Leya was hesitant at first—hovering close to shore—but gradually ventured farther and farther out. The process was slow but steady. Eventually, she stayed away for longer stretches. But she never really left. Now, whenever Janzon brings his yellow kayak to the water, a familiar shape glides through the lake to greet him. Leya climbs aboard like an old friend, snuggles into his lap, and sometimes even rides along for the paddle. “She’s the most playful animal I have ever met,” Janzon said. Videos on his TikTok and YouTube pages show Leya racing through grass, weaving through water, and nuzzling beside him in the kayak—proof that this isn’t just a rescue story. It’s a love story. “Every bond we form with animals reminds us how deeply connected we all are,” one video caption reads. “Leya’s story shows us that love has no boundaries. It’s built on trust and care.” In a world full of noise, sometimes the quietest moments—the ones where a wild otter climbs into your kayak—say the most. And Janzon? He’s just happy she keeps coming back.

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Thousands of Knitters Set a World Record—And Helped Thousands of Shelter Cats in the Process

Readers of Woman’s Weekly have always had a knack for combining kindness with craft. This year, they broke a Guinness World Record doing exactly that—while also helping thousands of rescue cats across the UK. The magazine launched its biggest-ever charity challenge earlier this year, inviting readers to knit or crochet woolen mice to donate to cats waiting for adoption. The goal was simple: provide comfort and stimulation to animals living in rescue shelters. The response was anything but small. Using a free pattern shared exclusively with subscribers, volunteers got to work. Parcels flooded the magazine’s London offices, stuffed with handmade mice in every color and style imaginable. By the time the final tally came in, they had created a staggering 46,506 toys. That’s enough for each cat in over 300 shelters to have their very own enrichment buddy. “The volume received has been extraordinary,” said Nicola Murray, manager of the North West London Cat Centre. “Enrichment items like these play a vital role in supporting the wellbeing of cats in our care, and we are extremely grateful for the thousands of knitted mice donated.” The mice are more than just cute. Shelter workers say they help cats feel calmer, more playful, and more confident—especially during long stays without families. For some animals, a small comfort can make a big difference. Woman’s Weekly editor Geoff Palmer called the project “a remarkable testament” to the spirit of the magazine’s readers. “Every mouse was handmade with care,” he said. “The response from our readers surpassed all expectations, and we are thrilled that their collective effort has resulted not only in a Guinness World Record but in tangible impact.” It’s not the first time the magazine has mobilized its readers for good. Past projects have included: • 6,000 hats for people experiencing homelessness • 3,000 blankets for children in Ukraine • 6,651 baby vests to help families facing fuel poverty • 2,000 blankets for animals at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home • But this year’s “mice mission” was by far the largest—and the most pawsitively received. The hand-stitched toys are now being shared across hundreds of UK rescue centers just in time for the holiday season, bringing joy to cats and staff alike. And yes, it’s official: 46,506 woolen mice is now a world record.

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Want to Build a Kinder School? There’s a Calendar for That

Educators looking to create more compassionate classrooms this December have a new tool at their fingertips: the Happiness Calendar for Educators, a daily guide packed with practical tips to promote kindness and belonging in schools. Published monthly by the Greater Good Science Center, the calendar offers small, science-backed actions teachers and school staff can take each day to boost well-being—for themselves and their students. This month’s theme focuses on giving back, and how acts of generosity can spark joy and nourish the spirit during the holiday season. Each square on the calendar features an idea or resource, from gratitude practices to community-building activities. The format is easy to follow and designed specifically for busy educators. Alongside the calendar, the Center is also inviting teachers to join one of its “communities of practice,” which run through the winter and spring. These online groups bring together educators who want to explore well-being, resilience, and emotional intelligence in their schools, while learning from peers and experts. To open the calendar or sign up for future updates, users are encouraged to click the image link. (If you're using Chrome and the links aren't working, the Center recommends switching browsers or following simple troubleshooting tips.) Emily Brower, a communications specialist on the Greater Good Education Team, helped bring the calendar to life. Based in San Diego, Brower has a background in journalism and currently contributes to The Science of Happiness podcast. Her work has appeared in publications including Pure Nowhere, Fifty Grande, and KCPR. The Happiness Calendar for Educators is free and updated monthly. You can subscribe to receive it via email and access additional resources for well-being at greatergood.berkeley.edu.

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Army Veteran’s Overgrown Yard Was Making Him Feel Trapped — Until a Stranger Transformed His Life

Nick Joyce had been waiting four years for help. The 63-year-old British Army veteran, living with COPD, arthritis and PTSD, could barely access his backyard through the wall of 8-foot weeds. Isolated, unable to work, and stuck in a home with no car or public transit, he said it felt like life kept “knocking him down.” But everything changed when Ben Saunders, a cleaning company owner in Sidcup, stepped in. After hearing Nick’s story, Ben knew he had to act. His team at Flawless Cleaning Services spent two full days clearing the yard, hauling out an entire dumpster of debris. They didn’t stop there — they repaired gutters, rebuilt a canopy, and even created raised vegetable beds so Nick could start growing his own food. Then came the real surprise. Moved by Nick’s story, Ben launched a GoFundMe campaign that raised over £11,000 ($14,500) — and surprised Nick on camera with a giant check. Nick broke down in tears. “I feel like a five-year-old on Christmas morning,” he said. “It’s better than the lottery—because it came from kind people who actually care.” And Ben wasn’t done. He handed Nick the keys to a car, fully insured and taxed for a year. The lack of transport had been a huge barrier in Nick’s life. That one gift opened the door to everything else. Now, Nick plans to return to work. “I don’t want to be on the scrapheap,” he said. “I need a purpose.” Ben, who now runs a charitable arm called Flawless Blessings, says that’s what it’s all about. “Kindness ripples,” he said. “Seeing how one act can change someone’s life reminds me why I do this.”

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Engineers Just Developed a Device That “Shakes” Water From Air—45x Faster Than Sun-Based Systems

Even in the driest places on Earth, there’s water in the air. The challenge has always been how to get it out—especially without waiting hours for the sun to do the work. Now, MIT engineers have developed a breakthrough ultrasonic device that can extract clean drinking water from the atmosphere in just minutes, using sound waves instead of heat. The technology taps into a method known as atmospheric water harvesting (AWH). While researchers have created many promising materials over the years that act like sponges to soak up moisture from air, getting that water out of the material typically takes hours of sun exposure to evaporate and condense it into droplets. MIT’s new approach skips the sun entirely. “We have a way to recover water quickly and efficiently,” says Svetlana Boriskina, principal research scientist at MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and lead author of the study, published in Nature Communications. A “Dancing” Solution The key innovation is a small ultrasonic actuator—a flat ceramic ring that vibrates at frequencies above 20,000 cycles per second. When placed beneath a saturated sorbent material (the moisture-absorbing material used in AWH), these ultrasonic waves physically shake the water molecules loose. “It’s like the water is dancing with the waves,” says Ikra Shuvo, who co-developed the device. “This targeted disturbance creates momentum that releases the water molecules, and we can see them shake out in droplets.” The researchers tested their design on quarter-sized sorbent samples and found that their ultrasonic system dried out the material in just minutes, even under various humidity levels. Compared to heat-based systems, the ultrasonic method is 45 times more efficient at extracting water from the same material. From Lab to Desert Unlike solar-only methods, this device does need power—but only a small amount. The researchers say a simple solar cell is enough to run the actuator and could even double as a sensor to detect when the sorbent is full. A smart system could operate continuously throughout the day, cycling through moisture collection and extraction over and over again. “In desert regions and places without access to even saltwater to desalinate, this could be a huge source of drinking water,” says Boriskina. “It’s all about how much water you can extract per day. With ultrasound, we can recover water quickly, and cycle again and again. That can add up to a lot.” Practical Applications in Sight Boriskina envisions a compact unit for homes—something about the size of a window—made up of a fast-absorbing material and an ultrasonic actuator. Once the material is saturated with moisture, the actuator activates briefly to collect the water, then the system resets and starts again. This isn’t just theoretical. Similar AWH devices are already being used in Jordanian desert homes, pulling dozens of liters of water from dry air. Others are making waves too: a 92-year-old Indian man recently helped his village save 200,000 liters of water with simple atmospheric collection and energy-saving methods. As global water security becomes increasingly urgent, especially in drought-prone and remote regions, innovations like MIT’s ultrasonic water harvester offer hope. It’s fast, scalable, and solar-powered—making it a serious contender in the race to turn air into water.

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Amid Music Industry Struggles, Artists and Communities Step Up to Keep the Beat Alive

Beneath a pub in north London, the air inside Camden Underworld pulses with sound and sweat. Sisters Nyrobi and Chaya Beckett-Messam — better known as Alt Blk Era — are on stage, blasting a set that blends punk, metal, hip-hop, and drum’n’bass. The mosh pit thrashes. The crowd is locked in. The music is loud, unfiltered, and fiercely independent — just like the band. Alt Blk Era started out writing songs in their bedrooms during lockdown. They’ve since played Glastonbury, topped the rock and metal charts, and picked up a MOBO Award. And they’ve done it all without a traditional record deal. That’s thanks in part to the PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading funder of new music. “We saw it as a chance to get support from people who understand the value of originality,” says Nyrobi. “Especially for artists like us who don’t fit neatly into one box.” In a time when grassroots venues are closing, streaming pays next to nothing, and the cost of touring continues to rise, public funding, community support, and creative resilience are helping keep new music alive. Since its founding in 2000, the PRS Foundation has invested more than £50 million into over 9,000 music projects. Six of the past seven Mercury Prize winners received its backing. Alt Blk Era used their grant to record Rave Immortal and tour the U.S., including a set at SXSW — the same stage that helped launch Billie Eilish and Florence + the Machine. “Funding has helped us in so many ways,” says Nyrobi. “We’ve been able to take our live shows to new spaces, reach international audiences and build real momentum.” But that momentum is hard to maintain. Since 2010, the UK’s cultural budget has been slashed by 6%, while countries like Germany and France have increased theirs by as much as 70%. Working-class artists, in particular, are four times less likely to break into the creative industries than their middle-class peers. And while streaming is more popular than ever, it doesn’t pay the bills. Spotify’s royalty payouts range from £0.002 to £0.004 per stream — meaning an artist needs 50,000 plays just to earn £100. Only 0.4% of UK artists make a living from streaming alone. “Everyone knows money from streaming is a pittance,” says Stephanie Phillips of the punk trio Big Joanie. “Everything is much more expensive than it used to be, but revenue from live shows has not gone up.” For Big Joanie, a PRS Foundation grant helped fund a proper promotional campaign for their second album Back Home. That support led to press coverage, new fans, and a wider touring reach. Live gigs remain one of the only dependable income streams for musicians. But even that is under threat. In Bedford, Gareth Barber runs Esquires, a 250-capacity venue that’s hosted the likes of Coldplay and Muse. The building is now for sale, and Barber fears it’ll be turned into flats. He’s working with the Music Venue Trust (MVT) to save it. MVT’s Own Our Venues scheme buys at-risk music spaces and places them under cultural leases to shield them from developers. The scheme has already saved venues like The Ferret in Preston and The Joiners in Southampton. “It’s good to be able to support people who are integral to supporting so many others,” says Matthew Otridge of Music Venue Properties, MVT’s charitable arm. The challenge is urgent. In 2023, 125 grassroots venues shut down. Over 40% operated at a loss. Musician Frank Turner, a longtime MVT supporter, now donates £1 from every ticket sold on his 2025 tour to the cause. “Live music is noisy and cannot be repeated in virtual environments,” he says. “If these spaces die, then it won’t happen.” Youth programmes are also part of the solution. Kinetika Bloco, where Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective got their start, brings young people together to make music in big, joyful ensembles of brass, drums, and steel pans. “Many are starting bands and projects earlier than ever,” says CEO Tamzyn French. “Their attitude is: ‘We can do it now.’” Youth Music, a national charity backed by the Arts Council and other partners, supported more than 80,000 young creatives in 2024, with 87% of funding going outside London. The Leeds-based band English Teacher, who recently became the first non-London Mercury Prize winners in a decade, received a NextGen Fund grant from Youth Music — £3,000 and expert advice to help them navigate the industry. “Our society loves music but often forgets what it takes to make a career from it,” says Youth Music CEO Matt Griffiths. “It’s down to us to support ambition as much as possible.” Whether it’s a DIY tour, a youth club session, or a community venue holding on by its fingertips, Britain’s music scene is finding ways to survive — not because the system makes it easy, but because people still believe it matters. “We’ve had to get creative,” says Nyrobi. “But the people around us, the communities that show up — they keep us going. And we want to do the same for them.”

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