Not too long ago, you wouldn't come across the word "unicorn" very often outside a kindergarten classroom.

But "unicorn" is just one of the numerous words that, thanks to a recent shift in meaning, gets used regularly in 2017 in headlines and on social media.

While most of these words have been around for years, it took this year for them to shoot into the mainstream and shape the way we talk about business, politics, and current events.

Here are six words that took on completely different meanings in 2017:

SEE ALSO: Trump has used some bizarre words and phrases that left people scratching their heads — here are 8 of the worst

DON'T MISS: 17 things most millennials have never heard of

Unicorn

Ask an elementary schooler what a unicorn is, and they'll tell you it's a mythical horse-like creature with a single horn growing from its forehead.

In the world of finance, unicorns are extremely rare. Of course, those unicorns are something else entirely — they're startup companies valued at $1 billion or more.

Venture capitalist Aileen Lee coined the term in 2013, when $1 billion startups were extremely scarce. But four years later, there are more than 200 such companies, including Uber, Hulu, and Warby Parker.

"As their name indicates, unicorns were originally so rare as to be almost mythical," hedge fund manager Jennifer Fan wrote.

"We now have a blessing of unicorns, each one of which has the potential to transform financial and cultural norms."

Snowflake

2017 saw the word "snowflake" gain traction as a pejorative used by conservatives to insult liberals perceived as being overly sensitive.

The term is shorthand for "Generation Snowflake," which in turn originated from the 1996 novel "Fight Club":

"You are not special. You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake. You're the same decaying organic matter as everything else," a line from the book reads.

The new usage of the word became popular enough to shed the "generation" prefix, and becam especially popular among surrogates and supporters of President Donald Trump.

"It became the epithet of choice for right-wingers to fling at anyone who could be accused of being too easily offended, too in need of 'safe spaces,' too fragile," journalist Jessica Goldstein wrote in a ThinkProgress article about the history of the word.

Normalize

In the wake of Trump's election a year ago, the word "normalize" underwent an abrupt change of meaning among political pundits and activists.

Originally, people used "normalize" in the sense of returning something to a normal state, like relations between two countries.

But after the election, as editors of Merriam-Webster noted, people began using the word in a subtly different way, referring to a change in society's standards to accept ideas that were once considered outside the mainstream.

"The 'normalization of hate,' then, is not the removal of extreme and hateful rhetoric or views to fit the mode of modern discourse, but instead the redefinition of modern discourse to allow those extreme views to be considered normal," Merriam-Webster explained in a blog post about the changing definition.

The INSIDER Summary:

• There are 26 monarchies in the world.
• Some royal families are enormous, while other rulers have no children.
• Here are photos of 15 royal families around the world.

The British monarchy continues to capture the world's attention, from Queen Elizabeth II's longevity to Kate Middleton's flawless hairstyles to Prince George's tendency to look royally unimpressed. But there are 25 other royal families in the world, some who reign as figureheads and others who rule with political power. 

Here are 15 you might not have heard of.

The Netherlands

 The King and Queen of the Netherlands pose with their family during the annual summer photo call in Warmond, Netherlands.

Jordan

The Jordanian royal family celebrates the country's 70th Independence Day in May 2016. Princess Iman is missing from the photo, but she's becoming a style icon in her own right.

Belgium

The royal family of Belgium on a family ski trip to Switzerland in February 2016.

It may be "the most wonderful time of the year," but just because the holiday season lifts practically everyone's spirits, doesn't mean that there aren't a few Grinches or Scrooges out there who will try and ruin the fun.

From telling a kid that Santa Claus doesn't exist, to buying a lame gift for your grab bag party, here are the worst things you can do on Christmas.

Obvious regifting

If you must regift (and we all know someone who has done it), make sure that the item is actually new, still in the original wrapping, and doesn't have an attached card that's addressed to someone else.

Telling a kid that Santa isn't real without their parents' permission

Don't be that guy. Sure, you may think that your eight-year-old cousin Johnny is old enough to know the truth behind the magic of Santa Claus, but if you're not his parent, it's not your decision to make. 

Bringing your new boyfriend or girlfriend to Christmas dinner as a "surprise"

This goes for pretty much any party you're invited to year-round. It's always rude to the host or hostess to bring a surprise guest when they were only expecting a certain number of people. Plus, if you bring your brand-new boyfriend of only a month to Christmas dinner, Grandma might give you the evil eye all evening. 

• Korean beauty products are all the rage these days, and most can be found for an affordable price. 
• CVS sells over 60 Korean beauty products, most of which can be purchased for under $10. 
• From face masks to eye creams here are the best K-beauty products you can get for under $10. 

We’re always on the hunt for products that will give us impossibly dewy skin and somehow always end up with a Korean beauty find. It’s no secret that their formulas are among the most sought after; so much so, that drugstore chains like CVS are dedicating entire sections to them.

Drugstore beauty may not be your jam, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t find affordable skin savers elsewhere. In fact, the K-beauty brands that many consider luxe aren’t nearly as expensive as you think. Ahead, we’ve gathered ten under $10 finds that are hiding amongst the pricey stuff you can’t bring yourself to buy. Sneak a peek and take your pick; you never know which one will completely transform your skin and skin care routine.

CosRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

Waterproof pimple stickers that work overnight to extract impurities and reduce the appearance of acne scarring.

$6, at Ulta

Dr. Jart+ Pore Minimalist Black Charcoal Sheet Mask

A charcoal-infused mask that reduces the appearance of pores, while detoxing oily skin.

$7.50, at Sephora

Too Cool for School Egg Mask Hydration

The brand's hero product is infused with egg yolk and egg white extract, both of which are known to deliver next level hydration to the skin.

$6, at Sephora

Like many other dense cities around the United States, Los Angeles has a homelessness epidemic. Approximately 46,874 people struggle with homelessness in LA, and most live on the streets full-time.

A new housing project called Hope on Alvarado aims to address this issue.

Local architecture firm KTGY Architecture + Planning has designed an affordable micro-apartment complex that will start housing dozens of LA's homeless residents by 2019.

Take a look below.

SEE ALSO: The world's largest architecture firm is creating a $2 million tiny home village for California's homeless

The Hope on Alvarado building will be located in Westlake, a neighborhood in northwest LA. Construction on the 84-unit complex, developed by Aedis Real Estate Group, will begin in 2018.

The primary building material will be shipping containers, which will serve as the apartment units.

The five-story building will contain studio and and one-bedroom apartments, ranging from 400 to 480 square feet. Here's what the minimalist interiors will look like.

• The Republicans might pass their tax reform bill before the end of the year.
• Since President Donald Trump's tax plan is not yet finalized, it remains to be seen exactly how everyone will be affected by tax reform.
• Still, there are some things taxpayers can do before the end of 2017 to get ready.

The Republicans' tax plan might be passed soon.

In case it does, there are some things you can do now to prepare for the looming changes. Although a final version of the tax bill remains to be seen, there are certain steps folks can take now to get ready in case tax reform goes into effect for 2018.

The team at TaxAudit, an audit defense service, came up with several tax moves to make before 2017 comes to a close. "No one knows for certain if a tax bill will pass before the end of the year, how the Senate and House bills will be reconciled, or what the final product will look like before it goes to the Joint Committee on Taxation," Dave Du Val, TaxAudit's chief customer advocacy officer, said.

"Nevertheless, there are provisions where the two bills are in agreement," he continued. "It's a compelling reason to be proactive with your end-of-year planning."

We put together five key things to think about doing now.

SEE ALSO: There's a very simple thing most people get wrong about taxes

SEE ALSO: Here's what Trump's tax plan means for people making between $300,000 and $10 million a year

Pay your 2017 state income tax in full.

It's possible that the state and local income tax deduction will be axed or reduced in the upcoming tax bill.

The TaxAudit team recommends making sure you've paid every penny of your 2017 state and local tax bill before December 31. That way, you can take advantage of the deduction this year. 

Taxpayers who make estimated tax payments have until January 15 to pay their fourth quarter 2017 taxes, but you could save more by making that final payment before the end of the year.

Pre-pay your property taxes for next year.

Deducting the full amount of your current property tax bill in 2017 might provide a larger tax benefit if your tax rate goes down next year under the new plan, TaxAudit says.

If your property tax bill is greater than $10,000, you'll also be able to deduct more of it by paying next year's bill early. 

Think about what possible changes to the AMT might mean for you.

The alternative minimum tax (AMT), which prevents wealthy taxpayers from using too many tax breaks, might be eliminated.

"The current AMT may make your state and local income tax and property tax deductions less beneficial if you are subject to AMT," the TaxAudit team says. "However, even if subject to AMT in 2017, you may benefit more by taking these deductions in 2017 rather than possibly losing those deductions entirely or in part in 2018."

Most of the people affected by the AMT earn over $500,000, according to Tax Policy Center. It is more likely to affect those who are married, have large families, or live in high-tax states.

When you ask Americans why they don't travel abroad, the top reason they cite is cost.

But once you get on that plane to a cheaper part of the world — Southeast Asia, say, or Central America, or even, yes, Northern Europe — man do the prices drop. You won't realize how rich you are until you land in one of these countries where the pint you pay $6 or $8 for at home is now less than a buck, or the bottle of wine at a fine restaurant runs all of $4.

How you get to these countries near and far is up to you (though you can score cheap airfares and save money on flights in all sorts of ways).

Once you get to your destination, though, you'll find yourself having adventures, exploring beaches and jungles, and still living cheaper than you do at home. 

SEE ALSO: 20 under-the-radar travel destinations to visit before they get too popular

Bosnia and Herzegovina

History and adrenaline in Europe's most diverse country.

How to roll big on the cheap: Bosnia is an amazing slice of the past in present-day Europe, a glimpse of a time before the homogenized nation-states we know today became the norm. Its eclectic mix of religions and cultures fascinates with the exotic, and then surprises with the familiar. It's cheap, too: Dorms in hostels go for $10, and a restaurant meal will set you back $5 or $10, with street food costing significantly less. Beer is about a buck, and you can get excellent local wine for similar prices. That is, if you pay at all — Bosnians are notoriously friendly and thrilled to have visitors, so don't be surprised if they try to treat you.

It's also filled with natural wonders and amazing, tragic history. Sarajevo has ruins from the 1984 Olympics that are freely explorable (just watch out for landmines — I'm not kidding) and a great river canyon for hikes. An ancient, rickety train threads its way through the mountains between Sarajevo and Bosnia's other great city, Mostar. For a terrifying early morning voyage, part history lesson, part slow-motion roller coaster, pack into dirty-windowed wooden cabins with cigarette-smoking laborers, eat your börek (basically a Bosnian sausage roll), and watch the Balkan Mountains fall away beneath you.

If you get a chance to splurge: Bosnia's mountain rivers provide some of Europe's best white water rafting, and companies run tours from most major cities. — Conor O'Rourke

Spain

In Andalusía, the best things in life are (almost) free. 

How to roll big on the cheap: Life is good in Spain's sunny south, where you can go to almost any bar and fill up on cañas (half-pours of fizzy yellow beer) and carb-y tapas like croquettes and patatas bravas for less than 10 euros. In Granada, some spots still offer botanas (portions of food get larger with each round of drinks you order), so if you play your cards right, dinner is basically free. When all else fails, you can always spike a 2-liter of Coke with rum and join the local teens in a botellón (technically illegal street parties) down at the plaza.

But even highbrow culture is everywhere, and often free. Take a self-guided walking tour of historic architecture, wander into museums admission-free, or stumble on government-sponsored concerts and fairs. A hostel bed can be had for around $25/night, tickets to a bullfight run as little as 10 euros, and while you can easily pay $50 for a flamenco show in Madrid or Barcelona, the art form actually originates in the south, where you can catch some of the world's best dancers, singers, and musicians performing for tips in dimly lit underground peñas.

If you get a chance to splurge: Jamón, jamón, jamón. — Maya Kroth

Laos

Southeast Asia's only landlocked country keeps your wallet fat.

How to roll big on the cheap: If we're being honest, in a country like this, it's hard not to roll big. Prices for accommodations vary around the country, but you'll be hard-pressed to spend much more than $5 a night. Meal in a restaurant? How does one dollar sound? A beer? Another dollar, please. Unlike neighboring Cambodia, you'll need to exchange your American dollars for bundles of the local notes, kip (exchange rate: 1:8,360). You won't be able to do much with these outside the country, so make sure you spend them all before you leave. This may prove a challenge.

So what's a baller to do? In a word: relax. Go to Vang Vieng and float down the Nam Song River in an inner tube. If you get thirsty, just tie up at one of the riverside bars for a drink. If that's too slow a pace for you, rent a motorbike for $5 a day and visit the region's breathtaking cliffs and waterfalls. Or head south to Don Det and learn the true meaning of chilling in a $2-a-night bungalow overlooking the Mekong River. They don't call it the Lao PDR for nothing — Please Don't Rush.

If you get a chance to splurge: A sunrise hot air balloon ride over the hills and valleys of Vang Vieng is unforgettable. — Conor O'Rourke

• The people who give the best first impressions are those who listen actively and demonstrate that they are trustworthy.
• By focusing on the other person instead of yourself, you're showing interest in what they have to say.
• Learn from other people's perspectives rather than to talk about your own.

Want to make the people you meet instantly feel more comfortable?  Want to make the people you meet instantly feel immediately valued and respected? In short, want to make a great first impression?

The key, according to Amy Cuddy, is to realize that people subconsciously ask themselves one question when you first meet: "Can I trust you?"

"From an evolutionary perspective," she writes in her book Presence, "it is more crucial to our survival to know whether a person deserves our trust."

That's why — especially if you're meeting someone in a business or professional setting — showing that you are skilled, experienced, or capable isn't nearly as important as showing that you are trustworthy and likable.

To make a great first impression, first show that you're someone who can build and maintain great relationships — and make people feel better about themselves.

How do you make a great first impression in a genuine and authentic way?

SEE ALSO: Most people spend years stuck in a toxic cycle — and I never found real success until I managed to break free

1. Listen 10x more than you talk.

Ask questions. Maintain eye contact. Smile. Frown. Nod. Respond — not so much verbally, but nonverbally. That's all it takes to show the other person he or she is important.

Then when you do speak, don't offer advice unless you're asked. Listening shows you care a lot more than offering advice does, because when you offer advice, in most cases, you make the conversation about you.

Don't believe me? Who is "Here's what I would do ..." about: you or the other person?

Only speak when you have something important to say — and always define important as what matters to the other person, not to you.

2. Shift the spotlight.

Never think about what you can get. Focus on what you can provide. Giving is the only way to establish a real connection and a real relationship.

Focus, even in part and even for a moment, on what you can get out of the other person... and you show that the only person who really matters is you.

3. Give before you receive (and assume you will never receive.)

Never think about what you can get. Focus on what you can provide. Giving is the only way to establish a real connection and a real relationship.

Focus, even in part and even for a moment, on what you can get out of the other person... and you show that the only person who really matters is you.

• Qdoba is better than Chipotle for four simple reasons.
• Both guacamole and queso are free burrito add-ins, the queso is better-tasting, and the menu is larger.

The Tex-Mex fast-casual market is a tough nut to crack. There are a handful of big national players, and most customers have already decided where their loyalty lies. 

And while Chipotle has tripped up over the past few years, there are many diehard fans. Still there is a chain that's more deserving of attention and adoration: Qdoba.

While Chipotle can certainly claim the moral high ground of organic ingredients and sustainable sourcing — which is nothing to sniff at, of course — Qdoba manages to best Chipotle in several key areas. At the end of the day, it's about the food, and Qdoba's finds success in ways that Chipotle can only dream of. 

SEE ALSO: Chipotle is struggling as it searches for a new CEO, but it doesn't matter because its biggest rival is way better — here's why

1. Queso is a free add-in for burritos and bowls.

Let's face it: deals make everything taste better. And Qdoba's queso — delicious already — is all the more enjoyable in a burrito or burrito bowl for being a free add-in. Chipotle, sadly, charges extra for queso. 

Plus, you don't have to wear anything silly for this free-queso privilege — nay, right. 

2. Guacamole is a free add-in, too.

How fantastic is that? We order and dine in a world of Pavlovian affirmations to the age-old question of "Guacamole is extra, is that okay?" Not hearing it in the line at Qdoba is an epiphany of the highest order. 

3. It has a larger, less boring menu.

Chipotle's menu might as well be chiseled onto stone tablets considering how little it changes. The menu has changed only a handful of times since 1993: in 2014, sofritas was added; in 2016, chorizo came to the table, only to be unceremoniously dumped a year later. Menu fatigue is an excruciating issue for Chipotle.

In terms of cost, the chains' prices differ based on the market — in Jersey City, New Jersey, for instance, Qdoba's base prices are roughly $0.50 higher than Chipotle's. When factoring in free queso and/or guacamole, Chipotle's bill jumps drastically, but sans add-ins, they're roughly the same price point.

You meet someone, have a few drinks, and then decide to take it to the next level – at least for one night. But sometimes what you imagine to be a quick no-strings fling can turn into a horror show when you least expect it. R

We took to Reddit to find some stories of real people and their absolute worst one night stands, which may make you think twice before going home with that stranger.

"Police show up to his apartment and take him away in handcuffs"

"I had a pretty normal one night stand, the guy was nice and the sex was decent. Then at around seven in the morning police show up to his apartment and take him away in handcuffs.

"He tells me to call the number on a card and tell his lawyer ‘John has been arrested meet him at the station.' I stay and talk to the police, and every question they ask I answer with ‘I literally just met him last night.' It turns out it was for fraud related to his job. I thought I may have dodged a serial killer or something." - Anonymous redditor

"My wife checks my phone"

"We met at a bar and didn't talk much before he suggested we go back to my place.

"We did the deed, and afterward, while we were cleaning up and getting dressed, I said to him ‘That was amazing, we should do this again.’ to which he replied, ‘absolutely, let me give you my email address. I don't text because my wife checks my phone.'" - Redditor loki8481

"Why are there pictures of other girls on your phone?"

"I had an OkCupid hookup with a girl that said she worked in her father's auto garage. Everything went fine and she wound up spending the night. I woke up the next morning and she had snuck out.

"I had a text that said 'why are there pictures of other girls on your phone?' Of course, these were pictures of myself and friends, some of which were girls, at bars and concerts and nothing particularly sexy. I thought to myself, thank god she ditched, I certainly don't want to hang out with a girl that will go through my phone while I'm asleep on the first date, or ever. Later that day my car won't start, my mechanic said somebody had cut several wires for the ignition system." - Redditor Orphanleni

Amid the sexual misconduct reckoning that is gripping the political world, allegations against President Donald Trump have resurfaced — and a growing chorus of Democratic lawmakers is calling on him to resign.

Several have said the president should follow the example of Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota, who announced his resignation December 7 after several women came forward with misconduct allegations against him.

Franken's departure, the appearance of three of Trump's 19 accusers on "Megyn Kelly Today", and a defamation lawsuit from one of the women have turned up the pressure on Trump.

In a statement issued December 11, the White House said "the timing and absurdity of these false claims speaks volumes and the publicity tour that has begun only further confirms the political motives behind them."

Here are the Democrats who have said Trump should resign so far:

SEE ALSO: 'He held onto my hand, and he kept kissing me': 3 women accusing Trump of sexual harassment speak out in harrowing interview

DON'T MISS: Trump responds to women who have accused him of sexual misconduct, saying they're politically motivated

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont

"We have a president who acknowledged on tape that he assaulted women," Sanders tweeted the day Franken resigned. "I would hope that he pays attention to what's going on and think about resigning."

In an interview on "Meet The Press" that Sunday, Sanders noted that Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota resigned after several women accused him of sexual harassment.

"Al Franken felt it proper for him to resign," Sanders said. "Here you have a president who has been accused by many women of assault, who says on a tape that he assaulted women. He might want to think about doing the same."

Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon

Merkley cited the number of accusers in his own call for Trump to step down.

"The president should resign because he certainly has a track record with more than 17 women of horrific conduct," Merkley told "Meet The Press Daily" the day Franken resigned. The number of accusers is now up to 19, according to New York Magazine's tally.

Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey

Booker also used Franken's resignation to criticize the president.

"If we now are doing the right thing in this country, and we’re having a comeuppance and we're holding people accountable — if Al Franken just did the right thing and resigned, it is time for Donald Trump to resign as well," Booker told Vice News December 9.

• On Tuesday, Instagram announced a new feature that allows users to follow hashtags on their Instagram feeds.
• The tool highlights users' interests by creating a highly curated content feed that includes relevant hashtags.

Instagram is giving users a new way to curate their social media feeds: On Tuesday, the popular photo-sharing app announced users will now be able to follow specific hashtags through Instagram. 

Instagram photos are typically hashtagged with any number of descriptions (#blessed, #winning, #sunset, to name only a few), which users can discover through Instagram's "explore section" or by clicking on the hashtagged word in the app. 

The new feature lets users follow hashtags that interest them, the way they would follow a user profile. The feature provides users with a tool to curate their feeds according to their interests and explore engaging content.

Here's how it works: 

From now on, clicking on a hashtag in Instagram will take you to a dedicated page for that hashtag. Hitting the "follow" button on that page will keep you updated on the latest posts containing the tag.

You can keep tabs on the hashtags you follow the same way you keep track of the people, and can unfollow a particular hashtag at anytime.

• Within the last 12 months, 40% of employees surveyed by CareerBuilder said they lied to take a sick day from work, and 23% of them said that they just didn't feel like going into the office that day.
• Members of HR are often skeptical of absurd excuses and can often tell when an employee is lying, some going as far as firing employees for the offense.
• This year, people's excuses for skipping work included because they didn't have clothes that fit them or gas in the car.

On August 21, much of the country stopped what they were doing to watch the total solar eclipse.

At least one person that day gave a very flimsy excuse to take the day off and watch it — or he just forgot science class and had real fears.

"Hey, boss. I'm not sure how this solar eclipse will affect me, so I think it would be safer if I just stayed home from work today," is one of the most dubious excuses for calling in sick that an employer reported hearing this year.

According to a new CareerBuilder survey, 40% of employees called in sick over the last year when they were fine and healthy. 

Harris Poll conducted the online survey with 2,257 hiring professionals and 3,697 workers as a sample.

Some sick days are expected, said Rosemary Haefner, CareerBuilder chief human resources officer.

"Life is busy – and occasionally taking time off is necessary in order to show up to work mentally and physically prepared to have a positive impact on productivity," she said. 

But Haefner stressed being honest when calling out sick. She said "outlandish excuses for calling off work can raise red flags and can lead to trust issues, so avoid them at all costs."   

The data backs up Haefner's suggestion that lying can cause problems for employees. The survey also found that 38% of employers have checked up on a worker who called in sick, 43% of employers say they caught an employee in a lie through an online post, and 26% have fired someone for a fake excuse. 

The survey asked hiring managers and HR professionals to share the most suspicious excuses employees have given for needing to miss a day of work. Here are the 9 most ridiculous excuses they shared:

SEE ALSO: 'I just don't call out sick anymore at all': New report says Walmart punishes employees for taking sick days

An employee said he left his clothes at the laundry mat

An employee said a bear was in their yard and they were afraid to come out

An employee said he ate a toothpick in his food at a restaurant

• We tried three brands of powdered hot chocolate to see who does it best.
• The brands we tested included Whole Foods, Nestle, and Swiss Miss.
• Our favorite was Swiss Miss Classics Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa mix because of its authentic chocolate taste and creamy consistency. 

As the weather gets colder, it's increasingly tempting to cozy up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate. Whether you use hot water or milk, powdered hot cocoa mixes are a cheap and easy way to get your chocolate fix.

You've probably seen several options on your grocery store shelf of what is seemingly the same product, but which one tastes the best? As part of an ongoing taste test series we decided to find out. Previously we tried frozen apple pie, fast food chocolate chip cookies, and chocolate frosting. 

The three brands we tried were:

• Whole Foods
• Nestle
• Swiss Miss 

For the sake of consistency, we used hot water for each mix so that we would be able determine the best-tasting hot chocolate without the aid of milk. We tested for factors like authentic chocolate taste, texture, and creaminess.

Keep scrolling for more about the results of our taste test.

We bought all three hot chocolate mixes at grocery stores in New York City, spending between $1.59 and $3.99 for between six and 10 packets.

First, we tried Whole Foods Market's 365 brand organic Milk Chocolate Flavor Mix Hot Cocoa.

This hot chocolate mix "needs a couple marshmallows," one of my co-workers said.

Before we added hot water, we noticed that the mix was very granular, and appeared to have sugar-like crystals mixed in with the powder.

Once everything was mixed together, the cocoa was darker in color than we expected, leading us to believe that we'd be sipping rich, chocolatey hot cocoa. 

However, we were generally disappointed with the sugary-sweet and vaguely powdery taste of this hot chocolate blend. It wasn't bad, but not anything we'd reach for on a snow day. 

When it comes to interviewing, there's no such thing as one recipe for success — what a recruiter is looking for will largely depend on a company's needs, job requirements, and culture fit.

But even though the things recruiters like to see in a candidate aren't widely agreed upon, the things they don't like to see often are.

Few recruiters, for example, would disagree that being late is a turnoff. And if you're hoping to ace the interview, the more of these pet peeves you avoid, the better.

We reached out to a handful of career experts to see which traits and habits drive recruiters crazy — read on to learn more, and avoid them like the plague.

SEE ALSO: 25 companies where candidates actually enjoy the job interview

1. Vagueness

When evaluating candidates, recruiters want to get into the nitty-gritty: metrics that illustrate the results you've achieved, specific ideas you have for the company, anecdotes from your previous work experience.

"The interviewer is trying to gauge your skill and ability level from a short meeting — not an easy task," says Jessie West of West Coaching and Consulting. "If you cannot provide examples and stories that prove you really have the abilities you promoted on your resume, they will not believe you are a good fit for the role."

Make sure to "prepare examples from past jobs that will highlight what you can do for the company and the type of employee you will be in the position. Practice telling the story of a past accomplishment to a friend and get their feedback," West recommends.

2. A lack of loyalty

We've said it before and we'll say it again: even if your former employer was really, truly awful, trash talking them will get you nowhere.

"It's never a good idea to bash your old employer or throw your former boss under the bus because it just makes you look petty … employers are looking for versatile and adaptive employees, so harping on the bad things at your prior company will only make you look like a Debbie Downer," says Wendi Weiner, Resume Writer & Career Transition Coach.

Beyond that, "being a jerk will make us question whether you'll do the same if someone asks you about us," adds Bill Kennedy, Senior Recruiter at AWeber.

Instead, if asked about why you're searching for a new opportunity, "rephrase the negative into a positive. Consider focusing on the things [about the current company] that elicited you to search for a new role, such as a solid work culture, better growth opportunities or even work-life balance," Weiner recommends.

3. Indifference

The honest reason why you're applying for a job might be that you need a paycheck — but even if that's your primary motivation, don't highlight it. It suggests a lack of enthusiasm for the company and opportunity at hand, which is guaranteed to rub employers the wrong way.

"Recruiters and hiring managers don't want to hire candidates who are looking for any job. Candidates who aren't really interested in the job aren't likely to perform well or stay long," explains Chrysta Bairre, Career Coach at Live Love Work. 

"Throughout the hiring process, including [in] your cover letter, interview, etc., be sure to indicate why you're interested in that particular job. Show your enthusiasm and interest in the opportunity and organization!"

• A fun New Year's getaway doesn't have to cost a fortune.
• If you book your trip between November 26 and December 5, you can save an average of $600 on airfare and hotels, according to data from Expedia.
• You can travel to tropical destinations like the Bahamas for under $400 round trip.

It's common for New York City to come to mind when you think of New Year's Eve celebrations.

It's the most popular city for travelers to ring in the New Year, according to travel price comparison site Expedia, and the longtime host of one of the biggest New Year countdown parties in America, right in Times Square.

But as an already expensive destination, airfare and accommodations in New York City are even pricier during the holidays.

Luckily, a fun New Year's Eve getaway doesn't have to cost you a fortune.

In fact, you can travel to cities like Los Angeles and Seattle — and even tropical destinations like the Bahamas — for under $400 round trip.

If you book between November 26 and December 5, you can save an average of $600 on airfare and hotels, according to data from Expedia. If your travel plans are flexible— as in you don't have to be back in the office on January 2 — you may be able to save even more.

Since there's still time to choose a destination, check out Expedia's list of the 10 best places to visit for New Year's Eve where round-trip airfare is less than $400.

All flight prices are based on average airfare with a departure date of either December 30 or 31. Expedia also provided the average cost of a hotel on New Year's Eve for each location based on New Year's 2017.

SEE ALSO: Here's exactly when to book your flights for Thanksgiving and Christmas

DON'T MISS: We compared 3 of the most popular premium airline credit cards — and the winner was clear

10. Los Angeles

Average round trip-ticket: $377

Average daily hotel rate: $219

9. Mexico City

Average round-trip ticket: $372

Average daily hotel rate: $96

8. Nassau

Average round-trip ticket: $369

Average daily hotel rate: $329

Many people consider a visit to the eye-doctor a necessary chore. But for the 253 million people around the world who are blind or visually impaired, a single visit to an ophthalmologist can mean a second chance at life. 

That's where The Flying Eye Hospital Comes in. The MD-10 is the only fully equipped and accredited teaching hospital on a plane in the world. 

It is part operating room, part classroom, and part eye health advocate. The plane travels around the world to low-income locations, bringing world-class training to local doctors and performing eye exams and surgeries on those in need. 

"There are few things in life better than seeing somebody be able to see who hasn't been able to for awhile or never has, to see a mothers face light up when she sees her husband or her children. You can't put it in words," said Orbis CEO Bob Ranck.

Hre's what's it like aboard the plane.

SEE ALSO: This luxury cabin-like dorm is the future of college living

Orbis works with a network of over 400 volunteers in 30 countries. All are full-time medical professionals, and spend their vacation going on trips with the Flying Eye.

Antonio Jaramillo is a doctor from Columbia who has been working with Orbis for the past three years.

“Working with local doctors who are so interested in what they are learning, you see you are making a difference, because you know they are going to be continuing on when you're gone,” he said.

The plane's operating facilities and medical instruments are designed as movable modules, and are shipped from location to location.

There are so many great podcasts out now that you're guaranteed to find some you'll get addicted to.

And though there are plenty of entertaining options to check out, you can make the most of your next commute, workout, or laundry run by listening to one guaranteed to teach you something.

We've given you a few to get going, but it's by no means a definitive list.

From Terry Gross' intimate conversations on "Fresh Air" to the "Radiolab" team's clear but in-depth explorations of science, these are our top picks for expanding your listening diet.

SEE ALSO: An inside look at the life of T-Mobile's eccentric CEO, who wears only magenta and has a live cooking show

'This American Life' provides a deep look into American society

Since 1995, Ira Glass and his team have been telling moving and sometimes hilarious stories from people across the United States. 

In more recent years, the team has beefed up its news reporting, from making the financial crisis understandable to speaking to people affected by this year's immigration ban.

Find it here »

'Success! How I Did It' will show you what it takes to make your ambitions reality

We're plugging our own podcast, but only because we think you'll like it!

In "Success! How I Did It," Business Insider has people at the tops of their fields guide us through their careers, reflecting as much on how they've grown personally as they have professionally.

Guests have included TV reporter Megyn Kelly, life coach Tony Robbins, and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg.

Find it here »

'Fresh Air' will give you an intimate look at your favorite writers, celebrities, and journalists

NPR's "Fresh Air" host Terry Gross has been on the air for more than four decades, and her interviewing skills have earned her accolades like the Peabody Award, the Columbia Journalism Award, and a spot in the National Radio Hall of Fame.

Gross may have a smooth, relaxed speaking style, but the way she digs deep into her interview subjects will keep you engaged throughout the conversation, whether it's about Jake Gyllenhaal's acting process or what a writer learned from covering Mexican drug cartels.

Find it here »

The best game of 2017 —"PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds," or "PUBG" for short — isn't technically complete just yet, and it's only been available on PC. (The game will enter its "1.0" phase on December 20.)

But perhaps you'd prefer to play it on a game console, from the comfort of your barcalounger? Good news: Late on Monday night, "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" went live — also in so-called "Early Access"— on the Xbox One.

Sorry PlayStation 4 owners, but the game is an Xbox One console exclusive for the foreseeable future.

That's a pretty big deal: The only living room console that can play "PUBG" is the Xbox One. So what's it like? It's pretty great!

SEE ALSO: Forget 'Call of Duty' — the best game of 2017 is an insane 100-player battle royale

DON'T MISS: A ton of great games came out this year — these are the 10 best

Before anything else, beware: "PUBG" on Xbox One is very much an unfinished game.

The very first screen the game shows players on the Xbox One is a warning about the fact that "PUBG" isn't finished. It even goes so far as to warn players that the game "may not release as a final product." That is indeed a necessary caution, but it's very unlikely the game won't arrive as a finished release.

That said, you should know what you're getting into here: "PUBG" isn't finished, and it feels unfinished. That comes across in the gameplay, in the visuals, and even in the menus. You're going to encounter stuff that feels rough around the edges — that's because it is rough around the edges. Again, this game hasn't reached "1.0" yet. Think of buying an "Early Access" game like paying for a work-in-progress.

That said, let's dive in.

If you're not already familiar with "PUBG," the concept is simple: You're one of 100 people parachuting down to an abandoned island. You're unarmed, as is everyone else, and your goal is survival. Upon landing, the first thing you'll do is scrounge for weaponry. The second thing you'll do? Attempt to survive.

That's the whole game, essentially — a massive, 100-person free-for-all on a massive, deserted island. You've got one life, as does everyone else.

As the game proceeds, the area you can occupy on said island gets smaller and smaller. This forces players together, and results in a lot of murder.

At the end of the round, if you're the last person alive, you win. That's it! It's simple and very effective.

To this end, "PUBG" on Xbox One feels a lot like "PUBG" on PC did about six months ago. There's a good reason for that: The Xbox One version is about six months behind the PC version in development.

Xbox One players expecting to pick up "PUBG" on console as a finished product will be disappointed. That's because the console version of the game feels distinctly less polished than the PC version.

The biggest problem I regularly encountered involves the game's framerate — the speed at which "frames" of video are rendered by the game console. The game often drops to sub-15 frames-per-second, resulting in choppy gameplay. I mean that literally — the game seemingly stutters in an attempt to keep up, resulting in major gameplay problems. 

Imagine you're carefully lining up a sniper shot, and the minute you pull the trigger — boom! — the game stutters. The player who was perfectly lined up is suddenly five feet ahead, and you've just revealed your position to anyone within earshot. It's a non-ideal situation to say the least.

This doesn't happen with enough regularity that the game is unplayable as a result, but it's frustrating regardless. 

OF NOTE: I'm playing "PUBG" on an Xbox One X, and I'm told that performance issues are worse on the standard Xbox One/Xbox One S consoles. 

• The holiday season is a popular time to travel.
• From freezing temperatures to pricey travel, there are plenty of reasons to avoid certain destinations around Christmastime.
• New York City, for example, is both expensive and crowded around Christmas.
• Minneapolis-St. Paul is one of the coldest places in the US during the winter.

From freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall to expensive airfare and hotel costs, there are plenty of reasons why you should avoid certain travel destinations during the holidays.

We found the most overrated travel destinations to avoid during Christmas by looking at cost, weather, and crowds. We consulted travel website Kiwi.com's Christmas Price Index from 2016, which ranks the most expensive cities to visit during Christmas, and GO Banking Rates' list of the least affordable places to spend your holiday vacation.

Here are 12 places you should steer clear of during the holiday season. 

New York, New York

New York City is beautiful during the holiday season, although over the actual Christmas holiday, it is one of the most crowded and expensive places to be. 

On average, 798,000 people visit Rockefeller Center during the holiday season. And if the masses of tourists aren't enough, the average cost of spending Christmas Day in the Big Apple is a whopping $762.34, according to Kiwi.com.

You're much better off visiting New York before Christmas to avoid the cost and crowds, but still enjoy the city's beautiful decorations and traditions.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu, Hawaii, is one of the most expensive vacation destinations in the country all year, but it's especially expensive during Christmas. 

The average hotel rate in Honolulu during the Christmas season is $241 per night, according to GO Banking Rates. And while the weather may be beautiful this time of year, that also means loads of tourists flock to Hawaii to escape the cold, crowding beaches and hotels. 

Your best bet for a Hawaiian vacation at Christmastime is to avoid tourist traps and find a more under-the-radar locale.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Winter in Iceland, as you might expect, is cold and icy.

On average, Reykjavik experiences temperatures in the 20s and 30s Fahrenheit during the month of December, providing less than ideal conditions for sightseeing. Plus, the city only has about five hours of daylight in December, which gives tourists visiting for Christmas less time to enjoy the holiday. 

Iceland is also an expensive vacation destination year round, but prices can rise even higher during the holiday season.