• China has an astounding housing vacancy problem.
• There are cities all over the country that are almost entirely unoccupied.
• About 50 million apartments are abandoned across the country.

When you picture a ghost town, images of an abandoned town in the wild west probably come to mind.

In China, however, there are a surprising number of "ghost cities," or modern developments that have failed to attract residents.

The Kangbashi District in Inner Mongolia, China, for example, is a city that has been in development for the past 14 years. The district is filled with residential skyscrapers, a modern museum and library, and schools — but it is dramatically underpopulated. Developers originally intended for a million residents, though they have since lowered the goal to 300,000.

Keep reading for an inside look at China's ghost cities.

In the Yunnan Province, the Chenggong district of Kunming was filled with largely unoccupied residential skyscrapers until recently.

The city's development from farmland to urban center began in 2003.

Source: Go Kunming

However, by 2012, the city's population had not grown to match the new infrastructure.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Sneakers make for great gifts all year long, but the holiday season is the absolute best time to lace someone special with a new pair. Whether you're shopping for a true sneaker collector or are simply running out of gift ideas, you really can't go wrong with these picks.

Instead of entering raffles, battling bots online, or standing in chaotic lines at retail stores in an attempt to buy the best sneakers, take a look through this list and shop hassle-free.

From classics that never go out of style andmodern runners to minimal designs and all wool sneakers, there are plenty of amazing sneakers that are readily available online. These are the 32 best pairs to gift — and a rundown on why each is so cool.

Most of these items are available with expedited shipping, and some should arrive within a few days' time, so don't stress too hard about your last-minute shopping — just remember that the sooner you order, the better your chances of a timely arrival.

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.

Adidas NMD

Shop all NMDs at Adidas here, starting at $130

When the Adidas NMD first launched in 2015, it became extremely popular for its comfort, style, and a wide selection of available colorways. Designed for the urban nomad, the sneakers are made for on-the-go lifestyles. A full-length Boost midsole provides cloud-like comfort and the one-piece Primeknit upper makes them easy to pack in a bag and travel with.

Allbirds Wool Runners

Allbirds Wool Runners, $95, available in 13 colorways

If sustainability is important to the person you're shopping for, then the Allbirds Wool Runners are the perfect sneakers for them. Created by New Zealand native Tim Brown and San Francisco-based engineer and renewables expert Joey Zwillinger, the Wool Runners are made of super soft merino wool. The wool actually has many natural properties that make for amazing sneakers. They're lightweight and breathable, cool in the heat, warm in the cold, and for those who like to go sockless, they're machine-washable and odor-resistant, too. And if you're shopping for little ones, the brand also sells kids' size shoes ingeniously named Smallbirds.

Nike Air Vapormax

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

For many, Christmas is a time for being with family, drinking an unhealthy amount of eggnog, and truly embracing the giving spirit. I typically spend mine planted in front of the TV for the NBA Christmas games, with a chalice of bourbon in hand. Santa and Rudolph are pretty cool, but I doubt they'd be able replicate Lebron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo as they barrel their way into the lane for an electrifying jam.

If basketball is their favorite sport too, keep it so fresh this holiday season by adding one of these NBA-themed gifts to their stocking. As a bonus for you, none of them cost more than $25. 

Most of these gifts are available for every NBA team. Many should arrive within a few days' time, so don't stress too much about your last-minute shopping — just remember that the sooner you order, the better your chances of a timely arrival.

Still shopping for more last-minute gifts? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.


SEE ALSO: All of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides, in one place

A hat to rep their team and stop worrying about bad hair days

New Era Hunter Official Team Color 9TWENTY Adjustable Hat, $19.99, from the NBA Store

Whether you're going to the arena or running errands, it is always the right time to show off your fandom. If you have an understated style, or an oddly shaped head, these adjustable 9TWENTY hats are a great addition to any NBA fan's wardrobe. This hat will make any wearer feel like they are officially part of the team because of the raised embroidered team logo and a woven team tag at the back closure. 

Socks to keep them warm and spirited

Bare Feet Team Argyle Crew Socks, $12.99, from the NBA Store

During the holiday season, I, like almost every other kid in the world, always hoped for a nice, practical pair of socks. For real though, if I were to have gotten these NBA-themed Argyle Crew socks, I would have been super pumped. Most basketball fans already have a favorite NBA-player associated shoe line, so add to their style with these awesome, yet functional socks. 

A mini figure for the big baller in your life

Funko POP! NBA: Lonzo Ball Figure, $14.95, from Amazon

When the Ball family hopped onto the NBA scene, the entire landscape of the league changed. Well... at least according to the modern American patriarch, Lavar Ball. Get in on the BBB hype by grabbing this Lonzo Ball Funko POP! figurine before it lands itself in the Funko vault. Regardless of what Lavar says or how many points the other brothers dropped in Lithuania, this may be your only chance to truly rep the Big Baller Brand. 

• Companies that ran advertisements during Tucker Carlson's timeslot on Fox News have begun fleeing in droves, following the controversial comments he made about immigrants seeking shelter in the US.
• People were outraged and threatened boycotts after Carlson expressed concern with the US's immigration policy.
• After Carlson's comments were widely rebuked and whispers of boycotts began circulating, companies that advertised on his show slowly began cutting ties.
• Here are the businesses that have pulled their advertisements so far.

Companies that ran advertisements during Tucker Carlson's timeslot on Fox News have begun fleeing in droves, following the controversial comments he made about immigrants seeking shelter in the US.

On Thursday, the "Tucker Carlson Tonight" host expressed concern with the current state of US immigration and attempted to distinguish immigrants based on their educational background. Carlson, who urged for more immigrants who were "scientists and engineers," suggested allowing in immigrants hailing from impoverished regions of the world would make the US "poorer and dirtier."

"Instead we're getting waves of people with high school educations or less. Nice people, no one doubts that, but as an economic matter this is insane. It's indefensible, so no one even tries to defend it," Carlson said.

"Instead our leaders demand that you shut up and accept this. We have a moral obligation to admit the world's poor, they tell us, even if it makes our country poorer and dirtier and more divided."

After Carlson's comments were widely rebuked and whispers of boycotts began circulating, companies who advertised on his show began cutting ties.

On Monday, Carlson reiterated his prior claims and likened the affect of the US's immigration policy to that of Mexico's: "The left says we have a moral obligation to admit the world's poor," Carlson said. "Even if it makes our own country more like Tijuana is now, which is to say poorer and dirtier and more divided."

Fox News Channel supported its host's opinions, and said it was a "shame that left-wing advocacy groups, under the guise of being supposed 'media watchdogs' weaponize social media against companies in an effort to stifle free speech."

The company also described the developments as "unfortunate and unnecessary distractions," and specifically targeted progressive media watchdogs with "deeply political motives."

"While we do not advocate boycotts, these same groups never target other broadcasters and operate under a grossly hypocritical double standard given their intolerance to all opposing points of view," Fox News said.

Here's the full list of companies that have pulled their advertisements from Carlson's show:

SEE ALSO: IHOP will no longer advertise on Tucker Carlson's Fox News show after he says immigrants are making the US 'poorer and dirtier'

IHOP

Source: Business Insider

Jaguar Land Rover

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Just For Men

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Introducing the rising stars of Madison Avenue.

Whether developing breakthrough ad campaigns, using data in new ways, or coming up with new ways to reach consumers, this crop of young advertising professionals is turning traditional advertising on its head and shaking things up on Madison Avenue and beyond.

Criteria and methodology

Business Insider has in the past recognized the 30 most creative people in advertising under 30. This year we broadened the criteria to include rising talent in departments beyond creative while increasing the age limit to 35.

We've included people with a variety of roles and experiences, spanning planning, creative, strategy, business development, and talent. We looked beyond ad agencies to consulting companies like Deloitte Digital and IBM iX that are increasingly competing with them.

We finalized the list based on agency and peer nominations, our own research into their awards and campaigns, the influence they've had on their companies, and their potential to be future leaders in the industry.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination, and congratulations to our winners. (The rising stars are listed in alphabetical order by last name.)

Adam Baskin, 34, Tool of North America

Baskin has expanded Tool's offerings, including production, emerging technology, and experiential. Notably, his team created experiential, interactive and augmented reality-based activations for brands including Amazon Studios, Uber, and New Balance.

Most recently, he led the creation of the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Carnegie Deli Pop-Up for Amazon Studios, which let fans of the show experience a slice of New York circa 1958 through a pop-up replica restaurant in Lower Manhattan.

Online tickets for the pop-up sold out before it opened on November 29.

Kate Baynham, 32, and Hanna Wittmark, 34, of Goodby Silverstein & Partners

This creative duo has worked at Goodby Silverstein & Partners for six years on high-caliber brands like Comcast, Frito-Lay, Adobe, Chrysler, Nintendo, and the Ad Council. They also helped the agency land two of its biggest accounts, Pepsi and Liberty Mutual, in 2017.

One of their most standout pieces of work was the "#IAmAWitness" anti-bullying-emoji campaign for the Ad Council, which gave kids a tool to combat online bullying.

Their work has nabbed awards at festivals such as the Cannes Lions, D&AD, the Effie's, Art Director's Club, and the One Show. In 2017, they became the first female team to be named Next Creative Leaders by the One Club and 3% Movement. Baynham was featured on Business Insider's 30 most creative people in advertising under 30 list in 2016.

Veronica Brothwell, 29, Giant Spoon

Giant Spoon has become synonymous with creating breakout experiential activations for brands from HBO to Warner Bros.

But Brothwell was spearheading experiences for the agency's entertainment clients long before its experiential department came to life.

She's been behind some of the agency's most memorable work, including its splashy "Blade Runner" live experience at Comic-Con in 2017 and the Ready Player One experience at SXSW 2018, which took over a two-story space in the heart of Austin.

• Elon Musk's Boring Company unveiled its first completed test tunnel on Tuesday night.
• Musk held an exclusive launch party near Los Angeles to celebrate the opening.
• It featured a speech from Musk and flamethrower-cooked marshmallows.

Elon Musk unveiled the Boring Company's first completed test tunnel on Tuesday.

The grand opening featured a public appearance from Musk, a modified Tesla Model X, and flamethrower-cooked marshmallows.

Scroll on for the best pictures from the launch party.

The Hawthorne Tunnel is the Boring Company's first major project.

The tunnel is 12 feet in diameter, and the finished tunnel segment is just over a mile long.

It was excavated along a path that runs not through Los Angeles but beneath the tiny adjacent municipality of Hawthorne, where Musk's Boring Company and his SpaceX rocket firm are both headquartered.

Although lots of people came to witness the tunnel opening, there wasn't space for everyone.

Musk's presentation was broadcast live at 8:15 p.m. local time so people who couldn't make the exclusive launch party could tune in.

Musk gave a 30-minute presentation.

After emerging from the tunnel in a modified Tesla Model X, Musk said he hoped in the future that tunnels dug by the Boring Company could be the answer to "soul destroying" traffic.

• IMDb released its list of the most anticipated movies of 2019. 
• The list includes Marvel blockbusters "Captain Marvel" and "Avengers: Endgame," as well as the next films from acclaimed filmmakers Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese. 

2018 has been a record year at the box office, which has hit $11 billion in the US. That will be hard to top, but some highly anticipated blockbusters await audiences in 2019. 

IMDb released its list of the 10 most anticipated movies of 2019 this week, and the next entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, "Captain Marvel" and "Avengers: Endgame," top it.

IMDb said that these 10 movies were "consistently most popular with IMDb users as determined by the actual page views of the more than 250 million monthly unique visitors to IMDb worldwide."

The list also includes the long-awaited new movies from acclaimed filmmakers Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino. 

Notably absent from the list, though, are movies expected to be major hits, like Disney's live-action remake of "The Lion King" and "Star Wars: Episode IX."

Below are IMDb's 10 most anticipated movies of 2019:

SEE ALSO: 'Aquaman' has already made more money than its production budget, and is looking at a big opening in the US

10. "Hellboy"— April 12

Director Guillermo del Toro and star Ron Perlman served fans two movies in 2004 and 2008 based on Dark Horse Comics' most popular property, about a demon summoned to Earth by Nazis. In 2019, director Neil Marshall and "Stranger Things" actor David Harbour will take the character by the horns for a fresh reboot.  

9. "Aladdin"— May 24

Disney is releasing three live-action remakes of animated classics in 2019, but one made the cut on this list: "Aladdin." Mena Massoud plays Aladdin, Naomi Scott plays Jasmine, and Will Smith takes over the role of the Genie, voiced by Robin Williams in the 1992 original. 

8. "Joker"— October 4

Joaquin Phoenix will play Batman's greatest foe in this origin story directed by "The Hangover" director Todd Phillips. The movie has no connection to the larger DC Extended Universe, where Jared Leto played the Joker most recently in "Suicide Squad."

• The US may not have any rich royals, but it does have rich families with net worths in the billions.
• These billionaire clans have accumulated their fortunes in vastly different ways, from publishing and cosmetics to retail and hotels.
• See the top 25 richest families in the US, ranked by net worth, starting at $10 billion. 

America may not be home to any rich royal families, but that doesn't mean some families haven't created their own sort of empire.

In fact, the United States has quite a few billionaire clans who accumulated their fortunes in vastly different ways. There are the publishing powerhouses that built the Hearst and Newhouse family fortunes; a cosmetics giant, which laid the foundation for the Lauder family fortune; and the families that created their wealth out of household names, like Walmart for the Waltons and Hyatt Hotels for the Pritzers.

But not all of America's richest families began as entrepreneurs— some were also savvy investors.

Below, meet the richest families in the US, ranked from lowest net worth to highest net worth, starting at $10 billion. Rankings were determined by the most up-to-date estimated net worths available from Forbes and Bloomberg.

SEE ALSO: The 10 richest royal families in Europe, ranked

DON'T MISS: Meet the 10 richest billionaire royals in the world right now

25. The Gallo family

Net worth: $10.7 billion

Source of wealth: E & J Gallo Winery

The Gallo family fortune is derived from a few avenues. Brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo founded the world's largest winemaker in Modesto, California. Their other brother, Joseph, assisted with the family business until he opened his first dairy and sold cheese as "Joseph Gallow Cheese." His children currently run Joseph Farms, while the descendants of Ernest and Julio run E & J Gallo Winery, which generates estimated annual revenues of $3.8 billion. The company sells more than wine these days having added liquor to the list.

24. The Rockefeller family

Net worth: $11 billion

Source of wealth: Standard Oil

John D. Rockefeller became America's first billionaire after founding Standard Oil in 1870, which eventually controlled a majority of the country's oil refining. He and his son, John Jr., donated more than $1 billion in philanthropic efforts. The family's fortune is split among 174 members.

23. The Butt family

Net worth: $11 billion

Source of wealth: H.E. Butt

Florence Butt founded H-E-B grocery store in Texas in 1905, which her son Howard expanded throughout the state when he took over the company in the 1920s. His son, Charles, is the majority shareholder and currently runs the company, which has 400 stores in Texas and Mexico and generates $25 billion in annual sales. Charles' siblings and two nephews also have stakes in the business.

With some 50,000 troops and tens of thousands of vehicles, ships, and aircraft, exercise Trident Juncture 2018 was NATO's largest exercise since the end of the Cold War.

"NATO does a major exercise like this each year," Ben Hodges, who commanded the US Army in Europe before retiring in 2017, told Business Insider earlier this year. "The scale of this one obviously is bigger than some of the past, but nonetheless, the fact that this exercise is happening is a normal part of NATO's battle rhythm."

In 2017, NATO conducted 108 exercises, and its members held 162 national and multinational exercises. This year, the alliance had 106 NATO exercises planned, and its members were expected to lead about 180 national and multinational exercises.

Those exercises vary in scope, duration, and form, ranging from live exercises involving thousands of troops to computer-assisted exercises in a classroom.

Below you can see just a few of the exercises NATO conducted this year with its members and partners.

SEE ALSO: 'We can do better': The Navy's newest fleet commander says US ships and sailors got 'beat up' during NATO's biggest exercise since the Cold War

Dynamic Manta, conducted March 5 through March 16, is an annual NATO exercise meant to train submarines, surface ships, and maritime patrol aircraft in submarine and anti-submarine warfare.

Led by NATO's Allied Maritime Command, Dynamic Manta 18 took place in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Sicily.

For this year's iteration, subs from Canada, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the US, working under the control of NATO Submarine Command, joined nine surface ships from Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, the UK, and the US.

• I visited an iconic New York City holiday market to see if it lived up to the hype.
• The Bank of America Winter Village is at Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan, a short walk from Times Square.
• I expected it to be overcrowded with tourists, filled with cheesy souvenir shops, and completely overrated. 
• But it was actually a lovely NYC holiday experience and I think everyone should visit.

I had low expectations going to the Bryant Park Winter Village, a holiday market in New York City.

It's in Midtown Manhattan, a short walk from Times Square, and it's on top of five subway lines, so I was sure it would be packed with people.

The market, which opened on October 27 this year, includes more than 170 holiday pop-up shops, an ice skating rink, and a heated lodge with food and a cocktail bar. There are also various eateries mixed in with the boutiques.

Read more: Disappointing photos show what iconic New York City attractions really look like during the holidays

To my surprise, the market was actually far from overcrowded. Even when it got busier as the evening wore on, I could always walk freely and I never felt like I was being surrounded by too many people. The atmosphere was calm yet festive, the shops sold artisanal wares from all over the world rather than just cheap tourist souvenirs, and everybody just genuinely seemed to be having a lovely time.

Here's what the market is actually like, and why I suggest any New York City local or visitor should give it a visit.

SEE ALSO: I went to a Veuve Clicquot holiday pop-up where you can drink $16 cocktails inside a rooftop 'snow globe,' and it seemed to be 100% made for Instagram

DON'T MISS: A private jet company is letting rich people celebrate New Year's Eve twice by flying them around the world in a Gulfstream G550 for $250,000

Bryant Park is in Midtown Manhattan, a short walk from Times Square.

I got there a little after 4 p.m. on a weekday in mid-December, just as it was starting to get dark.

The sidewalks surrounding the park were busy with wandering tourists and with locals leaving work. You can access five subway lines at the park, so the area always gets busy around rush hour.

• Kate Middleton has worn a wide array of outfits in 2018.
• She debuted new looks from some of her go-to designers like Alexander McQueen and Jenny Packham.
• The duchess wore everything from sleek blazers to extravagant ball gowns.

Much like her new sister-in-law Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton has had an incredibly busy year. If attending two major royal weddings wasn't enough, she also gave birth to her third child Prince Louis in April and added some new roles to her list of royal duties.

The duchess also had quite a busy year in terms of fashion. While she still smartly recycled a few of her favorite pieces as usual, she also debuted brand-new ensembles that ranged from chic pantsuits to show-stopping Cinderella-style ball gowns. 

Here are her 25 best outfits of the year.

The Duchess of Cambridge started the year by debuting a new navy blue coat in January.

She visited Reach Academy wearing the double-breasted Gianna coat by Hobbs London, which she paired with the $625 Georgia pumps by Jimmy Choo, and a navy clutch by Stuart Weitzman.

Middleton then debuted another coat in a striking shade of orange-red.

According to What Kate Wore, this is the first time the duchess has been spotted in a design by Boden. She opted for the $330 Lena Coat with dark pumps and a $435 brown suede clutch by Emma London for a visit to the Mittal Children's Medical Centre in January.

Read more:Kate Middleton's mom recreated one of her daughter's outfits, and it's proof that style runs in the family

As her royal tour of Norway and Sweden kicked off, Middleton bundled up in a chic ensemble.

She wore a double-breasted black trenchcoat by Burberry while playing a round of Bandy hockey in Stockholm, Sweden. Middleton also wore a pair of $130 Tivoli III boots by Sorel.

Read more:Kate Middleton made $130 snow boots look chic — and she's not the only celebrity who owns a pair
 

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

I live in New York, but given that I'm from Connecticut, I'm not a New Yorker. State pride is serious business — no matter where you live, you'll always have a unique connection to where you're from. Showing your state pride can manifest in many different ways. Maybe you're a committed fan of all of your states sports teams. Maybe you fervently hold that your hometown pizzeria has the best slice in the country — and you're willing to fight for that one. 

Wherever they live, whatever way they choose to show their state pride, anyone will appreciate a state-inspired present this holiday season. It's a thoughtful, nostalgic gift that's sure to make them smile.

If you haven't done your holiday shopping yet, a state-inspired gift still has a personal feel — so they won't feel let down with a generic last-minute gift. We found plenty of great options, plus they're all from Amazon so you can get them under the tree in time for Christmas. 

Most of these items are available with two-day shipping, so don't stress too hard about your last-minute shopping — just remember that the sooner you order, the better your chances of a timely arrival.

Keep scrolling for 19 great state-inspired gifts they'll love:

A more simple state cutting board

Totally Bamboo State Shaped Serving and Cutting Board, $19.95

A beautiful bamboo cutting board is just what they need for cheese platters and charcuterie. The sleek state shape is a definite conversation piece, sure to up the ante for their next dinner party.

Note: Some states may arrive after Christmas

A candle that smells like home

Homesick Candles, $29.95

We've all had that feeling when we get a whiff of salty air or sweet cinnamon rolls and, suddenly, it's like we're immediately transported home. Homesick did plenty of research and crowdsourcing to capture the scents of every state and turn those into candles. With choices ranging from states, cities, and even experiences, lighting one of these is sure to conjure up lots of great memories. 

A state-shaped cutting and serving board

Totally Bamboo Engraved Serving and Cutting Board, $30

If you think the plain bamboo is too simple, go for this board that's actually engraved with the state name, plenty of locations, icons, and important figures. If they're not the cheese platter type, they can still enjoy this board and hang it up as an interesting piece of wall decor. 

Note: Some states may arrive after Christmas

• "The Office" ran for nine seasons.
• The cast included Steve Carell, John Krasinski, and Mindy Kaling.
• Jim and Pam's first kiss was John Krasinski's first on-screen kiss.
• The computers in the office actually had Internet.
• Jenna Fischer kept Pam's engagement ring.

"The Office" has become such an irreversible part of American pop culture that psychologists have explored why people can't seem to stop bingeing it on Netflix. Its fans are so dedicated that star Steve Carell even dedicated his recent "Saturday Night Live" cold open to shutting down the notion of a revival.

And so, for the hundreds of thousands of fans with "The Office" queued up on their computers right now, we've rounded up some surprising facts about the show and its cast that will make your team speechless with gratitude on trivia night.

Angela Kinsey was a phone operator for 1-800-Dentist when she auditioned for the show.

"1-800-Dentist, this is Angela," she quipped on "Larry King Now" in February. "Did you need a check-up and cleaning or do you have a specific dental problem today?"

It's good Kinsey got the part because her operator gig "is gonna haunt [her] for the rest of [her] life."

The temperature on set had to be kept at a cold 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

The reason for this, according to Rainn Wilson who plays Dwight, is because Steve Carell had active sweat glands that could ruin a shot. The entire cast had to suffer until the crew finally sprung for space heaters.

Jim and Pam's first kiss was John Krasinski's first on-screen kiss.

Krasinski admitted in an interview that his first on-screen kiss was with none other than Jenna Fischer as Pam Beesly.

"My first on-screen kiss was with Jenna Fischer in 'Casino Night' when I say I love her," he recalled. "It's a pretty big moment to have be your first on-screen kiss and it's not one that we really wanted to screw up. I don't think I told her it was my first on-screen kiss," he added. In fact, Fischer asked him if it was, and he denied it. 

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Buying gifts for the artsy-fartsy souls in our lives can be a mystifying experience. They're impossible to buy clothes for, and the run of the mill gift card or Kindle is far too pedestrian.

But thank goodness, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is, as always, at your service and to the rescue. And, until 1 p.m. EST on December 20th, The Met is offering an upgrade to two-business-day shipping for just $1, guaranteeing (as best they can) that Kris Kringle has just enough time to shoot down the chimney and slide these gifts under the tree. If you're anything like me, that should come as a tremendous relief.

We've rounded up gifts for all age groups, tastes, and interests, so rest easy, my Philistine (and otherwise lost) friends, we (and The Met) are here for you.

Below, you'll find 15 of the best gifts you can buy from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.

A unicorn ornament from The Unicorn Tapestries

Unicorn Ornament, $28 (member price: $25.20)

This ornament features The Unicorn in Captivity from the famous medieval Unicorn Tapestries hanging at The Met Cloisters.

A coffee table book of David Hockney's delightful works

David Hockney, $40 (member price: $36)

David Hockney has graced us with decades of delightful illustrations. It's about time we all have a book of them.

A tea-infusing mug littered with Steinlen cats

Steinlen Cats Covered Mug with Tea Infuser, $20 (Member price: $18)

Understated yet elegant, and a very safe bet. Plus, there are cats! All art lovers and artistes alike love cats, right?

• Gaming hardware company Razer announced the first official keyboard and mouse for the Xbox One console, called the Razer Turret.
• Only 16 games are officially set to work with the Turret as of Wednesday, and it'll cost a whopping $250. 
• Pre-orders are open now, with shipping estimated for March 31, 2019.
• Allowing keyboard and mouse support on a game console where players primarily use a regular gamepad controller is a source of contention. 

Gaming hardware and accessory company Razer announced the "Turret" on Wednesday, the first official keyboard and mouse designed specifically for the Xbox One console.

For some who prefer the good old-fashioned keyboard and mouse over console gamepad controllers for playing games, the news may seem like cause for celebration. It means you can finally use your preferred gaming control method on the couch with a powerful console that delivers better performance than an equivalently priced PC.

For others, Microsoft is making a controversial move to allow keyboard and mouse support on its games console. 

There's a whole debate over the speed and accuracy advantages of using a keyboard/mouse over a gamepad. Pit a keyboard/mouse gamer against a gamepad gamer in a match, and it's likely the keyboard/mouse gamer will win. Some say that gamers who choose to use keyboards and mice on a console have an unfair advantage on a gaming platform where most players use controllers. 

With that said, one of the games that will support Razer's Turret is the massively popular "Fortnite," a third-person-shooter game where players on any platform, including Xbox One, PlayStation 4, mobile, Nintendo Switch, PC, and even Macs, can play together in the same online match. So far, there hasn't been any massive upheavals regarding a PC player's advantage with a keyboard and mouse over another player on console, or even on mobile, where the controls are arguably the most limited or difficult to use. 

The Turret sports a $250 price tag, which is wildly expensive when Microsoft's Xbox One controller goes for $50. Even Microsoft's premium Elite Xbox One controller is less expensive at $150. 

The Razer Turret is available for pre-order now from the Microsoft Store, and it's estimated to start shipping March 31, 2019. 

For now, you can check out the $250 Razer Turret and all it details below:

SEE ALSO: The futuristic LG TV that rolls itself in and out of a box could hit living rooms in 2019 — check it out in action

The Razer Turret is designed to be used on your lap while sitting on a couch, just like you'd do with a normal gamepad controller.

A retractable solid mouse pad is housed within the keyboard itself to give gamers a flat surface for the mouse.

The keyboard even has a dedicated Xbox button like the Xbox controllers have for pulling up the Xbox One dashboard.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

On September 24, 2018, the Philadelphia Flyers introduced Gritty, a new nightmare-inducing mascot that was so questionable people literally thought it was a prank — until they remembered the Philly Phanatic also existed. And so the Flyers settled into a new life with a messy orange puppet for a franchise figurehead.

Months later, Gritty has become a hockey Icon.

Gritty's fame stretches far beyond the walls of the Wells Fargo Center, having infiltrated the collective heart of Hockey Twitter and Business Insider's own hockey Slack channel. It truly says something that two Islanders fans not only agreed to but actively requested to write this post.

Without further ado, here are a bunch of amazing gift ideas for Gritty fans far and wide.

Still shopping for more last-minute gifts? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.


SEE ALSO: All of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides, in one place

A sequin pillow to haunt your dreams

Gritty Pillow Sequin Pillowcase, $18.33, from Etsy

It transforms from pure black right into this nightmare-maker.

An enamel pin that reveals what really makes Gritty so gritty

Anatomy of Gritty Enamel Pin, $13, from Etsy

He's hungry for the Cup! And also apparently eats pigeons.

A mug that mashes up two of Philly’s proudest bastions of chaos

Gritty Mascot Philadelphia Flyers Mug, $16.15, from Etsy

You know it’s only a matter of time before Charlie and Gritty team up for some shenanigans.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Christmas is less than a week away. If you haven't finished all of your shopping by now, we won't sugarcoat it — you're running out of time. But you shouldn't panic just yet.

Walmart has a massive selection of giftable items that are guaranteed to arrive before the holiday. Orders placed by December 20 at 2 p.m. local time will arrive by Christmas Eve with free two-day shipping. Alternatively, some items are eligible for in-store pickup.

To save you some much needed time, we rounded up some of the best deals and gift ideas at Walmart.

Shop all two-day delivery deals at Walmart now.

Still shopping for more gifts? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.


A premium electric wet and dry shaver

Braun Series 7 Electric Shaver, $169.95 (Originally $229.94) [You save $59.99]

An iPad

Apple iPad (Latest Model) 32GB Wi-Fi, $229 (Originally $329.99) [You save $100.99]

An air fryer

Farberware 3.2-Quart Oil-Less Multi-Functional Fryer, $59.88 (Originally $99) [You save $39.12]

• Celebrities wore a lot of glamorous red-carpet looks in 2018.
• Pastel dresses and long trains seemed to be popular this year among stars like Sza, Cardi B, and Lady Gaga.
• Other celebrities, such as Janelle Monáe and Issa Rae, put glam twists on simple pantsuits.
• Classic tuxedos and velvet ensembles also became red-carpet staples.

Red-carpet fashion was all about glitz and grandeur in 2018.

Some of the most glamorous looks included a variety of show-stopping ball gowns, detailed suits, and sparkling dresses. Pastel ensembles were also extremely popular, and dresses with long trains sparked a trend that's still going strong in the fashion industry.

From the Golden Globes to the Met Gala, these were the most glamorous red-carpet looks worn by celebrities in 2018.

Starting off the year, Kendall Jenner wore a high-low ball gown to the January Golden Globes.

Jenner wore a voluminous, textured black dress with strappy black heels.

However, some people focused more on the model's acne after she walked the red carpet. Jenner replied to the comments on Twitter, saying that things like skin blemishes should never stop you.

Actress Octavia Spencer looked elegant in a sparkly, empire-waist dress.

Spencer chose to wear a black ensemble in support of the Times Up movement, as did most attendees of the 2018 Golden Globes.

Emma Roberts looked chic in white while attending the Critics' Choice Awards in January.

Roberts wore her glamorous Hollywood-style gown with a new hairstyle, though some people had mixed feelings about her short bangs.

• President Donald Trump's sudden decision to pull US troops out of Syria risks advancing the interests of America's adversaries, according to lawmakers and foreign-policy observers.
• While leaving America's allies high and dry, the move could hand Syria over to the Syrian regime, Russia, and Iran.
• Withdrawing US troops from Syria may also take the pressure off of ISIS at a critical point in the fight to eliminate the terrorist organization.

The US has begun withdrawing American troops from Syria, a decision President Donald Trump made in response to the fall of the physical ISIS caliphate.

"We have won against ISIS," Trump said in a video message Wednesday. "We've beaten them, and we've beaten them badly. We've taken back the land. And, now it's time for our troops to come back home."

Critics argue that withdrawing from Syria at this time risks advancing the interests of America's adversaries. "The big winners of this decision are ISIS, Iran, Russia and Assad," South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham told The Washington Post after calling the president's decision an "Obama-like mistake."

White House and Pentagon officials have been unable to offer clarity on the situation, with questions about timelines, expectations, and the mission going forward remaining largely unanswered.

Read more:Trump just radically upended US Syria policy despite repeated warnings that doing so could be disastrous

There are serious concerns among lawmakers and foreign policy observers that the president's decision will basically hand Syria and its future over to the Syrian regime-Russia-Iran axis, leaving our allies vulnerable and the stability of the region in jeopardy.

Here are the groups that stand to benefit from the US' move:

SEE ALSO: Trump just radically upended US Syria policy despite repeated warnings that doing so could be disastrous

Russia

Moscow celebrated Wednesday's surprise news that the US plans to leave Syria "as quickly as possible." The Russian Foreign Ministry, according to Russian media outlet Tass, said"hope emerges," arguing that "once Americans were there, there was no such hope."

The Russian military has been active in Syria since 2015. Without the US military standing in its way, Russia will be able to significantly expand its influence.

Iran

While the primary mission of the US military in Syria has been the "enduring defeat of ISIS," it has also been to counter troubling Iranian activities in the region.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in October that a US objective was "the removal of all Iranian and Iranian-backed forces from Syria." One month earlier, White House national security adviser John Bolton said US troops would not "leave as long as Iranian troops are outside Iranian borders and that includes Iranian proxies and militias."

The US military presence in Iran has disrupted Iranian activities, but withdrawing US troops from Syria will permit Iran to more easily pursue its interests.

Syrian regime

The US has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with Syrian President Bashar Assad, with some observers assessing that he might eventually be removed from power. The US military placed at least limited restraints on the Syrian military.

Pulling US troops out of Syria risks emboldening Assad, as he feels more secure, leaving his enemies — which have fought alongside American forces — more vulnerable. With the threat posed by ISIS degraded, Assad could, with the support of his Russian and Iranian allies, focus his efforts on retaking territory lost in the civil war.

And, as the US will no longer have a military presence in country, the Syrian regime, in coordination with Moscow and Tehran, will be free to dictate the post-war outcome.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase. 

Finding a unique gift isn't easy. That's why we dig through the internet's vast offerings to suggest cool gift ideas you haven't already thought of, like thoughtful personalized gifts and gifts from a site with "uncommon" right in its name. 

Another way to guarantee the special feel of a gift is to find limited-edition products. Since only a certain number is made and they're often done in collaboration with other brands, they possess a cool factor that regular gifts can't replicate. Given their exclusivity, it's less likely that everyone is going to emerge in 2019 wearing the same pair of shoes or backpack. 

These 21 gifts aren't going to stick around long, and once they're gone, they're gone forever, so if you really want to impress your recipient this year, don't hesitate to pick up one of these limited-edition products. 

Most of these items are available with expedited shipping, and some should arrive within a few days' time, so don't stress too hard about your last-minute shopping — just remember that the sooner you order, the better your chances of a timely arrival.

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.

SEE ALSO: All of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides, in one place

Made In x Banza cookware and pasta

Made In x Banza Kit, $79-$289, available at Made In

Brighten up their stove with a red frying pan from one of our favorite kitchen startups, then fill their stomachs with healthy but delicious pasta from Banza. The full kit also throws in a five-quart stockpot and two-quart saucepan. 

Mejuri Holiday Kit jewelry

The Minimalist Kit, $100, available at Mejuri

Mejuri's holiday kits pair some of its best sellers into curated sets that take the headache out of gifting. The pretty gold pieces are wrapped up in special packaging for the holidays. 

Sugarfina x Hello Kitty candy

Hello Kitty Bow 2pc Candy Bento Box, $22, available at Sugarfina

This playful collection of gummy candy and tiny cookies lets adults become kids again this Christmas. The sweet collaboration includes apple pie and strawberry gummies.