• Insider rounded up the best and worst romantic comedies that Netflix has to offer and ranked them by critical consensus. 
• Films like "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" (2018) and "Set it Up" (2018) soared to the top of the list with their originality and charming leads. 
• Others like "The Last Summer" (2019) and "The Kissing Booth" (2018) appeared to miss the mark. 
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

In the last few years, Netflix has branched out as a streaming service by producing a slew of original romantic comedies.

From whimsical mishaps to charming meet-cutes, here are the 10 best and 10 worst Netflix romantic comedies of all time based on critic scores on Rotten Tomatoes.

"To All the Boys I've Loved Before" (2018) was received as warm and endearing.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%

Summary: Based on the popular young-adult novel of the same name, "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" centers around Lara Jean (Lana Condor), a young student whose life is thrown for a loop when her private love letters are delivered to all the boys she's loved through the years. 

Critics applauded "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" for its sweet and charming tone and praised the chemistry between lead Condor and her love interest Noah Centineo. 

"The film is precisely what it should be: pleasing and clever, comforting and fun and romantic,"Linda Holmes wrote for NPR. 

"Set It Up" (2018) was praised as a fresh, smart film.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

Summary: Overworked assistants Harper (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie (Glen Powell) conspire to get their respective high-powered bosses to date so that they can chisel out some free time for themselves, but they're unprepared for the feelings they develop for each other. 

"Set it Up" earned praise from critics for garnering fresh material from a well-worn premise. 

"It's a feel-good throwback to Nineties romantic comedies like 'When Harry Met Sally' and 'You've Got Mail' that left me warm and nostalgic for the simple pleasure of falling in love," wrote Monica Castillo for the Village Voice. 

"Always Be My Maybe" (2019) balanced its comedy and romance with equal measure.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%

Summary: After an unexpected break with a long-term boyfriend, high-profile chef Sasha (Ali Wong) returns to her hometown of San Francisco and reconnects with her childhood friend Marcus (Randall Park) after having spent 15 years apart. 

Critics praised "Always Be My Maybe" for balancing the comedic elements as deftly as it handled the romantic plotline between Park and Wong. 

As Joey Keogh wrote for Vague Visages, "The brainchild of comedian Ali Wong, the film is sharp, fresh, funny and sweetly self-assured."

Jessica Williams shined in "The Incredible Jessica James" (2017).

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

Summary: In "The Incredible Jessica James," aspiring writer Jessica (Jessica Williams) navigates New York City during a breakup, hoping her feelings for her new friend Boone (Chris O'Dowd) lead to more than just a rebound. 

Critics were charmed by "The Incredible Jessica James," noting Williams' lead performance as a highlight. 

"A 27-year-old comedian and Daily Show correspondent given ample room to breathe, riff and roar by director Jim Strouse's script, Williams bounds into the proceedings with unfiltered comic peculiarity,"Guy Lodge wrote for The Guardian. 

Critics praised "Happy Anniversary" (2018) for its well-tuned emotional heft.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%

Summary: On the day of their three-year anniversary, Sam (Ben Schwartz) and Mollie (Noël Wells) come to a crossroads in their relationship, realizing that they have reached a point where they should either break up or get married. 

"Happy Anniversary" earned positive reviews from critics for capturing the authentic aspects of long-term relationships. 

"'Happy Anniversary' blends comedy and drama well, creating a film which never feels like one genre is more prominent than the other," wrote Amanda Mazzillo for Film Inquiry. "Schwartz and Wells give memorable performances, balancing the comedic and dramatic moments of their character's journey."

Critics loved the thematic messaging of "Someone Great" (2019).

Rotten Tomatoes score: 82%

Summary: Suddenly single after being in a nine-year relationship, Jenny (Gina Rodriguez) asks her friends to accompany her on one last, adventurous day in New York City before she moves across the country. 

"Someone Great" earned love from critics for putting the women in the film front and center while delivering a positive message about female empowerment. 

"It's not quite as charming or winning as other Netflix rom-com originals, but it does have a more meaningful message: Find yourself, then find the guy,"Mara Reinstein wrote for Us Weekly. 

"Alex Strangelove" (2018) was praised as unique and heartwarming.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%

Summary: Alex Truelove (Daniel Doheny) is a high-school senior with a great academic record and a devoted girlfriend — but his life turns upside down when he develops feelings for Elliot (Antonio Marziale). Confused and curious, Alex sets out on a new path as he explores his sexuality. 

Critics praised "Alex Strangelove" for finding a unique place for itself in the coming-of-age genre. 

As Glenn Kenny wrote for The New York Times, "'Alex Strangelove' is witty, compassionate and enjoyable throughout; a charming movie and in many respects an enlightened one."

Critics called "Let it Snow" (2019) a corny, but cute, teen film.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%

Summary: As a snowstorm blankets a cozy Midwestern town in snow, a group of high schoolers find their lives intertwining as they set out to find love, puzzle out their futures, and throw a massive party in the center of town. 

Although some critics found fault with the somewhat schmaltzy tone of "Let it Snow," most said that the cast elevated their material and produced a fun flick. 

"'Let It Snow' offers enough feel-good moments to provide a good start to the Netflix Christmas romance season,"Natasha Alvar wrote for Cultured Vultures. 

Critics adored Vanessa Hudgens in "The Princess Switch" (2018).

Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%

Summary: Chicago-born Stacy travels to the country of Belgravia for a baking competition, surprised to find that the Duchess of Montenaro looks identical to her. Needing a respite from her royal life, Margaret suggests that she and Stacy switch places for a few days, causing them both to find love in unexpected places. 

Critics said that although "The Princess Switch" wasn't without flaws, it made up for its shortcomings with a winning performance from Hudgens. 

"Exactly what the hopeless romantic ordered for their Christmas viewing this season," wrote film critic Jeffrey Lyles. "This is likely one that will be in heavy rotation throughout December."

"A Christmas Prince" (2017) was met as a sweet, self-aware holiday romp.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 73%

Summary: Over the holidays, aspiring journalist Amber Moore (Rose McIver) travels from New York to Eastern Europe to get the scoop on Prince Richard, who is set to become the king of Aldovia. After lying about her identity in order to get closer to the prince, Amber suddenly finds herself falling in love with him. 

"A Christmas Prince" was met warmly by critics for its corny yet sweet script. 

"A Christmas Prince is an instant classic," wrote Dana Schwartz for Entertainment Weekly. "It's a Netflix original movie, but it feels like a violation of nature that it somehow isn't from Lifetime or the Hallmark Channel."

On the other hand, "Ibiza" (2018) had mixed reviews.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%

Summary: Harper (Gillian Jacobs) has her friends Nikki (Vanessa Bayer) and Leah (Phoebe Robinson) tag along with her for a work trip to Barcelona, only for them to make a last-minute decision to party in Ibiza. Emboldened by her spontaneous new behavior, Harper starts to fall for a DJ (Richard Madden). 

The reception for "Ibiza" was mixed, with some critics praising the comedic abilities of the leads and others panning the underwhelming plot. 

"Although the script relies on gross-out body humor more often than it needs to, it manages to be deeper and more resonant than most girls gone wild comedies," observed Katie Walsh for the Los Angeles Times. 

Critics said "The Perfect Date" (2019) was sweet but predictable.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 65%

Summary: Brooks Rattigan (Noah Centineo) has his hopes set on attending an Ivy League school for college, but feels held back by his lack of money. Determined to raise enough cash to go to his dream school, Brooks creates a dating app that allows users to hire him as a plus-one on dates. 

"The Perfect Date" earned points for assembling a charming cast, but overall it was too predictable for its own good. 

"Obvious," wrote Roger Moore for Movie Nation. "But the banter's winning and the leads damned adorable together."

"Unicorn Store" (2019) was a quirky film with clunky execution.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%

Summary: Kit (Brie Larson) is a young woman with a huge imagination who puts her artistic dreams on hold to work in an office building. But everything changes when she receives a mysterious invitation to a store that sells only one thing: unicorns. 

Critics praised Larson for playing double duty as both lead actress and director, but felt that the script left something to be desired. 

"'Unicorn Store' has so much going for it — a great cast, solid premise, an exciting director — but the magic falls flat," wrote Karl Delossantos for Smash Cut Reviews. "That's no fault of Brie Larson, whose endearing performance and uneven yet promising direction keep the movie afloat."

Critics called "Falling Inn Love" (2019) harmless and forgettable.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%

Summary: Gabriela Diaz (Christina Milian) feels like her life is falling apart after her design firm goes under and her boyfriend breaks up with her in the same week. But after she wins a competition to travel to the countryside of New Zealand, Gabriela finds a new perspective and a charming new love interest with contractor Jake Taylor (Adam Demos). 

Conventional and ridden with clichés, "Falling Inn Love" didn't earn high praise from critics. Even those who fell in love with the leads felt like the movie was just ticking boxes. 

"While you might be willing to give it a chance, 'Falling Inn Love' will have you questioning whether Netflix's romance offerings are going to take you out on a second date, or you've got better things to do like wash your hair," joked Amanda Greever in her review for The Daily Times.

"Sierra Burgess Is a Loser" (2018) was slightly salvaged by its star.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 61%

Summary: In "Sierra Burgess Is a Loser," high schooler Sierra (Shannon Purser) falls for fellow classmate Jamey (Noah Centineo), but feels like he looks right past her. Sierra recruits reformed mean girl Veronica (Kristine Froseth) in helping her win Jamey over. 

Many viewers and critics were appalled by the number of ethical lines the protagonist crossed, but several still pinpointed Purser as a likable lead. 

"Though the script's characterization of Sierra is at times uneven, Purser figures out her mix of confidence and insecurity," wrote Esther Zuckerman for Thrillist. 

"A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding" (2018) didn't impress critics like its predecessor.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 47%

Summary: In the sequel to "A Christmas Prince," Amber and Richard are in the midst of their wedding plans when Amber starts to worry about her role as future queen and Richard is placed at the forefront of a political crisis. 

Critics who liked the first installment met "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding" with less enthusiasm, but overall this sequel was considered light, if empty, amusement. 

"It's cheesy, it's cringey, but most importantly, it's harmless-and worth a watch if you're in the mood for some mindless holiday cheer," wrote Libby Torres for The Daily Beast. 

Reviews for "When We First Met" (2018) described it as lazy.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 43%

Summary: Noah (Adam DeVine) has always felt sidelined by his crush Avery (Alexandra Daddario), but an opportunity to travel back in time presents him with a second chance in making her fall in love with him. 

Although DeVine's lead performance helped keep "When We First Met" afloat, most critics were put off by the flick's haphazard plot and initially problematic premise. 

"Adam DeVine's doofy charm helps, but it's not enough to save this Groundhog Day-ish exercise that works hard to put every romantic-comedy genre contrivance into play,"Mike Scott wrote for The Times-Picayune.

Critics said "The Holiday Calendar" (2018) played it safe.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 33%

Summary: Struggling photographer Abby Sutton (Kat Graham) stumbles upon an advent calendar with the uncanny ability to predict the future and uses its magical power to help her with life and love. 

"The Holiday Calendar" was panned by critics for its predictability and weak script, with Graham's performance often mentioned as the film's best trait. 

As Lea Palmieri wrote for Decider, "This movie is like a sugar cookie: you know exactly what you're getting, and it has all the right ingredients (love, magic, presents), but it would've been even better with a little frosting on top, is all."

Critics said "The Last Summer" (2019) didn't contribute much to the romantic-comedy genre.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 17%

Summary: During their last summer before they go off to college and begin their adult lives, a group of teenagers (KJ Apa, Jacob Latimore, Maia Mitchell) do their best to make the most of their adolescence before everything changes. 

Critics said that because of the film's attempt to pay homage to better coming-of-age comedies of the past, "The Last Summer" failed to stand on its own. 

"There's no doubt that the notable cast will attract limited audiences in search of a light-hearted diversion, but anyone craving a substantial story about coming-of-age and young love will be bitterly disappointed in this uninspired, vapid mess," wrote Marc Ricov for Film Inquiry. 

Critics called "The Kissing Booth" (2018) a heavy-handed mess.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 17%

Summary: Based on the young-adult novel of the same name, "The Kissing Booth" follows young Elle Evans (Joey King) as she steps outside of her comfort zone and runs a kissing booth at the school carnival. But after she kisses her best friend's older brother, Elle finds herself torn between staying loyal to her friendship and pursuing her romantic feelings. 

"The Kissing Booth" was received poorly by critics, who said that the film mishandled its themes and was littered with clichés. 

"'The Kissing Booth' is not a good movie," wrote Meghan O'Keefe for Decider. "It is a good, drunk, mindless, late night rom-com watch, but it is not a good movie. For that, we say skip it."

Read More:

• The best romantic comedy set in every state
• All of Netflix's original romantic films, ranked by critics
• 15 celebrities you didn't know were in a romantic comedy

• Snowshoeing is a fun and casual winter activity that's easy to pick up, but it can also be extremely challenging.
• There are different types of snowshoes for various kinds of snow and tasks.
• But for most people, the versatile MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes perform well in various conditions, making them the best snowshoes you can buy.

Modern snowshoes are lighter, more efficient, and more highly specialized than ever before, allowing outdoor enthusiasts and mountain athletes to travel faster and more confidently in the backcountry. Snowshoeing is also a casual activity that many novices can learn easily.

As with most other types of footwear, the best snowshoes now incorporate high-tech materials and unique designs that make them more capable without holding the wearer down, which in turn has broadened the scope for how they are used too.

Snowshoes can trace their origin back to Central Asia, where they've been in use for more than 6,000 years. The goal back then — as it is now — was to make it easier for people to walk on deep snow without sinking in, up to their knees. By increasing the surface area of the feet, snowshoes help to redistribute body weight in such a way that it allows the user to float on top of the snow instead.

Over the centuries the snowshoe has evolved dramatically. Gone are the wooden frames and leather laces, replaced with aluminum, plastic, nylon, and rubber. This has not only allowed them to become smaller in size, but more durable and versatile too.

Modern snowshoes are typically equipped with built-in crampons (spiky traction devices) that give them a better grip on a wide variety of terrains. They also include unique binding systems that are designed not just to keep them securely attached to the feet, but easy to get off and on too. Because of this, snowshoes now perform at an exceptionally high level, for both experienced users and beginners alike.

These days, there are a wide variety of snowshoes to choose from, each with their own set of features and unique design elements. Sorting through which ones are worth your time and money can be a challenging endeavor. As an outdoors journalist, based on my testing, experience, and research, I've rounded up the best snowshoes you can buy for various types of terrain and individuals.

Here are the best snowshoes you can buy:

• Best snowshoes overall: MSR Lightning Ascent
• Best budget snowshoes: MSR EVO Trail
• Best snowshoes for beginners: Crescent Moon EVA
• Best women's snowshoes: Tubbs Mountaineer
• Best snowshoes for kids: MSR Shift

Updated on 12/11/2019 by Lisa Sabatini: Updated prices and links.

SEE ALSO: The best sleds you can buy for winter fun

The best snowshoes overall

The MSR Lightning Ascent is the go-anywhere, do-anything snowshoes for those looking to explore the backcountry both on- and off-trail, in a wide variety of conditions.

If any snowshoe has stood the test of time, it is the MSR Lightning Ascent. This is a model that has been on the market for several years (introduced in 2004), and yet it continues to perform at a higher level than its competitors. 

Despite being relatively lightweight, the Lightning Ascent is built to withstand the rigors of the backcountry. The integrated steel crampons make it easy to maintain your footing on both snow and ice no matter the terrain. This helps to provide a great all-around experience, whether you're hiking snow-covered trails or climbing upwards into a more demanding alpine environment.

For 2019, MSR is upgrading the Lightning Ascent's binding system, replacing the venerable PosiLock AT model with its new Paragon version instead. This new binding simplifies the users ability to step in and out of the snowshoe, while keeping the system free from snow and ice too. These continued updates and medications are what helps to keep this snowshoe at the top of the list for the best models on the market year in and year out.

It should be noted that Outdoor Gear Lab felt that the bindings were a bit restrictive and could lead to some discomfort depending on the boots or trail shoes that are being worn. The new Paragon binding should help alleviate some of those issues however, bringing increased comfort and stability.

Pros: Durability, versatility, great traction, relatively lightweight, good performance on a variety of terrain types

Cons: Binding doesn't always pair well with every kind of boot or shoe

The best budget snowshoes

The MSR EVO Trail snowshoes offer sturdy construction, good traction, and solid all-around performance at a budget-friendly price.

With its EVO Trail snowshoe MSR has proven that a bargain price doesn't have to come at the expense of performance. Quite the contrary in fact, as the EVO Trail is a very good all-around snowshoe that may lack some of the features of its more expensive brethren, but you'll hardly notice when out on the trail.

As its name implies, this is a snowshoe that feels most at home on groomed trails rather than deep, untracked snow. That doesn't mean that you can't take them into the backcountry however, provided you understand their limitations and don't use them too hard on technical terrain.

The EVO Trail provides good float and solid traction to the point that you'll wonder how MSR managed to get them down to such a low price. Durability is good, the bindings are simple to operate, and weighing in at 3.6 pounds, the snowshoes are surprisingly lightweight too.

While this model does serve as an excellent entry-point for those looking to get started snowshoeing without spending a lot of money, they do have their limitations. The EVO Trail can't compete with higher-end models on more difficult terrain for instance, and the shoe's bindings aren't as comfortable as more expensive models either. Those bindings are functional, but not as well suited for longer treks, particularly in deep snow.

As Switchback Travel— and other reviewers — pointed out, the EVO Trail can be a bit noisy too. The plastic decking on these snowshoes tends to slap against the bottom of a hikers boot, which while not particularly loud can still be annoying.

Pros: Inexpensive, versatile, lightweight, built to last

Cons: Older design, wide toe box may cause stumbles, using wraps and bindings requires some practice

The best snowshoes for beginners

Made from lightweight EVA foam, the Crescent Moon EVA snowshoes are incredibly lightweight, comfortable, fun to wear, and budget-friendly.

If there is a snowshoe that feels like a pair of trail running shoes, it's probably the Crescent Moon EVA. Made from lightweight, yet surprisingly durable, dual-density EVA foam, these snowshoes tip the scales at 3.5 pounds for the pair. That, plus the unique rocker design, allows them to feel more agile and responsive on the trail, which is exactly what a beginner needs.

The EVA snowshoes utilize spike-shaped lugs along the bottom to maintain their grip and control. That makes them a good option for use on groomed trails and relatively easy terrain. With a $159 price point, they're also great entry-level snowshoes.

Crescent Moon has outfitted these snowshoes with bindings that are simple and straightforward to use, which only further helps to make them even more beginner-friendly. The use of Velcro makes it easy to get up and moving very quickly, although some reviewers felt that the Velcro tabs lost their ability to hold tightly over time.

The EVA snowshoes don't offer the best performance on more technical terrain, nor do they provide a lot of float in deep snow. Those shouldn't be major concerns for beginning snowshoers, but they could become more significant over time.

Pros: Lightweight and nimble, a lot of fun to use on flat trails and easy terrain, simple to use, affordable, ideal for beginners

Cons: Not made for use on steep, demanding terrain, don't provide a lot of float in deep snow

The best snowshoes for women

Versatile and comfortable, the women's edition of the Tubbs Mountaineer is fantastic both on and off the trail. This model has excellent traction on snow and ice and maintains very good float in deep powder.

Some outdoor companies have a tendency to "pink it and shrink it" when it comes to making women's gear. In other words, rather than actually create a female-specific product they simply scale down the men's version and release it in "female-friendly" colors. That isn't the case with the women's model of the Tubbs Mountaineer, which is one of the most capable and versatile snowshoes on the market designed for women.

With crampons integrated into both the toe and heel, the Mountaineer chews up all but the most technical of terrain. This unique set-up gives it the ability to not just climb well, but maintain control on the descents too. Combine this level of traction with the Mountaineer's excellent flotation performance and you gain the ability to move quickly and adeptly both on- and off-trail.

That said, on more technical terrain, I agree with some reviewers, like Outdoor Gear Lab, that the women's version of the MSR Lightning Ascent is more preferable (but more expensive), which is built for use in challenging alpine environments. Those snowshoes are a bit lighter as well, as a common complaint with the Mountaineer is that it is on the heavy side.

However, if versatility is what you're looking for, this is the snowshoe for you. It is durable and comfortable enough to be used in just about any environment and is equally at home on a groomed trail as it is the backcountry. Most of us only have a budget to splurge on a single pair of snowshoes and these are so reliable that they can fulfill nearly any role when hiking in the winter.

Reviewers at MooseJaw lauded the Mountaineer for its excellent bindings and good heel lift while climbing uphill. Both of those features provide a more athletic feel that comes in handy on extended winter treks. Outdoor Gear Lab also liked the versatility of the Mountaineer, but found them to be overly heavy though.

Pros: Great combination of traction and float, high level of comfort, ease of use, versatile enough for use on- and and off-trail and on both icy and snow-covered surfaces

Cons: Not as svelte as some of the other models, heavy

The best snowshoes for kids

When creating the Shift Snowshoe for kids, MSR didn't scrimp on the design or features, ensuring that even younger adventurers will enjoy their time on the trail.

MSR is one of the premier manufacturers of snowshoes (it made our list thrice), so it should come as no surprise that its youth-oriented Shift model is a high-quality product. Designed specifically for preteens, this model offers everything budding young snowshoers – and their parents – could ask for, including good traction, solid all-around performance, and binding that adjusts to a wide array of shoe types and sizes.

According to MSR, the Shift's binding can accommodate kids shoe sizes from 1 to 7. That means that these snowshoes should stay viable for years at a time, allowing a child to continue to use them even as their foot and boot size grows larger. The Shift is also capable of supporting a higher weight limit than most other youth models, which comes in handy as a child grows as well. This is all good news for parents too, as they won't have shell out a lot of cash for a new pair every year or so.

The Shift is also quite durable, with simple, yet effective, construction. That means they won't just fit your kid's feet for years to come, they'll also continue to perform at a consistently high level throughout that time too. And while these snowshoes aren't as athletic and responsive as their adult counterparts, they still allow the wearer to have a good time in the outdoors during the winter months.

Some shoppers at REI found the Shift's bindings to be difficult for children to adjust or close effectively on their own. Others found them to offer a little less float than expected, particularly in light, fluffy snow. Most appreciated the versatility and durability that they bring to the table, however, particularly with their ability to grow with the child using them.

Pros: Uses same traction bars found on MSR's adult snowshoes, stable, bindings adjust to a wide variety of shoes sizes (ensuring some longevity as kids grow)

Cons: Don't offer as much float, bindings can be a bit difficult for kids to master

Tips on how to choose the right pair of snowshoes

Types of snowshoes

There are a few different types of snowshoes and some are better for walking on beginner-friendly trails, while others are best for those who want to go off the trail entirely. 

• Recreational/flat terrain: Entry-level models fit in this category, as these snowshoes are aimed at beginners. They're made for walking across a field or on a novice trail. They have simple systems for gaining traction and work well for hard-packed snow. You'll often see a wide tail on these types of shoes to help with balance.
• Running/rolling terrain: When hiking on normal trails in hilly areas, these types of snowshoes have a nice mixture of performance and comfort. They aren't made for the steepest conditions, but they do have solid bindings and mid-level crampons. This will be the most common style of snowshoe for most people. If you want more of an aerobic workout, look for a shoe in this category with a tapered tail. Snowshoeing provides a great type of workout, according to Snowshoe Magazine.
• Backcountry/mountain terrain: When hiking on difficult trails or when hiking to a remote area for snowboarding, you'll want some top-end snowshoes. These shoes often are small, allowing the wearer to have more control while hiking on icy and steep terrain. You'll find strong, highly adjustable bindings on these shoes to ensure they stay on your feet, as well as aggressive crampons for maximum control, according to Backcountry.

Finding the right size of snowshoes

When you think of the size of the snowshoe, you don't want to think about the fit on the foot, as you do with other types of shoes. A snowshoe size refers to the amount of coverage area the snowshoe has. Use the right size of snowshoe, and you'll enjoy wearing it a lot more.

• Larger shoes: A larger snowshoe will be one that has a lot of surface area, such as 10 by 30 to 36 inches. Men's snowshoes will be larger than those designed for kids or women, so they can carry more weight, according to Sierra Trading Post. You'll also want a larger surface area if you plan to be carrying a large backpack while hiking. Aluminum shoes offer the largest surface area, although composite snowshoes can accommodate tails to gain a larger surface area. Snowshoes with larger surface areas work better on powdery snow.
• Medium-sized shoes: For average-sized people, you can make use of an average-sized surface area, such as 9 by 25 to 30 inches. If you're going to be hiking with a day pack, an average-sized snowshoe should work well. Aluminum sized shoes are available in this size, or you can use a composite style shoe with a smaller tail.
• Smaller shoes: Kids snowshoes and some women's shoes will fit in this category, where you'll see shoes 8 by 25 inches and smaller. If you are going for a day hike with little to no extra gear, a small size of snowshoe works well. Both aluminum and composite snowshoes fit in this category. If you'll be walking on icy surfaces or hard-packed snow, a smaller sized snowshoe will work well.

You'll probably want to use the smallest shoe that you can, based on your weight and on what you're carrying because a smaller shoe is easier to control.

When seeking a snowshoe, you should see a recommended load or a user weight range for individual pairs of snowshoes, according to Eastern Mountain Sports. This number can help you figure out the best snowshoe for your weight and the load you'll be carrying. Some people even own multiple sizes of snowshoes to accommodate different snow conditions and loads that they'll be carrying on a particular day. — Kyle Schurman

• Google released its 2019 Year in Search today, and the list included the most searched dog breeds.
• While some of the breeds were predictable, like golden retrievers, more surprising breeds got in there too, like the cane corso.
• Here are the most searched dog breeds this year, according to Google.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Did you search for a specific dog breed this year? You might have contributed to these 10 breeds that made their way onto Google's Year in Search for 2019.

Google provided Insider with the most popular dog breeds on its search engine this year, from poodles to Rottweilers.

Keep scrolling to find out the kind of dogs people were searching for this year.

10. English cocker spaniel

The American Kennel Club describes these dogs as "merry" and "upbeat in the field and mellow at home," and also says that they're "widely admired for [their] delightful personalities and irresistible good looks."

9. Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees can weigh up to 100 pounds, and are "mellow companions and vigilant guardians of home and family,"according to the AKC.

8. Bernese mountain dog

The general temperament of a Bernese mountain dog is "good-natured, calm, [and] strong,"according to the AKC.

7. Malinois (Belgian shepherd)

A Malinois is classified as a variety of Belgian shepherd. There are four in total: the Malinois, the Groenendael, the Laekenois, and the Tervuren.

6. Cane corso

Cane corsos go all the way back to ancient Roman times. The name loosely translates to "bodyguard" in Latin.

5. Doberman pinscher

According to the AKC, Dobermans are "loyal, fearless, [and] alert."

4. Rottweiler

Rottweilers might be known as ferocious guard dogs, but the AKC calls them"gentle playmates and protectors."

3. Australian shepherd

Australian shepherds are especially known for their multi-colored eyes, making them of one of the few dog breeds that regularly has what's called heterochromia.

2. Poodle

Poodles are a diverse breed — they come in toy, miniature and standard sizes, multiple colors, and are frequently mixed with other dogs to create designer breeds like labradoodles, maltipoos, schnoodles, pomapoos, etc.

1. Golden retriever

Unsurprisingly, the golden retriever was the most searched for dog breed this year. This breed is one of the most common in the US, according to the American Kennel Club.

• Read more:
• 20 award-winning photos of dogs from 2019's Dog Photographer of the Year competition
• 9 important things veterinarians want every dog owner to know
• Can you find the hidden puppy in this holiday brainteaser?
• 20 behind-the-scenes photos of the National Dog Show that prove these pups are the hardest-working dogs in show business

• 2019 was a tough year for unicorn startups — privately held companies valued at more than $1 billion — going public through an initial public offering process. 
• Though the first half of the year was strong for IPOs, "investors got really turned off" after big disappointments from companies like Uber and Lyft, according to Kathleen Smith of Renaissance Capital. 
• Still, the IPO market as a whole has outperformed this year. The Renaissance IPO ETF is up 30% this year compared to the S&P 500 index, which is up roughly 25% in the same time frame. 
• Here are the biggest unicorn IPO flops of the year. 
• Read more on Business Insider. 

This year has been a rough one for some companies trying to go public through an initial-public-offering process, or IPO. 

Unicorn startups, or privately held companies with valuations over $1 billion, didn't fare very well in the public markets in 2019, as investors grew increasingly wary of unprofitable companies. 

"I think the market was very robust all the way through the first half," said Kathleen Smith, principal at Renaissance Capital, a provider of institutional research and IPO exchange-traded funds. But then, a few weak IPO performances early in the second half spooked investors, Smith told Markets Insider in an interview. 

"Investors got really turned off," Smith said, and they stopped flocking to buzzy unicorn IPOs. "I'll call it a buyer's strike, not wanting to participate because there were such big disappointments." 

Those large "unicorn" disappointments weighed on IPOs for the rest of the year. In the fourth quarter, most companies going public have priced at the lower end of their proposed ranges, Smith said. 

While that can be frustrating for companies that use the IPO process to raise capital, it is good for investors, Smith said, because companies that are underpriced tend to gain in the market later.

"When investors are risk averse, IPOs are priced better," she said. "This is a good time for investors in the IPO market, not such a good time for companies." 

Overall, the IPO market slowed this year, Smith said. In 2019, 152 companies IPO'd, raising roughly $44 billion, according to Smith. That's less than 2018, when 192 companies IPO'd and raised nearly $47 billion in proceeds, Smith said. 

Still, IPOs in general — not just those with sky-high valuations — performed well for investors in 2019. The Renaissance IPO ETF is up 30% year-to-date through Tuesday's close, compared to the S&P 500 index, which is up roughly 25% in the same time frame. 

Smith said that in 2020, it's likely that companies will try to push back on the processes available to them for becoming public, because the "regular IPO process is not working" for all companies. That could include more direct listings, like Slack in 2019 and Spotify in 2018, even though they haven't been successful for investors, she said. 

Here are the top unicorn IPO flops of 2019, in chronological order:

1. Lyft

Ticker: Lyft

IPO date: March 29, 2019

IPO price: $72 per share 

Performance on first day of trading: +8.7%

Performance from IPO price through December 10: -37%

2. Uber

Ticker:Uber

IPO date:May 10, 2019

IPO price: $45 per share 

Performance on first day of trading: -7.6% 

Performance from IPO price through December 10: -38% 

3. SmileDirectClub

Ticker:SDC

IPO date:September 12, 2019

IPO price: $23 per share 

Performance on first day of trading: -27%

Performance from IPO price through December 10: -65%

4. Peloton

Ticker:PTON

IPO date:September 26, 2019

IPO price: $29 per share

Performance on first day of trading: -11% 

Year to date performance through December 10: +13%

5. WeWork

WeWork actually did not make it through the IPO process. After Uber and Lyft's disastrous IPOs, investors were on high alert for unprofitable unicorn companies looking to list on the public market. 

Then, WeWork released its S-1, or prospectus, a regulatory filing all companies looking to list publicly must submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

"When everyone talked about WeWork and they the opened the prospectus, it was like, you're kidding," Smith told Markets Insider. "No one could believe what was inside." 

She continued: "This was so bad. We heard everything was so good." 

In six weeks, the company went from one with a $47 billion valuation to one that was reportedly considering bankruptcy. In addition, WeWork's cofounder and then-CEO Adam Neumann stepped down from the top job.

Despite all the festive cheer and time with loved ones that come with the holiday season, it can also be a stressful time if you plan on buying gifts for everyone in your life.

Every year, Insider Picks creates dozens of gift guides to help you find the best Christmas gifts out there — for any budget, hobby or interest, and person. You can find all our holiday gift guides on this page, but to make it even easier on you, we've also rounded up and categorized them below. 

Consider this your ultimate cheat sheet to knocking out your gift shopping for the year. Click on a link below to jump directly to all the gift guides in that category. 

• Gifts under $25
• Gifts under $50
• Gifts under $100
• Stocking stuffers
• Gifts for her
• Gifts for him
• Tech gifts
• Unique gifts
• Home and kitchen gifts
• Food and drink gifts
• Gifts for hobbies and interests
• Gifts from your favorite stores
• Limited-edition gifts

Here's a master list of all our holiday gift guides: 

• 50 clever gifts under $25 that won't end up getting regifted

The elements of a good present — thoughtful, useful, or novel — aren't restricted to a big budget.

• 28 affordable tech gifts under $25

It's tough to be a tech enthusiast when the market is full of expensive gadgets. Some of the best tech gifts, however, won't cost more than $25. 

• 46 cool stocking stuffers on Amazon for under $20

Stocking stuffers have a reputation for being cute but useless. These small gifts challenge that perception.

• 28 unique stocking stuffer ideas — all under $10

Surprise your friendly neighborhood mailman or the cousin you only ever see at the big family holiday gathering with a thoughtful stocking stuffer. 

• 25 beauty gifts under $25

Grab these beauty stocking stuffers from brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Guerlain, and Givenchy. 

• 50 gifts under $50 for everyone on your list

Whether you're searching for practical, nostalgic, quirky, or sentimental, there's an under-$50 gift from brands big and small in this guide. 

• 31 clever gifts from Amazon — all under $50

Not only are all these gifts affordable, but they're also available on a shopping site you know well. 

Kitchen gifts don't have to be expensive. Even a simple and practical accessory like a ramekin or avocado slicer will make them happy. 

• 22 work-appropriate gifts for your boss — all under $50

A good manager isn't easy to come by. Show your appreciation with a useful, thoughtful, and work-appropriate gift.

• 55 hilarious White Elephant gifts under $50

Gift swaps reward the niche, novel, and irreverent, with bonus points going to those who can check the boxes of funny and useful.

• 51 gifts for her, all under $50

Whether you're looking for the perfect gift for your sister, mom, partner, or otherwise, we've put together a list of over 50 great gifts under $50 that we think she'll love. 

• 54 clever and practical gifts for Dad — all under $50

The unique selection of gifts includes picks for every sort of dad, from the hapless car-key-losing fool to the history buff and the masterful (and not-so-masterful) home chef. 

• 76 gift ideas for everyone on your list, all under $100

With a $100 budget, you can buy anything from a smart speaker to an educational cooking class. 

• 40 thoughtful and fun tech gifts under $100

Most people automatically think cool tech has to be expensive. Wireless earbuds, fitness trackers, and smart lights prove the assumption wrong. 

• 28 gifts for him that you can get from Amazon — all under $100

Here's a double whammy: fast Prime shipping and under $100. 

• 30 thoughtful gifts for teachers to thank them for a great year

If you're not already one of their favorite students, you surely will be after they receive something from this list. 

• 50 thoughtful gifts for mom under $50

When it comes to gifting your own mother, the saying "it's the thought that counts" has never been more appropriate.

• 82 cool and unique gifts for her

From classic cashmere sweaters to monthly wine subscriptions, you'll be able to find something no matter your budget.

• 51 gifts for her, all under $50

Whether you're looking for the perfect gift for your sister, mom, partner, or otherwise, we've put together a list of over 50 great gifts under $50 that we think she'll love. 

• 25 tech gifts for women that she'll love to get this holiday season

You won't find bedazzled, dumbed down, and all-pink tech gadgets here. These gifts are both stylish and powerful. 

• 24 great gifts for your grandma

Grandma is another important woman in your life who you know always has your back. Show her the love and appreciation she deserves with these gifts. 

• 39 thoughtful gifts to give your girlfriend

We give you more than three dozen gift ideas that make gifting your partner infinitely easier this year. 

• 50 thoughtful gifts to give your wife

You don't need to spend a crazy amount of money or plan an extravagant gesture to show your wife you appreciate her. 

• 23 beauty gifts from Nordstrom

Nordstrom carries some of the best brands in beauty and skin care, like everyday makeup from Anastasia Beverly Hills and luxurious creams from La Mer. 

• 82 unique gifts for him — at every budget

Find the perfect gift for the man in your life — boyfriend, husband, fiancé, or otherwise. 

• 65 cool gifts for him that you can buy on Amazon

Every gift he could ever want, from a fidget toy to luxury sheets, can be found on Amazon. 

• 50 gifts your dad actually wants

Dads always say they never want anything, but we came up with 50 gift ideas for you anyways. 

• 24 gifts your husband will appreciate

Some of these gifts for your husband might even benefit the entire family, so it's a cost-efficient, win-win situation. 

• 54 clever and practical gifts for dad under $50

If you have a specific budget you're working with, you'll find affordable yet useful gifts in this guide. 

• 28 gifts for him that you can get from Amazon — all under $100

Here's a double whammy: fast Prime shipping and under $100. 

• 21 gifts for the dad that loves to travel

Make his travels more enjoyable, restful, and convenient with gifts like comfortable shoes and a streaming service subscription.

• 18 gifts every Disney dad will love

The unapologetic Disney dad in your life might love a Disney Plus subscription, retro Magic Kingdom sweatshirt, and Mickey Mouse watch. 

• 25 skin-care gifts they'll use every day

If taking care of his skin is something he prioritizes, treat him to any of these gift ideas — and pay no mind to gendered marketing; skin-care is for everyone.

• 25 hidden gems on Amazon

Using the Amazon Gift Finder tool, we found some cool gifts that makes shopping on the site feel less impersonal. 

• 32 kitchen gifts from Williams Sonoma

Carrying legacies like KitchenAid and Le Creuset to modern classics like Instant Pot, specialty shop Williams Sonoma proves it's serious about cooking. 

• 21 unique kitchen gifts from Sur la Table

Sur La Table has a great selection of gifts for cooks of all levels. Or, if your recipient would rather eat than cook, it has gifts for foodies, too. 

• 32 unique kitchen gifts from Food52's online shop

In addition to devising creative and delicious recipes, Food52 sells kitchen products, including ones from its own in-house brand. 

Kitchen gifts don't have to be expensive. Even a simple and practical accessory like a ramekin or avocado slicer will make them happy. 

• 32 thoughtful gifts on Amazon that are Prime eligible

Procrastinators, this is the guide for you. As long as you're a Prime member, you can get any of these cool gifts in two days. 

• 23 gift sets and limited-edition beauty gifts at Nordstrom

Nordstrom carries some of the best brands in beauty and skin care, like everyday makeup from Anastasia Beverly Hills and luxurious creams from La Mer. 

• The World Architecture Festival is the world's largest international architectural event.
• During the festival, a panel of expert judges recognizes the best architecture of the year through the World Architecture Awards.
• Hundreds of designs were shortlisted during the 12th annual World Architecture Festival in December, but less than 30 completed buildings won an overall or category award.
• This year's winners include a library in the Netherlands, a nursery in Japan, and an airport terminal in the Philippines.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

The LocHal Public Library in the Netherlands was named 2019's World Building of the Year.

According to a World Architecture Festival (WAF) press release provided to Insider, the LocHal Public Library sits in a former train station. The space was going to be demolished until it was remodeled as a library and community center by Civic Architects, in collaboration with Braaksma & Roos Architectenbureau. 

The judges thought the building was outstanding because it "created a physical facility in which a variety of users can meet for multiple purposes," as the WAF press release stated.

The JCA Living Lab, located in Taipei City, Taiwan, won Interior of the Year at the 2019 World Architecture Awards.

The Lab, designed by J.C. Architecture, is a refurbished Japanese colonial house, and it combines a historical structure with the needs of modern dwellers. J.C. Architecture built the house with children in mind, creating space for them to run throughout the indoor area. 

The judges selected the Lab because "the house is unusually in tune with the differing and sometimes contradictory needs of a young family," according to the same WAF press release. "Every space can be negotiated and adapted, encouraging the house to be an incubator for a positive difference in the family unit."

Lokadhatu (The World), a pavilion for children in Zhangzhou, China, was named Small Project of the Year.

Studio Link-Arc created Lokadhatu, a play area for children.

The WAF judges liked Lokadhatu both because of its creativity and interplay with the surrounding environment. 

Located in Kiev, Ukraine, Comfort Town won the award for Use of Color.

This apartment complex, built by Archimatika, features 180 apartments and spans over 90 acres. The buildings stand out because of their pastel hues. 

The Freebooter, located in Amsterdam, won the 2019 Amsterdam Prize.

Designed by GG-loop, the apartment complex Freebooter is a steel building wrapped in timber panels. 

The timber regulates the amount of sunlight that reaches the structure. 

China's Swirling Cloud took home the Engineering Prize for 2019.

SUP Atelier designed Swirling Cloud for a garden festival. The building is made of bamboo, allowing for the curved structure.

Landscape of the Year 2019 went to the Demonstration Section of Yangpu Riverside Public Space, which is located in Shanghai, China.

Original Design Studio created the Demonstration Section, a bridge alongside the Yangpu River. 

The judges favored the site because it "reconnects the city with the waterfront by reusing the material language of this historic site in an innovative way with excellent details," as the WAF press release stated.

The Smith Campus Center at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, took home the prize for Best Use of Natural Light.

Designed by Hopkins Architects, the Smith Campus Center melded the indoors and outdoors through glass windows and ceiling tiles.

The judges said the building is "a seamless mixture of public and private spaces that sensitively enhance an iconic development." 

The judges gave the Pingelly Recreation and Cultural Centre, located in Pingelly, Australia, the award for Best Use of Certified Timber.

The Iredale Pedersen Hook architects collaborated with Advanced Timber Concepts Studio to design the Pingelly Recreation and Cultural Centre, which is made with real timber. 

The panel of judges "were impressed with the efficient and durable timber detailing, which delivers comfort and affordability for present and future users," as stated in the WAF press release.

The Gaobu Book House, located in Guangdong, China, won the Civic and Community category.

The Condition Lab at the School of Architecture CUHK and the UAL Studio at the School of Architecture and Urban Planning GZU designed the Gabou Book House together as a community center for the 2,500 people who live in the area. 

"Gaobu Book House is totally intertwined with the community; a project that goes well beyond the actual building and demonstrates excellence of process," the judges said of the building.

New York City's Vessel took the top prize in the Display category for its open design.

Designed by Heatherwick Studios, the judges liked the Vessel because its open concept design encourages human interaction and spontaneity. 

The Castle Cove House, located in Sydney, Australia, was named the best house.

TERRIOR designed the Castle Cove House, an angular and monochromatic domestic dwelling.

The judges appreciated that "with the diversity and complexity of space, there is a visual shattering of the boundaries between inside and out."

Likewise, Cedrus Residential, located in Tehran, Iran, took home the top prize in the Completed Building Housing category.

Nextoffice designed Cedrus Residential, an apartment complex in Tehran that uses layered balconies and an open floor plan to create a dynamic space.

"This is a wonderful, holistic, and intellectually challenging project of worldwide merit," the judges said of the complex.

The Bower in London, England, won the New and Old award.

Designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, the Bower is an office space that also features shopping, dining, and studios.

Located in Shenzhen, China, the Vanke Liuxiandong Design Community was named the best office.

FCHA designed Vanke Liuxiandong Design Community, a multifunctional office complex that incorporated greenery into its design. 

The judges thought FCHA made a "highly sustainable and transformed corporate environment that welcomes the public."

The Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience in Speyside, Scotland, won the Production, Energy, and Recycling category.

Designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, the Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience was "masterfully embedded in the landscape through an undulating timber roof with grass cover," as noted by the WAF judges.

The YM Nursery in Yonago, Tottori, Japan, earned the top prize in the School category.

Hibinosekkei and Youji no Shiro collaborated on the YM Nursery, and encouraging children's curiosity towards nature was an integral part of the design process.

In the press release, the judges said the building "demonstrates huge sensitivity to the experience of young children, from the layout of the building as an open pavilion, to the use of materials such as wood, stone, fire, and water."

Located in Barcelona, Spain, the Turó de la Peira's Sports Center was named the winner of the Sports category.

The Turó de la Peira's Sports Center was designed by Anna Noguera and Javier Fernandez after they won an architecture contest in Barcelona for the commission. It is both an urban block and sports center, complete with a swimming pool and sports courts.

The judges gave the award to the space because of its "outstanding use of resources with a sustainable ethos."

Terminal 2 of the Mactan Cebu International Airport in Manila, Philippines, won the Transport category because it showed that everyday architecture can be outstanding.

Created by Integrated Design Associates, Terminal 2 of the Mactan Cebu International Airport is an expansion project. The judges commended its simple design that made use of locally sourced materials in an aesthetically pleasing way.

The Health category winner was the Bayalpata Regional Hospital in Acham, Nepal.

The Bayalpata Regional Hospital was created by Sharon Davis Design as the only hospital to serve the over 250,000 people living in the area.

The campus takes up 7.5 acres and offers almost any kind of medical service you can think of. 

The Kokugakuin University Learning Center in Tokyo, Japan, won the Higher Education and Research award.

Designed by Nikken Sekkei, the Kokugakuin University Learning Center sits between a shrine and a residential neighborhood, tasking it with the job of merging these two vastly different spaces. 

The judges awarded the center because it "solves complex urban challenges in a way that looks effortless."

The Lindis Lodge in Ahuriri Valley, New Zealand, was the favorite in the Hotel and Leisure category.

Architecture Workshop designed the Lindis Lodge, a luxury space located in New Zealand's Southern Alps. 

The lodge features five bedrooms, and it was made to combat the drastic changes in temperature the area experiences throughout the year.

Located in Punggol, Singapore, Oasis Terraces placed first in the Mixed-Use category.

Serie and Multiply Architects worked together to make Oasis Terraces, a mixed-use public housing space. The building features residences, shopping, and community services in one convenient location.

The judges thought the building "displays a very successful integration of disparate programs into a coherent composition, which appears very adaptable to alternative uses."

The top building in the Religion category for 2019 was Qasr Al Hosn: Al Musallah, which is located in Abu Dhabi.

Designed by CEBRA, Qasr Al Hosn: Al Musallah combines the old and the new, as the oldest structure in Abu Dhabi is part of the complex, alongside a new cultural center, according to the WAF press release.

Both buildings are given equal importance in the layout, creating a cohesive space.

"CEBRA has enhanced this heritage site and in doing so, created great architecture," according to the judges. 

Coal Drops Yard in London won the Shopping category for 2019.

Designed by Heatherwick Studios, Coal Drops Yard's two buildings were previously part of a coal plant. Heatherwick transformed it into a shopping center, linking the two buildings with a bridge.

"Through a simple gesture, the project becomes a landmark for King's Cross while respecting the site's heritage," said the judges.

Villa B in Munich, Germany, took the top spot in the Villa category.

Powerhouse Company designed Villa B, a high-end residential space that is as practical as it is beautiful.

The judges appreciated that Villa B was "engineered to meet quality expectations beyond luxury."

• Read more:
• 10 award-winning skyscrapers from around the world that show height isn't all that matters
• From a glass fortress in Bangkok to a tree house in Arkansas, here are 53 of the most beautiful buildings in the world
• 8 of the ugliest, most hated buildings in the world
• Edit in Viking 7 of the world's most incredible new buildings in 2019, according to architects

• Samsung is opening a retail experience store in Palo Alto, California, in what is the company's fourth store opening of its kind in the US.
• The store is designed to give customers firsthand access to the company's product line, as well as device support and repair services.
• We toured the new store days before it opened to the public. Take a look inside.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Samsung enthusiasts in Silicon Valley will soon have a physical destination to test out the tech giant's products.

The company is opening a retail experience store in the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, California, home to long-time tenant and consumer electronics competitor Apple.

The retail store will be open to the public starting on Thursday, December 12. It's the fourth retail location of its kind in the US, with others already in Southern California, Long Island, New York, and Houston, Texas.

The idea behind the store is to give Samsung customers firsthand access to the full breadth of the company's product line, from tablets and laptops to the Galaxy line of smartphones, including the company's new $2,000 Galaxy Fold. The foldable smartphone isn't in stock in the store, but customers can test it out upon request, and preorders are available. Full customer service is also available, like device repair and support.

The company said it has plans to roll out retail stores globally in the future.

"Every new store opened around the world will be based on this prototype," Alan Robles, Samsung's vice president of retail design and development, told the media during a preview of the store.

We visited the new location two days before it opened to the public. Check it out.

SEE ALSO: Samsung's wildly ambitious $2,000 folding phone that was breaking on people after days of use is finally set to arrive in September — here's the whole saga so far

Samsung's fourth US retail store will soon open in the Silicon Valley city of Palo Alto, California.

We toured the 5,000-square-foot space a couple of days before it opened to the public on December 12.

Lights in purple and blue hues bathed the entire store. It's a different, though still cool, vibe from the crisp white layout Apple customers are used to experiencing in the tech giant's own retail stores.

Samsung's new store has all of the same sections in it as the company's other US locations.

There's a wearables section, which includes the Samsung Galaxy Buds and the Galaxy Watch Active.

We spotted tablets, laptops, TVs, gaming computers, speakers ...

... the HMD Odyssey Virtual Reality Headset …

... a whole section for accessories, like phone cases ...

... and the entire center of the store was devoted to Samsung's line of Galaxy smartphones.

It's the first thing you're greeted by when you walk in.

The company chose Palo Alto because of the Bay Area's large Samsung following. Allister Jones, senior vice president of retail for Samsung, told the media that there are lots of Galaxy fans in the region.

At the very front of the store are Galaxy Note 10 smartphones in varying colors ...

... on nearby bays is the Galaxy Note 10 Plus ...

... its accompanying S Pen is in a holographic display alongside it.

Further back is the Galaxy S10e, S10, and S10 Plus ...

... then there are the Galaxy A Series phones ...

... and gleaming brightly in its own standalone case immediately to the right as you enter the store is Samsung's new $2,000 Galaxy Fold.

When the phone debuted for the first time in April 2019, reviews came out that the device was easily breaking. It was released again in September 2019, with what seems like some marked improvements.

Source: Business Insider

The foldable smartphone may be on display, but it's not in stock in-store.

Customers can test out the device upon request, as well as ones that team members have on hand, but the store is only taking preorders for now.

Jones said the company took lessons from Samsung's other retail locations when designing this one.

One was anticipating where customers move most often from section to section. So they made the bays in the store movable.

For example, if the company found that customers often gravitate from the Note 10’s to the tablets, they could move the two bays into closer proximity of each other.

Another key function of the store is to teach customers how to get the most out of their Samsung devices.

The Samsung store will have full customer service, with device repair and support available.

A Samsung spokesperson during the store preview told the media that if a customer brings their cracked phone screen in, it can be fixed within an hour.

And if the phone is deemed irreparable, it can be swapped out on-site. In the meantime, Samsung will give you a loaner device until your new phone is serviced.

The Palo Alto store will serve as a prototype for future Samsung retail shops, which Robles said the company has plans to expand in the future.

The Palo Alto store will be open to the public starting on Thursday, December 12.

• Many leaders try and set aside at least an hour a day for things like deliberate practice or learning — what the author calls a "five-hour rule."
• These hours could be spent reading — Oprah credits much of her success to that, and leaders like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are prolific readers.
• Others, like Jack Dorsey, set aside that time for reflecting and thinking.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

In the article "Malcolm Gladwell got us wrong," the researchers behind the 10,000-hour rule set the record straight: Different fields require different amounts of deliberate practice to become world class.

If 10,000 hours isn't an absolute rule that applies across fields, what does it really take to become world-class in the world of work?

Over the past year, I've explored the personal history of many widely admired business leaders like Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and Mark Zuckerberg to understand how they apply the principles of deliberate practice.

What I've done does not qualify as an academic study, but it does reveal a surprising pattern.

Many of these leaders, despite being extremely busy, set aside at least an hour a day (or five hours a week) over their entire career for activities that could be classified as deliberate practice or learning.

I call this phenomenon the five-hour rule.

How the best leaders follow the 5-hour rule

For the leaders I tracked, the five-hour rule often fell into three buckets: reading, reflection, and experimentation.

SEE ALSO: Jeff Bezos' philosophy for Amazon is that it's always 'Day 1' — here's what that means and why it works

1. Read

According to an HBR article, "Nike founder Phil Knight so reveres his library that in it you have to take off your shoes and bow."

Oprah Winfrey credits books with much of her success: "Books were my path to personal freedom." She has shared her reading habit with the world via her book club.

These two are not alone. Consider the extreme reading habits of other billionaire entrepreneurs:

• Warren Buffett spends five to six hours a day reading five newspapers and 500 pages of corporate reports.

• Bill Gates reads 50 books a year.

• Mark Zuckerberg aimed to read at least one book every two weeks.

• Elon Musk grew up reading two books a day, according to his brother.

• Mark Cuban reads for more than three hours every day.

• Arthur Blank, a cofounder of Home Depot, reads two hours a day.

• Billionaire entrepreneur David Rubenstein reads six books a week.

• Dan Gilbert, the self-made billionaire who owns the Cleveland Cavaliers, reads for one to two hours a day. 

2. Reflect

Other times, the five-hour rule takes the form of reflection and thinking time.

Oath CEO Tim Armstrong makes his senior team spend four hours a week just thinking. Jack Dorsey is a serial wanderer. LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner schedules two hours of thinking time each day. Brian Scudamore, the founder of the $250 million company O2E Brands, spends 10 hours a week just thinking.

In 2014, when Reid Hoffman needed help thinking through an idea, he called one of his pals like Max Levchin, Peter Thiel, or Elon Musk. Billionaire entrepreneur Sara Blakely is a long-time journaler. In one interview, she shared that she had more than 20 notebooks where she logged the terrible things that happened to her and the gifts that had unfolded as a result.

If you want to be in to company of others who reflect on what they're learning with each other, join this Facebook group.

3. Experiment

Finally, the five-hour rule takes the form of rapid experimentation.

Throughout his life, Ben Franklin set aside time for experimentation, masterminding with like-minded individuals, and tracking his virtues. Google was known to allow employees to experiment with new projects with 20% of their work time. Facebook encourages experimentation through Hack-A-Months.

The largest example of experimentation might be Thomas Edison. Even though he was a genius, Edison approached new inventions with humility. He would identify every possible solution and then systematically test each one of them. According to one of his biographers, "Although he understood the theories of his day, he found them useless in solving unknown problems."

He took the approach to such an extreme that his competitor, Nikola Tesla, had this to say about the trial-and-error approach: "If [Edison] had a needle to find in a haystack, he would not stop to reason where it was most likely to be, he would proceed at once with the feverish diligence of the bee to examine straw after straw until he found the object of his search."

The power of the 5-hour rule: improvement rate

People who apply the five-hour rule in the world of work have an advantage. The idea of deliberate practice versus just working hard is often confused. Also, many professionals focus on productivity and efficiency, not improvement rate. As a result, just five hours of deliberate learning a week can set you apart.

Billionaire entrepreneur Marc Andreessen poignantly talked about improvement rate in a recent interview:

"I think the archetype/myth of the 22-year-old founder has been blown completely out of proportion … I think skill acquisition, literally the acquisition of skills and how to do things, is just dramatically underrated. People are overvaluing the value of just jumping into the deep-end of the pool, because like the reality is that people who jump into the deep end of the pool drown. Like, there's a reason why there are so many stories about Mark Zuckerberg. There aren't that many Mark Zuckerbergs. Most of them are still floating face down in the pool. And so, for most of us, it's a good idea to get skills."

Later in the interview he adds: "The really great CEOs, if you spend time with them, you would find this to be true of Mark [Zuckerberg] today or of any of the great CEOs of today or the past, they are really encyclopedic of their knowledge of how to run a company, and it's very hard to just intuit all of that in your early 20s. The path that makes much more sense for most people is to spend 5–10 years getting skills."

We should look at learning like we look at exercise

We need to move beyond the cliche, "Life-long learning is good," and think more deeply about what the minimum amount of learning the average person should do each day to have a sustainable and successful career.

Just as we have minimum recommended dosages of vitamins, steps each day, and aerobic exercise for leading a healthy life physically, we should be more rigorous about how we as an information society think about the minimum doses of deliberate learning for leading a healthy life economically.

The long-term effects of NOT learning are just as insidious as the long-term effects of not having a healthy lifestyle. The CEO of AT&T makes this point loud and clear in an interview with The New York Times; he says those who don't spend at least five to 10 hours a week learning online "will obsolete themselves with technology."

Interested in applying the 5-hour rule to your life?

Bottom line: The busiest, most successful people in the world find at least an hour to learn EVERY DAY. So can you!

There are just three steps you need to take to create your own learning ritual:

• Find the time for reading and learning even if you are really busy and overwhelmed.
• Stay consistent on using that 'found' time without procrastinating or falling prey to distraction.
• Increase the results you receive from each hour of learning by using proven hacks that      help you remember and apply what you learn.

Over the past three years, I've researched how top performers find the time, stay consistent, and get more results. There was too much information to fit in one article, so I spent dozens of hours and created a free masterclass to help you master your learning ritual, too. You can sign up for the free Learning How to Learn webinar here. 

This Medium story was originally published on Business Insider July 10, 2017.

• No matter who you're shopping for, you can't go wrong with smart home gifts. 
• To help you in your holiday shopping, we've rounded up the 29 best smart-home gifts. You'll find a wide variety of devices for all budgets and tastes. 
• If you need more gifting ideas, check out all of our 2019 holiday gift guides here.

Whether you're shopping for a geek or a tech newbie, smart home gifts are a great choice. You can gift something basic to introduce them to the concept of a smart home, or something more advanced to help them take their home automation to the next level. 

If you're looking to give the gift of a smart home this holiday season but aren't sure where to start, peruse this list to find the perfect purchase. We've got big names on here, such as the Nest Mini and Amazon Fire TV Stick, as well as quirkier fare, including a smart padlock and an app-controlled face mask. 

The best smart home gifts of 2019: 

• A Bluetooth tracker to keep tabs on your stuff, $25
• An affordable Amazon smart speaker, $34.99
• A 4K-ready streaming stick from Amazon, $49.99
• A dimmable Wi-Fi smart light bulb $59.98
• A smart hub by Google to control all of your devices, $79.99

Check out all the best smart home gifts of 2019:

An innovative smart board game

When in Rome Alexa Board Game, $10.90, available at Amazon

Anyone who has an Echo will love this board game, which is fun for both kids and adults. With Alexa as their tour guide, they'll take a tour around the world, answering global trivia questions and learning about many different countries. When in Rome's creators worked with natives of the many cities featured in this game to develop the trivia and record narration.

An affordable, effective smart camera

Wyze Cam, $24.49, available at Amazon

Don't let the low price fool you: This tiny security camera is one of the best that money can buy, and it makes a great stocking stuffer. It shoots 1080p video, which you can access from your phone, and will send an alert if it spots an intruder. 

A smart power strip

Wireless Smart Power Strip, $25.49, available at Monoprice

This power strip consists of four outlets and two USB ports which you can individually turn on and off, and automate using Alexa and Google Assistant. It can turn anything that's plugged into it into a smart device. 

A smart, switch-pressing robot

SwitchBot, $29, available at Amazon

Some devices can't just be automated with a smart plug because you need to push a button to turn them on. Enter the SwitchBot, an adorable button-pushing robot. Using Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, you can tell it to turn on your light switch, or press the "on" button on your fan, coffeemaker, air conditioner, or anything else.

A smart plug to automate almost anything

WeMo Mini, $29.99, available at Belkin

A smart plug makes a great stocking stuffer, and the WeMo Mini is one of the best you can buy. It has a compact design, and you can automate it with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit. 

An Amazon Echo that doubles as a clock

Echo Dot with Clock, $34.99, available at Amazon

Amazon's newest Echo Dot is an excellent gift. It's one of the best smart speakers around, it's just $35, and it won't take up much space on their nightstand or coffee table. It sounds great for such a small device, and your friend or relative will love playing around with Amazon Alexa. Also, it displays a handy LED clock.

A Tile for often misplaced items

Tile Pro, $25, available at Amazon

Gift this to someone who tends to lose their keys ... a lot. They can stick this tiny battery-powered device on their key ring and locate it, even if it's out of Bluetooth range, using a crowd-finding network drawing from other people's Tile devices. 

A mini smart speaker from Google

Google Nest Mini, $35, available at Best Buy

A Google Nest Mini is a great gift for a friend looking to get started on a smart home, or anyone who just wants a nice smart speaker. If your friend hasn't used a voice AI before, they'll love playing around with Google Assistant and discovering everything it can do.

A smart clock that can do much more

Smart Clock, $49.99, available at Lenovo

Google Assistant doesn't only come in speakers; it also comes in small alarm clocks with smart displays, including this one. The Google Assistant-equipped Lenovo Smart Clock uses a combination of lights and sounds to wake you up. You can choose from a number of different alarms and visual elements. 

A super-futuristic miniature grill

iGrill Mini, $31.38, available at Amazon

The iGrill is a must-gift for anyone who loves a barbecue. Let it know how you want your meat cooked, and you'll get a notification when your meal is ready.

A 4K-ready streaming stick from Amazon

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, $49.99, available at Amazon

You can't go wrong with the gift of a streaming stick. The Fire TV Stick 4K is one of the cheapest options out there, and it will allow your friend or relative to control their TV with Alexa (using the included voice remote) and access hundreds of streaming services, including Hulu, Netflix, HBO and (of course) Amazon Prime Video.

A smart padlock with a fingerprint scanner

Tapplock Lite, $59, available at Amazon

For anyone who goes to the gym, school, or anywhere else you need to place valuables in a locker, a smart padlock is a great present. You can unlock this one with just your fingerprint —no key or combination necessary.

A smart light bulb with dimmer support

Lifx A19, $59.98, available at The Home Depot

A smart light bulb is an excellent gift for someone who wants to try out a smart home, or who has cheaper smart bulbs but wants to upgrade. The Lifx A19 is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit, and the bulb can produce a number of cool lighting and color effects, such as flickering, strobing, and pulsing to match your music.

A smart home hub from Google with a display

Google Nest Hub, $79.99, available at Best Buy

This device is one of our favorite smart displays, and one of the cheaper ones you can buy. You can use its 7-inch screen to watch YouTube videos, follow along with recipes and other tutorials, or read song lyrics. You can also use it to control all of your Google Assistant-compatible smart devices.

A remote for all of your smart devices

Harmony 665, $69.99, available at Logitech

A universal remote can be a god-send for a smart-home owner who wants an easy way to control all their different devices. The Harmony 665 can control a number of tech products, including lights, plugs, smart locks, and even cable boxes, all in one easy place.

The original Google Home smart speaker

Google Home, $79.99, available at Best Buy

A Google Assistant speaker can introduce your friend or relative to the world of smart-home with a cute design, colorful lights, and excellent sound. For just $79.99, this is the best Google Assistant speaker you can buy. 

An Amazon smart display

Echo Show 8, $79.99, available at Amazon

Amazon makes a number of different Echo Show smart displays, from the $59.99 miniature Echo Show 5 to the full-sized, booming, $229.99 Echo Show 2nd-Gen. For gifting, I think the $79.99 Echo Show 8 is the best combination of price and quality. It sports most of the features of the larger Echo Show, including a bright 8-inch screen, a webcam, and (of course) built-in Amazon Alexa. You can use the touchscreen to watch videos, browse the internet, and control your smart-home devices, and can also use the camera to video chat.

A smart precision cooker for sous vide

Anova Nano Precision Cooker, $79, available at Amazon

Any chef, even one who's not too tech-savvy, will appreciate the gift of a smart sous vide. Just place your ingredients in a sealed container, drop the container into hot water with the Anova, and the device will do the rest — it's an easy way to fit cooking into a busy schedule.

A smart lighting starter kit with dimmer switches

Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Dimmer Switch Starter Kit, $99.95, available at The Home Depot

These are smart dimmer switches you can automate, or control remotely with Lutron's app or Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit. The prospect of swapping out your light switches for smart dimmers might be intimidating, but this starter kit has everything your friend or relative will need, and Lutron's smartphone app will guide them step-by-step through the process.

A smart lighting bulb kit

Philips Hue White Starter Kit, $99.99, available at Best Buy

Gift this to a friend who wants to equip a full apartment or house with smart lights. This kit includes four white bulbs, which you can control with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit, and a Philips Hue Bridge that connects them to your router. You can automate the bulbs with timers and schedules, and create gorgeous lighting effects. With the Philips Hue Sync feature, they can even sync up with the audio of your music, movies, or games.

A straight-up Amazon smart speaker

Amazon Echo 3rd-Gen, $79.99, available at Amazon

Amazon's Echo Dots are a cool gift, but if you're shopping at a higher price point, the Echo 3rd-Gen is a bigger smart speaker with a much deeper sound. It comes in five different colors, so you can purchase the one that best fits your friend's or relative's decor. 

A vanity mirror with Alexa

iHome Alexa Vanity Mirror, $99.99, available at Amazon

Gift this to any friend who enjoys makeup, hairstyling, or skin care. It's a vanity mirror with Alexa built in, and it will look great in any modern bathroom. They'll be able to easily play music, hear the traffic reports, or play around with Amazon's voice assistant while getting ready for the day.

A smart home-connected security kit

Ring Alarm Home Security Kit, $139.99

The home security kit from Ring includes a base station along with a keypad to control it, as well as motion detector, contact sensor and range extender. Altogether, this package will secure your loved one's home even when power is lost with a 24-hour battery backup.

A smart face mask for all occasions

Foreo UFO Smart Face Mask, $139.50, available at Foreo

Any beauty or skincare enthusiast will appreciate this smart face mask. Foreo makes a number of face masks for different occasions; there's one for nighttime, one for the morning, one customized for relaxation, and many more. Place one on the device and select the type in the Foreo app. The UFO will guide you through a customized application process that's super relaxing and feels great.

The absolute best-sounding Alexa speaker

Sonos One, $169, available at Sonos 

The Sonos One is the absolute best-sounding Alexa speaker you can buy, for anyone who wants truly premium audio. It's also a great gift for anyone who already has other Sonos speakers, as it will integrate with them for a multi-room audio experience.

A colorful smart light strip

Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Light strip, $179.97, available at The Home Depot

This gift will help a friend or relative add a splash of color and light to their house. You can place it under stairs, behind a TV, or under a desk, and it creates a very cool, almost futuristic effect. (If your recipient is confused, tell them to look at pictures online for ideas of where to put it).

A smart wall lighting kit

Nanoleaf Canvas Smarter Kit, $179, available at The Home Depot

The Nanoleaf Canvas is a truly customizable smart-home gift. It comes with nine smart LED panels, which your friend or relative can stick on their wall in any pattern they please. Together, the panels can display hundreds of color schemes, and create truly stunning effects; they can flicker, strobe, cycle, sync to your music, and more. There are even some cute games built in.

A smart doorbell with video recording

Ring Video Doorbell 2, $129, available at Best Buy

Video doorbells might sound weird to give as a gift, but this one makes a perfect present because there's nothing intimidating about the setup process — it's entirely battery-powered, so your friend doesn't need to fiddle with any wires, and they can stick it onto their door in about five minutes. You can monitor the ring's 1080p video feed from your smartphone, and it can send an alert when someone approaches the door. 

A smart vacuum with smartphone support

Shark Ion R85, $249.98, available at Amazon

Many people think of robot vacuums as a luxury purchase, but this is one of the best ones you can buy and it's only $199.99. The R85 can suck up pet hair, crumbs, dust, and anything else it might find on your floor, and is easy to set up and control with the connected smartphone app. 

• A pair of camouflage Crocs was Google's top trending shoe search of 2019, according to its annual Year in Search.
• The shoes were made from a collaboration with country singer Luke Combs. They are currently sold out.
• Crocs tied for seventh place as the most preferred footwear brand among teens in Piper Jaffray's biannual survey, up from 13th place last year.
• Sign up for Business Insider's retail newsletter, The Drive-Thru.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

It's 2019 and people are finally coming around to Crocs.

According to Google's annual Year in Search, the top trending search in the shoe category was "Luke Combs Crocs," a pair of camouflage Crocs that were born of the second collaboration between the country singer Luke Combs and the controversial footwear brand.

"Post Malone crocs" was the eighth top trending search in the shoe category. 

"I love Crocs because you get to be who you are," said Comb, a CMA Award-winning singer and songwriter who has collaborated on two different Crocs designs that both sold out. "These are very me and I hope people enjoy them, especially my fans, 'cause these LC2's are awesome."

Crocs weren't always in good favor with the public eye. The first pair of Crocs debuted in 2002, but it wasn't until recently that the company went from being a brand that everyone loves to hate to a salient and almost likable feature in mainstream footwear culture.

Crocs tied for seventh place as the most preferred footwear brand among teens in Piper Jaffray's biannual survey, up from 13th place last year. The company has sold more than 300 million pairs of shoes since 2002 and recently reported a 14% revenue increase in its second quarter.

The Luke Combs Crocs feature a bottle opener on the side and were released on November 14 with a suggest price of $60 at retail.

Here's how a country music singer partnered with Crocs to release the top trending shoe of 2019:

SEE ALSO: I hated Crocs more than anyone, but just one store visit made me understand why teens love the brand

Luke Combs is a CMA Award-winning singer and songwriter who has said that he enjoys wearing Crocs.

Source: Kix921.com

After Crocs saw Combs sporting a pair of Post Malone Crocs online, the company reached out to him and the collaboration was ignited.

Source: Kix921.com

Crocs and Combs released their first pair in June. The shoes, which were only available at the CMA Fest in downtown Nashville, sold out in minutes.

Source: Footwear News, Footwear News

"I've worn Crocs for a long time and no one loves them as much as me," Combs told Footwear News about the first collaboration. "So getting the chance to design my own pair of the Classic Clog is cool as hell."

Source: Footwear News

The singer's second pair of Crocs was hunter-themed. It was released in November and it also sold out.

Source: Footwear News, Crocs

The shoes featured a bottle opener on the strap.

"Hard to believe, but I like these Crocs even more than my first," Combs said. "I mean, a working bottle opener on your camo and orange shoe? I'm in."

Whether it was because of the hyped-up nature of the collaboration or the unique design elements, these Crocs were the top trending search in the shoe category for Google in 2019.

Read the complete list of the top trending shoe searches from Google:

• Luke Combs Crocs
• Yeezy 350 v2
• Airforce 1 shoes
• Nike Air Max 720
• Adidas Game of Thrones
• Betsy Ross shoes
• Jesus shoes
• Post Malone Crocs
• Spongebob shoes
• Kawhi Leonard shoes

• The billionaire Reimann family, which owns JAB Holding Company, says it's donating more than $11 million to charity after uncovering the extent of its ancestors' Nazi activity.
• JAB Holding owns brands including Keurig, Panera, Krispy Kreme, and Pret a Manger.
• The company has become a massive player in the coffee, snack, and sandwich industry over the last decade. 
• Sign up for Business Insider's retail newsletter, The Drive-Thru, to get more stories like this in your inbox.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The family behind the company that owns Krispy Kreme, Caribou Coffee, and Panera Bread is donating another $5.5 million in attempts to atone for its ancestors' Nazi past.

JAB Holding, the investment arm of the secretive Reimann family, acquired Krispy Kreme for roughly $1.35 billion in 2016. Since then, JAB has acquired brands including Panera, Au Bon Pain, and Pret a Manger.

On Thursday, the Reimann family — through their new humanitarian arm, the Alfred Landecker Foundation — announced they would be donating $5.5 million to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany. 

"We are delighted to partner with the world-respected Claims Conference to help realize our much-needed financial commitment to survivors of the Holocaust," David Kamenetzky, who is the chair of the Alfred Landecker Foundation, said in a statement. 

Kamenetzky continued: "This also marks a significant step for the Alfred Landecker Foundation and our ambition of researching and remembering the atrocities of the Holocaust, as well as providing humanitarian assistance for survivors of the Holocaust and former forced labor in World War II." 

According to The Associated Press, Bild, Germany's largest newspaper, reported in March that it had uncovered documents that revealed Albert Reimann Sr. and Albert Reimann Jr. were supporters of the Nazi party and that during World War II they used Russian civilians and French prisoners of war as forced laborers.

"There is nothing to gloss over. These crimes are disgusting," Peter Harf, a representative for the family, told Bild, according to the AP. A JAB representative told Business Insider that the donation was decided in late January, before the Bild report, and that the family did not have any further comment.

When Albert Reimann Sr. was in control of JAB, the company was focused on industrial chemicals. In recent years, however, the holding company has acquired some of the biggest names in food and beverage.

Here's the story of the firm.

SEE ALSO: Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz comes out against Elizabeth Warren's plan to break up tech giants like Amazon

JAB acquired Peet's Coffee and Tea in 2012.

JAB Holding acquired Peet's back in 2012 for about $1 billion.

It then did a deal for Caribou Coffee.

JAB also runs Caribou Coffee Co., which it acquired in 2013 for $340 million. Caribou Coffee is based in Minnesota.

Next up was D.E Master Blenders 1753.

JAB struck a deal in 2013 to buy D.E. Master Blenders 1753, which had been spun out of Sara Lee Corp. a year earlier, for $9.8 billion.

Then it struck a big deal in 2014 to create Jacobs Douwe Egberts, which owns brands including Kenco, Tassimo, Senseo, and Moccona.

The biggest brand under JAB's umbrella is Jacobs Douwe Egberts, the world's biggest coffee company, which has revenues totaling more than 5 billion euros. That entity was formed as a result of a merger between another JAB brand and Mondelez International coffee products, which closed earlier this year. Mondelez maintains a 44% stake in the combined company.

JAB Holding bought Einstein Bros.' parent company in 2014.

JAB also bought Einstein Noah, a Colorado-based bagel company, in a $370 million deal. Einstein Noah was founded in 1995 and was operating more than 850 US stores at the time of the sale.

It also acquired the leading Nordic coffee retailer.

JAB reached a deal worth more than $300 million to buy Espresso House, the leading coffee chain in Sweden and Norway, in 2015.

JAB-owned Peet's Coffee and Tea has gone on a buying spree.

Peet's has since gone on a buying spree, picking up two US brands — Intelligentsia and Stumptown — in 2016. They are based in Chicago and Portland, Oregon.

JAB's holdings don't stop there, either.

JAB also has investments in top European brands, including Marcilla Professional, Pickwick, and Friele, to name a few. The company also owns the leading makers of high-end brewing products.

In 2015, news broke that JAB was planning to acquire Keurig.

That December, JAB announced plans to buy Keurig for about $13.9 billion.

It added Krispy Kreme to the mix in 2016.

JAB and its partners spent about $1.35 billion to buy Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. 

Panera was a big-name purchase.

Panera's then-CEO, Ron Shaich, said the acquisition — announced in 2017— allowed Panera to focus more on long-term success as opposed to short-term sales. 

Panera then acquired its sandwich rival Au Bon Pain.

The two brands have strikingly similar menus, selling sandwiches, salads, soups, and coffee with an emphasis on nutrition that many fast-food competitors do not have. 

Shaich told Business Insider it was "too early" to say how the acquisition would affect Au Bon Pain locations. It is unclear whether the brands will remain separate or whether Au Bon Pain locations will adopt aspects of Panera's brand — or even be revamped as Panera locations. 

In May, JAB agreed to a deal to buy Pret A Manger.

Pret has been rapidly building out its international presence, opening locations in the US, Hong Kong and China, and France, adding to its already strong presence in the UK. 

"Management's proven track record and commitment to customer service, investment in innovation and approach to freshly prepared food position Pret well as it capitalizes on evolving customer taste and lifestyle preferences," Olivier Goudet, JAB's CEO, said in a statement. 

Insomnia Cookies joined the empire thanks to a deal with Krispy Kreme.

The terms of the deal were not announced, though a source told CNBC that the then-unannounced deal would value Insomnia Cookies at less than $500 million.

"At Krispy Kreme, we have an 81-year heritage of creating the most awesome doughnut experience imaginable, and today we are delighted to add Insomnia Cookies, a rapidly growing business with an innovative delivery experience and exceptional product that is beloved by consumers," Mike Tattersfield, Krispy Kreme's CEO, said in a statement.

Here is a breakdown of the chains that JAB owns:

Core is one of the latest beverage brands to come under JAB's control.

Core is best known for its bottled water brand, Core Hydration, and fruit hydration brand, Core Organic. 

Frank Chaparro, Jonathan Marino, and Rachel Butt contributed to earlier versions of this post. 

• Tech workers come to Silicon Valley in droves with dreams of working for one of the world's biggest tech companies, like Google or Apple — or with hopes of founding their own.
• Such a position entails a comfortable salary, but having a tech salary in the nation's most competitive real estate market doesn't always promise a life of luxury.
• Here's what working in Silicon Valley's tech sphere really looks like.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The dream of working for one of Silicon Valley's many tech behemoths, along with the luxuries such a six-figure salary would afford, has resulted in droves of engineering degree-toting techies coming to the Bay Area.

Though, in reality, earning a tech salary is not all it's cracked up to be.

In one of the nation's most competitive real estate markets, it can be next to impossible to find affordable living accommodations. The housing crisis has left thousands struggling and has done nothing to help the city's homelessness epidemic.

It costs $3,550 on average for a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco. That means when the average starting tech salary of $91,738 is taken into account, some techies are shelling out a good portion of their paycheck solely on rent.

And when it's time for those tech workers to buy a home, forget it: A 2018 study found that 60% of them felt they couldn't afford one.

That's all before factoring in other lofty expenses in the city, like $7 bacon strips.

From fraternity house-style "hacker houses" to sleeping in a Google parking lot, here's what a tech salary in the "Tech Capital of the World" looks like.

SEE ALSO: Silicon Valley's housing crisis is so dire that this 897-square-foot Palo Alto home is selling for $2.59 million — take a look inside

Because of a housing shortage in the Bay Area, the high demand for living accommodations has sent real estate values skyrocketing.

And the region's behemoth tech companies aren't slowing down on talent recruitment. Engineers are constantly pouring in.

Many arrive viewing their new lives through rose-colored glasses, holding high expectations of what a tech salary will look.

Fancy cars, colossal homes, and a more-than-comfortable lifestyle fill their minds.

The reality is often much different than what they expected.

The biggest wake-up call? The astronomically priced rent.

They end up spending a good portion of their salary purely on rent, leaving little else to cover the other outrageous expenses in the city.

Source: RENTcafe and SF Gate

And so tech workers, both seasoned and newly minted, have had to get creative with how they can outsmart the city's notoriously absurd rental costs.

Like the people behind the Negev, a communal-living organization that houses tech workers in San Francisco.

Source: Business Insider

It's one of many communal spaces in the city designed to help techies circumvent the housing shortage and high rent. The home offers 50 rooms across three floors.

Source: Reuters

Many Negev residents sleep in bunk beds and shell out $1,900 a month to live here.

Source: Reuters

The tenants are software engineers, UI designers, operations analysts, or virtual-reality engineers, and most are under age 30.

Source: Business Insider

There's also a social element to the Negev. Residents are encouraged to bounce ideas off one another and to code and create apps.

Source: Business Insider

Zandar Dejah, left, told Reuters that it's "basically an extension of college. We sort of live in a frat house."

Source: Business Insider

Every Sunday there's a communal dinner for housemates, and on the weekend the house hosts parties.

Source: Reuters

As convenient as it is for its occupants, the home has been criticized for depriving natives of affordable housing.

Source: Reuters

But many young tech workers can't afford conventional housing ...

... especially if they have a family.

Source: Exploring Alternatives

Micah, along with his wife, Jana, and their son, moved to the Bay Area to pursue a tech career.

Source: Exploring Alternatives

To avoid the city's steep rental costs, they had a tiny house built for their family of three in Texas and lugged it out to California.

Source: Exploring Alternatives

The next step was finding a place to park it ...

Source: Exploring Alternatives

So they teamed up with a family who allowed them to post up in their RV pad, for a fee.

Source: Exploring Alternatives

They used an extension cord to stay hooked up to the house for power, and they also kept a generator outside for when they wanted to use the air conditioner or washer and dryer.

Source: Exploring Alternatives

They also kept solar panels in the yard for extra power.

Source: Exploring Alternatives

The pint-sized abode had everything the family needed.

Source: Exploring Alternatives

There was a washer and dryer in the bathroom.

Source: Exploring Alternatives

Guests were educated on proper toilet use with a handy cheat sheet on the windowsill.

Source: Exploring Alternatives

And there was a fold-down table for eating.

Source: Exploring Alternatives

The couple had a lofted sleeping nook.

Source: Exploring Alternatives

Their tiny house was squeezed alongside another family's home.

Source: Exploring Alternatives

The D'Andreas are also parents ...

Source: Tech Insider

Like Micah and Jana, they're accustomed to the small-living lifestyle.

Tech Insider got a tour of their home in 2016.

Source: Tech Insider

Googler Pete D'Andrea ...

Source: Tech Insider

And his wife, Kara, shelled out $1,900 for a Winnebago van and moved to Silicon Valley from Chicago when Pete snagged a job with one of Google's self-driving-car teams.

Source: Tech Insider

They parked their mobile digs in the Google parking lot and lived there for a year and a half to two years (before having their daughter,) putting 80% of their income into savings.

Source: Tech Insider

An upraised Ikea twin mattress served as their bed ...

Source: Tech Insider

And a small compartment opened up to a toilet, sink, and shower.

Source: Tech Insider

The sink pulls out from the wall.

Source: Tech Insider

The couple kept a mini fridge in their small kitchen ...

Source: Tech Insider

And there was a stovetop for cooking.

Source: Tech Insider

To maximize space, they placed a cutting board over the sink for when they're not using it.

Source: Tech Insider

Kara knows it's not an ideal set-up, but she didn't mind in the least.

Source: Tech Insider

“I think a lot of people think this is like the antithesis of comfortable, but I actually really loved it,” Jana told Tech Insider in 2016. “I was really happy.”

Source: Tech Insider

They saved up enough to put a down payment on a house. Seven months after moving into it, they got a dog, four cats, and three chickens. That was also when their daughter was born.

Source: Tech Insider

As for their van, they'll hang on to it and use it for traveling. Pete told Tech Insider that he sees plenty of other vans parked in the parking lot at Google. "We're not the only ones," he said.

Source: Tech Insider

• Read more:
• 15 modest-sized houses in San Francisco with huge price tags
• Silicon Valley's newest startup trend? Shoeless office policies.
• Inside drone startup Skydio's Silicon Valley offices, where it tests the autonomous gadgets using leaf blowers
• These are the 6 tips for starting a successful company in Silicon Valley — and they're surprisingly basic

• This year Hanukkah begins on December 22 and ends on December 30. If you or someone you know is celebrating, you'll probably need to find a gift to give over the course of the eight nights.
• We rounded up the best Hanukkah gifts that anyone on your list will love, from techy gadgets to party games and classy cookware. 
• Keep reading for 27 Hanukkah gifts anyone will love. Check out all of our 2019 holiday gift ideas here.
• Don't wait too long to order your gifts, though, since holiday shipping deadlines are coming up. See Amazon's holiday shipping deadlines here. 

If you've ever heard Adam Sandler's festive anthem "The Chanukah Song," you know that "instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights." 

While the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah isn't rooted in gifting, it's become commonplace to give gifts over the course of the holiday. Some may choose to give and receive gifts on all eight nights while others may choose to do just one; some may have traditions of giving lots of small, stocking stuffer-like trinkets, while others may gift big-ticket items. There's no right or wrong way to go about Hanukkah gifting, but with the holiday right around the corner, now is a good time to think about what you're going to give those in your life who celebrate. 

To make it easy, we rounded 27 Hanukkah gifts that work for everyone on your list. From luxury beauty products they can take on their next vacation to fun games that'll add excitement to their holiday parties, we've got you covered with plenty of gift ideas.

The top 5 best Hanukkah gifts:

1. A Hanukkah-scented Homesick candle
2. A menorah shaped like a dinosaur
3. A cozy cashmere sweater from Naadam
4. A funny T-shirt inspired by their favorite Jewish foods
5. A duo of unisex luxury fragrances

Keep reading for 27 of the best Hanukkah gifts anyone will be happy to receive:

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

A candle inspired by holiday delicacies

Homesick Hanukkah Candle, available at Homesick, $29.95

Layered with notes of butter, apple, and potato, this candle will take them back to Hanukkah parties spent celebrating with loved ones, with fresh potato latkes and jelly doughnuts frying. If you want to add some humor, go for the Jewish Christmas option instead. Notes of butter, popcorn, and clove will remind them of their favorite Christmas Eve tradition— Chinese food and a movie — every time they light the candle. 

A set of high-quality olive oils

The Alive Duo, available at Brightland, preorder for $74

The fresh flavors of Brightland's quality olive oils are perfect for frying up some latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), and all of the other dishes they enjoy year-round. 

A fun menorah

Dinosaur Menorah, available at Etsy, $39

You can't go wrong with some Judaica, especially when it's as fun as this menorah shaped like a dinosaur. In the off-season, it makes for a cute piece of decor. 

A cocktail recipe book filled with holiday-inspired beverages

Gather Around Holiday Cocktail Recipes, available at Uncommon Goods, $14

Filled with all sorts of unique recipes inspired by a range of holidays, this recipe book will spur their cocktail creativity. A "Liquid Latke" drink and a menorah filled with shots of rum are just a few of the beverages perfect for their Hanukkah party. 

A mini waffle maker

Dash Mini Waffle Maker, available at Amazon, $9.99

Revive leftover latkes with this compact waffle maker. They can just put them in for a few minutes for a crispy, crunchy, potato waffle. And, they can use it for real waffles too. 

A retro-looking wireless speaker

Marshall Stockwell II Portable Speaker, available at Amazon, $179.95

Vintage aesthetics paired with modern technology make this a unique piece that looks and sounds great. It's small enough to take on the go, a single charge has over 20 hours of playback, and it's water-resistant, making it a nice addition to pool parties, picnics, and all kinds of activities. 

A hilarious game for holiday parties

What Do You Meme?, available at Amazon, $29.99

The holidays mean lots of time spent with family and friends. Give them a fun card game that's sure to provide ample laughs — they'll be the holiday party hero. 

Sustainable and affordable cashmere

Essential Cashmere Sweater, available at Naadam, $75

At just $75, Naadam's Essential Cashmere Sweater is a luxury that won't break the bank. Naadam calls the sweater "heavenly soft" and Insider Picks reporter Mara Leighton agrees, making this a cozy piece anyone will love to receive. 

A plush blanket for cold nights

Nordstrom at Home Kennebunk Bliss Plush Throw, available at Nordstrom, $39.50

Nothing says holidays like cuddling up by the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate and some cozy accessories to keep them warm. This plush throw is the perfect addition to their cold-weather rituals. 

A comfortable travel pillow

Trtl Pillow, available at Amazon, $25.49

Do they have a holiday vacation planned? If so, they'll appreciate this smart travel pillow. Small and compact, the Trtl Pillow wraps around their neck like a scarf but provides serious support, so they can actually get some sleep on the go. 

A great read

"Educated" by Tara Westover, available at Amazon, $13.99

Give them a page-turner to add some excitement to their holiday vacation. "Educated" has received consistent praise, but there are plenty of other great books you can find on Amazon whether you want to go with a hardcover, paperback, Kindle, or audiobook version. 

A small smart speaker

Echo Dot (3rd generation), available at Amazon, $24.99 (originally $49.99)

Whether they're tech experts or novices, they'll love the small but mighty Echo Dot. It's a great speaker for its size, and they can use it to create a smart home system or add to their pre-existing setup. 

A stylish and practical desk accessory

Smartphone Valet & Planter, available at Uncommon Goods, $60

This ceramic phone dock is an elegant way to keep their important tech within arm's reach while they work. The vase can be used to add some greenery to their desk, or to store pens, pencils, and other small office goods. 

A Disney+ subscription

Subscribe for $6.99/month or $69.99/year

It gives you unlimited access to movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and 20th Century Fox, and costs just $6.99 a month or $69.99 a year after a free seven-day trial. Read everything there is to know about Disney+ over here.

And if you need some binge-spiration, here are all the new movies available to stream.

A really nice water bottle

Hydro Flask 32-ounce Wide Mouth Bottle, available at Amazon, $39.95

Hydro Flask's signature double-wall vacuum insulation will keep their hot beverages hot and their cold ones cold for hours. With 18-, 32-, 40-, and 64-ounce options, there's a right size of this trending water bottle for everyone. 

A camera that makes instant memories

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera, available at Amazon, from $54.59

Smartphones may have taken away the need for cameras for the most part, but there's still something fun about getting to snap pictures on a camera and watch them develop. With this small Fujifilm instant camera, they can snap away and get their physical prints on the spot. 

Nice socks that give back

Bombas Socks, available at Bombas, from $10.50

Socks are an underrated, but seriously important part of any wardrobe. Bombas has mastered the art of the sock with its thoughtful details and design. While pricier than most socks, for every pair of Bombas sold, the brand donates a pair to a homeless shelter — something you can feel good about, especially over the holiday season. 

A convenient port that takes away the pain points of charging electronics

Elago 3-in-1 Charging Hub, available at Amazon, $24.99

Three devices, but just one outlet? That's no longer an issue with this charging hub, which has enough room for all of their most-used electronics. 

A custom reel viewer filled with their favorite memories

Create Your Own Reel Viewer, available at Uncommon Goods, from $14.95

The ultimate in nostalgia, this grown-up version of the classic reel viewer makes a sweet, personal gift. Fill the reel with snapshots of their favorite memories that they'll love to flip through for years to come. 

A unique cooking kit

Make Your Own Hot Sauce Kit, available at Uncommon Goods, $35

Give them the chance to create their own condiments with this hot-sauce-making kit. It's filled with bottles, labels, and all the special ingredients they need to make the spicy sauces. 

A travel set of luxe scents

Le Labo Fragrance Discovery Set, available at Nordstrom, $85

This limited edition set from Nordstrom features four of Le Labo's most popular unisex scents in travel sizes made for when you need a fresh scent on the go. 

Shirts inspired by their favorite Jewish foods

Boots Tees Hanukkah Shirts, available at Etsy, from $22.95

Ugly Christmas sweaters get most of the spotlight around the holidays, but these funny tees are a great Hanukkah-appropriate alternative. The shirts are inspired by beloved Jewish dishes, like brisket, challah, and matzo balls, and are sure to give them a laugh. 

A small gadget that cooks eggs quickly

Dash Rapid Egg Cooker, available at Amazon, $14.99

Whether they like their eggs poached, boiled, scrambled, or in omelet form, egg lovers can make their favorite preparations with this small gadget. All they have to do is choose their preparation, set the timer, and their breakfast will be ready in a flash. 

Cookware inspired by their favorite film

Le Creuset Mini Round Cocotte Set, available for pre-order at Williams Sonoma, $90

The highly anticipated Le Creuset x Star Wars collection is set to debut on November 1. These mini dishes are perfect for baking and serving individual portions, plus they're adorned with designs inspired by their favorite Star Wars characters. 

Relaxing and detoxifying bath salts

Herbivore Botanicals Natural Soaking Bath Salts, available at Amazon, $18

Who doesn't love to relax? These calming bath salts make a great gift for anyone on your list. Inside there's vanilla, ylang ylang essential oil, and Himalayan pink salt crystals, which will soothe the body and flood the room with a calming scent. 

A journal they'll use for years to come

One Line a Day Journal, available at Amazon, $10.13

This little journal will eventually hold five year's worth of memories. Each date in the diary has five blank spaces (one for each year) that they can fill with random musings, ideas, and memories. Even after five years pass, this will be a fun keepsake they can look back at. 

An armband that keeps their important belongings safe while they run

Tribe Water Resistant Armband Case, available at Amazon, $10.98

Runners and fitness enthusiasts will appreciate this practical gift. The armband keeps their important things like a phone and set of house keys nearby and secure. Plus, it can fit just about any phone. 

Looking for more gift ideas? We've got you covered.

• Our master list of every gift guide you'll ever need
• 50 creative gift ideas under $25
• 50 thoughtful gift ideas under $50
• 76 clever gift ideas under $100
• 44 cool stocking stuffers on Amazon
• 26 affordable tech gifts under $25
• 51 thoughtful gifts for her, all under $50
• 65 cool gifts for him on Amazon

• Some celebrities look totally different after undergoing a major hair transformation.
• Stars like Kim Kardashian West and Selena Gomez are no strangers to switching up their hairstyles.
• Others like Kate Hudson and Alexander Skarsgård have changed their hair for movie roles.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

There's nothing like a new hairstyle to completely overhaul your look, and celebrities are the masters of flawlessly switching up their appearance. 

Celebrities like Kim Kardashian West and Justin Bieber prove that sometimes a simple new hair color can be enough to make a total transformation, while others like Miley Cyrus and Keke Palmer take a more drastic approach that leaves an even bigger impression. Then there are actors like Alexander Skarsgård and Kate Hudson who make drastic changes to their hair to get into character for their latest roles.

Here are 26 celebrities who look completely different after changing up their hair.

Kim Kardashian West committed to a silvery blonde shade for months.

Kardashian West proved that a fresh color can give your hair a whole new life. She dyed her hair an icy shade of blonde in September 2017 and it completely transformed her look.

Read more:27 photos that show how Kim Kardashian's hair and makeup have changed over the years
 

Kate Gosselin looks like a different person with long hair.

Kate Gosselin's original "I'd like to speak to the manager" cut is practically iconic, but her newly long, flowing locks are even better.

Lena Dunham's shoulder-length hair revamps her entire look.

Lena Dunham has become known for shorter hairstyles ever since rising to prominence with her show "Girls," but she looks equally great with shoulder-length hair paired with some blunt bangs.

Amber Rose is unrecognizable with longer brunette waves.

Amber Rose is typically known for her shaved style, so the rare times she experiments with longer hair bring an unexpected but stunning twist on her look.

Robin Thicke hasn't always had short hair.

Before he became a star with his mega-hit "Blurred Lines," Robin Thicke used to look almost unrecognizable with long, shoulder-length hair.

Kathy Griffin shaved her locks in solidarity with her sister.

Kathy Griffin had one of the biggest controversies of 2017 when she posed with a fake bloody Donald Trump mask, and she followed that up with a drastic new hair change. She shaved her hair in support of her sister who was undergoing chemotherapy.

Kate Hudson traded in her long locks for dramatically shorter hair.

Kate Hudson shocked everyone when she shaved off her long locks while filming a project with singer Sia in July 2017. She proved she can make any hairstyle look good, especially as it started to grow back into this super chic pixie cut.

Katy Perry had a big chop that totally changed the way she looks.

Katy Perry is no stranger to switching up her look, but this short pixie cut is her most drastic change to date. She opened up about her decision to change her hair during a 24-hour live stream to promote her album "Witness."

Britney Spears looks different as a brunette.

She's known for her signature blonde locks, but Britney Spears is actually a natural brunette. That's probably why her darker color looked like a perfect fit when she surprised everyone with a new hue in February 2013.

You probably forgot that Justin Timberlake looked like this.

Justin Timberlake cut his curly locks for a shaved buzzcut when he kicked off his solo career, and the transformation has become his signature look. However, his tiny curls will forever be seen as a signature style of the '90s.

Kristen Stewart chopped off her hair, and went from brunette to blonde.

Kristen Stewart shocked everyone when she traded her brunette locks for a blonde buzzcut while preparing for an upcoming movie, but the "Twilight" star effortlessly pulled it off.

Zoë Kravitz looks like a whole other person without her blonde braids.

Zoë Kravitz can rock basically any hairstyle, and her sleek, spiky 'do from September 2017 was a chic way to switch up her look.

Alexander Skarsgård made an impression when he shaved part of his head.

Alexander Skarsgård left the internet divided when he shaved the top of his head in October 2017. Some people mocked his newly bald look, while others thought he would look good no matter what he did to his hair.

Keke Palmer went for a colorful, cropped hairdo.

Keke Palmer made a bold choice by not only shaving her head, but dying it a vibrant shade of purple — and it clearly payed off.

Emma Stone lightened up her look with a Hollywood shade of blonde.

Emma Stone is typically known for her red hair, but she looked almost unrecognizable when she opted for a shade of light blonde.

Selena Gomez is a hair chameleon.

2017 was the year of massive hair transformations for Selena Gomez, who experimented with two wildly different looks. She started by chopping her long locks off into a lob before dying it a lovely shade of blonde later in the year.

Justin Bieber went for brighter blonde, side-swept hair.

Justin Bieber is another example of how a different hair color can completely change your appearance. He dyed his hair blonde during his 2015 comeback and it added a nice edge to his look.

Katie Holmes ditched her lob for a pixie cut.

Katie Holmes chopped off her signature shoulder-length hair for a shorter cut that still perfectly frames her face, and it makes her look very different from her "Dawson's Creek" days.

Miley Cyrus had long, reddish-brown locks before she went short and blonde.

Miley Cyrus kicked off her post-Disney career by chopping off the long hair of her "Hannah Montana" days in favor of a blonde pixie cut.

Khloe Kardashian alternates between wearing hair extensions and rocking short hair.

Khloe Kardashian's light blonde lob brought a sophisticated edge to the new mom's look.

Colin Farrell's longer hair makes him look wildly different.

Colin Farrell tends to go back and forth between short and shoulder-length hair, and both cuts completely transform his look.

Cara Delevingne switched up the length and color of her hair.

Cara Delevingne shaved her hair in early 2017 while filming a movie, and she looks almost completely unrecognizable now that it's grown out into a super short pixie cut.

Emma Watson has changed up her look a fair amount over the last few years.

Emma Watson made it clear that she is very different from her character Hermione Granger when she chopped her hair into a short pixie cut. She's also recently experimented with some baby bangs, helping kick off one of the biggest hair trends of 2018 so far.

Keanu Reeves may have had a less obvious transformation, but ditching his bangs changes his face shape.

Keanu Reeves' transformation is another example of a simple trim completely changing someone's look. His shorter hair adds a classic, clean-cut style, while his shaggy cut has a bit more of an edge.

Daisy Ridley looks totally different with curls.

The "Star Wars" actress walked the red carpet in March with a curly auburn 'do, and the subtle change makes her look like a new person.

Hayden Panettiere drastically switched up her look with a dark blonde pixie cut.

Hayden Panettiere is typically seen with long blonde locks, but after a nearly 10-month social-media hiatus, she marked her return to Twitter with a selfie that showed off her new pixie cut. 

• Some of the Baby Yoda toys you've been searching for are finally here.
• Two Funko figures, a stuffed animal from Mattel, and a puzzle were officially announced by Disney and are available for pre-sale on shopDisney.com. They won't start shipping until February 2020.
• Hasbro announced a handful of more toys on Thursday.
• More products from Lego and more centered around the character will be available starting in 2020.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Baby Yoda toys are finally available to pre-order!

Disney announced two Funko figures and a stuffed animal of the popular character from "The Mandalorian" TV series are now available on shopDisney.com in early December. Thursday, Hasbro announced four more toys that will be released spring 2020.

"We're excited to release new products for pre-order on shopDisney.com, and are continuing to work closely with our licensees and retailers to roll out additional items including toys, collectibles, plush, games, apparel and more, allowing fans to celebrate the newest addition to 'Star Wars,'" said Lucasfilm's senior vice president of licensing and franchise, Paul Southern, to Insider in a statement.

Until now, fans were able to purchase shirts and mugs featuring the 50-year-old creature, who's officially referred to as "The Child" for right now and has won over the hearts of "Star Wars" fans.

Though Funkos and stuffed animals are currently available for pre-sale, don't expect them in time for the holidays. According to Disney, the Funko and plush figures will start shipping in February 2020. Disney and Walmart's websites suggest the items may not arrive until April or May.

Those won't be the only items available based on the popular "Star Wars" character. More products from Lego, shopDisney.com, and more will be available starting in the new year. Keep reading to see what Baby Yoda toys you can pre-order right now.

Hasbro's 7.5-inch plush makes 10 different sounds when you squeeze him.

The arms on the Child plush are posable so you can re-enact the scene of Baby Yoda trying to use the Force. If you squeeze the little guy, he'll talk, making one of 10 phrases from the show. The stuffed animal comes with his bone broth bowl and a frog.

Price: $24.99
Ages: 3+
Available: spring 2020
Where to find it:Hasbro Pulse, Target, Amazon

This is Hasbro's official Black Series action figure of the character.

Similar to other Black Series figures, the Child has multiple points of articulation. Recreate the sipping tea meme with his little broth bowl or have him hold the Mandalorian's joystick knob.

Price: $9.99
Ages: 4+
Available: spring 2020
Where to find it:Hasbro Pulse, Target, Amazon

Hasbro is also releasing a 6.5-inch figure of the Child.

The detailed figure will have several points of articulation so you can pose the character as you please.

Price: $19.99
Ages: 4+
Available: spring 2020
Where to find it:Hasbro Pulse, Target, Amazon

Hasbro will also have six miniature 2.25-inch action figures.

Hasbro's bounty collection shows the tiny character in six poses inspired by popular moments from "The Mandalorian," including the sipping soup meme and the moment the little guy ate a frog. 

Price: $7.99 each, you can pre-order two packs for $15.99
Ages: 4+
Available: spring 2020
Where to find the sipping soup set: Hasbro Pulse, Amazon
Where to find the frog set:Hasbro Pulse, Amazon
Where to find the joystick ball set:Hasbro Pulse, Amazon

Funko is releasing a Pop! Bobblehead figure of the little alien.

Funko's signature black eyes lend themselves perfectly to the little Yoda character. The sack he wears looks a little more stylized here with a zipper. The item is limited to one per customer.

Price: $8.99-$12.99
Ages: 3+
Where to find it:shopDisney.com, Target, Walmart

A second Funko figure is larger, standing at 10 inches.

This large vinyl figure is also a bobblehead.

Price: $29.99
Ages: 3+
Where to find it:shopDisney.com, Target, Walmart

Mattel is releasing the first plush of the character.

The 11-inch plush has a soft body with a bean-filled base. You'll be able to turn its vinyl head manually. The fabric robes are not removable. The character will come in special packaging resembling his crib on the show.

Price: $24.99
Ages: 3+
Where to find it:shopDisney.com, Target

Buffalo Games has a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle featuring the little guy that comes with a poster.

It would make a nice piece of art to frame once finished.

Price: $10.99
Ages: 14+
Where to find it:Amazon

• Business Insider teamed up with Jonathan Miller, the president and CEO of the real estate and consulting firm Miller Samuel Inc., to gather a list of the 15 most expensive home sales the US has seen since December of 2009.
• Home sales on the list include single-family homes and condos and range from $99 million to nearly $240 million.
• The most recent home to make the list is the Chartwell Estate in Los Angeles, which sold for a jaw-dropping $150 million in December of 2019, making it the second-most expensive home ever sold in the US.
• Of the 15 homes that made the list, 14 are located in either Florida, New York, or California. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. 

The US has long been home to jaw-dropping real estate with expensive price tags.

Jonathan Miller, the president and CEO of real estate and consulting firm Miller Samuel Inc., has spent the past few years compiling all the sales of single-family homes and condos at or above $50 million in the US.

He's shared that information with Business Insider so that we could round up the 15 most expensive residential sales the country has seen over the past 10 years.

From a number of $100 million mansions to one nearly $240 million penthouse, 14 out of the 15 most expensive homes are located in either Florida, New York, or California— three states with notoriously expensive housing markets. In fact, the most recent home to make the list is the Chartwell Estate in Los Angeles which sold for a jaw-dropping $150 million in December of 2019 making it the second-most expensive home ever sold in the US.

Keep reading to see a full list of the 15 most expensive home sales the country has seen since December of 2009.

SEE ALSO: The biggest metro areas with the most million-dollar homes in the US

DON'T MISS: The 10 most expensive NYC neighborhoods to live in right now, ranked

T15. This 25,000-square-foot mansion in Los Altos Hills, California, sold in 2011 for $100 million.

This mansion on La Paloma Road, called Palo Alto Loire Chateau, was built to mirror an 18th-century French chateau.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, at the time of the purchase, the home featured indoor and outdoor pools, a ballroom, and a wine cellar.

T15. This mansion in Holmby Hills — a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California — sold in 2016 for $100 million.

Also known as the Playboy Mansion, 10236 Charing Cross Road was originally listed for $200 million in January 2016. 

As Business Insider previously reported, the property was sold a few months later (for half its asking price) to the next-door neighbor who, at the time of the sale, expressed interest in connecting the two properties.

T15. This property in Malibu, California, sold in 2019 for $100 million.

This property, 27600 Pacific Coast Highway, is located along the legendarily scenic state highway. It includes two guest houses, a tennis court, a spa house, a two-story library, a theater, a gym, and a pool, along with other amenities.

It fell just $10 million short of matching the most expensive home sale in Malibu.

T15. This 10-bedroom mansion in Holmby Hills — a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California — sold in 2016 for $100 million.

As Business Insider previously reported, this mansion, which is located at 301 North Carolwood Drive, was built on speculation and originally listed for $150 million.

The home spans 38,000 square feet and includes everything from private hiking trails to a movie theater complex.

11. A penthouse in Manhattan, New York, sold in 2014 for $100,471,452.

This penthouse is located on the 89th and 90th floors of One57, a residential skyscraper in the Midtown area referred to as Billionaire's Row.

It spans 11,000 square feet and boasts six bedrooms. Up until 2019, it was the most expensive home ever sold in New York City.

T10. A compound in Malibu, California, sold in 2018 for $110 million.

As Business Insider previously reported, this beachfront home is located on Carbon Beach, also called "Billionaire's Beach," which is known for its multimillion-dollar homes and ultra-wealthy residents. 

The home, which was designed by Richard Meier, includes a main residence and a guest house.

T10. Three properties on Lily Pond Lane in East Hampton, New York, sold in a single sale in 2016 for $110 million.

Before this sale, the three properties — 93, 97, and 101 Lily Pond Lane — were bought in 2014 for $93.9 million.

According to a report by the New York Post, the properties total 6.4 acres and include 284 feet of oceanfront access.

8. An oceanfront estate in Palm Beach, Florida, sold in 2019 for $110,250,000.

This 13-bedroom property, also known as La Follia, is located at 1295 S. Ocean Blvd, only half a mile from Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort.

As Business Insider previously reported, it was originally listed in 2018 for $135 million. The property includes 210 feet of private beach, lush gardens, and a private boat dock.

7. A 9-acre estate in Woodside, California, sold in 2012 for $117,500,000.

Until 2019, this home, which is located at 360 Mountain Home Road, was the most expensive residence ever sold in California.

As Business Insider previously reported, the off-market deal took place in November 2012.

6. A massive mansion in Holmby Hills — a ritzy neighborhood in Los Angeles, California — sold in 2019 for $119,750,000.

Also known as The Manor, this home, which is located at 594 S. Mapleton Drive, is the most expensive home ever sold in Los Angeles County, according to the Los Angeles Times.

5. A 51-acre estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, sold in 2014 for $120 million.

Known as Copper Beech Farm, this property, which is located at 499 Indian Field Road, was originally listed in May 2013 for $190 million.

According to a report by Forbes, the price was cut by $50 million in September 2013, and then dropped another $10 million before it closed for $120 million in 2014.

It's the only home on this list in a state that's not California, Florida, or New York.

4. Four oceanfront properties in Palm Beach, Florida, sold in 2013 for a total of $129,600,000.

These four properties are located at 20, 30, 40 and 50 Blossom Way.

According to a report by The Real Deal, the buyer owns all the properties along that street. The report also states that many of the properties have been demolished.

3. A massive estate in East Hampton, New York, sold in 2014 for $137 million.

This 18-acre property, located at 60 Further Lanes, was the most expensive home ever sold in the US until 2019.

The sale price was first mistakenly reported as $147 million by several publications in 2014 (though either amount qualified it as the priciest real estate in the country at the time of the sale).

2. A 26-room mansion in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles sold for $150 million in December of 2019.

As Business Insider previously reported, this massive estate, also known as the Chartwell Estate, spans more than 10 acres.

The property originally hit the market for $350 million in 2017. It is currently the most expensive home ever sold in California and the second-priciest ever sold in the US. It has a 26-bedroom mansion and an underground tunnel.

1. The penthouse atop 220 Central Park South, a residential tower in Manhattan, New York, sold in January 2019 for $239,958,219.

This New York City penthouse spans the 50th through the 53rd floor of 220 Central Park South. It currently holds the title as the most expensive home ever sold in the US.

Billionaire hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin bought the property in a record-breaking sale.

• Although many chefs make their own salsas, sometimes they use the jarred stuff you find at the store.
• Two chefs told Insider that they love salsa from the brand Frontera.
• Trader Joe's Spicy, Smoky, Peach Salsa is a top pick for one culinary pro.
• One of the chefs gave Whole Foods' store-brand salsa high marks.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. 

Whether it's used as a marinade, taco topper, or chip dip, salsa brings a vibrant flavor blast to everything it touches.

And although many professional chefs and at-home cooks prefer to make their own salsas from scratch, sometimes you just can't go wrong with a jar of store-bought stuff.

Here are 10 of the best ready-made salsas you can buy, according to chefs. 

This chef said he usually buys Frontera's Roasted Habanero Salsa.

Chef Jason Tilford of Mission Taco Joint in St. Louis, Missouri, and Kansas City, Missouri, said his go-to salsa is Frontera's Roasted Habanero Salsa because it "has a very fresh taste."

He said the brand includes roasted vegetables and chiles in the salsa, which gives the overall dip a rich flavor.

"It has a nice viscosity for dipping or topping or whatever it is you're using it for. The roasting process adds a lot of charred vegetable specks that gives it a great look as well," Tilford told Insider. "It is a bit on the spicy side, which I like."

Frontera is also this chef's go-to brand of salsa, but he prefers the jalapeno-cilantro flavor.

Robert Carr, executive chef of La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas, said he also chooses the Frontera brand when buying a jarred salsa.

He told Insider that his preferred variety is the jalapeno-cilantro flavor with roasted tomato and garlic because it "has a rich, smoky flavor with some heat."

Trader Joe's Spicy, Smoky, Peach Salsa is a top pick for one chef.

When Hannah Hopkins, chef and cofounder of Bésame in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, needs to snag a jar of store-bought salsa, she said she heads to her local Trader Joe's.

 "I highly recommend Trader Joe's Spicy, Smoky Peach Salsa. This addictive salsa is not only delicious, but it also covers all your spicy, sweet, salty cravings," Hopkins told Insider. 

She said it pairs well with tortilla chips but is also a great dipping sauce for grilled chicken or shrimp. 

One of the chefs gave Whole Foods' store-brand salsa high marks.

Chef Lauren Shockey, author of "Hangover Helper," said she particularly appreciates Whole Foods' jarred 365 Everyday Value Salsa Roasted Verde.

"The flavor of this salsa is tangy, and it particularly makes a great base for cooked dishes. I like to use it mixed with shredded chicken for an easy enchilada filling, or I'll use it to make chilaquiles," she told Insider.

Chi-Chi's Mild Chunky Salsa delivers both bright flavor and a welcome dose of nostalgia, according to this chef.

The Mexican restaurant chain Chi-Chi's closed its last US eatery in 2004— but the brand still distributes its line of jarred salsas throughout North America.

And for Chef Jason Goldstein, food blogger of Chop Happy, Chi-Chi's Mild Chunky Salsa"has the perfect balance of sweetness from the tomatoes and spice from the citrus."

"There's also a nice [textural] ratio of chunky to soupy," he told Insider. "It's also nostalgic for me; when I was growing up, there was a Chi-Chi's restaurant nearby and we would always go for my birthday and order crunchy tortilla chips and salsa."

This chef also swears by Chi-Chi's salsa, but he prefers a smokier flavor.

Ronald DeSantis, certified master chef and CulinaryNXT principal adviser, said he also has a soft spot for Chi-Chi's salsas, but his favorite variety is Fiesta-Style Smoky Chipotle.

"This salsa has a satisfying smoky heat that works with chips, tacos, grilled fish, and roasted veggies," DeSantis told Insider, adding that it also works well in recipes as a base for dips, sauces, and marinades. 

This chef swears by the Tex-Mex staple Pace Salsa.

Sarah Khosravani, executive chef of Old Major in Denver, Colorado, said she always goes for Pace Salsa, a popular dip that's been made in Texas for decades.

"I live and die by Pace Salsa, preferably chunky medium. The thickness of the salsa allows the chip (or chips!) to be perfectly coated in that tomatoey goodness. Plus, the shelf life is incredible," she added. 

This chef said Herdez Salsa Verde offers authentic flavor and a perfect balance of tastes.

Maggie Unzueta, a first-generation Mexican-American chef at Mama Maggie's Kitchen, told Insider that Herdez Salsa Verde gets her stamp of approval. 

"It's the closest to homemade as you can get," she said, adding that she always keeps a jar or two in her home.

Any salsa from Xochitl is this chef's top pick.

Chef Kayisha Thompson, CEO of DeLor Cakery in New York City, said she always includes Xochitl on her grocery list because it has less sodium than other brands she's tried. 

"The flavor of this salsa comes out when you cook with it," Thompson told Insider, adding that it is especially great in recipes. 

This chef enjoys salsa from ZUBI's range of flavors.

Chef Stacie Zollars of Sugar Face Bakes in Houston, Texas, said ZUBI's is one of her favorite brands of salsa, especially if she's hosting a get-together of people who have different spice preferences.

The Texas-based brand has a range of dips that come in a few different heat levels and it's also dairy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. 

"I love this brand because it's consistent every time, with a combination of herbs and spices that pair with just about any dish," Zollars told Insider. 

Read More:

• I tried following the 'Taco Cleanse' for a week and it was harder than it sounds
• Chefs reveal the 9 things they always order at Chipotle
• The 8 foods you should always make in a microwave

• There's no one game plan to success, but there are some steps you can take to get yourself closer.
• Seek out the advice of people you admire, be careful what you dedicate your own energy to, and be sure to value alone time. You should always be learning, but keep in mind that you'll never be able to please everyone.
• If you find yourself in a situation you don't enjoy, it's okay to take steps to leave it. That includes your comfort zone.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you feel like you're stuck in a rut in the workplace, your relationship, or life in general, don't worry. We're here to help you get ahead in this game called life. 

Below, we've outlined seven lessons that most people who've hit major success milestones before the age of 35 have made a point of learning. These are the lessons they don't teach you in school, and they're not always the easiest to stomach. But if you prioritize learning them now versus later, the spillover effect on your life and career could yield some pretty impressive results. 

SEE ALSO: 10 harmless mind tricks that make people like you more

1. It's okay to ask for advice

Sometimes we let our fear of looking unprepared or ill-informed keep us from asking for help. But the secret is out: more often than not, everyone else also has no idea what they are doing. Do not be afraid to ask for advice, whether in the workplace, at home, or in life in general. Search for a person who you admire and ask for their help. 

2. Dedicate a certain amount of your week to alone time

You are constantly doing things for others: your partner, your children, your siblings, your boss, etc. You deserve some "me" time. Dedicate a specific day and time during the week to do what you want to do. If it becomes part of your weekly routine, you are more likely to actually follow through. Go for a run, catch up on your favorite blog, order take-out, and give yourself a facial. Do only what you want to do.

3. Choose what you dedicate your energy to

You've heard the term "pick and choose your battles." This is great life advice. You only have so much time and energy to give, and certain issues are simply just not worth it. Decide which fights are worth having, and which ones are better to have backed down. Compromise when necessary and when acceptable, and stick to your guns when the issue at hand matters most to you. Over time, what you care to fight for will change. 

4. Never — ever! — stop learning

Some people believe learning ends with school, and that is just not true. You should continue to learn and grow through life. And this happens in all aspects — at work, in your home, in a relationship and more. Never let your craving for knowledge die. And don't be afraid to learn from others, as they have gone through experiences you have not, which always brings new life lessons. 

5. Making a point of leaving your comfort zone

While it can be easy and stress-free to stick to your normal activities, there is nothing like the feeling of doing something new and scary for the first time. Allow yourself to be uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable brings the growth and change that keeps life exciting. And you'll never know if you like something until you try it!

6. That rut you feel stuck in? It's up to you not to stay there

Everyone has a bad day at work every once in a while, but if your bad days are outweighing the good, don't force yourself to stay. If you are no longer feeling challenged, and you've lost that passion that brought you into the office every day to begin with, find that former passion elsewhere.

7. And lastly: You can't please everyone

This is a lesson you might have to remind yourself of frequently in life. It can be human nature to try to make everyone around you happier, but that is not possible. The most you can do is try your hardest, give your full effort to tasks, and be nice to those with whom you interact. Everything else is beyond your control.

This Fairygodboss story was originally published on Business Insider May 2, 2019.

• Success isn't about copying other people's habits, or following one prescriptive path. The surest way to find success is to avoid being unsuccessful.
• Unsuccessful people aren't able to focus on the present, instead constantly distracted by what's to come or what's already happened.
• They only listen to themselves, and don't take the opportunity to learn or try new things.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Do you really think you'll be successful if you simply copy other people's habits? If that was the case, success would be easy.

I never met a successful person until I was 24. I grew up in a working-class family — I was more around people who were the opposite.

The first successful person I met was an entrepreneur in his 40s. When I started my first real business, he was one of my first clients. When I met him, he was slightly overweight, had more money than he could count, and was merry all the time.

But he also lost his wife, the love of his life, a half decade before. We became friends. He told me that he never got over it. Even though he experienced tragedy, he still had a positive outlook on life and did good things.

He truly cared about others. I have to be honest, my first business wasn't great, but he still gave me a chance to do business with him. He always said: "I just try to avoid being unsuccessful." That's the number one thing I learned from him. He said that you should study what makes you unsuccessful, unhappy, broke, fat, stupid. Then, eliminate those things out of your life.

To this day, I still live by that advice. I like his concept of trying not to be unsuccessful. Because what is success? The second best definition that I've found comes from Bob Dylan, my favorite musician of all time.

"A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do."

You've probably read articles that discuss the habits of successful people. The problem with those type of articles is that they give you conditional promises.

"Eat three eggs with bacon, wash your hair with soybeans, do 10 push-ups, and do your daily affirmations, AT THE SAME TIME."

We have to let go of the "if I do x, I'll be successful or happy" way of thinking. It does exactly the opposite: You do what other people do. Live the way other people live. I might not know a lot about success, but I'm sure as hell that's not success.

What follows is a list of things that we shouldn't do. If you have one of these bad habits, don't worry; no one's perfect. If you have two bad habits, you should worry. Do you have three or more? You might want to change — because one thing is sure: No one wants to be unsuccessful.

SEE ALSO: Women reach peak career confidence around age 40, research shows

1. They're always distracted

Essentialism, by Greg McKeown, is one of my favorite books. McKeown shares the story of when he met his former classmate, years after graduating.

He told McKeown that he was in between jobs and asked if McKeown could help him. Twenty seconds into the conversation the guy got a text and started looking down to his phone and started responding.

McKeown says: "Ten seconds went by. Then twenty. I simply stood there as he continued to text away furiously." After two minutes he gave up and walked away from the obsessive texter.

Don't live your life in the future or past, lost in thoughts and worry. If that guy from the example was present, he might have got an awesome job recommendation from Greg McKeown.

2. They only talk the talk

You know what's better than talking about something? Doing it.

In 2010, Derek Sivers gave a TED talk called "Keep your goals to yourself," where he presented scientific evidence that talking about your goals is counterproductive.

We see it all the time in real life and on social media: "I'm training for a marathon.""I'm starting a business."

The crazy thing is how people react. They applaud you for announcing something. Let's pause for a second: Saying you want to run a marathon and actually running a marathon are two different things, right?

In your brain, those things are actually not that far apart. Derek Sivers says:

"When you tell someone your goal and they acknowledge it, psychologists have found that it's called a 'social reality.' The mind is kind of tricked into feeling that it's already done. And then because you've felt that satisfaction, you're less motivated to do the actual hard work necessary."

Be someone that does things, not someone who talks about things.

3. They spend time with losers

Spend enough time with losers, and you'll become one. Apply this analogy to any type of person.

Do you want to get fit? Hang out with fit people. People feed off each other's energy.

What's better, your friend asking when you're going to the gym, or your friend asking to go out for the third time that week?

4. They hate everything

They especially hate people that are doing well. Why can't you be happy for other people? Don't worry, you won't be a Pollyanna. You can still be cool and be positive.

Give people some love, it won't kill you. Unsuccessful people even hate things that just "are."

"Ugh, it rained this morning, and my hair got all messed up. I hate rain." Common, really?

Having a bad day is okay — everyone gets irritable once in a while. But if you always hate everything, you'll have a bad life.

5. They procrastinate

What's the benefit of putting things off? I once asked my college professor to extend a deadline for an essay.

He said: "I'm perfectly happy to extend your deadline by a week. The only thing I'm asking you is will your essay be better if you hand it in a week from now?"

My answer was "no," so I worked my ass off to finish it on time. Only delay things when you'll do a better job later.

What's the point of delaying something if you get the same outcome? Do it now, or do it better later.

6. They don’t listen to others

Unsuccessful people love themselves. To be honest, we all love ourselves, but if you're unsuccessful, you ONLY love yourself.

We listen to others because we care about them. How else can you show you care? Everyone can give a hug, but not everybody calls you just to ask "How are you?" Ask, listen, care, repeat.

7. They're lazy

Never feel like doing anything? We've all been there: Not feeling like going to dinner with your partner, or not feeling like buying an awesome present for your mother's birthday. Let's face it, it's all because you're lazy.

Be a sport and get off your couch — participate with your family, friends, partner. The beauty of life lies in new and novel experiences.

When you're lazy, you don't even give yourself a chance to experience new things. It's also not fair to the people in your life.

8. They don’t learn

Learning is one of the most difficult things in the world. It's not a surprise many people never read a book, never finish school, or never learn from their mistakes. Learning is a struggle.

But think about it: We live in the most exciting time in history for learners. The access to information has never been this easy. In the past, if your dad was a farmer, you became a farmer. Things were like that.

Now, you can be anything you wish — you just need to learn how to do it.

9. They are not nice

Somehow, people think it's cool to be a jerk. Honestly, it's way cooler to be nice. You don't have to be a Buddhist Monk or anything, just be a nice person.

Try it some time, you might make a few new friends. And if you have difficulty defining what a "nice person" is, you're likely a jerk.

10. They are quitters

I saved the worst for last. If there's one thing you take away from this article, I hope it's this:

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." —  Thomas A. Edison

There's nothing I can add to that. Actually, there is: never give up.

This DariusForoux.com story was originally published on Business Insider August 20, 2019.

• Do you think you have an employee getting ready to resign?
• Before the actual letter arrives, there are a few ways to tell if your employee may be packing their bags. 
• Harvard Business Review researchers found that if employees are just sticking to the status quo, become loners, and care less about long-term projects, they may be ready to go. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Is it possible to tell when an employee is on their way out? An extensive study revealed that you don't need psychic abilities to know when receiving a resignation letter is in your future. Researchers at Harvard Business Review asked nearly 100 managers how the behavior of their peers and subordinates shifted in the months prior to their voluntary departures. Additionally, researchers surveyed 100 employees to find out how their own behavior shifted prior to their own voluntary departures. Behaviors listed were whittled down and distributed the survey to additional groups of managers. Here are the top 8 pre-quitting behaviors according to researchers. 

SEE ALSO: 6 ways intelligent employees handle a toxic coworker

1. They’re less productive than usual

If you notice that an employee who gets a lot done has significantly slowed down, this may be a sign that they're on their way out. 

2. They’ve turned into a lone wolf

When an employee who's typically a team player stops working with others, take this as a sign that the employee is ready to leave. They know they won't be seeing coworkers for much longer, so they're breaking away.

3. They’re putting in the minimum effort

Employees who are naturally hard workers typically stand out. Take notice if an employee has stopped going above and beyond and is now only sticking to the status quo.

4. They’ve stopped trying to please the manager

Displays of apathy can make it apparent that someone is considering leaving. Employees who have become indifferent may be doing so because they know that their boss won't be their boss for much longer.

5. They aren’t invested in long-term deadlines

Someone who knows that they won't be around to see a project come to fruition is less likely to put in maximum effort than someone who knows they'll be around to see the end result.

6. They’re being uncharacteristically negative

When the person in your office who's typically upbeat starts seeing the glass half-empty, don't let the change go unnoticed. A drastic personality shift can signal that they are fed-up and heading out.

7. They’re less motivated than usual

Employees on their way out are not as likely to display interest in completing tasks on time or completing them well. When they know they won't be working towards any promotion or recognition, their drive to do well can sharply decrease.

8. They’re regularly unfocused

Everyone has an off day here and there where paying attention is more difficult, but employees who know that they are about to begin a new journey are likely to find themselves particularly distracted.

While employees leaving is a natural process that all businesses encounter eventually, there are ways to reduce rates of turnover. Practice transparency with your team in the wake of management shake ups. There are also many practices that employers can implement to keep employees satisfied and keep employee attrition rates down, such as offering incentives like loan repayment plans and mentorship programs. Conducting exit interviews with employees who have chosen to leave is another strategy that can help employers gather data to help retain employees in the future.

This Fairygodboss story was originally published on Business Insider August 5, 2019.