Your next party game, a trendy scarf, and how to strengthen your friendships this year

Links we sent our friends #82

Happy new year! This was my (Aliza’s) third holiday season as a family of three, and at least now I know what to expect (illness, daycare closures, cancelled plans, etc.) But there’s also a palpable warmth and generosity to December.

Case in point: When my suitcase busted open before our flight home from Los Angeles last week, a kind JetBlue employee dug through cluttered drawers and cabinets in search of a roll of tape he said he hadn’t seen for literal years. (He found it!) So, more of that in 2025.

For our first link roundup of the new year, we’re excited to have a very cool and funny guest…

A few months ago, we stumbled across

Amanda

’s post My Year Of Rest and Relaxation: The One Year Anniversary of Me Getting Laid Off. We were giggling by the second section and straight up laughing by the third. It turns out Amanda is an incredible triple threat: a writer, stand-up comedian, and YouTuber (over 300K people subscribe to get her takes on why “quiet luxury is loud” and “who gets to reclaim tacky?”)… and she’s got a great eye for links, too.

Amanda’s Links:

1. An advice column from The Cut titled “I Can’t Do Casual” inspired me to resign from a situationship before it even started. Yay! Self respect!

2. This is a mug for the most insufferable person you’ve ever met. I bought it for myself because yes, I did finish The Power Broker, and no, I will never shut up about it. (Aliza: Hah! I definitely know some people who deserve this — and quitters, like me, who do not.)

3. This short documentary about a dude getting a vasectomy is a lighthearted take on a relatively serious subject matter and great counter programming to that Netflix series about a man with 1,000 kids. Also, the guy who made it, Jordan Temple, is a comedy writer who has written for hilarious shows like Abbott Elementary and Atlanta.

4. Not to be dramatic, but wool socks have single handedly changed my outlook on winter weather. It feels like walking around with mini space heaters in your shoes. Stop suffering and get a pair!

Aliza’s Links:

1. Relieved to learn that doing nothing with your favorite people is really, really good for you.

2. I don’t normally expect a Daily episode to make me cry. But this episode was special; I especially liked the part where listeners called in to share a small piece of wisdom or advice they learned this year (around minute 24). It’s a beautiful thing to hear from strangers in their own voices and intonations.

3. This is the scarf that all the cool girls are (still) wearing in Brooklyn. I counted about 15 within 24 hours on a recent weekend.¹ (Aja: Lolol does this mean it’s now… a classic?)

4. Speaking of trends that I’m embarrassingly behind on: almost all of these 2024 internet memes.

5. I’ve mentioned

   Neha Ruch
   ’s newsletter Mother Untitled and flex job board before (both of which are incredible resources for parents). For our Boston readers, Neha will be at The Harvard Book Store on Thursday, January 16th², and her new book, The Power Pause: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids — and Come Back Stronger Than Ever, is now available for pre-order. See you there?!

Order your copy!

Aja’s Links:

1. 10/10 outfit, no notes.

2. Loved this list of easy ways to strengthen your friendships from

   Anna Goldfarb
   .

3. Sam’s parents got us Wavelength for Christmas, and it’s my new favorite party game: easy to pick up, guaranteed to spark conversation. If you like Taboo, Just One, Codenames, etc., you’ll definitely enjoy.

4. Two movies I watched on Netflix over the “break” and really liked: Wicked Little Letters (which stars Olivia Coleman and made me laugh so hard I woke Sam up), and I’m Tim (a documentary about Avicii that didn’t go as deep as I’d like, but had some incredible scenes showing how songs like Wake Me Up and Levels were made. Gave me chills.) (Aliza: I’m adding both of these to my watch list for when Sam’s traveling for work this week…)

5. An absolutely gorgeous home tour — that’ll make you feel inspired about decorating your own home versus depressed that you don’t live in a different one, if you know what I mean.

Question we asked our friends:

One of the best things I (Aliza) did in 2024 was to start getting regular acupuncture. (Apologies to all my friends who are understandably sick of hearing me talk about it.) I love it! There’s truly nothing more relaxing!!!

So, inspired by Ann Friedman’s recent newsletter… What’s something that you tried for the first time in 2024? Will you be doing it again this year? Or never again?

And yes, my suitcase made it back to Boston!

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In case you missed it:

• Starting a Substack made no sense…

• My husband won’t take my last name

• How to help a friend through grief

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1. My sister gets credit for first calling this out.

2. I’m unfortunately out of town, but Aja will be attending!