While their "Gossip Girl" characters swung wildly from the ultimate BFF duo to toxic frenemies almost every other episode, off-screen, Lively and Meester were said to have had a frosty relationship.

The CW teen drama ran for six seasons between 2007 and 2012. Lively played the effortlessly cool, free-spirited Serena Van der Woodson, the foil to Meester's controlling queen bee Blair Waldorf.

New York Magazine reported in 2008 that the two stars were said to "avoid each other like the plague" while on set shooting the show's early seasons, with tensions running so high that their castmates were forced to "choose sides."

"Blake and Leighton have never been best friends, and never professed to be. Blake goes to work, does her job, and goes home," a publicist for Lively said at the time, per Harper's Bazaar.

However, speaking to Vanity Fair for a retrospective on the series published in 2017, showrunner Joshua Safran said the pair got on fine on set.

"Blake and Leighton were not friends. They were friendly, but they were not friends like Serena and Blair," he said. "Yet the second they'd be on set together, it's as if they were."

In the same article, recurring cast member Michelle Trachtenberg denied rumors of a full-blown feud between the two.

"It's funny," she said. "Because when we were filming, there was, 'Leighton hates Blake, Blake hates Leighton, everyone hates Blake, everyone hates Leighton, everyone hates Chace,' and blah, blah, blah. It really wasn't. We were all chill. It was cool."

Incidentally, as of 2024, Lively and Meester do not follow each other on Instagram. Meester does, however, follow two of her other costars, Chace Crawford and Penn Badgley.

Appearing on "Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen," Armie Hammer was asked by an audience member to name the "biggest diva" on the set of "Gossip Girl."

Hammer had a four-episode arc on the series during its second season. He played Gabriel Edwards, a conman who briefly dated Lively's character.

In response to the question, Hammer diplomatically said: "Let me just say that was a tough show to film, and I didn't end up actually filming all of the episodes I was supposed to because it was such a tough film."

"Really? Literally, you said, 'Get me out of this'?" Cohen asked.

"It was also like, 'Get him out of here,'" the actor said.

Cohen followed that up by asking whose love interest he played in the series, prompting Hammer to drop Lively's name.

Chelsea Handler, who also appeared on the talk show, joked, "Sounds like she was the problem."

Cohen added: "It sure does, Chelsea. That's exactly what I was thinking."

"No, no, that's not what I'm saying," Hammer replied, laughing awkwardly.

In 2012, Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, tied the knot at Boone Hall plantation in South Carolina. The plantation features nine slave cabins built between 1790 and 1810, which are referred to as "Slave Street."

Reynolds apologized for the decision in a 2020 interview with Fast Company after the couple was called out for the hypocrisy of a joint statement — accompanied by a $200,000 donation to the NAACP Legal Defense — they shared on Lively's Instagram following the murder of George Floyd by police.

Reynolds said they chose Boone Hall based on Pinterest photos and only realized it was a "place built upon devastating tragedy" after the event.

Reynolds added that after learning of Boone Hall's history, the actors had another wedding at home years later.

Lively has not addressed the backlash over her wedding venue.

Two years after her wedding at Boone Hall, Lively launched a lifestyle website called Preserve.

In just a matter of months, it attracted controversy when its fall issue featured a photo shoot and article that appeared to romanticize the monied world of the Confederate South.

Titled "Allure of Antebellum," the photo shoot featured a white, blonde-haired model in a floppy hat, high-heeled pumps, and a leopard-print mini-skirt.

In the accompanying article, the unnamed author wrote about the "innate sense of social poise" and "unparalleled warmth and authenticity" of the pre-Civil War era women.

"The term Southern Belle came to fruition during the Antebellum period (before the Civil War), acknowledging women with an inherent social distinction who set the standards for style and appearance," the Preserve article read.

"These women epitomized Southern hospitality with a cultivation of beauty and grace, but even more with a captivating and magnetic sensibility."

The publication of the editorial immediately attracted criticism, with Refinery29 arguing: "The authors use the word antebellum in a misty-eyed, nostalgia-tinged way that completely ignores the brutality endured by Southern women not lucky enough to be born into privilege."

A year later, in October 2015, Lively shuttered the site, explaining to Vogue in an interview that it was because she and her team had "launched the site before it was ready."

Lively and Anna Kendrick starred alongside each other in the 2018 movie "A Simple Favor."

According to reports, the two had a falling out on the set of the film.

Claire Parker, cohost of the popular podcast Celebrity Memoir Book Club, previously said in a TikTok video that by the end of the movie, Lively and Kendrick "were not speaking," citing an unnamed studio source.

While neither Lively nor Kendrick has addressed the rumors, their costar Henry Golding has denied the claims of a feud, saying he thought the two stars got on "reasonably well."

"Definitely no friction that I noticed," he said when asked about the rumors on "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen."

Despite this, fans have continued to speculate about sensing tension between the two stars — who are set to reunite for a sequel next year— in joint interviews.

Reporter Kjersti Flaa interviewed Lively and her costar, Parker Posey, about the film "Café Society" in 2016.

Flaa reshared the interview eight years later — at the height of Lively's "It Ends With Us" backlash — when she uploaded it to YouTube with the title "The Blake Lively interview that made me want to quit my job."

In the video, Lively offered a snarky response to Flaa after she congratulated the actor on her pregnancy.

"First of all, congrats on your little bump," Flaa said, kicking off the interview.

"Congrats on your little bump," Lively responded, although Flaa was not pregnant.

Later in the interview, Lively challenged Flaa for asking a question about clothes. The actor also seemed to ignore Flaa in parts of the interview and angled her body toward Posey.

"It actually took me a while to get over the experience," Flaa previously told Business Insider, adding, "I have met moody celebrities, but nothing like this interview."

Flaa told MailOnline that Lively's comment was particularly hurtful because she wasn't able to conceive.

"It's true that the comment hurt me because I was never able to have kids myself, but of course Blake did not know that so I can't blame her for the pain that I felt," she later told BI.

Lively's 2016 film "Café Society" was directed by Woody Allen.

Two years before "Café Society" premiered, The New York Times published an open letter by Dylan Farrow, Allen's adopted daughter, reiterating the accusation that he groomed and sexually assaulted her as a child.

Farrow originally accused her famous father when she was 7 years old. At the time, a state's attorney in Connecticut said he had "probable cause" to prosecute but declined to file charges.

In the 2014 essay, Farrow called out Hollywood stars like Cate Blanchett, Emma Stone, and Scarlett Johansson for working with Allen in recent years and ignoring the allegation against him.

"Woody Allen is a living testament to the way our society fails the survivors of sexual assault and abuse," she wrote.

During the press tour for "Café Society," French comedian Laurent Lafitte cracked a joke about Allen dodging accountability during the opening ceremony for the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.

Later at the festival, Lively made it clear she disapproved of Lafitte's material.

"I think any jokes about rape, homophobia, or Hitler is not a joke," Lively told Variety. "It was more disappointing for the artists in the room that someone was going up there making jokes about something that wasn't funny."

At the same event, Lively also said she hadn't read Ronan Farrow's new op-ed in the Hollywood Reporter, in which the investigative reporter defended his sister and criticized powerful people for "sweeping aside her allegations."

"I don't want to speak on something I haven't read," Lively told Vulture. "I think that's dangerous. It's definitely something that being at the festival, the media these days, you come to a film festival about film and people talk about all different types of things. You know? That can be definitely tricky to navigate."

Lively continued to praise Allen throughout the press tour, describing his director style as "very empowering."

"It's amazing what Woody has written for women," she told the Los Angeles Times, adding that she did not consider Allen's personal life while shooting the film.

"It's very dangerous to factor in things you don't know anything about," Lively said. "I could [only] know my experience. And my experience with Woody is he's empowering to women."

In 2017, Farrow published another op-ed in the Los Angeles Times that questioned Allen's role in the #MeToo movement, casting Lively as a hypocrite for condemning Harvey Weinstein but continuing to support Allen.

In 2018, Lively posted in support of Hollywood's anti-sexual harassment initiative Time's Up, writing, "I'm honored to be a part of this movement. The time is NOW!"

Farrow replied, "You worked with my abuser, @blakelively. Am I a woman who matters too?"

Farrow's account of her assault has remained consistent over the years, most recently in the 2021 HBO docuseries "Allen v. Farrow," while Allen has repeatedly denied the allegation.

Amid the social media storm that erupted after the release of a digitally manipulated portrait of the princess and her children following Middleton's mysterious retreat from the public eye, Lively jumped on the trend of mocking her "photoshop fails."

She shared an edited photo on Instagram to promote her beverage line. The photo showed Lively sitting in a chair by a warped pool with a comically enlarged thumb and a lemon floating above her head.

According to People, she captioned the photo: "I'm so excited to share this new photo I just took today to announce our 4 new @bettybuzz & @bettybooze products! Now you know why I've been MIA."

Middleton later announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.

Lively later deleted her post and shared a note on her Instagram Story apologizing to the British royal and her own followers.

"I'm sure no one cares today, but I feel like I have to acknowledge this. I made a silly post around the 'photoshop fails' frenzy, and oh man, that post has me mortified today. I'm sorry. Sending love and well wishes to all, always," she wrote.

"It Ends With Us," a film in which Lively plays Lily Bloom, a woman experiencing domestic abuse, opened in theaters on August 9, 2024.

It's based on a book of the same name by BookTok favorite Colleen Hoover; fans who already knew the story immediately began to question Lively's promotional approach.

In a promo video shared on the film's official Instagram account, Lively encouraged people to watch the film by saying: "Grab your girls, wear your florals!"

Lively also leaned into method dressing, opting for florals in almost every outfit she wore during the press tour, which some fans criticized as tone-deaf.

In a TikTok video that's been viewed more than 4 million times, a woman who identified herself as a domestic violence survivor accused Lively of promoting the movie like it's "the sequel to Barbie."

Elsewhere, the actor could be seen using interviews and events for the film to cross-promote her brands, including her hair care line, Blake Brown.

A promotional email for Lively's beverage line, Betty Buzz, also shared a recipe for making a cocktail using her husband's gin brand, The New York Times reported.

As fans noted, Lively's approach contrasted starkly with that of her costar and director, Justin Baldoni, who was praised for highlighting the movie's weighty themes during his interviews.

It didn't help that the two were also pitted against each other following rumors of a feud between them.

The charity Women's Aid also criticized the marketing around the movie, sharing a statement with the BBC that read: "Despite domestic abuse being a key theme of the film, much of the marketing has ignored this and viewers have not been warned about the potentially distressing content."

On December 21, Lively filed a legal complaint against Baldoni, accusing her director and costar of sexual harassment, retaliation, and coordinating attempts to damage her reputation.

According to the filing, obtained by Business Insider, Lively's strategy for promoting "It Ends With Us" — which drew backlash for making light of the film's themes — was "in accordance with the marketing plan created and delivered by the film's distributor Sony."

The marketing plan directed the cast to avoid discussing sad or heavy themes, in order to frame the film as "a story of hope."

At the same time, Lively alleged that Baldoni "abruptly pivoted" his talking points in an attempt to explain why he'd been unfollowed by much of the film's cast and crew on social media — apparently prompted by Baldoni's inappropriate behavior on set.

"To that end, he and his team used domestic violence 'survivor content' to protect his public image," the legal filing reads.

As Business Insider previously reported, Baldoni hired a public-relations crisis team, including veteran PR manager Melissa Nathan, as rumors swirled that he was on the outs with Lively and other castmates. According to Lively's lawsuit, Nathan's team helped Baldoni orchestrate an online smear campaign against Lively, partially to distract fans from speculating about his conduct on set.

"He wants to feel like she can be buried," a publicist working with Mr. Baldoni wrote in a message to Nathan, per the legal complaint.

"You know we can bury anyone," Nathan replied.

A rep for Baldoni called the allegations "shameful" and "categorically false" in a statement to Business Insider.

A rep for Lively told The New York Times, "I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted."

Since starring in the 2005 movie "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and its 2008 sequel, Lively, Ferrera, Tamblyn, and Bledel have remained close friends.

In a joint statement released on Instagram, Ferrera, Tamblyn, and Bledel showed support for Lively.

"As Blake's friends and sisters for over 20 years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation," the statement reads. "Throughout the filming of 'It Ends with Us,' we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice. Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors' stories to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astounding."

"We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment," the statement continued. "We are inspired by our sister's courage to stand up for herself and others. For anyone seeking more information or engaging in this important conversation online, please read the full legal complaint in the investigative reporting by Megan Twohey, Mike McIntire, and Julie Tate for the New York Times."

In an Instagram Stories post, the author wrote:

"@blakelively, you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met."

"Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt."

The "Bridesmaids" filmmaker directed Lively in the 2018 whodunit "A Simple Favor," and the two recently wrapped on a sequel.

"I've now made two movies with Blake and all I can say is she's one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I've ever worked with," Feig wrote on X. "She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it's awful she was put through this."

Robyn Lively, Blake's half-sister who also starred in "It Ends with Us," posted on Instagram to show her support.

"She is one of the kindest, most honest and loving humans I know. Blake isn't a villain. She's a mama bear to her core, a loving and supportive wife, a sister, a friend, and someone who worked her ass off on a film in abominable working conditions," she wrote.

"I think the etiquette is that first class is about indulgence," Ott told Business Insider.

Ott doesn't recommend asking flight attendants if each bonus offering is free because everything is complimentary, from meals to sparkling wine.

And there's nothing wrong with "filling your boots" to make the most of the perks, he added.

While first-class passengers often get personalized experiences where they're greeted by name, business-class passengers shouldn't expect the same level of attention.

"Business class is about efficiency. It's a comfortable seat where you can sleep or work," Ott said.

But staff members serve dozens of people in business class, whereas first-class cabins typically seat less than 10 passengers, he added.

"There's a lot of work that goes into all those meals and drinks," Ott said. "So if you're looking for an over-the-top experience, then first class is where you can expect staff to make the flight awesome. And that's what you're paying for."

If you've flown recently, you may have noticed that many business and first-class cabins have added doors to each seat to give passengers more privacy.

Ott said you shouldn't infringe on another traveler's space to fetch items from overhead bins.

"Don't awkwardly hover over the person because the whole idea of doors is that people can't look in on you," Ott said. "So when you wake up and someone is looking over your space, it's odd."

BI previously reported that premium cabin passengers are often entitled to overhead bin space, and according to Ott, the bins are usually not too crowded. But that doesn't mean you should bring extra bags and put them wherever you want, as Ott has seen many passengers do.

Instead, Ott suggests keeping your limited belongings in the space above your seat.

Two decades later, the partners opened a second store in Seattle's University District.

Wallin retired soon after and sold his share of the company to the Nordstrom sons too. John's third son, Lloyd, later joined the team.

Nordstrom purchased the Seattle-based clothing store Best's Apparel in 1963. Three years later, the company purchased a Portland, Oregon-based clothing store and began offering both shoes and apparel under the name Nordstrom Best. The company added men's and children's apparel in 1966.

Everett's son Bruce, Elmer's sons James and John, Lloyd's son-in-law Jack, and family friend Bob Bender became the new heads of the company. The third generation of Nordstrom chairmen took the company public in 1971, formally renaming it Nordstrom Inc.

That same year, the company became the largest-volume fashion specialty store on the West Coast, with sales surpassing $100 million. The chain continued to expand throughout the next several decades.

The elder Nordstroms retired as co-chairmen, but remained on the Board of Directors, and Bruce's sons, Blake, Pete, and Erik, took over the company in 1995.

Blake began working in the family business when he was about 11 years old. His first role with the company was in the stockroom, and he went on to hold many positions with the company, including merchandise buyer, regional manager, and then vice president in charge of stores in Washington and Alaska.

"It was always the best working for my brother because he had more confidence in me and gave me more autonomy than anybody I had ever worked for," Erik Nordstrom said in his father's 2007 book, "Leave It Better Than You Found It."

Bruce and his sons were credited with turning the company around after several years of underperformance by non-family leadership.

In 2014, the company started expanding internationally. It opened stores in Canada and the US territory of Puerto Rico.

The concept combined in-store services, such as tailoring, shoe shining, and food, with high-tech digital ordering and returns systems.

"Blake was the best big brother, friend and mentor anyone could ever ask for," Pete and Erik Nordstrom said in a note to employees. "One of the things that brings us some comfort is that Blake's values, character and passion can still be reflected in what this company does — how we treat each other, our customers and our communities. Building on that is the best way we can think of to honor his legacy."

In regulatory filings, the brother said they had not yet received any financing commitments to complete such a deal.

Nordstrom died on May 18.

"Our dad leaves a powerful legacy as a legendary business leader, a generous community citizen and a loyal friend," Pete and Erik said in a statement.

The deal with Mexican retailer El Puerto de Liverpool was developed over several months. Once completed, the Nordstrom descendants will own 50.1% of he department store chain, with the other 49.9% in the hands of Liverpool, Nordstrom said on Monday.

Jessica Tyler contributed to an earlier version of this story.

She made her Arrowhead Stadium debut in studded $190 Ksubi shorts, a white $105 Dôen tank top, and $192 New Balance sneakers — all sold out as of November 2024.

She also sported a vintage Kansas City Chiefs jacket and a $1,305 crescent-shaped earring from Jacquie Aiche.

As the Chiefs battled the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, Swift cheered the team on from a box suite.

Her simple outfit for the occasion included $528 denim shorts with crystal detailing from Area (which have since sold out), a black long-sleeved shirt, and a leather jacket from Gant.

She also accessorized with a $9,250 diamond choker and $1,795 Louboutin boots.

Her Chiefs pullover, for example, was a light-gray shade that didn't stand out in the audience. Her plaid skirt was also understated.

The most interesting aspects of her outfit were the accessories. Swift wore a $598 Mejuri ring with a red stone in the middle and a $35 handmade hat from a local Kansas City artist.

For a game in October 2023, Swift arrived wearing a red, white, and black jacket covered in Kansas City logos. The $130 piece, which is now sold out, was the work of Wear by Erin Andrews.

Though the jacket wasn't part of her flashiest outfit, Swift undeniably left her mark on the sports anchor's clothing business.

"I started screaming and freaking out and singing all my favorite Swiftie songs. And then yeah, we restocked, and we sold out. And thank you, thank you, Taylor Swift," Andrews told Seth Meyers during an appearance on his show.

Swift paired the outerwear with a $3,190 Balenciaga corset and sold-out Prada boots.

Swift paired a vintage Chiefs sweatshirt from Ellie Mae Studios with a black pleated skirt and loafers.

As usual, she added an assortment of jewelry to elevate her look, including Cartier's $13,400 Juste un Clou necklace. She also wore the $3,600 Heavy Belcher bracelet and the $1,050 Enamel Miniature Medallion from Foundrae, as well as Jacquie Aiche's $5,775 evil-eye bracelet and $4,675 7 Diamond Kate Smooth Bar bracelet.

Swift completed her look with a $21 custom friendship bracelet featuring an 87 in a sweet nod to Kelce, who wore a red plaid shirt after the game that coordinated with Swift's gameday look.

Rather than wearing team gear, Swift arrived at the sporting event in a white varsity jacket from Gant's collaboration with Kilo Kish.

The high-fashion piece featured stars and other shapes in the Chiefs' signature red, matching Swift's winter beanie and lipstick.

The jacket, which retailed for $1,800, is now sold out.

She was photographed wearing a vintage, leather Chiefs jacket — a fan said her parents sold it on eBay for $169 — and black shorts from Agolde.

Other pieces included $2,195 Louboutin boots, a $3,900 Dior saddle bag, and a $630 belt from The Row. But it was her gold and diamond accessories that stole the show.

Swift wore $575 Louis Vuitton earrings, a $4,475 Chanel necklace, a $3,150 Louis Vuitton ring, and a $4,150 ring from Retrouvai.

She attended the holiday Chiefs game alongside her brother Austin, who was dressed as Santa Claus.

Though Swift wasn't in costume, she was dressed with holiday spirit. To complement her Santa hat, which was embroidered with Kelce's jersey number, Swift wore an $895 bomber jacket from Guest in Residence, which has since sold out.

She also sported a now-sold-out Hill House skirt, $35 Sheertex tights, and heeled Prada loafers.

The base of Swift's look for the 2024 Super Bowl — which the Chiefs won — was all black. She paired Dion Lee's crochet corset top with Area's $695 crystal slit jeans and $1,195 suede ankle boots from Christian Louboutin.

Swift also wore a red Chiefs bomber jacket from WEAR by Erin Andrews, which cost $129. Her accessories also nodded to the Chiefs, like Judith Leiber's red football clutch. The bag is not available in red online, but brown, gold, and pink versions cost $3,995 on the brand's website.

Her $3,325 necklace from Stephanie Gottlieb featured an 87, a nod to Kelce's jersey number. She also wore a diamond tennis choker from the brand, which cost $7,995.

Swift adorned herself with other red jewelry, including two rings from Shahla Karimi, Retrouvai's $4,550 Ruby Magna ring, and The Last Line's $695 diamond-studded Heart Twist earring, which is sold individually.

She also turned to Shay Jewelry for several red pieces, including a $6,800 necklace, the $5,600 Ruby Eternity Band, and a $19,950 bracelet. Jacquie Aiche's $7,150 Sophia Diamond Chain Pavé Ear Cuff and $715 Pavé Diamond Letter Mini Hoop completed her look. Swift wore a "T" hoop, naturally.

Swift's Super Bowl ensemble was simple, but her accessories filled the look with team spirit.

Instead of wearing a sweatshirt or jersey with the Chiefs logo, Swift donned Stella McCartney's $2,400 belted teddy coat for an away game in Wisconsin. The red color was perfect to support the Chiefs.

The rest of Swift's look was black, including her Louis Vuitton mini wrap skirt, which retails for $3,400. She also wore a black mock-neck top with Cartier's Agrafe Herringbone Twisted necklace atop it. The $27,250 necklace featured gold and diamond detailing, matching Swift's $1,400 linked tennis earrings from Vrai.

Stuart Weitzman's $995 thigh-high Vidaland boots completed her ensemble.

The $1,875 off-the-shoulder Sunday corset and $1,010 Meghan kilt from Vivienne Westwood featured a plaid pattern with maroon detailing that subtly nodded to the Chiefs.

Vivienne Westwood also designed Swift's $1,270 Grace boots and $590 Belle Heart-Frame Jacquard bag.

She didn't hold back on her jewelry for the game, wearing over $46,000 worth of it with the look, including her Cartier necklace and $5,680 custom diamond TNT bracelet from Wove that Kelce gave her as a gift.

Jacquie Aiche designed Swift's bracelets: the $4,675 Seven-Diamond Kate Smooth Bar bracelet and the $5,250 evil-eye bracelet. She also wore various rings, including Shahla Karimi's $3,490 Cloud Offset Pear ring and two custom-made ruby-studded rings from Effy Jewelry.

Glitter freckles from Fazit completed her ensemble.

Swift's look for the game between the Chiefs and the Bengals was simple: black pants, a belt, and a black top.

But a white-and-black varsity jacket designed by Jeff Hamilton brought a pop of team spirit to her look. The jacket featured an assortment of patches, including the "KC" arrowhead logo on the front and back, the NFL logo, and a football helmet. Swift's jacket also said "Chiefs" in red lettering.

Her statement jacket was almost identical to a Jeff Hamilton jacket Kelce wore to arrive at the Chiefs game on Christmas 2023, just a week earlier.

Kelce and Swift's jackets were custom, but Hamilton sells a similar jacket for $850 on his website.

After Kelce and his teammates won the 2024 AFC Championship, Swift joined him on the field to celebrate. There, fans got a closer look at her red and black outfit.

It included a $695 red sweater from Guest in Residence, $2,830 earrings from Wwake, a $6,250 diamond ring from Jacquie Aiche, and $35 Sheertex tights.

But the gold, diamond-embellished tennis bracelet from Wove seemingly had the most sentimental value to Swift.

The brand's founder, Kendall Junck, previously told Business Insider that the bracelet was part of a jewelry collaboration with pro golfer Michelle Wie West, who is friends with Kelce.

She said that when West reached out to gift Kelce some of the pieces, he requested matching bracelets with the letters "TNT" for Taylor and Travis.

Swift's oversize 1995 Salem shirt hit her mid-thigh, allowing her to wear it as a dress. The red piece featured the Chiefs logo and the team's name.

Swift did not reveal where she bought the shirt, though Kansas City business Westside Storey, which sells souvenirs and curated vintage items, told BI it was selling the same piece a week before she was spotted wearing it.

Swift paired the top with Giuseppe Zanotti's $1,650 Frannie boots and Louis Vuitton's Coussin bag, which retails for $4,800.

She wore several high-end jewelry pieces, including Louis Vuitton's $625 My LV Chain earrings. Swift also stacked two necklaces, Vitaly's $120 Shimmer Chain and Melinda Maria's $118 Julian Loves Diamonds Necklace 16, which features diamondettes.

Swift attended the Chiefs game against the Buffalo Bills in December 2023 wearing a $250 vintage sweatshirt, which said "Chiefs" in large letters and featured the team's logo on one sleeve.

She bought the sweatshirt from Westside Storey in Kansas City. The store's owner, Chris Harrington, told BI he initially thought her purchase was fraudulent.

Swift dressed up the casual sweatshirt by pairing it with a $2,100 leather miniskirt from Khaite, which she wore backward, Larroudé's $500 Kate Hi boots in black leather, and GANT 240 Mulberry Street's $1,700 tailored coat in black.

She also added Mejuri's Heirloom Ring, which costs $648, and Mazin Jewels Open Rivet Ring, a $64 piece.

Swift attended the playoff game in a custom red jacket made by Kristin Juszczyk, a designer married to San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

Kristin made the oversize puffer jacket using one of Kelce's jerseys, as she documented in a TikTok, so it featured his number, 87, on the front and sleeve, as well as his name. She also embroidered "Chiefs Kingdom" onto the jacket.

Swift focused her look on the jacket, pairing it with a black top, Paige's $249 Gemma pants, and $1,395 Christian Louboutin combat boots.

She also wore Anine Bing's Waylon belt, which retails for $200 but is out of stock, and carried the $525 Ilda Bag from Manu Atelier.

Swift seemed to signal she was fully stepping into her WAG era at the season opener in September, arriving at Arrowhead Stadium in an all-denim look.

She paired a denim version of Versace's Medusa corset, which retails for $1,325, with $174 mom shorts from Grlfrnd.

Swift also wore Giuseppe Zanotti's $1,650 burgundy thigh-high Frannie boots. The pricey shoes were more affordable than her Louis Vuitton side trunk bag, retailing for $3,950.

An assortment of high-end jewelry completed Swift's ensemble, including her TNT bracelet and a 1970s-inspired coin necklace from For Future Reference. The brand's founder, Randi Molofsky, previously told BI that the brand collaborated with Swift's stylist on the look.

"We were so lucky to work directly with Taylor's longtime stylist, Joseph Cassell Falconer, on last night's look for Taylor," he said. "He came to us specifically for the vintage coin necklace because he really had a vision of that bold, glam '70s style to pair with the denim-on-denim and over-the-thigh boot."

The priciest element of her outfit was a $29,100 ring from Retrouvai, which she paired with Howl's $4,800 Ruby Cocoon ring. Lizzie Mandler's $13,200 three-row Cleo bracelet sat on her wrist while she wore EF Collection's $895 diamond and prong chain earrings and the $590 Love Explosion Starburst Charm earrings from Three Stories Jewelry in her ears.

Swift wore $66,970 worth of jewelry for the look.

Swift then arrived at a Chiefs home game in a red-and-black checked Versace blazer and skirt that cost $3,350 and $1,695, respectively.

The blazer sat on her shoulders, showing off the $34.99 Victoria's Secret corset Swift wore as a top.

She also chose Versace accessories for the look, including the $1,650 Medusa 95 Leather Knee High Boots and the $2,190 Medusa 95 Small Tote Bag.

Swift's standout jewelry piece for the game was the gold Tambour Watch from Louis Vuitton she wore on her wrist. It retails for $54,000, and Kelce has a coordinating timepiece.

But the Ruby and Diamond Heirloom Bezel Ring from Retrouvai she wore on her hand was nearly as pricey at $32,970. She complemented the ring with Effy Jewelry's $2,167 Ruby Royale Ruby and Diamond Crossover Ring.

The luxurious look was stylish and sleek, making her stand out in the stadium filled with sports fans.

There was no missing Swift when she arrived at Arrowhead Stadium over the weekend.

She wore a vibrant red coat with a faux fur lining from Charlotte Simone, plaid Sheertex tights, and a vintage Chanel bucket hat in black.

Her outfit also included $1,595 Manolo Blahnik boots and a red Tods handbag.

The outfit was fashionable, festive, and perfect for a winter game.

Stephanopoulos has become a household name as a result of his nearly 15-year tenure as a co-anchor on ABC's "Good Morning America."

Before Stephanopoulos became one of the biggest names at ABC News, he had a background steeped in Democratic politics, first as an aide to onetime Rep. Edward Feighan of Ohio in the 1980s before working on the unsuccessful 1988 presidential campaign of then-Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis.

Stephanopoulos rose to prominence as a deputy campaign manager for Bill Clinton's successful 1992 presidential campaign, later serving as White House communications director and a senior advisor in the administration.

At ABC News, Stephanopoulos is not only one of the faces of the weekday morning team but he also serves as the anchor of "This Week," the network's Sunday public affairs program.

In December 2024, ABC News settled a defamation lawsuit brought by Trump against Stephanopoulos and the network after the host during a March interview said Trump had been "found liable for rape" in the case involving the writer E. Jean Carroll. (Trump was found liable for sexually assaulting and defaming Carroll.)

Scarborough was elected to the US House from Florida during the 1994 "Republican Revolution," when his party regained a majority in the lower chamber after 50 years of Democratic control.

While in Congress, Scarborough championed conservative policies on everything from foreign affairs to the federal budget.

He later stepped down from the House in September 2001.

In 2003, Scarborough began hosting the MSNBC program "Scarborough Country." The show ran until 2007.

Since 2007, he has hosted the MSNBC program "Morning Joe."

In March 2024, Both Scarborough and his cohost (and wife) Mika Brzezinski publicly voiced their disagreement over the McDaniel hire and stated that she would not be a guest on their program.

After President-elect Donald Trump's November 2024 victory, Scarborough and Brzezinski were rebuked by many of their viewers after the pair went to Mar-a-Lago after the election in a push to "restart communications" with the incoming president, whom they were very critical of during the campaign.

Scarborough defended the move and waved off the criticism.

"Yesterday I saw for the first time what a massive disconnect there was between social media and the real world because we were flooded with phone calls from people all day, literally around the world, all very positive, very supportive," he said in November.

As White House press secretary from January 2021 until May 2022, Psaki was the public face of President Joe Biden's administration.

Before that, she was a White House deputy press secretary, deputy communications director and communications director under President Barack Obama — as well as a State Department spokesperson in his administration.

In between her stint with the Obama and Biden administrations, she served as a CNN political contributor.

She now hosts the MSNBC program "Inside with Jen Psaki," which premiered in March 2023.

Since 2017, Wallace has been an integral part of the MSNBC lineup as the host of "Deadline: White House."

Wallace previously served as the White House communications director from January 2005 until July 2006 under President George W. Bush and later worked as a senior advisor for John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign.

In 2014, Wallace joined ABC's "The View" as a co-host, but exited the program at the end of the season.

Steele, an attorney and former Maryland lieutenant governor, was one of the most prominent Black Republican officeholders during the George W. Bush era.

In 2006, Steele unsuccessfully ran for the US Senate in Maryland, winning the GOP nomination but losing the general election to Democrat Ben Cardin.

He served as chair of the Republican National Committee from 2009 to 2011, leading the party as it picked up 63 seats in the House (and thus retook control) in the 2010 midterm elections.

In May 2011, Steele became a MSNBC political analyst.

He later backed Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.

Steele now hosts the MSNBC program "The Weekend," alongside commentator Alicia Menendez and former Kamala Harris chief spokesperson Symone Sanders-Townsend.

For years, McCaskill carved out a reputation as a moderate Democrat, serving as a prosecutor and as Missouri's auditor.

Despite the increasingly conservative lean of Missouri, McCaskill was elected to the US Senate in both 2006 and 2012, but she was unseated by Republican Josh Hawley in 2018.

McCaskill has since become a NBC News and MSNBC political analyst, and is a frequent guest on "Morning Joe."

Sanders-Townsend rose to prominence as the national press secretary for Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign, where she was a highly-visible force in boosting the independent Vermont lawmaker's bid.

Sanders lost the Democratic primary to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that year, but Sanders-Townsend later emerged as an advisor for Biden's 2020 presidential campaign.

After Biden won the presidency, Sanders-Townsend became a senior advisor and the chief spokesperson for Vice President Harris. She would later depart Harris' office and pivot back to a perch in media.

Sanders-Townsend can now be seen on MSNBC's "The Weekend" alongside Steele and Menendez.

As soon as I stepped inside, I was shocked at the massive space. According to the retailer's website, stores have "an average size of approximately >24,000 square feet (18,000 selling square feet)."

Though this location spanned just one floor, all I could see were aisles and aisles of items lining its perimeter and throughout its center.

The store was largely sectioned by the room you're looking to organize, such as the closet, bathroom, kitchen, garage, office, and more.

During my visit, a case of six was on sale for $59.99, but I still couldn't justify purchasing these, given that my boyfriend and I easily have about 30 pairs of shoes — it would cost us about $300 at a minimum.

But even if we were comfortable justifying the price, I wouldn't expect these boxes to be very apartment-friendly given their size; one case of six measures 11 1/16 inches by 14 7/16 inches by 7 1/4 inches.

As much as I would love to include these in a future dressing room, I had to pass.

This one was a good size at 11 inches by 15 inches by 8 1/2 inches and retailed for $29.99.

My favorite was the Non-Slip Velvet Suit Hangers, which retailed for $9.99 for a 10-pack.

Though I didn't need any more hangers, I would definitely consider purchasing from here in the future, thanks to the wide selection of colors and materials.

There were plenty of drawer options customers could "stack" to build their perfect custom jewelry box, which I loved.

However, I had difficulty locating the prices of each drawer type on the shelves.

This belt organizer, retailing for $24.99, could sit on a closet shelf or in a drawer next to similar organizers.

There were plenty of decorative storage options, from soap dispensers and toothbrush holders to apothecary jars and trays.

The Luxe Acrylic Large Tray pictured above satisfies an itch in my brain that loves the aesthetically pleasing bathrooms I see on Pinterest and TikTok.

But, having been fooled by acrylic pieces, I think these dishes seem more trouble than they're worth. Given the likelihood of dried water, toothpaste, and soap drips, this tray could easily become an eyesore, just like my old acrylic toothbrush holder did.

These pieces don't appear to serve much purpose, especially at a cost of $24.99.

As smart as this storage kit looked, I would never spend this amount when similar options on Amazon are sold at fractions of the price.

Maybe I'm missing out — and maybe it speaks to the space I have in my bathroom — but for $49.99, I'd rather just grab a new roll of toilet paper from the pack when I need it.

My hair dryer and diffuser attachment have a bad habit of getting tangled under my sink, so I could see this being a great addition to my bathroom that would be worth the $25.

One thing I didn't know about The Container Store before my visit was that it has staff designers available to help curate "Custom Spaces."

In collaboration with acquisitions Elfa and Closet Works, "Custom Spaces" was identified as a key part of the company's growth strategy.

Launched in November 2022 as a rebranded expansion of the company's "Custom Closets," The Container Store's Custom Spaces "is defined by three areas of the home: Closet Spaces, Living Spaces, and Garage Spaces," the company said at the time.

As part of this effort, The Container Store launched a new "Garage + Elfa" line in October 2023 and expanded its "Decor+ by Elfa" line in June 2024. Elfa was not included in the bankruptcy.

Look at all these storage options!

These jars appeared straight out of my Pinterest dreams and seem perfect for holding baking ingredients like flour and sugar.

The collection includes three jar sizes: 1.5 quarts, 2 quarts, and 3 quarts. They retail for $19.99, $21.99, and $26.99, respectively, making the full collection about $69.

Plastic and stainless-steel scoops were also available on another shelf nearby.

YouCopia's Upspace Bottle Organizer 2-Shelf holds eight to 10 bottles and costs $24.99.

Even if I'm not happy with its $65.99 price tag.

If you're looking for something specific, visit the store with measurements in mind so you don't have to guess what product would best fit your space.

Call me picky, but I wouldn't like picking through the bottles to find the spice I'm looking for, and I'm not a huge fan of labels.

Near the crafting section were packs of labels for kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, playrooms, and more.

Each pack from the "Everything Organizer Collection" retailed for $12.99.

This section included plenty of laundry baskets to choose from.

They're perfect for maximizing closet space when there isn't much room for dressers.

These animal-themed bins seemed perfect for a child's bedroom or an elementary school classroom, but I was a bit surprised by the cost.

For example, the peacock storage cube was listed for $19.99, but another unpictured sloth cube was listed for $26.99.

There were also sets of rainbow-colored storage bins and rolling chests.

Malhotra told Modern Retail in July that the brand is "starting to do more collaborations."

"I think the partnership we did with the Kelces was really encouraging for customers to see," he said. "Oftentimes, they think that expense is a reason why things are not done, and they look at someone like the Kelces and they go, 'Obviously money is not an issue for them.' Their issue was knowledge, time, and solutions, and that's why they wanted to work with The Container Store."

Ranging in size, color, and material, I loved the variety available.

There were so many trinkets, pens, and notepads to choose from.

I would've loved having these in my pencil pouch in elementary school.

If I didn't already own four different notebooks and calendars, this would've been a very easy $15.99 out of my wallet.

Like this beginner crochet kit.

I'm still unsure if this design makes much sense, but it is cute.

There were just so many choices.

The Weathertight Clear Totes looked like a great choice for reusable moving boxes and basement storage.

Prices ranged from $14.99 for a 6.5-quart tote to $34.99 for a 74-quart tote.

The store's clearance options were robust, with different plates, bowls, glassware, decor pieces, and more.

Though this definitely wasn't a need, I'm disappointed I didn't snag one while it was on sale for $29.40.

Malhotra told Modern Retail in July, "There will always be a cheaper alternative to a plastic bin. Our objective is not to compete there because we don't have the scale and buying power to do so."

Instead, he said it's about offering "a white glove experience" through Custom Spaces and the brand's merchandise. He added that The Container Store differentiates itself from the Walmarts and Targets of the world by spending time with customers to help them choose the right products for their space.

Therefore, it seems that The Container Store is looking to target shoppers who have an established home base and plan to invest in it for years to come.

As a 20-something-year-old who plans to bounce from rental to rental for the next few years, I'm nowhere near that phase of my life. So, buying more expensive organizers that may only fit my current apartment isn't worth it.

However, if you have the money, space, and time, I completely understand falling in love with The Container Store. But for now, my visits will simply remain sources of inspiration.

The Container Store did not reply to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Critic score: 33%

Synopsis: "The Holiday Calendar" follows Abby Sutton (Kat Graham), a photographer who doesn't quite know what she wants out of life and is afraid to go after her dreams.

However, when her grandfather (Ron Cephas Jones) gives her a magical advent calendar, it helps her gain the confidence she needs to be herself.

"Kat Graham (of 'The Vampire Diaries') brings almost too many acting chops for a good holiday rom-com, but the film is still cheerily nonsensical," Lea Palmieri wrote for Decider.

Critic score: 36%

Synopsis: The third installment in the "Christmas Prince" series returns to Aldovia as the kingdom prepares for the holiday season, and Amber (Rose McIver) and Richard (Ben Lamb) prepare to welcome a royal baby.

However, before they can relax for their parental leave, they must restore a 600-year-old treaty between Aldovia and Penglia. 

"The weakest entry in the series feels like it's running on autopilot and introduces some problematic new elements of the mythos," Evan Dossey wrote for The Midwest Film Journal.

Critic score: 38%

Synopsis: Ten years after an ill-timed proposal ended in heartbreak, exes Avery (Lohan) and Logan (Harding) unexpectedly reconnect when they discover their respective partners are siblings. 

In an effort to impress her new boyfriend's mother (Kristin Chenoweth) over the holidays, Avery begs Logan to keep their past relationship a secret. 

"A typically formulaic seasonal sugar rush that's only blandly mediocre, rather than so-bad-it's-good," John Nugent wrote for Empire magazine. "But Lindsay Lohan's romcom-dominance cannot be denied."

Critic score: 40%

Synopsis: In "Best. Christmas. Ever!" Charlotte (Heather Graham) sets out to prove that her old college friend Jackie (Brandy Norwood) doesn't actually have the perfect life she brags about in her annual Christmas newsletter. 

"'Best. Christmas. Ever!' is not the most splendiferous Christmas movie ever, but it will satisfy those hungry for new sentimental holiday movies," Ferdosa Abdi wrote for Screen Rant. 

Critic score: 40%

Synopsis: In the animated, musical retelling of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," Ebenezer Scrooge (voiced by Luke Evans) is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve who help he see the error of his ways. 

The star-studded cast also features the voices of Olivia Colman, Jonathan Pryce, and Johnny Flynn. 

"'Scrooge: A Christmas Carol' isn't the best addition to the collection of adaptations, not by a long shot. But it's surely the glitziest," Bill Goodykoontz wrote for the Arizona Republic. 

Critic score: 43%

Synopsis: "Holiday in the Wild," previously called "Christmas in the Wild," follows Kate Conrad (Kristin Davis) as she goes on her "second honeymoon" alone after her husband suddenly ends their relationship.

Throughout the African safari, Kate rediscovers herself and falls for Derek Holliston (Rob Lowe). 

"It's cheesy, it's stupid, but it's also really quite charming," wrote Stuart Heritage for The Guardian.

Critic score: 43%

Synopsis: In "Christmas Inheritance," Ellen Langford (Eliza Taylor) has to travel to her father's hometown and hand-deliver an important Christmas letter in order to become the CEO of her family's gift business.

Along the way, she's surprisingly charmed by the small town's friendliness and the handsome, down-to-earth inn manager (Jake Lacy).

Dana Schwartz wrote for Entertainment Weekly, "Unlike 'A Christmas Prince,' my favorite movie of 2017, it seems to have a self-satisfied earnestness that makes you want to sit it down and go, 'Hey 'Christmas Inheritance.' What exactly do you think you're doing here?'"

Critic score: 44%

Synopsis: To save her parent's small-town performance venue, Broadway dancer Ashley (Robertson) produces an all-male dance revue to bring money in.

As the Christmas-themed show comes together, Ashley finds herself falling for local handyman-turned-dancer Luke (Murray). 

"There's nothing distractingly bad about this one and there are perhaps enough boxes ticked for undemanding Christmas movie completists but because of the overcrowded space, there's also nothing here that's worth a click," Benjamin Lee wrote for The Guardian.

Critic score: 46%

Synopsis: In "Holidate," strangers Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey) agree to be each other's plus-ones for every gathering in the coming year to avoid the constant judgment of their families.

But things get more complicated when it starts to become more than just a platonic agreement. 

Lisa Kennedy wrote for Variety, "'Holidate' won't change your mind about the tread-worn challenges of romantic comedies, but its leads leverage their charms nicely." 

Critic score: 50%

Synopsis: "Operation Christmas Drop" follows Erica (Graham), a congressional aid who gets sent to an Air Force base with a festive pet-project to assess whether it should remain open.

She's set on crunching numbers and cutting budgets until the base's self-proclaimed Christmas expert, Captain Andrew Jantz (Alexander Ludwig), helps her find a little holiday cheer.

Kyle Turner wrote for The New York Times, "Everything in 'Operation Christmas Drop' falls predictably into place like children nestled all snug in their beds. Each plot point and character dynamic appears predetermined, and not in a seasonally charming way."

Critic score: 50%

Synopsis: In the sequel to "A Christmas Prince," Prince Richard (Lamb) and Amber (McIver) prepare for their royal wedding. But scandal rocks the kingdom when money disappears and the citizens of Aldovia grow increasingly angry with their royals.

"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," Libby Torres wrote for The Daily Beast.

Critic score: 53%

Synopsis: At the beginning of "Love Hard," Josh (Jimmy O. Yang) catfishes Natalie (Nina Dobrev) from across the country. But when she surprises him for Christmas everything blows up in his face. 

In order to try to right his wrong, Josh helps Natalie get together with Tag (Darren Barnet) while keeping up the ruse of their relationship for his family. 

Courtney Howard wrote for Variety, "The ensuing shenanigans not only do our heroine a massive disservice by letting men manipulate her agency — they also cause us to question what exactly we're rooting for."

Critic score: 56%

Synopsis: In the sequel to "The Princess Switch," Duchess Margaret (Vanessa Hudgens) and Kevin (Nick Sagar) are going through a rough patch, so Stacy (also Hudgens) swoops in to help. But things take a turn when another look-alike, party girl Fiona (also Hudgens), screws with their plans.

Dennis Harvey wrote for Variety, "Though inevitably the formula wears a little thinner in spots this time, it's a frothy fantasy that should satisfy viewers' itch for confectionary-looking Christmas fluff."

Critic score: 57%

Synopsis: In the third installment of the "Princess Switch" franchise, Queen Margaret (Hudgens) and Princess Stacy (also Hudgens) have to team up with Margaret's scheming cousin Fiona (also Hudgens) to save the stolen Christmas star on loan from the Vatican. 

"Anyone who has seen one of these movies can just take over for the characters and guess their lines as easily as the three cousins can swap clothes and accents to impersonate one another," Helen T. Verongos wrote for The New York Times. 

Critic score: 62%

Synopsis: In "Falling for Christmas," heiress Sierra (Lohan) gets in a skiing accident after her influencer boyfriend (George Young) proposes to her, and it leaves her with no memory of her life — not even her name. 

Luckily, local inn owner Jake (Chord Overstreet) nurses her back to health throughout the week before Christmas. 

Noel Murray wrote for the Los Angeles Times, "The overall mood is warm and cheery, and Lohan brings a spontaneous sincerity to even the corniest scenes. The movie's wrapping is shiny and plastic, but its star quality is genuine."

Critic score: 63%

Synopsis: In "The Princess Switch," Chicago-based baker Stacy (Hudgens) travels to Belgravia for the Royal Christmas Baking Contest.

But when she meets Duchess Margaret (also Hudgens), who could be her twin, Stacy agrees to switch places with her so the princess can see what "normal" life is like before she takes the throne. 

"'The Princess Switch' is a delight. If you told me last year that I would thoroughly enjoy — nay, crave — another 'Parent Trap'–like movie but starring Vanessa Hudgens ... I would have told you exactly what to do with your Christmas pastries," Emily Tannenbaum wrote for Cosmopolitan.

Critic score: 64%

Synopsis: "Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square" centers on a small town on the brink of extinction.

Scrooge-like town owner Regina (Christine Baranski) is planning on selling the town without a spare thought for its residents — until an angel (Dolly Parton) steps in to try and change her mind.

"'Christmas on the Square' lets the viewer kick back and indulge in all things Parton," Sarah Boesveld wrote for The Globe and Mail.

Critic score: 65%

Synopsis: In "Christmas With You," pop star Angelina (Aimee Garcia) feels like she's getting pushed out by younger singers at her record label. In order to get her name trending again and connect with her fans, she decides to grant Cristina's (Deja Monique Cruz) Christmas wish to meet her in person. 

After spending time with Cristina and her family, Angelina gets wrapped up in writing a new song with Cristina's father, Miguel (Freddie Prinze Jr.).

Courtney Howard wrote for Variety, "It's a holiday trifle for sure, but there's enough to feel satiated — if just temporarily — by the festivities on display."

Critic score: 66%

Synopsis: Narrated by Santa (Brian Cox) and based on a trio of children's books by "Love Actually" director Richard Curtis, the animated holiday film centers on residents of a small seaside town as a blizzard hits on Christmas Eve. 

"'That Christmas' may not be the most revolutionary holiday film, but there's enough heart, silliness, and prime messaging in this animated film to give it its wings," Sarah Musnicky wrote for But Why Tho? A Geek Community.

Critic score: 66%

Synopsis: In the second installment of the "Christmas Chronicles" series, Kate (Darby Camp) is reunited with Santa (Kurt Russell) as a cynical teenager. But she ends up helping to save Christmas (again) when a mysterious troublemaker threatens to steal it. 

Owen Gleiberman wrote for Variety, "At a harmless piece of hokum like this one, you giggle and grin a few times, you see the ruptures healed by Christmas, and you get to hang out with a Santa who's traditional but nearly cool." 

Critic score: 67%

Synopsis: In "The Christmas Chronicles," after two kids try to trap Santa (Russell) and end up losing his precious bag of gifts, the hunt is on to save Christmas — and Santa is charmingly sarcastic all along the way.

Melanie McFarland wrote for Salon, "The film's no great shakes, but Russell's star power in 'The Christmas Chronicles' is a gift anyone should be happy to claim."

Critic score: 68%

Synopsis: In "A Very Murray Christmas," Bill Murray's (playing himself) Christmas special gets canceled because of a snowstorm. Instead, he seeks shelter in a bar where the fellow patrons are more than willing to sing a few holiday songs with him.

Jeff Jensen wrote for Entertainment Weekly, "Murray has surprising resonance. It may not be the yuletide cheer you want in a season darkened by terrorism and fear, but it does have a message that meets the moment."

Critic score: 69%

Synopsis: When Layla (Christina Milian) has a meet-cute at the airport with James (Kofi Siriboe), they promise to attend next year's Pentatonix Christmas concert together if they're both single.

A year later, Layla rushes to find tickets to the concert with the help of Teddy (Devale Ellis) — who soon develops feelings for her. 

"This movie was a fun ride, with countless jokes, great characters, a compelling story, and overall, a feel-good time," Brandon Avery wrote for Just My Opinion Reviews. "Don't sleep on this one because you'll be missing out on something good."

Critic score: 70%

Synopsis: In "Single All the Way," Peter (Michael Urie) convinces his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) to come home with him for Christmas to trick his family into thinking he's in a relationship. 

But thanks to his family's constant meddling, before long, Peter is stuck in a real and unexpected love triangle with Nick and townie James (Luke MacFarlane).

"Veteran TV writer Chad Hodge's self-aware script acknowledges all the tropes — gay and holiday — while continuing to employ them effectively," Carla Meyer wrote for the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Critic score: 71%

Synopsis: In "The Knight Before Christmas," small-town teacher Brooke (Hudgens) helps a time-traveling, medieval knight (Josh Whitehouse) fulfill his quest.

But the more time they spend together, the more Sir Cole wonders if he really wants to succeed and return home. 

Ian Sandwell wrote for Digital Spy, "'The Knight Before Christmas' has every possible festive ingredient you could want, even a puppy in a stocking. Cynics need not apply, there's nothing here for you."

Critic score: 73%

Synopsis: Based on the novel by Richard Paul Evans, "The Noel Diary" follows successful author Jake Turner (Justin Hartley) as he returns to his hometown for the holidays to settle his mother's estate. 

But after finding an intriguing diary, he teams up with Rachel (Barrett Doss), who's on her own investigative journey to uncover her family's past. 

Noel Murray wrote for the Los Angeles Times, "Ditch the mistletoe and holly and it would still be a well-crafted, well-balanced character sketch, following two lost souls as they discover what they've been missing."

Critic score: 73%

Synopsis: "A Christmas Prince" centers on Amber (McIver), a journalist gunning for her big break, as she goes undercover to write about the royal family of Aldovia.

Along the way, she ends up discovering a huge secret that could throw a wrench in the whole Aldovian line of succession, while also falling for the prince (Lamb). 

"It's everything you want a holiday film to be: cheesy, hopeful, a little bit ridiculous, and overall as warm and toasty as the fireplace you're watching it next to," Lea Palmieri wrote for Decider.

Critic score: 75%

Synopsis: In "A Castle for Christmas," an American writer named Sophie (Brooke Shields) sets off on a holiday vacation to Scotland in search of the castle her grandfather told her stories about as a child.

After falling in love with the property and putting an offer in on it, the only thing standing in her way is the grumpy duke (Cary Elwes) who owns it. 

"Its sincere, aspirational sentiments about it never being too late to write your own second chapter feel genuinely meaningful," Courtney Howard wrote for Variety. 

Critic score: 76%

Synopsis: Kathy Barrett (Lacey Chabert), a recently widowed café owner, is shocked when she magically brings a snowman (Dustin Milligan) to life with a simple scarf. 

As they evade questions from small-town cops, Kathy and Jack (the snowman) begin to bond as she opens herself up to the magic of the holiday season. 

"There's a sincere pleasure in slipping down the ludicrous slide that is 'Hot Frosty''s premise, in which a hot, naive, but very sweet man is the perfect Christmas wish — for Kathy and for any of us who may need a bit of comfort from a cold, cold world," Kristy Puchko wrote for Mashable.

Critic score: 83%

Synopsis: In "A Boy Called Christmas," Nikolas (Henry Lawfull) sets off on an adventure to try to find his father — who's on his own journey searching for a mystical village of elves. 

But along the way, Nikolas discovers much more than what he set out for. 

Natalia Winkleman wrote for The New York Times, "Magic abounds in 'A Boy Called Christmas,' Netflix's first prestige holiday movie of the season, but pulsing through this winning adventure tale is something even stronger: the immersive power of storytelling."

Critic score: 85%

Synopsis: Based on the short stories by John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson, "Let It Snow" follows a group of teenagers living in a small, Midwestern town during the holiday season. All of their stories lead to a Christmas Eve party at the local Waffle Town. 

Molly Freeman wrote for Screen Rant, "In 'Let It Snow,' Netflix delivers a cute young adult holiday romance that's comforting in its cheesiness, even if it doesn't break new ground."

Critic score: 91%

Synopsis: The musical holiday film centers on inventor/toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Forest Whitaker) decades after his apprentice (Keegan-Michael Key) betrayed him by stealing his prized creation.

It's up to his granddaughter Journey (Madalen Mills) to reignite the magic in his shop and heal the wounds of his past.

"The many pleasures of this overflowing Christmas stocking of a film are sure to make it a family favorite, and most likely a family tradition," Nell Minow wrote for RogerEbert.com.

Critic score: 95%

Synopsis: In "Klaus," after struggling mail carrier Jesper (voiced by Jason Schwartzman) gets reassigned to an island above the Arctic Circle, he meets mysterious carpenter Klaus (voiced by J.K. Simmons).

Their unlikely friendship melts a years-old feud in their cold town of Smeerensberg and sparks a new holiday tradition. 

"It's awkward and weird, and yet all that awkwardness and weirdness give it personality and charm and a freewheeling, nonsensical quality that feels refreshing," Bilge Ebiri wrote for Vulture.

Critic score: 100%

Synopsis: In "Alien Xmas," when a group of extraterrestrials comes to Earth to try and steal its gravity — and then everything else on the planet — the only things that can save the world are the gift-giving spirit of Christmas and a small alien named X. 

"It's a bit of a sloppy plot, but also kind of endearing in its loosey-gooseyness," John Serba wrote for Decider.

Note: All scores were current on the date of publication and are subject to change. Films without critical ratings were not included. Netflix's originals generally consist of both content created by the streaming service and content exclusive to the platform.

This story was originally published in December 2018, and most recently updated on December 23, 2024. 

Read More:

• 54 of Netflix's original romantic films, ranked from worst to best
• 15 of the best and 15 of the worst holiday movies of all time
• All of the hidden details in Netflix's original holiday movies, which are set in the same universe
• 10 actors who have played Santa Claus in movies

The restaurant is located across from the Grand Central Holiday Fair, which features various shopping vendors.

Grand Central can be a little difficult to navigate if you've never been — or, if like me, you're running to catch a train whenever you're there — so I appreciated that the restaurant was in such an easy-to-find location inside the terminal.

The restaurant's curved entrance was adorned with a festive display of human-sized nutcrackers, wreaths, and holiday lights.

This made it easy for multiple passersby to check out the menu at the same time.

The brunch menu, pictured above, features mostly traditional French fare, from soups and pastries to sandwiches and steak frites. The restaurant also has a full bar and offers cocktails like a mimosa, Bellini, or espresso martini.

The menu changes for dinnertime, with a more extensive cocktail menu and entrée selection.

The restaurant occupies a massive 16,000-square-feet and can seat up to 400 diners, Eater reported.

I made a reservation the day before and was able to snag a table for one inside the restaurant's main dining room, but there were also tables available in the bistro dining area outside the restaurant and in the Green Room, a more dimly lit, cozy dining area located past the main dining room.

I've been to Paris three times, including once at Christmas, and have eaten in quite a few traditional French restaurants.

Even without the holiday decorations, many of the touches, from the mercury-glass sign and swooping red font of the restaurant's logo to the design of the tables, are reminiscent of the city of lights.

Guests can choose to be seated at the bar, at a high-top table, in a booth, or at a small bistro table dining table.

The dining room's design felt elevated and festive, and the booths looked comfortable for a larger group.

I was given the full brunch menu, a drinks menu with cocktails and wine, and the restaurant's pre-fixe menu.

When I sat down, I was also asked whether I would like something to drink while I settled in, so I asked for a bottle of tap water. It was promptly brought over to my table.

I'm a pretty adventurous eater but I have still struggled to find things to order while traveling in France and dining at more upscale eateries. However, I thought this menu was really approachable.

Brasseries tend to offer more comfort foods than upscale fine-dining options. Sure, there were more adventurous menu items (at least, perhaps to some people) like escargot and caviar, but there was also a classic cheeseburger, croque monsieur, and boeuf bourguignon for people who might only be familiar with a few traditional French dishes.

I felt there was something for everyone's tastes here, even kids who might not go anywhere near the steak tartare or duck confit.

The restaurant itself, at least in the main dining room where I sat, isn't particularly warm or cozy. But where it lacks in intimacy it makes up for in stunning views of Grand Central's architecture.

The terminal opened on February 2, 1913, replacing an older train station that was opened in 1871 and another that opened in 1900.

Many preservationists, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, fought to save Grand Central from demolition in the 1970s and helped restore the building's historic grandeur, including its constellation-covered ceiling that was previously coated in cigarette smoke from the days that smoking was allowed inside the terminal.

The chandeliers were originally fitted with electric lightbulbs, making them a marvel for a society only recently introduced to electric lighting.

In the 1990s, the chandeliers were cleaned and fitted with energy-efficient bulbs, thus modernizing them yet retaining their historic charm.

I loved that I could observe a slice of American history right from my dining table.

The restaurant feels very open-air, like an extension of the rest of the terminal rather than an enclosed restaurant.

Even though the restaurant, which opened in September, is a permanent addition to the station, the open-air setup gave it a pop-up feel. I didn't necessarily mind, though, as it allowed me to admire some of Grand Central's architecture.

It cost $6.50, excluding tax and tip, which I actually thought was pretty fairly priced. Living in New York City, I'm used to sometimes paying upward of $6 or $7 for a latte, so this didn't jump out to me as more expensive than usual.

I thought it was less creamy than other lattes I'm used to having, but it was flavorful, hot without being scalding, and topped with a delicious amount of steamed milk.

The soup arrived covered in gooey melted cheese that dripped down the bowl.

It cost $18, which I thought was a bit expensive for an appetizer, especially one that's difficult to share between multiple people. However, it was still one of the cheapest appetizers on the restaurant's hors d'oeuvres menu.

Other menu items, like the steak tartare and shrimp cocktail, cost more than $20, and the crab persillade cost $31.

The gooey cheese practically melted in my mouth, while the soup itself was rich and loaded with deliciously caramelized onions. The bread inside the soup was super soft and easy to eat with the soup spoon. Overall, it was the perfect consistency — not too watery, not too thick or sludgy.

It was very flavorful and could have sufficed as my main meal.

I've had onion soup in Paris, and this rivaled even those.

The bread was crusty on the outside but soft inside. I was impressed.

While many might associate this dish with eggs Benedict, eggs Norwegian comes with smoked salmon and hollandaise rather than ham.

I was also given the choice of a side salad or potatoes with the eggs. I opted for salad because I was so full from the onion soup.

The eggs Norwegian cost $31, compared to $28 for the eggs Benedict. Again, this felt pricey, especially because the portion size wasn't huge. However, that's also a pretty standard price for a brunch entrée in New York City — let alone in a famous location like Grand Central.

I could clearly taste the lemon, and I really loved the consistency of the hollandaise. It wasn't too thick, making this dish feel light and easy to eat.

When I broke into the first poached egg, a beautiful cascade of jammy and gooey egg yolk emerged. This dish was simple but still extremely delicious. I'd definitely come back just for these eggs.

My only complaint with the eggs Norwegian was with the English muffin it was served on. It was on the thinner side, which didn't necessarily ruin the dish, but it didn't add to it, either. For more than $30, I expected more.

The salad was a simple spring mix, but it was well-dressed and complemented the richness of the smoked salmon and the eggs.

I ended up paying $71.53 for my brunch, including tax and tip. Don't get me wrong — I rarely, if ever, pay this much for a solo breakfast. And for many, this would be completely unaffordable.

Still, for others, the prices may not be that far-fetched for an appetizer, entrée, and specialty coffee at an iconic location in New York City. Pricing is completely subjective, though I did think the eggs, although delicious, were slightly overpriced.

As a special treat, I enjoyed getting to experience dining in one of New York's most famous locales, and if you're visiting New York City around the holidays, sometimes spending more than you normally would is part and parcel of that.

I enjoyed the food, the festive decorations, and seeing some classic New York architecture combined with the Parisian elegance I've come to love through traveling. For me, that was priceless.

Business Insider reached out to Grand Brasserie for comment but did not receive a response.

My dad told me that my pappou started giving people the flyers — which also included recipes for Greek treats like trigona and galaktoboureko — because they were constantly asking how he made them.

His baklava recipe is less than 70 words and basically translates to: "We add breadcrumbs and a bit of sugar in the mix. We lay the phyllo in layers of two. We add the mix in multiple layers, not just the middle."

During the holiday season, my dad would always help my pappou at the store. But he didn't start making the dessert himself until he moved to the US, wanting to continue the tradition while more than 6,000 miles away from his entire family.

Like my dad, every Christmas memory I have includes baklava. It doesn't feel like the holidays without it. And since my dad taught me how to make his famous pastitio and avgolomeno soup, it was only natural that baklava would be next on the list.

And, lucky for you, he was more than happy to share the family recipe — and prove that baklava is a lot easier to make than it looks.

To make my dad's baklava, you'll need:

• 1 packet of phyllo dough
• 2 sticks of unsalted butter
• 2 cups of chopped walnuts
• 2 cups and 2 tablespoons of sugar
• ½ cup of plain breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon of cinnamon

"As Paul Hollywood would say, you need good lamination," my dad told me sagely as he watched to ensure the butter didn't burn.

"You don't want them to be a powder," he told me.

No food processor? No problem. My dad said it's also perfectly fine to roughly chop your walnuts with a knife or buy pre-chopped walnuts from the supermarket.

We added the walnuts to a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of sugar, as well as the cinnamon and breadcrumbs.

My dad told me that breadcrumbs help the baklava absorb the syrup better, a helpful trick that was actually discovered by accident.

"Walnuts in Greece used to be very expensive, and people would cheat with breadcrumbs," he said. "But they found that the breadcrumbs actually really help with absorption."

Just make sure the breadcrumbs are plain — no Italian seasoning!

As the scents of cinnamon and walnuts twisted together, I felt like I could already smell the baklava.

It brought me back to being a kid, where I'd walk by the kitchen every Christmas break and watch my dad dutifully prepare this mix.

No one expects you to make your own phyllo — this isn't "The Great British Bake-Off." But make sure to leave your phyllo in the fridge for a day or two before you make the baklava. It can't be used frozen.

My dad's pro tip is to take your pan (he recommends using one that's medium-sized and has a rectangular shape) and place it over the sheets. Then, using a sharp knife, cut the phyllo to almost match the size of the pan.

"It's OK to fold a little phyllo on the side, so give yourself some extra dough," my dad said. "But you don't want a huge amount."

Make sure you save some of your best sheets for the bottom of the baklava (you need a strong base) and the top (so it looks extra impressive).

You don't need much; just a thin layer will do.

As you build the baklava, you always add two phyllo sheets at a time and brush the second layer with a little butter.

"Not too much," my dad said. "It doesn't have to be soaked, or else the baklava will be very oily."

"Sprinkle the whole pan with a thin layer of your mix," my dad said. "And put a bit more of the mix around the middle of your phyllo."

"But you don't want areas where there's no filling," he added. "You want some in every bite."

Remember, the breakdown is:

• Two layers of phyllo at a time, the top brushed with butter
• Every six layers of phyllo, add some of the walnut mixture

Place the strips next to each other, as we did above, to mimic a full sheet and get the most out of your box of phyllo. Just make sure you're still doing two layers at a time.

"It's not an arts and crafts project; it's food!" my dad said. "You're not going to see any of this when you cut the baklava, just multiple layers of phyllo."

And if you end up missing the count and accidentally put three layers of phyllo instead of two or the walnuts on top of layer seven instead of six, my dad said it's "not the end of the world."

"The key is you just want to make laminated layers with the filling," he added. "Don't panic, and do the best you can."

For this pan of baklava, we actually did four final layers instead of six since we ran out of phyllo.

If you want, you can always make more mix. And if you have extra phyllo, you can use it to make tiropitakia (cheese pies) or spanakopita (spinach pies) and really turn this into a Greek feast.

This is why you want to use full sheets of phyllo on top — it's very hard to butter broken layers.

And don't forget to butter the edges. My dad says this will help protect the phyllo from burning.

Before baking, use a sharp knife to cut the baklava into small triangles or squares.

"If you don't cut it, the baklava will not cook," my dad told me. "Raw baklava is not good. Plus, it's very hard to cut after you cook it because the baklava is very flaky."

It helps the cooking process, and it's the traditional shape. First, cut the baklava into squares, then slice them diagonally.

My dad said the baking time will take 45 to 55 minutes. Every oven is different, so check on yours until you get that beautiful color.

To begin the syrup, mix the 2 cups of sugar with 1 cup of water.

My dad told me that lemon juice helps prevent the syrup from crystallizing, which makes the baklava last longer.

Then mix the syrup as you wait for the first boil.

"Wait a few seconds after it starts boiling, then take it off of the heat," my dad said. "Don't let it boil for more than a minute."

My dad recommends using a ladle for this step and says it's important to pour the syrup evenly over the baklava.

It's also important to note that your baklava needs to cool completely before adding the syrup. My dad usually lets the baklava sit overnight, but he said you can just wait a couple of hours if you're in a crunch for time.

This helps the baklava absorb all that delicious syrup.

To make sure the syrup doesn't crystallize, my dad says it's important to always use a clean knife when you're cutting new pieces and always avoid using a wet knife or wet utensils.

Also, there's no need to refrigerate. You can let your pan sit out in the kitchen for days (if it's not eaten before then!).

There are so many incredible textures and flavors that dance together as you bite into a piece of baklava. You've got the flakiness from the phyllo, combined with that sweet, sticky syrup. And then there's that satisfying crunch of the walnuts in the middle, bringing everything together as it melts in your mouth.

I brought some of my dad's baklava on a road trip with friends years ago, and they still talk about it to this day. My boyfriend and his roommates said it was so good it gave them goosebumps.

This recipe has won my dad baking contests at his office and has been the talk of every Greek holiday party we've ever attended.

I'm telling you, this is the real deal.

The most special thing about food to me has always been the stories it can bring. My pappou passed when I was 4 years old, but I've been able to keep a connection with his spirit through the baklava that my dad has made every Christmas. And now that I can make it as well, it's a tradition I know I'll always honor.

While I know it can seem intimidating, my dad's recipe proves that you don't have to be a Greek phyllo maker (or the descendant of one) to make some amazing baklava for your family and friends.

So, whether you only make this baklava once or it earns a permanent spot on your family's holiday menu, I hope you feel the love in this recipe.