December 25, 2023 • 2 min read with Dan DeFrancesco Merry Christmas! For those of you celebrating with friends or family, here are some tips from a Stanford lecturer on how to come off looking good at any holiday party.  The Insider Today team is off, so we’re giving you an abbreviated version of the newsletter. In today’s big story, we’re looking at the best television shows, movies, and music from the past year. Let’s get into it.

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HBO Max; Netflix; Disney+; Alyssa Powell/Insider The big story Entertainment essentials The holiday season can mean a lot of different things to people. For some, it’s a chance to catch up with family and friends. For others, it’s just nice to be off work for a few days.  Either way, for many of us, the holiday season is also a good time to catch up on shows or movies we didn’t have a chance to watch during the year. But with so many options, that can be a daunting task.  Luckily for you, Business Insider’s entertainment team has you covered with a list of the best shows of 2023. Whether you’re looking to watch something entirely new (“Beef”), an up-and-comer (“The Bear”), or a legendary show’s swan song (“Succession”), 2023 had a little bit of something for everyone.  If you’re not looking to commit to an entire series, BI also identified the best movies of the year.  High-profile blockbusters like Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon" and Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" garnered plenty of attention this year. But from Pixar’s “Elemental” to M. Night Shyamalan’s “Knock at the Cabin,” familiar faces also reemerged in 2023 to produce some of their best work. Prefer your entertainment in audio form? We’ve still got you covered. BI’s Callie Ahlgrim ranked the best albums and songs of the year. We’ve also got a handy Spotify playlist to judge for yourself.  So whether you’re watching or listening, here’s hoping you’ve got plenty to keep you busy doing nothing.

Lauren Edmonds/Business Insider For your bookmarks A five-ingredient dessert This no-bake, five-ingredient recipe is great for a quick treat during the holidays. BI’s Lauren Edmonds said the Christmas staple has been in her family for at least three generations.

The Insider Today team Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Diamond Naga Siu, senior reporter, in San Diego. Hallam Bullock, editor, in London. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Hayley Hudson, director, in Edinburgh. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York.