The Happiness Factory brings holiday cheer to people who need it most. An elementary school in Fort Worth, Texas couldn’t afford their annual Christmas gifts for its students, until TikTok made the magic happen. These sisters live far away from each other, but this holiday tradition brings them back together. This group believes Santa comes in every color. Plus, how many mistletoe-kissing couples does it take to make history?
 
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Host/Producer: Krista Bo Polanco 
Producer: Eryn Mathewson 
Showrunner: Faiz Jamil 
Senior Producer: Felicia Patinkin 
Editorial Support: Dianna Hill, Liberty Smith, Sophie Garnett  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Updates to Our Favorite Stories From 2025: Pt. 1

Starting August 8, 2026 all new episodes can be found over in the CNN 5 Things feed.  Search "CNN 5 Things" wherever you get your podcasts.



How about a break — for your ears? At CNN, we know the news can be a lot to take in. So each week, 5 Good Things offers you a respite from the heavy headlines and intense news cycle. Treat yourself to something fun and uplifting every Saturday as we share the bright side of life from all over the globe.