Smashing Magazine - we smash you with the information that will make your life easier. really.

The new year is just few days away; however, not all parties are planned, not all presents are packed and not all work is done. If you feel under the weather, bored or overwhelmed by the late shopping or working chaos, it’s just the right time to take a short break and get into the right mood.

To help you to achieve just that we’ve collected some excellent, funny and touching animated videos — for you, your colleagues, your friends and your family. You probably have seen some of them, but it doesn’t make them less funnier.

Enjoy the last days of the year 2007. Smashing 2008, folks!

[Offtopic: by the way, did you already get your copy of the brand new Smashing Book?]

Animated Videos

Kiwi! (YouTube) or Kiwi! (Quicktime)
The story of a Kiwi who spends his whole life working towards achieving his dream. Very sad, indeed. But so beautiful, and so touching.

Scrat-Ice and Scrat-Shine (YouTube)
Scrat, probably the coolest squirrel ever, still doesn’t have any luck.

Pixar — Lifted (MetaCafe)
Pixar’s latest short-film “Lifted”. Apparently, aliens also need to learn how to drive.

Funny Cat Cartoon (YouTube)
You probably shouldn’t show this video to your pets.

For The Birds – McFly (YouTube)
Morality: Whoever laughs last laughs best.

Bonus

What Song Is This? (YouTube)
Can you guess what song is being sung here? It should become apparent at the middle of the video. Hint: don’t read the tags on the YouTube page. They contain spoilers.

The World’s Most Effective Speed Bump (Gizmodo)
Here’s the perfect way to slow down those doggone kids driving their noisy pocket rockets, invading the neighborhood at high speed without regard to the peace and personal safety of the local inhabitants. Don’t try this at home. Please.