The Rio Olympics is just days away now and as always, there are always a huge diverse range of memorabillia and branded merchandise available. Some of these are delightfully good, others are awfully bad, here we have got 5 of the best that the Olympic spectacle as on offer. Check them out and let me know what you think:

Mini Soccer Ball Tom - Celebrate

If there is one product or piece of Olympic merchandise synonymous with Brazil and its cultures and passions it would have to be the soccer ball. Emblazoned with the Rio 2016 Olympic Mascot 'Tom', a character symbolic of a famous Brazilian musician who sung songs of Brazil Charm. This is a unique, fun and vivid piece of Olympic Merchandise.

Rio 2016 Olympic Games Mascot Plush Toy 30 cm

'Vinicius', the Rio 2016 Olympic Mascot, is a symbol of the vibrant culture of Brazil, named after the famous poet of Bossa Nova. This Plush Toy will be the friend that you take back with you after experiencing the wonder and effervescence of the Rio 2016 Olympics.

'Tom' the mascot of the Rio 2016 Olympic games and the symbol of the joyous music steeped into Brazilian culture and that which will be floating through the streets of Rio through the Olympic Games, is decorated on this fun and colorful hat. The hat will shade you from the hot South American Sun and remind you of amazing experience that was the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Key Chain Olympic Logo Revolving

Looking for something small, but full of Olympic charm and nostalgic remembrance? Well look no further than the Rio 2016 Olympic Key Chain. A simple reminder of the glorious unification of nations that is and was the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Rio 2016 Olympic Games Mascot Bath Towel – Yellow

Finally, The Rio 2016 Olympic Games Mascot Bath Towel is the useful and pragmatic piece of merchandise that embodies the colors so affiliated with Brazil and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as well as the mascot that speaks of the art and culture that pervades the country and its people.

The word of the year has officially been released for 2015 and it is, drum-roll please……NOT A WORD! Confused? Yes, well to elaborate Oxford Dictionaries has released its official word of the year and it is the all too familiar ‘crying with laughter’ Emoji.

The pictograph or emoji, as they have come to be known amongst us, has been awarded the highest honour possible in the Linguistic Championship for 2015. This year’s winner has really proved to us that a picture is worth a thousand words.

2015 Winning Emoji

The “Face with Tears of Joy” Emoji - which is the correct name for the image, has beaten out not only every word imaginable but also the ever increasingly popular emoji’s.

Emoji’s have become a part of everyday communication for smartphone users. In this digital age, it is hard to imagine sending a text or posting a status without including some form of insinuating visual communication. From the famous Spanish dancer to a large red heart, it has become increasingly easy to share with friends your thoughts and feelings without having to say anything at all.

Oxford Dictionaries has release a statement saying “There were other strong contenders from a range of fields…but [Face with Tears of Joy] was chosen as the ‘word’ that best reflected the ethos, mood and preoccupations of 2015.”

According to SwiftKey, Face with Tears of Joy comprised 17 percent of the emoji used in the U.S. in 2015 and 20 percent of those in the U.K. — a significant rise from 9 percent and 4 percent, respectively, last year.

Brand Items With Emojis

These emoji’s which were designed in 1999 by Japanese mobile designer Shigetaka Kurita have become  ways of expressing. They are ever popular choices when personalising  items like mugs, shirts and mousepads. The images are a great creative idea to add to gifts for friends and loved ones.

By Caitlin Wood

Originally Seen On: https://www.washingtonpost.com/rweb/politics/for-first-time-ever-an-emoji-is-crowned-oxford-dictionaries-word-of-the-year/2015/11/17/0fbcf75ee09150bc400fca87d5f7d458_story.html