One of the things that I have always liked about this time of the year was watching the Christmas movies and tv specials that have become a holiday favorites. So I thought that I'd write about some of my favorites.
It's a Wonderful Life has become a holiday favorite, seen by millions of people. The story of George Bailey finding out that he had effected so many people and that the world was a better place because he lived is inspiring. I had the pleasure of watching this movie at the Redford Theater, where they have an old Wurlitzer organ that they play before movies and during intermissions. The showed the movie about 8 years ago and arranged to have the actress played Zuzu tell her stories about the movie.
Miracle on 34th Street has inspired more than one version. I prefer the version with Maureen O'Hara and Natalie Wood, but that's not to say that the newer version isn't good too. The real Santa is hired by Macy's to play Santa in their Thanksgiving parade at the last minute when their Santa becomes too intoxicated to do the job. Maureen O'Hara is a single mother that stopped believing years ago and Natalie Wood is her daughter that doesn't believe, they're all in for a surprise. Santa has to go to court because a disgruntled Macy's employee feels compelled to have him committed. Does Santa go off to an insane asylum?
A Christmas Story didn't impress me too much the first time that I saw it but it grew on me. I watched it with my dad the second time that I saw it and I was hooked. A young boy wants a Red Rider toy gun for Christmas. There were so many things in there that my dad could relate to in the movie that I saw it from a different angle and got a chance to see it through my father's eyes. The story takes place during the golden age of radio (1940's), before television, when radio dramas were one of the main forms of entertainment. At one point Ralphie has got his secret decoder ring and listens intently to the radio, expecting to get some earth shattering message only to find out that this just a ploy by Ovaltine to get you to use their product. The use of the adult Ralphie narrating the movie helps to make it special, you get a glimpse into the mind of young Ralphie.
You're probably familar with Charles Dickens "A Chirstmas Carol". This might have been the first non bible based Christmas story, but it has become engrained in society and many of us have read it. There have been several movies made out of the story and they've stared George C. Scott and Patrick Stewart. Even Bill Murray has played Scrooge.
The Santa Clause is about a divorced father (Scott Calvin played by Tim Allen) that accidentally hits Santa and puts on Santa's red costume and evokes that Santa Clause, where the wearer agrees by virtue of putting on the suit, to become Santa. Scott Calvin and his son Charley are taken by the reindeer to the North Pole and are returned the next morning. Scott Calvin thinks that this was just a dream but Charley remembers it as as only a child can. Scott Calvin's ex-wife (Wendy Crewson) and her psychiatrist boyfriend (Judge Reinhold) begin to think that he is trying to play tricks on Charlie's mind and he even loses the right to see his son as a result. Will Scott Calvin be able to see his son again? This warm and entertaining move inspired to additional films.
If you're in the mood for a vacation, why not watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation? Chase Chase is back as Clark Griswold in the third installment of the Vacation series. Clark is the same accident prone, bad lucked Clark Griswold who is expecting a large Christmas bonus. Randy Quaid is back as the unemployed brother-in law. Lots of gags and the script is from John Hughes.
The Polar Express is a recent addition to the world of Christmas movies. This ground breaking animated movie was directed by Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks portrayed 5 different computer generated characters. Although some people might find the use of computer animation to be eerie, this is destined to become another Christmas classic.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a classic Dr. Seuss story told as only he can do it. Director Ron Howard and Jim Carey have brought the Grinch to life as only they can do it. It seems that Jim Carey was born to play the Grinch. This movie might be scary for young kids, so be prepared. There is an animated version of the Grinch made in 1966 that airs on television from time to time that is very good as well, I've put this under some of the classic animated television movies further down.
Original Christmas Classics is a wonderful collection of children's holiday favorites including Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, Frosty the Snowman, and others. Most of these are the television classics from when I was a kid with voices of Fred Astaire, Mickey Rooney, and plenty of classic Christmas songs that most of us know. If you have young kids they're sure to enjoy these.
Christmas Television Favorites is a collection of Christmas television specials adding to Original Christmas Classics and includes the animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Year Without a Santa Claus, Rudolf's Shinny New Year, and others. These are more wonderful shows that aired when I was a kid.
Peanuts Holiday Collection, you can't really celebrate Christmas without Snoopy now can you? This set includes Its the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. Celebrate these holidays with Charlie Brown, Linus, Sally, Peppermint Patty, Lucy, and of course everyone's favorite beagle, Snoopy.
Why not take some time our of your busy holiday schedule and enjoy some of these holiday favorites with your family. Maybe you can enjoy some homemade Christmas cookies, popcorn, and egg nog. Happy Holidays.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
December 8th Edition of The Holiday Spirit
I’m pleased to present the third edition of The Holiday Spirit Blog Carnival. We had several great submissions for the first edition and I’m pleased with the submissions that we’ve had this time around. There is a lot of humor in this edition as well as little bit of controversy, so please read on. I look forward to seeing what other posts will be submitted as we go along with the rest of The Holiday Spirit Blog Carnival.
Thanksgiving
Realizing that Thanksgiving is behind us for this year, I wrote about doing a Thanksgiving Review last year. You can do this during the current holiday season or maybe as part of planning for 2009.
Shopping and Gift Ideas
From Chief Family Officer:
“It would be good, of course, to practice random acts of kindness throughout the year, and I do. But I think, especially with strangers, they're easier to do at this time of year. So here are five that I've come up with”Five free or cheap random acts of kindness for the holiday season
“As a stereotypical male, I seem innately handicapped when it comes to performing… “confusing activities” that include shopping and picking out the right gifts for the right occasion. I’m sure there are some men out there who love to cruise the malls and spend hours window shopping to their hearts’ content like most of the women I know, but I’m most definitely not one of them…. but yet somehow, whenever I step foot in a retail department store, I quickly become fatigued. Somehow, I instantly become drained of all energy and stamina the moment I am faced with the grueling ordeal of mall shopping. Worst yet, I’m a terrible buyer when it comes to gifting - which is why gift cards and gift certificates are such a God send for people like me.”
Buying Discount Gift Cards As Presents“By buying these retail gift cards at the bonus reward locations, cardholders have the potential to earn up to 5% or more cash back through credit card discounts and rebates through a process that’s essentially a mild form of gift credit card arbitrage.”
Are you giving self mixed CDs or have you spent hours putting together special family videos together, why not get one of these decorative tins to dress them up?
TinShop Holiday CD/DVD Tins”…there is a cure for the holiday gift blues. Just substitute this agreement for those subtle hints — the ones that are always either missed or misconstrued. Then kiss that Returns Counter good-bye. This year’s gifts are for keeps.”
Traditions
From Thursday Bram at Wise Bread:
“My family doesn't exactly respect the calendar. We've heldThanksgiving on a Friday, moved Mother's Day to the last week of April and moved around just about every other holiday to suit ourselves. This adaptability has saved us an unbelievable amount of money.“Flexible Holidays Are Much Cheaper (And Less Stressful)
Not Related to the
From Jessie at My Investing Blog:
“I’ve been mulling this post over for about a month now and have been taking notes back and forth to come up with valid info to ease people from getting too worked up about it.”
How Is What We Are Going Through Now Different From The Great Depression in the
1930’s?
From KCLau’s Money Tips:
Two reviews had been posted about my new book Top Money Tips for Malaysian
Top Money Tips for Malaysian Book Review
From Gill at gilocafe:
Gilocafe has posted a video from a visit to the Teotihuacan Pyramids of Mexico City.
Teotihuacan Pyramids Mexico City
Is wondering about a surge in gun purchases (hand guns and more). This one so far hasn’t branched off into one of your crazy Second Amendment shouting matches. It is nice to see when people can have different views without making comments our other people’s parentage or
intelligence.
From Jon Swift:
“No one has been hit harder by this financial turmoil than conservatives. Although conservatives generally support self-reliance when it comes to others, the situation is so dire that the only thing that will save our conservative institutions at this point is a quick infusion of government aid.” Note: some readers might take offense as this is a politically charged article, so please bear this in mind.Advent Calendars
Thank you to all the participants. I received a flood of submissions one the last day that I wasn’t able to review yet, so look for some of these to be in the next edition (planned for December 15th). Remember that The
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Sunday, December 7, 2008
Advent Calendars
Advent Calendars
Do you have an Advent Calendar? Have you ever seen one? Living in
Here are some sites that you might find of interest related to Advent calendars:
Advent Calendars from Bronners- Bronners is a famous Christmas store located in
How to Make an Advent Calendar from eHow
TeachingMom's Online Advent Calendar- A nice site that you and your family can use in creating your own Christmas Traditions. There are bible verses and explanations of various things related to Christmas and Christianity.
Advent Calendars at MegaCalendars- There are all kinds of calendar here that you can buy.
Advent Calendar article at Wikipedia- Article describing the history of Advent Calendars.
Online Interactive Calendar from Woodland’s Junior School- This is an
extremely popular interactive online Advent Calendar for kids of all ages. You can find out how Christmas is celebrated around the world
Online count down with Christmas stockings-
Advent Calendars at Amazon
Teddy Bear Advent Calendar Christmas Countdown
Kinder Friends
Winnie the Pooh
Barbie
Playmobil is very popular with kids in Germany...
Christmas in the Forest
For those kids that are into pirates...
Dueling Knights...
Unicorn Paradise...
Of course Lego has a few Advent Calendars...
Lego 2008 Advent Calendar
Lego City 7907
Lego Castle
Of course like most everything else in life you can spend a lot of money on this if you like. Here are some of the more expensive ones that I found as well.
From Playmobil
Regardless of if you buy a chocolate or toy themed Advent Calendar, play around with some of the online ones, or make one yourself, Advent Calendars can be a fun way to count down the days till Christmas. Happy Holidays everyone.
Photo Credit: This is an Advent Calendar that we have had for years.
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