Christmas... in the News: Binge-watching 2025 Christmas Films, Best Christmas Movies to Stream This Holiday Season & What Makes for A Great Christmas Song?

 

Welcome to this edition of Christmas... in the news. This is a review of Christmas articles and news over the last week.

Here we are at Sunday again, and there are only 11 days until Christmas. That doesn't even seem possible, but it's true. 

My house is mildly decorated, all the holiday cards have been addressed, all the shopping is done, and I only have one more package to get into the mail. I'm going easier on myself by not having turkey for Christmas dinner. Instead, I will roast a chicken and bake a small ham. 

Let's check out this week's news. We start with the BBC article titled "Binge-watching 2025's Christmas films: The good, the bad and the so-bad-it's-good." Some of these I am familiar with, but many I didn't know about. Have you seen any of these? Check out the article here.

Deseret News posted this article sharing the "10 Best Christmas Movies to Stream This Holiday Season." I have to admit it is a fabulous list with many great classics. Check it out here.

CBS News seeks to answer the question: "What makes for a great Christmas song?" Interested in their thoughts? Check out the article here.

That's it for the latest edition of Christmas... in the news. Thanks for reading!

Top Ten Books Set in Snowy Places

Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl hosts a weekly blog meme titled Top Ten Tuesday. I participate with my other book blog, The Book Connection. I thought this week's list of Top Ten Books Set in Snowy Places would work great for this site. Enjoy!

How about a town on the outskirts of the Appalachian Mountains?

The North Pole is a snowy place.

Just thinking about the frozen wilderness of Alaska makes me shiver. 

Do you think Canada might be a snowy place?

Though this cover isn't snowy, Caroline takes place in Wisconsin, which gets its fair share of snow. 

The Children's Blizzard happened in the Great Plains, known for its significant snowfall. 

Depending on which region of Idaho you are in, you could get a lot of snow. 

Washington state can get a lot of snow, depending on where in the state you live. 

In De Smet, South Dakota, during the winter of 1880-1881, there was so much snowfall that the town was cut off from supplies. Even now, they get a fair amount of the white stuff. 

Before they defeated the White Witch, Narnia was a cold and snowy place. 

Interview with Kathleen Shoop, Author of the Historical Christmas Tale, Cinder Bella

Bestselling author Kathleen Shoop, PhD writes historical fiction, women’s fiction, and romance. Shoop’s novels have garnered awards in the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY), Eric Hoffer Book Awards, Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and more. You can find Kathleen in person at various venues. She’s on the board of the Kerr Memorial Museum, teaches at writing/reader conferences, co-coordinates Mindful Writers Retreats and writing conferences, and gives talks at various book clubs, libraries, and historical societies.

Sign up for her newsletter at www.kshoop.com. 

Visit her website at www.kshoop.com or connect with her on X, Facebook, Instagram, BookBub, TikTok, and Goodreads.

Cinder Bella is available at Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble & Kobo.

Where did you grow up? 

I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where there was an interesting blend of gritty ambition and humble overachievers. Many of my stories are set there or in communities close by because there is sooooo much wonderful material to churn into plot and character. 

What do you remember about the Christmases of your past?

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. As a child, my parents and extended family made the celebration magical, always somehow getting us things we wanted and surprises we hadn't thought of until they landed under the tree. Then, as an adult, my husband, Bill, and I hosted Christmas Eve, and part of our gathering was for people to bring coats and winter things that they didn't need, and we would drop them at the halfway house down the street for people who we knew needed them. THEN... my daughter, Beth, was born on Christmas Eve and every celebration since has taken the magic to new levels. My son, Jake, was born the year before Beth and has always been her biggest birthday fan. 

What is your favorite part of the holiday season?

My favorite part is finding a meaningful and "perfect" gift for those I love. Nothing makes me happier than someone getting something important to them.  Christmas morning, when I'm the first one up, and I put on the lights and have quiet coffee is just another layer of pure holiday magic. But now that my kids are grown and out of the house, having them back is the absolute best.

When did you first realize you wanted to write Christmas stories or stories set during the holiday season?

As I mentioned above, Christmas and Christmas Eve were always my favorite holidays, and I spent so much time watching Christmas movies and reading Christmas stories that after years of having books published, it occurred to me that I was missing an opportunity to make literary magic for others. Once I started writing short holiday tales (contemporary and historical), I put out a book a year for readers to love. Although they tell me that they revisit many year after year.

What is your latest book about?

The latest book is A Waltz for Christmas, and it's inspired by my grandparents on my father's side. Depression era young adults, dancing was one of the biggest forms of entertainment. And when my grandmother (who was a tremendous dancer) discovered my grandfather was not only not a good dancer, but he had no interest in it, the fun began. Their backstories are compelling and impacted their personalities and circumstances in such a way that they never failed to help deliver us the biggest, best Christmas ever.  It will be book 6 in the 'Tis the Season collection. These are standalones, so reading in any order will do. 

What is your favorite Christmas story or who is your favorite Christmas story character? Why? 

I love all the classics, including A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote. My kids think his holiday stories are too glum, but I adore the gritty depiction of life when things are hard, everyone is trying to make do, and somehow, make holiday magic. I also love things like A Christmas Carol (my The Christmas Coat ended up being a modern rendition of the story without me even planning it that way. A real life event inspired it and off I went with the writing.). I adore irreverent holiday movies like The Family Stone and Surviving Christmas and Seven Fishes because they remind me so much of my family holiday gatherings. Everyone does their best to bring their best selves, but complicated families can make that hard. But at their heart, these stories (and real life) have the love of family and the holidays, and I adore them. The movies mentioned here inspired my Christmas in Eagle Bend (contemporary), and it remains one of my favorites. Hope you enjoy it if you pick it up!

Where can readers buy your book?

Readers can find my books anywhere books are sold. Online sources carry my books year-round (I've written 23 books, so many are not specifically Christmas stories) but brick and mortar stores like Mystery Lovers Bookshop will mail my books to you!

What is up next for you?

As I finish up A Waltz for Christmas and the new year begins, I'll be finishing up my novel, Imperial Girl. It's a story set in St. Petersburg, Russia 1909-1917 about a dancer studying at the Imperial Ballet School. It's magical, wonderful, fairytaleish and eventually Mila will have a book set in the Donora Story Collection as she emigrates to America to escape a dire situation. More on this story to come!!!

Is there anything you would like to add?

Subscribe to my newsletter at http://kshoop.com for all my book updates, behind-the-scenes news, giveaways, tea, coffee, and other drink recipes, and so much more!!!

Christmas... in the News: Black Bear Joins Christmas Parade, New Yorker's Ornaments Featured in White House Display & Giant Christmas Tree in Bethlehem

 

Welcome to this edition of Christmas... in the news. This is a review of Christmas articles and news over the last week.

How are your holiday plans going? Mine are slowly coming together, but if I don't get a day off pretty soon, the decorations might never make their way up.  Not really, because I always get it together. That's what makes a mom's magic so special. 

We are only 18 days away from Christmas. Gosh, that sure crept up fast. Let's check out some of the latest bits of Christmas news.

What would you do if a black bear wandered into your Christmas parade? Well, that's exactly what happened today in Tennessee. Check out this video on NBC News by clicking here. 

WIVB out of Buffalo reported that a man from Lancaster has dozens of his ornament designs on display at the White House. You can read more of Brandon Koblich's story here. 

Finally, we come to a story that takes place in the town where Jesus was born. Due to the ongoing war in Gaza, no Christmas lights have been lit since 2022. As reported in The Independent, with the ceasefire in its second month, a giant lit Christmas tree now stands in Bethlehem. You can read more here. 

There is always tons of Christmas news this time of year. I hope you find those bright moments as you celebrate the holiday season. 

Christmas on TV: Little House on the Prairie Christmas Episodes

I grew up watching Little House on the Prairie. Some of my favorite episodes were the Christmas ones, and there weren't many of them. The pilot movie had Christmas scenes, and there were four other episodes set during Christmas: "Christmas at Plum Creek" (Season 1), "Blizzard" (Season 3), "A Christmas They Never Forgot" (Season 8), and "Bless All the Dear Children" (TV Movie). 

In the pilot, the Ingalls family has moved to Kansas and befriended a bachelor named Mr. Edwards. Caroline isn't a fan because he likes to frequent saloons and teaches Laura how to spit. However, at Christmastime, Mr. Edwards goes all the way to Independence and crosses an overflowing body of water to deliver presents for the three Ingalls girls and to bring a special treat for Christmas dinner, which softens Ma's attitude toward the rough and tumble bachelor. 

The episode "Christmas at Plum Creek" is the only time I recall the Oleson's Mercantile being decorated for the holidays. It is a Christmas of secrets, as the Ingalls family hides what they are working on for each other despite not having a lot of money for gifts. Though there are a couple of sad moments in this episode, it ends on a happy note with Carrie saying a happy birthday to Baby Jesus.

"Blizzard" is not exactly a Christmas episode. It happens to be set on Christmas Eve, but it is all about survival on the harsh, open prairie. When it begins snowing, Miss Beadle releases the children early. However, the flurries quickly turn into a full-blown blizzard, with many of the children struggling to get back home. The school is turned into a hospital, and the women help Doc Baker as the men search for the missing children. Charles reads the Christmas story on Christmas morning after the blizzard is over. Michael Landon was thought to have used "The Children's Blizzard" as inspiration for this episode. 

Viewers didn't get another Christmas episode until Season 8, and Landon went all out, with another blizzard trapping the Ingalls family, the Wilders, the Kendalls, and Hester Sue at the little house on Plum Creek on Christmas Eve. As they wait out the storm, they share stories of Christmases past. Laura talks about Mr. Edwards bringing presents to them in Kansas. Caroline shares the story of how she came to love her stepfather, Papa Holbrook. Almanzo gives them a glimpse into his childhood and the year he almost stopped believing in Santa Claus, and Hester Sue shares a special Christmas growing up during the Civil War. 

After the series ended, there were three made-for-TV movies. One of them was "Bless All the Dear Children." While shopping in Mankato, Rose Wilder goes missing, so Almamzo, Laura, and Mr. Edwards search for her. Back in Walnut Grove, Mr. Montague refuses to celebrate the commercialization of Christmas, and John Carter--who gave Almanzo money to buy gifts--worries the Wilders won't be home in time. 

At my Laura Ingalls Wilder blog, Laura's Little Houses, I used to run an annual poll to gauge everyone's favorite Little House on the Prairie Christmas episode. It would change year to year, but it was either "Christmas at Plum Creek" or "A Christmas They Never Forgot."

Have you seen these episodes? Do you have a favorite? 

Early Chapter Reader: A Christmas Kindness by Cheryl C. Malandrinos

This is one of the books I've been blessed to have published. Currently, it is only available from my website. 

Eight-year-old Robert is eager to share his wish list with Santa at the mall on Christmas Eve. When he meets Glenn, who only has one request for Santa, Robert is confused about what he should do. Can he cast aside what he wants and ask Santa to bring his new friend a special gift?

Originally published under my pen name, C. C. Gevry, this second edition includes discussion questions, activities, crafts, and more! You can grab a copy here.

Book fans local to western Massachusetts can visit me at The Author Stroll, presented by HB Real Estate! 

Date: December 11, 2025

Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Location: The Hub at Market Square, 31 Springfield St, Chicopee, MA 

Three Things to Do in December to Prepare for Christmas

Here we are in the final stretch. There are only 24 days until Christmas! Will you be ready? 

Hopefully, you've been following along with our monthly task lists to alleviate some of that holiday preparation stress. If not, make it a plan for next year. Here is what we posted so far. 

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

Here are your final three tasks for December to help you prepare for the big day. All photo credits go to Freepik.

Place your catering orders early

It's the beginning of December, and this month will fly by. Get those pie, dessert, and buffet orders in early so that you can focus on your guests this holiday season. 

Wrap last-minute gifts

Hopefully, you've kept up with wrapping your gifts as you bought them or finished your homemade gifts. Now is the time to wrap up those few remaining gifts you purchased. Better yet, shop at a small, local store that offers gift wrapping services. We have one here, and I love it!

Cook ahead

My friends have already started their pierogi-making parties to get ready for the holidays. Cooking ahead allows you to spend less time in the kitchen on Christmas Day and more time with family and friends. We are planning a cookie swap at the office for December, so we don't have to make as many treats. Whatever you can do ahead of time will make the holidays more enjoyable.

Lastly, let's remember to be present this holiday season. Don't let the picture-perfect influencer moments make you feel like you're not doing it right. Ask for help when you need it. Leave the phone on the nightstand. Do whatever you want to do that brings you joy. Most of all, have a happy, healthy, and peaceful Christmas.