"This is Halloween" from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of our girls' favorite movies. For me, Halloween means I can kick Christmas decorating into high gear. Happy Halloween, everyone!

Christmas Music: Traditional Christmas Carols

Here are some traditional Christmas Carols for your listening enjoyment. Which is your favorite?

 

Christmas Errors, Flubs & Fails: Cat Versus Tree

 

As almost anyone with a cat can attest, getting through Christmas without a cat in the tree at some point, is tough. They just love to climb in a Christmas tree.

Here is a compilation of cats versus trees. Not all of them are funny, but it should put a smile on your face. 

Here is a photo of our cat, Dwight. Ever year he climbs in the Christmas tree before we decorate it. He often falls asleep in there. 

Christmas Music: Grown Up Christmas List by Amy Grant

Amy Grant's "Grown Up Christmas List" has been a favorite of mine since it first came out. Hope you enjoy it!

.

Christmas Podcast Review: Christmas Morning with Bran and Scott

 

When I discovered there was a Christmas podcast directory, I searched out some podcasts to listen to and came upon "Christmas Morning with Bran and Scott." Neither man is new to podcasting or even Christmas podcasting. Bran is from "Deck the Hallmark" and Scott is known for "The Jingle Jank Podcast." While I haven't indulged in either of those, I am binge listening to "Christmas Morning with Bran and Scott."

Hosts Bran and Scott are engaging and funny. They have great rapport, and I could listen to them all day long. The podcast began in 2021 as a daily show. Off-season it airs weekly, but by November 1, it returns to a daily show. "Christmas Morning with Bran and Scott" features Christmas news, jokes, a list of Christmas movies and shows airing on television, and the infamous Christmas Music Battle where Bran and Scott share music clips and listeners get to vote on their favorite. 

You can check out "Christmas Morning with Bran and Scott" at https://christmasmorningpodcast.com

Christmas Music: Classic Christmas Songs

Do you know you've gotten old? The music you used to listen to is now called the classics. LOL! Hope you enjoy some of these classic Christmas songs.

    

Christmas Children's Picture Book Review: Elves for a Day by Deb Hockenberry

The Hungle Bungle Jungle crew is back in this seasonal adventure titled, Elves for a Day.

Chimpanzee and Monkey are eagerly awaiting their chance to see Santa. When Santa tells them his elves are sick and he needs their help, they are thrilled to go. Can they make sure Santa will be ready to deliver toys on Christmas Eve?

Elves for a Day by Deb Hockenberry is a sweet and zany tale of the Christmas season. Filled with fun and delightful illustrations by Madelaine Letsche, your three- to six-year-old will enjoy turning page after colorful page as they follow the Hungle Bungle Jungle crew on their latest adventure. This is a seasonal story you won't want to miss!

Rating: :) :) :) :) :)

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Entertaining Kids Books (October 9, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 42 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1737264102
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1737264101

I received a free digital copy from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Christmas Errors, Flubs & Fails: Artichoke Dip Goes Terribly Wrong On Live TV

Today, starts a new feature. Christmas Errors, Flubs & Fails shares funny online content where things go terribly wrong in one way or another. Just know this is all in good holiday fun.

To kick us off is this Global News clip with Leslie Horton sharing a holiday recipe that she admitted didn't go quite right. Her brave colleagues, Scott Fee and Jordan Witzel, were troopers in trying it. Their reactions are hilarious. 

 

This or That? - Real Tree or Artificial Tree

Image by lyashenko on Freepik

I grew up in an apartment, so all I ever knew at Christmas time was the artificial tree my father pulled out of the basement each year for us to decorate. Imagine my surprise when he remarried, and his new wife wanted to go to the Christmas tree lot to choose their tree and then drive it home tied to the top of the car once it was time. 

As if that weren't odd enough, we had to cut this one down so it fit standing up in our living room, and then had to water it so it didn't catch fire and burn down our house. Like, what! I know it smells good, but one year my Christmas decorations were up until March. Could you see how dangerous a real tree endeavor could be for some people?

I'm still mostly an artificial tree person. It gives me the flexibility to put my trees up as early as I want, and they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. 

Do you put up an artificial tree or buy a real one each year? What are some of your traditions surrounding putting up your tree?

Is There A "Proper" Date to Start Decorating for Christmas?

 

Image by awesomecontent on Freepik

Browsing around the Internet recently, I came across an article by Amy Mitchell, the managing editor of Country Living Magazine. The title of the article was "What's the Proper Date to Start Decorating for Christmas?" 

That caught my eye. They polled magazine editors to get their opinions on when the "proper" time is. The results?

• Sixty-five percent said right after Thanksgiving or the first week of December.
• Fifteen percent said while they thought that timeline worked, they suggest waiting until later in December.
• Then there were the 20% who said as early as possible, November 1st or sooner. 

You can probably guess what group I fall into. My trees have been up by the beginning of November, but one year it was probably a week before Christmas. 

So, loyal readers, here are a few questions for you:

• Do you put up a Christmas tree?
• If you do, when? 
• When is the latest you put ever put up your tree?

If you want to read Mitchell's article, you can find it here. 

Christmas on Netflix: Angela's Christmas (2017)

 

The Netflix original, Angela's Christmas, was released in 2017. Set in Limerick, Ireland in 1914, it tells the story of an impoverished family led by a single mother, the narrator's grandmother. Tom, Pat, and baby Aggie, are siblings to Angela, the third child and the narrator's mother. 

Just seven months prior to the start of World War I, Angela and her family visit St. Joseph's church on Christmas Eve. Angela, afraid baby Jesus from the manager scene will be cold, sneaks back into the church and brings baby Jesus home with her to keep him warm. Once her mother finds out, she tells the story of the night Angela was born, which reminds the girl that baby Jesus needs to go home to his family. 

This is a heartwarming tale of the season with a healthy dose of humor along the way. The heart of a child is so clear in Angela's Christmas. A young girl growing up with little, thinks not of herself, but for the needs of another. The animation is wonderful. The story is touching. The ending is clever. 

Inspired by Frank McCourt's Pulitzer-prizing winning memoir of his childhood, Angela's Ashes, this short movie will capture your heart and fill you with the joy of the season. 

I watched this movie on Netflix. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way. 

Christmas on TV: An Elf's Story: The Elf on the Shelf (2011)

 

An Elf's Story: The Elf on the Shelf  is the first TV movie based upon The Elf on a Shelf: A Christmas Tradition picture book written by Carol Aebersold and Chandra Bell. It tells the story of a scout elf who is sent to the family of Taylor McTuttle with a mission: to help Taylor, who is questioning the magic of Christmas.

Renamed Chippy by his family, he does his best to convince Taylor that Santa and Christmas magic are real, but he is soon discouraged. With the help of his elf friends, Santa, and a special letter, Chippy is glad to call his mission a success.

This half-hour animated special aired on CBS in 2011. As a parent who despised the Elf on the Shelf tradition, and found the spying elf a bit creepy--even if Stringbean (our elf) is cute--I found this TV movie enchanting, because it captures all the magic and joy without the whole spying on the kids and convincing them to behave aspect. 

Taylor's sisters are thrilled with their elf's arrival, and their song about Christmas captures everything that Christmas is all about: love, joy, peace, faith to believe, spending time with family, sharing, caring, and forgiveness. Taylor is the lone family skeptic, who ultimately ends up believing in Christmas thanks to Chippy. The movie ends with Santa's arrival on Christmas Eve, and he encourages the viewers to wish each boy and girl a Christmas of peace and a year full of joy as Chippy flies home to the North Pole. 

This movie was released on DVD the following year. 

I watched this movie on NetFlix. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Christmas Music: Top 100 Christmas Songs of All Time

One of the best parts of Christmas is the music. Whether it be happy or soulful, secular or faith-based, the music of Christmas is delightful to listen to. Here is a playlist I found on YouTube titled, "Top 100 Christmas Songs of All Time." Do you agree with their choices?

 

Christmas on TV: Little House on the Prairie, Season 10: Bless All the Dear Children

Little House on the Prairie ran for nine seasons, with three movies that aired after the series was canceled. One of these episodes is a Christmas one titled, "Bless All the Dear Children." Though my least favorite Little House episode set around Christmas, there are good moments to celebrate or at least mention. Here is my list of nitpicks and memorable moments. 

Nitpicks

• Pa's narration opens the episode by stating this story takes place in the winter of 1896. Rose Wilder was born in 1886. She would have been 10. 
• Pa also says that while they were used to cold winters, the winter of 1896 brought with it warm temperatures (hence people walking around with no coats and their sleeves rolled up in December in Minnesota). That year, the Midwest had experienced a long Indian summer, but by Thanksgiving, temperatures were well below average, with some areas reporting record breaking cold (-50).  
• Mr. Edwards gets into a bar fight, which is why Almanzo leaves Rose and she is abducted. Didn't he pretty much stop drinking after the whole incident with Albert? 
• Somehow, Samuel hid in the back of their wagon, undetected, even though they had to ride half a day to get to their first stop.
• Mr. Edwards doesn't apologize. Not when Almanzo feels guilty and breaks down, or when Laura is upset they will never find Rose. 
• The star in the sky leading them to Samuel after he runs away is just too corny, even if I am a huge fan.
• The Carters living in the little house on Plum Creek will never sit right with me. 

Memorable Moments

• Seeing the family together and happy. The Wilders endured Almanzo's illness and paralysis, a tornado destroying their first house, the loss of Royal Wilder, the loss of Baby Wilder, Rose contracting small pox, Jenny Wilder almost dying twice, and the death of Laura's beloved brother, Albert. Thank goodness we see some happy times, too.
• The way the actors portrayed a married couple in crisis. By now, they should be experts at it. We should remember, however, that neither was married, and Melissa Gilbert was only 19 when this episode aired. 
• Mr. Montague delivering presents to the Carters and Jenny Wilder dressed as Santa Claus. Though he rallied against the commercialization of Christmas--something I'm pretty sure never came up in the late 1800s--he puts aside his feelings when the Wilders are delayed, leaving the Carters with nothing to give their boys. 
• A strong Almanzo defending his family. When they find Rose, Patrick Norris still believes the story his wife has told him about the little girl she brought home belonging to them. It doesn't take long for him to grab his gun. Though Laura pleads with both men to stop arguing, Almanzo isn't about to back down from protecting his family. Seeing him so dedicated to his family is not new, but if you think of how despondent he was when Rose was born and he thought he would never walk again, this strong protector is truly a different man.
• Sam being adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Norris. Not sure everything was legal, but they all ended up happy. 

This remains a classic Michael Landon Little House on the Prairie episode that blends drama, humor, and Christmas joy into one story that tugs at the heartstrings. What are your thoughts on this episode? 

Seasonal Historical Mystery: Murder at Midnight by Katharine Schellman

 

Join Lily Adler as she solves her latest mystery in Murder at Midnight by Katharine Schellman. 

The widowed Lady Adler is a guest at a neighborhood Christmas ball in Hertfordshire thrown by Mrs. Grantham. Excited to spend time with her late husband's family, she is glad to see her old friend Jack Hartley and his family in attendance. However, she is disturbed to hear that Jack's sister Amelia has been the topic of neighborhood gossip and is unwilling to explain anything about what happened. 

An intense snowstorm forces many guests to spend the night with their host, and after Lily overhears an argument, she is certain all won't be well this holiday season. When the man who is scandalously linked to Amelia is found shot to death the next morning in the poultry yard, Sir John Adler asks for Lily's help in figuring out who is responsible. 

What could be better than a mystery set during Christmas? Not much if you like Christmas and mysteries as much as I do. Murder at Midnight by Katharine Schellman is the fourth book in her Lady Adler Mystery series, but you won't feel like you missed a beat since this is a total standalone novel. 

Admittedly, this plot took a while to set up, so if you are looking for a dive right into the action novel, this won't work. However, once the murder takes place, you are fully invested alongside Lily to uncover who the culprit is. And I encourage you to stick with it, because it is worth it in the end. This is a fabulous locked room historical mystery that will keep you guessing through all the twists and turns and numerous suspects. You'll need to have a keen eye to log some of those details that will reveal the identity of the murderer and why they resorted to such extremes as murder. There is a romantic element to this story, but it plays a backseat to the mystery most of the time. 

If you enjoy historical mysteries with great attention to historical details, locked room mysteries, or stories with female sleuths, you will want to pick up Murder at Midnight. I look forward to reading past and future Lady Adler mysteries.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BQLKMDJR
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crooked Lane Books (September 19, 2023)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 19, 2023
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 1379 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 316 pages
• Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1639104321

I received a digital copy of this novel from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Christmas Decorating Trends for 2023

While it is rare that I follow any kind of trend, I went YouTube hunting for the Christmas trends for 2023 just for you. I might have a couple new Christmas trees this year that will need some ideas. Which of these trends do you like best?

Christmas Board Book Review & Giveaway: Read and Rhyme The First Christmas by Glenys Nellist

Enjoy sharing the story of the first Christmas with this lift-the-flap-book from bestselling author Glenys Nellist and Zonderkidz.

Read and Rhyme The First Christmas is a rhyming retelling of the birth of Jesus filled with stunning artwork by Ag Jatkowska. From the angel's announcement to Mary through to the visit from the Three Wise Men, this story of joy, hope, and peace will delight young readers. This sturdy, interactive board book will stand up to regular readings, and as you read together, youngsters can lift up the flaps to find hidden words.

Great attention to detail, a succinct delivery, and a colorful presentation will bring the story of that first Christmas to life for the little ones in your life.

Highly recommended!

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zonderkidz (October 3, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Board book ‏ : ‎ 12 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0310762537
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0310762539
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ Baby - 4 years

I pre-ordered a copy of this book from Amazon. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

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Christmas on TV: iCarly, Season 2: iChristmas (Nickelodeon, 2008)

 

Photo credit: Nickelodeon

Christmas is coming, and Carly Shay (Miranda Cosgrove) is eager to get a nice Christmas tree for the apartment she shares with her brother, Spencer (Jerry Trainor). She is disappointed with Spencer's junkyard metal tree, but he assures her it will be great. When the tree catches fire overnight, destroying the gifts Carly made for her friends, Freddy Benson (Nathan Kress) and Sam Puckett (Jeanette McCurdy), she screams at Spencer that she wishes he would have been normal. 

In comes Mitch (Danny Woodburn), an angel that grants her wish. In the blink of an eye, Spencer is normal, and Carly's life turns into a twisted tale of woe as she discovers the implications of her wish. 

If It's A Wonderful Life was set in modern day Seattle with zanier characters, you would have the "iChristmas" episode. Since Spencer has been born normal, Carly's entire life has changed. She, just like Jimmy Stewart's George Bailey, learns a valuable lesson about appreciating the people and life that you have. At the end, once everything is back to the way it should be, Carly, Spencer, Sam, and Freddy stand around the burned metal Christmas tree they have decorated, humming "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," just like the ending of A Charlie Brown Christmas, and Mitch dives into his plate of chicken wings. 

This episode is classic iCarly antics, but its tribute to other Christmas classics make it a holiday special not to miss. This show was one of our family favorites when it originally aired on Nickelodeon. iCarly currently streams on Paramount+. 

I watched this episode when it originally aired. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.  

Christmas on TV: Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas 2023 Schedule

Get ready Christmas movie lovers! The 2023 Countdown to Christmas on Hallmark Channel kicks off with their new movies on Friday, October 20th! Check out more information at https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/christmas/movie-guide-countdown-to-christmas-2023

Gifts for Those on Your List

 

In addition to spending time with family and friends around the holidays, we often like to share Christmas joy by the giving of gifts. Though the origins of gift giving harken back to pagan traditions in Europe, as Christianity spread across the continent, the early Christian Church brought this ritual into its faith, and the practice of giving gifts at Christmas is meant to remind us of the gifts the Three Wise Men brought to Jesus. And though the holiday has been commercialized, at its heart, this tradition has the ability to bring great joy to the giver and the receiver.

Here are links to articles with gift ideas for people on your list. I don't make any money from sharing them. This is just my way of making help inspire ideas.

Gifts for her: Christmas Gift Guide for Her: Top Picks for the Holiday Season - Blufashion 

Hottest Toddler Toys: From Fisher-Price to PAW Patrol: 9 of the Hottest Toddler Toys of 2023 (newsbreak.com)

Macy's/Toys 'R' Us 2023 "Hot Toy List": Macy’s, Toys ‘R’ Us announce 2023 ‘hot toy list’ for holiday shopping (newsbreak.com) 

Gifts for him: 71 Best Gifts for Men 2023

Gifts for teens: 71 Best Gifts for Teens That Are Thoughtful and Unique

More toys: Amazon's Toys We Love List

I will do my best to find list from local retailers as well. 

Christmas Children's Books from 4RV Publishing

Christmas, a time of magic and gifts, comes to a halt when stolen presents and electrical problems hit the North Pole.

What can Santa or his elves do? What can two girls do? Joy and Mary are the only ones who can save Christmas.

Read my review here!

 After the war, factories began to make toys again, and Ellouise discovers a marvelous surprise when her parents take her to the city to see Santa Claus, a baby doll that opens and closes its eyes.

She tells everyone that she wants that baby doll from Santy Claus.

Then, she worries about Santa Claus being able to find her at her grandparents'. Will Ellouise get her baby doll from Santy Claus?

Read my review here!

Joseph and his wife, Mary, expect a baby. With all that is happening, including the government requiring a census, Joseph feels a little overwhelmed and a bit left out of the preparations for the baby. Is there something he can do?

Merry Tilda discovers a small evergreen growing by her house. As years pass, the tree become larger and more important to her, her family, and her neighbors. She, with the help of grandchildren and their friends, decorates the tree each winter with goodies for the birds and animals. The tree becomes a winter fairy tale.​

Christmas is the time for miracles, but sometimes, a child must make her own miracle, and one for her siblings.

Read my review here!

Panther finds helping Katie and Emma decorate for Christmas fun.

However, Christmas morning brings a surprise. Katie and Emma love the surprise, but Panther doesn't. It's cold and wet and not fun, at least to him.

How does Katie help her cat adjust to a snowy Christmas?

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?

Read reviews here!

For these and more books from 4RV Publishing, please visit our book catalog at https://www.4rvpublishing.com/full-book-cover-catalog.html

Christmas on TV: Great American Family's Countdown to Great American Christmas 2023

Get ready Christmas movie lovers! Great American Family's Countdown to Great American Christmas launches new movies starting on October 21st! For more information, you can visit https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/celebrations

Us Magazine provided their movie guide back in September. You can view it here.

New Christmas Kidlit: Read and Rhyme The First Christmas by Glenys Nellist

 

From Glenys Nellist comes Read and Rhyme The First Christmas, a sweet lift-the-flap board book that tells the story of Jesus’s birth through interactive rhyming and colorful illustrations. Children will enjoy guessing the hidden rhyme that fits into the story and discovering how Mary and Joseph made it to Bethlehem in time for the birth of baby Jesus.

Read and Rhyme The First Christmas:

Provides interactive rhyming fun with 24 sturdy flaps
Tells the story of the first Christmas in easy to understand, perfect to read aloud rhyme
Is written by bestselling author Glenys Nellist

Makes a perfect stocking stuffer or Christmas gift for little ones  

Other books by Gleny Nellist include Snuggle Time Christmas, Twas the Evening of Christmas, Twas the Season of Advent, and the Love Letters from God series.

12 pages, Board Book

Expected publication October 3, 2023

Pre-order from:

Christianbook.com

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Better World Books

Indiebound

Evolution of Our Christmas Tree

I thought it would be neat to share what our Christmas tree has looked like through the years. We didn't have a digital camera until 2003, so from 1999 - 2002 is missing. We bought a new tree last year, so not sure what the plan is yet.

2003 - 2011 (Living room)

2012 (No ribbon/garland and move to the family room)

2014 (Ribbon is back)

2015 (Ribbon gone again)

2016 - 2017 (Two sets of ribbons)

2018 (New color ribbons)

2019 - 2021 (Ribbons gone again)

Last year for this tree

This tree has always held our most precious ornaments: the ones that used to hang in Aunt Jean and Uncle Phil's home until they passed, ones that used to hang in my apartment before I married my husband, the gifts from family and friends, the treasures our children made at school, and the personalized ones we bought for the kids. 

Proving I am only mildly sentimental, I had little problem tossing the tree that was older than both of our girls. We bought it at Walmart when we moved into the house two weeks before Christmas in 1999. Since that time, we have welcomed nine cats into our home, having lost five of them already. We have also welcomed our dog. In the 24 Christmases we have celebrated in our home, we have entertained many friends and loved ones, some of which have left this earthy life. Luckily, we know the hope that was born on that first Christmas night burns brightly thanks to the Resurrection, and we will seem them all again one day. 

I'm not sure how the new tree will look, though I'm sure my decorating ability won't improve. Thankfully, I've learned to be happy for the memories and not be so caught up in creating perfection. 

What are some of your favorite ornaments? Do you use ribbon or garland? Is your tree topper an angel, a star, or something else?