Christmas... in the News: Less Than 100 Shopping Days Until Christmas, Year-Round Christmas Mural & IFC Christmas Rom-Com

 

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

I am squeaking this update in less than two hours before Sunday ends. Can you believe there are only 95 days until Christmas? The year is really flying by. Let's get to the news. 

The first report is from ABCNEWS LIVE PRIME. This is a video segment about there being fewer than 100 shopping days until Christmas. A research specialist provides the scoop on what to buy now, what to buy later, and consumer sentiment. Watch below:

 

We travel to South Lyon, Michigan, where WXYZ Detroit reports on a new year-round Christmas mural that captures the spirit of the season. It's stunning! Check it out here.

We end up with a FOX News review of the Independent Film Company's romantic comedy, The Baltimorons. According to the article, a failed sketch comic and recovering alcoholic pursues a "normal life" by getting a steady job and settling in with his fiancée. But a freak accident introduces him to a no-nonsense workaholic divorcee. You can imagine some of what happens next, but if you want more details, check out the review here.

That's it for this week. See you again soon!

Christmas Picture Book Review: Little Angel's Christmas Son by Kerstin Hau

One little angel wonders what type of angel they are, so they try out different things until they discover their true purpose on Christmas Eve.

Little Angel's Christmas Song by Kerstin Hau is a beautifully told, stunningly illustrated story of an angel seeking their purpose. The little angel knows that every angel is created with a special purpose, but theirs seems to elude them. They try and try, but nothing seems to work right, until the sounds of bells ring in the air on Christmas Eve.

After reading two humorous children's titles in a row, stepping back to approach a touching, heartwarming story like Little Angel's Christmas Song was such a treasure. The folk-inspired artwork by Sela Marlin Soganci is just as lovely and wonderful as the story by Hau.

Young readers ages 4 to 8 will enjoy following along this little angel's journey to find its special and meaningful purpose.

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

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ NorthSouth Books
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 9, 2025
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 073584576X
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0735845763

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

Christmas Picture Book Review: Never Let A Unicorn Meet A Reindeer! by Diane Alber

If you are looking for an outrageously funny Christmas story to share with the young people in your life, grab a copy of Never Let A Unicorn Meet A Reindeer! written and illustrated by Diane Alber.

When a girl asks for a reindeer to visit her summer birthday party, chaos ensues. After all, Santa has warned her not to let her unicorn meet a reindeer, so what should she expect when it happens? Unicorn and reindeer clash, but they rise to the occasion when Santa needs help on Christmas Eve.

I applaud an author who has such creativity. Alber has a series of Unicorn books that are so playful and silly that it's no wonder they are so popular. Also a talented artist, her black and white illustrations with spots of color are instantly recognizable. Love the expression on the girl's face on the front cover.

This is a modern and unique twist on a familiar Christmas story that will delight young readers and have them laughing aloud. Such a fun book!

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sourcebooks Wonderland
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 2, 2025
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1464259291
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1464259296

I downloaded this book from NetGalley. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Christmas... in the News: Amazon Top 100 Best Christmas Decorations, Arkansas Teen to Star in Hallmark Christmas Movie & Christmas Tree Convention in New Ulm

 

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 on Sunday again. Hope you had an amazing week. It's time to catch up on the Christmas news that has happened since we last posted. At this time of year, there is more than I have time to share, but enjoy what you see here. These tidbits are posted to spread the Christmas spirit, and I currently don't receive any affiliate income on this blog. 

This first bit of news popped up today at AllEars.net, where JP shared that Amazon has revealed its Top 100 best Christmas decorations. Just thinking about it lets my wallet know it will be a bit lighter after reading the article. Serving platters, outdoor lights, ornaments, and more are on the list. There is also a link to Amazon's entire list. You can read JP's article here.

Next is exciting and inspiring news out of Arkansas, where 5News has reported that a local teen, a cancer and heart failure survivor, will be starring in Hallmark's The More the Merrier during "Countdown to Christmas." You can read more about it here.

Did you know there is a Christmas tree convention? Well, you do now! The Journal has reported on the Minnesota Christmas Tree Association's annual two-day conference, taking place this year at Guggisberg Tree Farm of New Ulm. Owner Tony Guggisberg spoke of the honor of having the convention held on his farm. You can read more here. 

That's it for this week's Christmas... in the news. Check back next week for more Christmas news!

Three Things to Do in September to Prepare for Christmas

Here we are in September. Christmas is only three and a half months away. Don't the holidays creep up on you every year?

If you've been following along with our monthly to-do lists, you should be less stressed about Christmas coming in 106 days. If you haven't had the chance to keep up, or if you are just discovering this blog, check out the monthly lists and see what you can manage:

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

What are three things you can do in September to prepare for Christmas? 

Decorate Your Tree for Fall

(Say hi to Theo!)

The year that I did this made my life so much easier. Putting up a tree ahead of time means less to decorate in late November or December. Though you can use orange or purple lights, I kept the white lights, so I could easily transition the tree to our collectible ornaments tree in December. 

Buy Your Holiday Lights

Photo credit to souvenirpixels on Freepik.com

Buy your holiday lights early for the best selection. Decades ago, I got into the habit of writing down how many strands of working lights I stored away for each tree. Since I already know how many total strands I put on each tree, I buy the needed lights before dragging everything up from the basement. I always buy one or two extra boxes in case something unexpected happens. 

Wrap your DIY Projects as You Finish Them

Photo credit freepik

Wrapping presents takes a long time. I recall many Christmas Eves bent over the card table, wrapping gifts. Wrapping as you complete your DIY projects will save you that last-minute, back-breaking chore of spending hours wrapping all the gifts. Put on some Christmas music and get in the spirit early!

Here's to staying on track and making the holidays less stressful. See you next month!

Christmas... in the News: Holloway Christmas Tree Farm for Sale, Rotary Adopt-A-Family Sign-ups & A Very Jonas Christmas Movie

 

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

Happy Sunday! It's that time again--time to share three bits of Christmas news that happened over the last week. There are so many great things going on that it was hard to choose what to offer. 

The first bit of news comes from Nipomo, California. KSBY reports that the longtime owners of Holloway Christmas Tree Farm are looking to sell the farm and retire. Doesn't owning a Christmas tree farm sound like fun? You can read more about Holloway Christmas Tree Farm in the article by clicking here. On a side note, our local tree farm started tree tagging this weekend. 

The Jackson Star & Herald out of West Virginia, reported that sign-ups Ripley Rotary’s Adopt-a-Family program will start early this year, taking place from September 16 - 20. For more information, you can click here. I volunteer for our local Adopt-A-Family program. It's wonderful!

Looks like Disney+ will premiere the latest Jonas Brothers endeavor, A Very Jonas Christmas Movie, on November 14. From the Disney+ press room comes the article that shares more about the movie: "Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas face a series of escalating obstacles as they struggle to make it from London to New York in time to spend Christmas with their families." The brothers are producers on this film. Check out more information and a teaser here. 

One article I didn't share this week was about Noel, Missouri, going back to having year-round holiday decor to boost tourism. The article requires being a paid subscriber to read it. There is a 2024 article about the town. You can read that here. Consider it a Christmas bonus. :) 

Only 109 days left until Christmas! See you next time.