Journey through Christmases Past - Christmas 2001

 

Welcome to our newest feature, Journey through Christmases Past. This series is a nostalgic celebration of the holidays we all remember...

• The history and traditions of the holiday.
• The décor that filled our homes.
• The toys that defined each decade.
• The television and movie shows that brightened the season.
• The outfits we adored (and the ones we definitely didn’t).

Along the way, I’ll sprinkle in a few of my own Christmas memories. So settle in with a cup of your favorite hot beverage and join me on a journey through Christmases past.

Let's take a journey into 2001 to see what it was like. Though it seems like it has been around for longer, Wikipedia launched in January 2001. Shaggy released "Angel" with Rayvon the same month, and celebrated the UK release of "It Wasn't Me" with RikRok in February. As the first quarter of 2001 came to a close, the MIR Space Station was deorbited after 15 years. 

As the year burbled along, Windows XP was finalized for a fall release, and Spy Kids, Shrek, and The Princess Diaries hit theaters. Then the world changed...

On September 11, as I sat with my newborn daughter in our family room, the phone rang. My husband said, "Turn the TV on and tell me what the h*** is going on." 

For weeks, we sat glued to our televisions. The skies were eerily quiet. The loss of life was unimaginable. 

In the days and weeks that followed, candles were lit, patriotic decor was seen in and around houses, in stores, and even on cars. Charity and support for victims' families surged, and for the first time in recent history that I can recall, the dedication and sacrifices of first responders were acknowledged and celebrated. 

As we entered the last quarter of 2001, we adjusted to our new reality, and we welcomed distractions like Sammy Sosa hitting over 60 home runs for the third time, the 75th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the comforting Christmas classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Christmas Story, and Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas that reminded us of simpler times. 

Though the recently launched iPod and Game Boy Advance were now available, Harry Potter merchandise filled the stores, and DVDs were now mainstream, this Christmas focused on family, hometown heroes, and patriotism.

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. 

Christmas... in the News: First Lady Announces Opening of Christmas Event Applications, Knicks vs Cavaliers on Christmas Day & Best Gifts of 2025

 

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

Happy Sunday! Spent the morning harvesting fruits, vegetables, and herbs from our garden. Though fall is still over a month away, harvesting always makes me think of cooler days and the holidays. Let's talk Christmas news.

The Florida Courier is spreading the word that the First Lady has announced the opening of volunteer applications to help decorate the White House for the holidays or to perform at the holiday open houses. Honestly, never thought about doing this, but doesn't it sound cool? For more information, including details on how to apply, visit here.

USA Today shared that the Knicks will be playing the Cavaliers on Christmas Day. We don't follow NBA sports. Do you? Do you have a favorite team? Check out more of the schedule in this article here. 

Mashable.com has released its "Best Christmas Gifts for the 2025 Holiday Season" list. These are products they have tried and tested this year. Check out the tech, toys, and more on their list here.

That's a wrap for this week. Christmas is in 137 days! 

7 Days Until Christmas

 

Giveaway Winners Announcement for Read and Rhyme The First Christmas

 

Congratulations to William G & Jessica B! Each one a copy of Read and Rhyme The First Christmas by Glenys Nellist. 

The winners have been notified. Thanks to all who participated in our giveaway. You can read more about this book at Goodreads and find links for where you can purchase your own copy. 

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?