Christmas Lists

Who has started their Christmas list yet? Better still, who has finished their list and shopping for gifts? Christmas is 4 months away! A few weeks ago, the Rockettes were on Good Afternoon America to kick off the 85th Christmas show, and later on went out to dance for audiences, getting everyone excited for the Christmas season. Soon, Starbucks will start brewing its beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte and Christmas layaways will begin in all the stores. The excitement of the holidays is almost here, here's to getting prepared!

Christmas Movies

Christmas is the best time to curl up on the couch under the glow of the tree lights while enjoying a flick of the season. Here are some favorite Christmas movies to enjoy all year long.

A Christmas Story

24 hours of A Christmas Story has become a TBS tradition! This classic has become one of America's most beloved Christmas film of all times. The story of Ralphie and his Red Ryder is classic. Favorite scenes include the Leg Lamp, the Christmas Tree and tire incident, meeting Santa, and Christmas Day. This is a great film (although, for families with young kids, be ready to mute one word in the movie). It embraces the fact that all of us have some fond Christmas memories. Not only memories of Christmas Day, but also those leading up to the excitement. It is a great film to watch and may become a family tradition.

Polar Express

The world fell in love with the story of a boy taking a journey to the North Pole to receive a bell with the message, Believe. This is such a wonderful movie that really shows the magic of the Christmas season. It is full of Christmas songs, Chistmas dreams, and is a true movie that shares the magic of Christmas.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Whether it's the cartoon or Jim Carrey's take on the Grinch, this is a must read and must see during Christmas. The story of Cindy Lou Who's wish to bring the spirit of Christmas to the Grinch is heart warming. The Grinch has become a Christmas must for many families, and the extended version is shown throughout December on ABC Family. It is a great family movie that holds kids attention, is funny, and super Christmasy.


National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

This became a Christmas classic after it premiered in the 1980s. This is the hilarious comedy about the Griswold's crazy Christmas with the in-laws. In some ways, it imitates how many families truly feel during the holidays, CRAZY! The stress of creating the perfect Christmas and trying to make family members seen once or twice a year feel welcomed can be extremely bothersome during the holiday season, and for anyone who knows how frustrating it can be, this is a great movie to watch and have a laugh with year around. Of course, in the end, Christmas is really about being with the "ones you love," not about materials.

ELF

ELF is fun for everyone. Will Ferrell was awesome as an elf in search of his father while experiencing life outside the North Pole. Kids will get a kick out of many parts of the movie, and everyone will enjoy the Christmas music. For anyone lacking Christmas cheer, watch this movie and "sing loud for all to hear."

Home Alone and Home Alone 2

Okay, these movies have also become a must watch during the Christmas season. The story of Kevin McCalister's stay at home Christmas and Christmas in New York is one of the best Christmas movies ever. Kids definitely enjoy this story and it never seems to get old.


Other movies that are a must see during the season include:
Christmas with the Kranks
The Santa Claus
The Santa Claus 2
Holiday Inn
White Christmas
Christmas Cartoon Classics
The Muppets Christmas Carol
The Christmas Carol (George C. Scott, PAtrick Stewart, or Jim Carrey ones)
Holidays in Handcuffs (not really family)
SnowGlobe
Mickey's Christmas Carol
Prancer
The Nativity Story
Babes in Toyland (Annette Funicello)
Fred Claus
Arthur Christmas
Garfield Christmas Cartoon

Charlie Brown Christmas and It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown

To end on, Charlie Brown and the Peanut gang is the ultimate family Christmas cartoon to watch when wishing for some light hearted Christmas cheer. The Peanut gang never gets old, and who doesn't love Snoopy, or listening to the gang sing "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," or Sally say "Hockey Stick," or just listen to the classic, "Christmastime is Here." If this and other dvd's don't get one into the spirit of the season, then maybe you're Scrooged.

Anyhow, take some time, no matter what time of year, to rekindle the magic and spirit of Christmas by enjoying a great movie.

The Christmas Alphabet

A
Angels
Advent
Alleluia
Angels From the Realms of Glory
Angels We Have Heard on High
Ave Maria
Away in a Manger
A Christmas Story
A Charlie Brown Christmas
A Child This Day Is Born
A Chistmas To Remember
Arthur Christmas

B
Bells
Blitzen
Bethlehem
Bows
Baby Jesus
Born Today is Christ Divine
Blue Christmas
Birthday of a King
Buche De Noel
"Buddy" (ELF)
Believe

C

Candy Cane
Christmas Tree
Carol of the Bells
Christmas Cards
Carols
Christmas Eve
Charity
Christmas With the Kranks
Christ
Christmas Eve Service
Cranberry Sauce
Christmas Pudding
Christollen
Chipmunk Song
Child in the Manger
Coventry Carol
Cupid
Comet
Clause
Christmas Angel
Christmas at Home
Chestnut
Christmas Cupid
Christmas in Killarney
Christmas Time is Here
Christmas Candles
Christmas Caper
Christmas Cookies
Christmas Coffee
Christmas Blend
Christmastime is Here
Cranberry Bars
Cranberry Scones

D

Deck the Halls!
Decorations
DasherFater
December
Dancer
Donkeys
Doves
Drummers Drumming
Do You Hear What I Hear
Ding Dong Merrily on High
Donner

E

Eggnog
Everlasting Life
Evergreen
Elves
ELF
Eve
Emmanuel, God With Us
Everlasting Father
Ernest Saves Christmas
Eggnog Bread Pudding

F

Frosty the Snowman
Frost
Father Christmas
Feliz Navidad
Figgy Pudding
First Noel
French Hens
Frankencense
Fruitcake
Fred
Fanny
Fireplace
Fir Tree
Five golden rings
Four Calling Birds
Fa La La La La
Fred Clause
For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Fear Not
G

Gloria
Glory to God
"Glory to God in the Highest"
God has given us a son
Grinch
God Bless Us Everyone
Gold
Garland
Ghost of Christmas Past
Ghost of Christmas Present
Ghost of Christmas Future
Giving
Gifts
Gingerbread
Gingerbread House
Gingerbread Man
Glad Tidings
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Good Christian Men Rejoice
Goodwill Towards Men
Goose
Gift Tags
Green
Gentle Mary Laid Her Child
Gesu Bambino
Go Tell It On The Mountain
Glad Christmas Bells
Good King Wencesles
Grown Up Christmas List
Gift of the Magi
H

Hark!
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Holly Jolly Christmas
Holly and the Ivy
Holly
Hot Chocolate
Hot Apple Cider
Hot Totty
Holiday
Ho Ho Ho
Happy Holidays!
He Is Born the Divine Christ Child
Holy Night
Here We Come a Wassailing
Home For the Holidays
Here Comes Santa Claus
Home Alone
Holiday Inn
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Holidays In Handcuff
Holiday Cookies
Hallelujah!

I

Ice
Ice Skating
Icecicles
Ivy
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
I Saw Three Ships
If You Just Believe
I'll Be Home For Christmas
I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
In The Bleak Mid Winter
Its Begining To Look Alot Like Christmas!
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
It's A Wonderful Lie
Incense
Inviting
I Wonder as I Wander

J

Jolly
Joy
Joyful
Joyous
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
Joy To The World
Jesus
Jesus Is The Reason For The Season
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire
Jingle
Jingle Bell
Jingle Bell Rock
Joyeux Noel

K

Kris Kringle
King
Kings
Kindness
Kissing Under The Mistletoe

L

Love
Lights
Little Drummer Boy
Little Donkey
Lists
Last Christmas
Love Has Come
Leftovers
Ladies Dancing
Lords A Leaping
Logs on the Fire
Lo How A Rose Er Blooming
Little Saint Nick
Lullay, Lullay
Love Came Down At Christmas
Let It Snow
Leroy
Love and Hope
Lighting Candles
Lively

M

Merry Christmas!
Merry
Mary
Miracle
Miracle on 34th Street
My Christmas Wish
Mele Kilikimaka
Mince Pie
Merry Christmas Baby
Merry Christmas Everyone
Merry Christmas to All, and to all a goodnight!
May your days be merry and bright
May All your Christmas's Be White
Mistletoe
Mrs. Claus
Mr. Claus
Manger
Mary Did You Know
Mashed Potatoes
Myrrh
Maids A Milking
Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas
Mickey's Twice Upon A Christmas
Magi

N

Noel!
New Year
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Naughty
Nice
North Pole
Northern Star
Nativity
Nuttin' For Christmas
Nutcrackers
Nine Ladies Dancing

O

O Holy Night
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O Come All Ye Faithful
Ornaments
Opening Presents
Once In Royal Davids City
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Once Upon A Christmas
One Small Child
One Starry Night
O Christmas Tree
O Tannenbaum
O Daughter of Zion

P

Polar Express
Polar Bear
Please Come Home For Christmas
Peace
Packages
Presents
Pipers Piping
Pine Tree
Pine
Petite Papa Noel
Prancer
Poinsetta
Past Three O'clock
Pat A Pan
Peace On Earth
Partridge in a Pear Tree
Prep and Landing
Peppermint
Peppermint Patties
Peppermint Mocha
Peppermint Coffee
Peppermint Cookies
Prince of Peace
Pannettone

Q

Quiet Night
Quality Time
"Quiet as a Mouse"
Quite Merry
Quick

R

Rudolph
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Reindeer
Rosy Cheeks
Reindeer Boogie
Rockin Around the Christmas Tree
Run Run Rudolph
Red
Ring Christmas Bells
Roasting
Roast
Ribbon
Rise
Rejoice

S

Snow
Snowman
Silent Night
Still, Still, Still
Santa Claus
St. Nick
Saint
Star of Wonder
Star of Light
Star with Royal Beauty Bright
Son of God
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Santa Baby
Silver
Silver Bells
Silver and Gold
Snoopys Christmas
Sleigh
Sleigh Ride
Sleigh Bells
Sweet Little Jesus Boy
Sugar Plums
Step Into Christmas
Star of the East
"Suddenly, there was with the angel, a multitude of the Heavenly Host"
Scrooge
Scrooged
Season
Shopping
Snowglobe
Snow Globes
Stable
Snow Flakes
Stuffing
Swans a Swimming
Seven Swans a Swimming
Shepherds
Stockings
Stocking Stuffers
Stuffing
Sans Day Carol

T

The First Noel
The Christmas Carol
The Nutcracker
The Christmas Song
Tinsel
The First Snow of Christmas
Twelve Dates of Christmas
Twelve Days of Christmas
The Gift
The Greatest Gift
The Reason for the Season
Turtle Doves
Two Turtle Doves
Twenty fifth
Twenty Fourth
Tiny Tim
Turkey
Trimmings
Tree
Traditions
Tree Skirt
Tree Trimming Party
Tree Lighting
The Friendly Beasts
The Holly and the Ivy
The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy
This Christmas
Twinkle
Theres No Place Like HomeFor The Holidays
The Night Before Christmas
The Christmas Mouse
The Berenstain Bears Christmas
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The Christmas Wish
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
"That was Tinsel!"
Ten Lords a Leaping
The Bells of St Paul
Tree Shops
Tree Shopping
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

U

Up on the Housetop
Unwrapping
Unto Us A Child Is Born
Under the Tree
Under the Mistletoe

W

Wrapping gifts
Wonderful
Wonderful Counselor
Wishes
Wonderful Life
White Christmas
White Lights
Wise Men
Winter Wonderland
Winter
Winter Slostice
Wreath
Wrapping paper
Warm Fire
Wassail, Wassail
Wexford Carol
What Child is This?
What Should I Give Him?
We Three Kings
What are you oing New Year's Eve?
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
While Sheperd's Watch Their Flock By Night
Where Are You Christmas
Wonderful Chrismastime

X

Xmas
X-celerating!
X-citing!
X-tra Special tie of year

Y

Yuletide
Yule Log
Yule
You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch
You Make It Feel Like Christms
"You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!"

Z

Zion
Zabaglione
Zither

Yankee Candles Autumn Preview

Okay, I know this is an everything Christmas blog, but I have to mention how excited I was to see the autumn fragrances at Yankee candles over the weekend (FYI: there are still Christmas fragrances in the back of the store, in the smaller jars, some are on sale). The candles weren't the only thing on display, there are a number of candle holders, air freshners, and shades to turn a room into an autumn paradise.

Some of the basics were present, but there are some new ones that really stuck out and would make a great gift for anyone on the holiday list. The Pumpkin Buttercream, Apple Cider, Pomegranate cider, Candy Corn, and Kitchen Spices. By far, the Kitchen Spices made me want to go home and cook an autumn dessert. Of course, for those who may not burn candles too often but like the smells, the air freshners work great in the house or the car. In fact, if one wants to make a closet or bathroom smell autumn fresh, use the plug-in air freshner or tie the car air freshner on a towel or closet rack (I like to use mine in my laundry room).

Also, if any one knows of a group doing a Yankee Candle Fundraiser, go ahead and take advantage of ordering some gift wrapping paper, cards, ornaments, flowers, and more. There is a lot to choose from.

And for those who enjoy Halloween, definitely check out the Halloween Collection (and splurge on the "Trick or Treat" fragrance, which does make one want to get some treats). A favorite thing to do is use pumpkin scented candles in my carved pumpkins. When grown ups walk up to the door, they ask what I've done to make the pumpkins smell so good. In fact, put some cinnamon scented candles in there and it will smell like cinnamon pumpkin (yum!).

Oh, and by the way, Halloween is only 97 days away, and Christmas is only 139 days away!