Tag - Holiday

Our Four Gift Christmas

December 29, 2015

A few weeks ago, I wrote about our family’s plan to have a more scaled back Christmas, which meant limiting our gift-giving to a simple four gift checklist:

#1. Something they want

#2. Something they need

#3. Something to wear

#4. Something to read

Well, we tested out this minimalist Christmas thing.

How did it work? Did we stick to our plan? Did our boys miss the excess? Is this new tradition a keeper?

Here are the answers to all those questions, in case your family is feeling the nudge to have a simpler Christmas next year.

HOW DID IT WORK?

It was brilliantly easy, for the most part. Having some guidelines for the gifts made it so simple to know what to buy for our boys and eliminated any impulse buys we faced.

Elijah’s list was the easiest to fill because he only “wanted” one thing, he knew what he wanted to get for his “to wear” item, and the other two slots – need & read – filled themselves.

Josiah’s was trickier because he kept seeing new things on television every day that he “wanted.” He would say, “Can I have that for my birthday?” Elijah, being the older brother, would answer before I had a chance, reminding Josiah that, “It’s not for your birthday. It’s Christmas. And you only get ONE thing.”

However, watching how Josiah has been playing lately, we came up with a “want” that he truly did want, and it wasn’t even something he’d seen on a commercial.

Once we had an item for each spot on their lists, we were done. It was amazingly easy. Hubby couldn’t add “one more thing” for either one, as he likes to do, and we didn’t have to worry about one ending up with more presents to open than the other.

DID WE STICK TO OUR PLAN?

Yes, for the most part. The only deviations we made were to have more than one item in a couple of Elijah’s packages. For his “to read,” since he is reading now, we got him two books instead of just one, but wrapped them together. We also added a couple of shirts to his “to wear” present because all he asked for was a scarf, but he really needed new shirts (he just won’t stop growing out of things!). Since all three of Elijah’s clothing items combined were less than the price of Josiah’s huge pack of socks for his “to wear,” we felt it was fair enough and still within our budget and guidelines.

They each had four gifts to open from us on Christmas morning.

They also had their Christmas Eve pajamas the night before, their stockings, and a gift from each other. We didn’t include their gifts from each other in our four-gift rule, nor did we plan to in the beginning because when you let a child buy a gift for their sibling or parents, you can’t really plan what they are going to pick out to give! 🙂

After our boys shopped for us, it put Brad & me both over four gifts each, which we hadn’t really thought about ahead of time. Usually when our boys shop, they get one gift for Mommy and one for Daddy. This year they went with Grandma and found some good sales. They ended up way under budget, though, and they had a wonderful time watching us open the presents from them.

DID OUR BOYS MISS THE EXCESS?

Honestly, I think they were freer and happier without the extras. They haven’t seemed to miss anything.

While we’ve never been ones to go crazy with presents, this year the boys did have fewer presents to open. However, they truly seemed to enjoy the morning even more. Since they knew what the guidelines were, they knew what to expect, and I think that helped them. They weren’t in a rush to go from one gift to the next, and when we were all done, they were content. I really didn’t see any disappointment.

They have enjoyed the presents they received, from us and from family members, but they haven’t seemed as overwhelmed as they have been in the past. Having fewer new toys means that they are appreciating each one more and really playing with them.

IS THIS NEW TRADITION A KEEPER?

ABSOLUTELY, YES!!! It’s amazing what a difference it made all around to our holiday. There was no stress – like, zero! – in shopping for our boys. It felt so laid-back and easy. Since we purchased fewer items, we probably put more thought into our choices, but there wasn’t any pressure that an item had to be the perfect gift. There seemed to be greater appreciation for each item, too.

I’m sure we saved money, so that’s always helpful.

And wrapping! I can wrap four presents in no time! That was so nice. It takes Brad a little longer to wrap things, but even then, we had them sorted and done quickly. Everything was organized, simple, and peaceful.

Instead of shopping and wrapping and stressing, we were enjoying hot chocolate and old movies with our boys, reading the Christmas story again and again, and making cookies to share with our neighbors and memories to share forever.

I think it was probably one of the best Christmases we’ve had in a long time.

DID YOU START ANY NEW TRADITIONS THIS YEAR? DO YOU HAVE ANY GUIDELINES THAT YOU FOLLOW FOR GIFT GIVING AT CHRISTMAS?

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The Reality of Christmas

December 22, 2015

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She was a simple, small-town girl, a virgin whose obedience meant she was about to give birth to the long-awaited Messiah.

He was a carpenter, visited by an angel and called to a holy mission that would change not only his life, but the entire course of mankind.

It was a town with a royal history, a name that meant “House of Bread,” and with fields feeding the lambs destined for the Temple sacrifices. It would shelter the One Who would one day be called the Prince of Peace, the Bread of Life, and the Lamb of God.

They were rugged, filthy shepherds, yet an angelic army would herald them into the presence of the King of Kings.

They were wise, educated, and affluent men, and still they would humbly follow a sign in the heavens toward something greater than even they could fully comprehend.

He was a tiny newborn, sweet and sleepy, helpless and vulnerable, even though His hands had hung the very stars that glimmered overhead. He would be the fulfillment of a plan set in motion thousands of years before, a plan to bring us back to God, a plan that brought God down to us.

Sometimes we know the story so well that we fail to pause and grasp the reality and the significance of each person, each moment, and each detail that God so carefully crafted and designed from the beginning of time.

Each person is important, each moment memorable, and each detail rich with purpose and meaning because this isn’t just a story, a narrative we recite on Christmas Eve along with A Christmas Carol or A Visit from St. Nicholas.

This happened. It is real history. And it changed history.

Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the Magi – they were real people who lived and died.

Mary experienced the joys and struggles of pregnancy, then labored and delivered her child far from home, among livestock. She and Joseph had faced the suspicions of friends and family, and Joseph would bear the responsibility of providing for and protecting his wife and the Child from the tremendous evil around them.

The shepherds, who were often considered ritually unclean because of their contact with animal waste and dead things, were suddenly face-to-face with an army of angels, and then face-to-face with Emmanuel, “God With Us.”

The wise men studied years, journeyed months, and brought costly offerings for the Baby. To safeguard His identity, they risked angering a wicked king, returning home a different way than they had come.

They all layered their faith in God and their obedience to His leading, intertwining their lives with each other’s at one of the most crucial points in all of time.

Generations later we celebrate the Baby that they held and worshipped.

And yet, while they celebrated the hope that the Child meant for Israel, we can celebrate with a clearer understanding of what His coming meant for the entire world: forgiveness, freedom, joy, peace, healing, and life.

They celebrated at the beginning. We get to celebrate the complete story – His birth, life, death, resurrection, and the hope of His return.

We were simple, common, filthy, and helpless, yet God sent His Son to us, to die for us, to save us, and to be with us.

This is the reality of Christmas.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Looking in the Tomb

The Parable of the Dough

Why We Started Celebrating St. Nicholas Day

Why We Don’t Need MORE This Christmas

Feature photo courtesy of Picture Bliss Photography.

And the Christmas Giveaway Winner Is…

December 18, 2015

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All this week, I’ve had a special Christmas Giveaway going on. One reader will win a 2-disc DVD set of the TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Holiday Edition, which includes one of my favorite Christmas movies, The Shop Around the Corner. In addition to the four films, the giveaway winner will also receive a selection of hot chocolate in a variety of flavors. This little contest is just my way of sharing something I love about the holidays and showing my appreciation for all of you, my readers. 🙂 (Awwww)

: TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Holiday

: A selection of Land O Lakes Hot Chocolate

Hopefully you entered as many ways as you could. If not, well, it’s too late now – sorry – because the winner has already been randomly selected (Thank you, Rafflecopter!). 🙂

Now before I announce the winner, I just knew that I had to include a clip from my #1 favorite Christmas movie, It’s A Wonderful Life. While my prize definitely isn’t as exciting as “a million dollars,” maybe it’ll at least brighten your day and make you say, like young George Bailey, “Hot Dog!”

Okay…drumroll, please.

The Christmas Giveaway Winner is Rachel S!

Congratulations! I’ll be contacting you shortly to make arrangements to get your prize headed your way.

Thanks, again, to everyone who entered.

Why You Can’t Give Jesus a Dinosaur

December 17, 2015

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Christmas According to My Boys

Elijah was only six months old for his first Christmas, so it wasn’t until the following year, when he was a year-and-a-half, that he really began to “get” Christmas. That was the year Brad and I really started to experience the holiday in a new way. Seeing Christmas through my children’s eyes is a wonderful, joyous, and sometimes hilarious thing.

I thought it would be fun if I sat down with my boys and asked them some questions about Christmas. Here are some of my favorite parts of our conversations. I videoed them and typed their answers verbatim, so you can get a glimpse into how delightful and blessed my holidays are with them.

CHRISTMAS ACCORDING TO ELIJAH (5 Years Old)

Tell me about Christmas:

Elijah: It’s one of my favorite days…it is a very good time, and I love it because it is Jesus’s birthday. That’s when people give, and that’s kind of like being God’s servant, sometimes. (Giving is like being God’s servant. Amen!) Why it’s my favorite is because it’s when Jesus was born, and it’s his birthday. And because I like birthdays, probably He likes birthdays.

What’s best part of Christmas?

E: Maybe… I don’t know. Probably… I think the best part of Christmas is…I don’t know…there’s lots of things to choose. There’s a lot of them that I’m thinking about…Snow, presents, stockings, AND when we get to eat breakfast because last Christmas Mommy made a really, yummy, yummy breakfast. (I did. Here’s the recipe for French Toast Casserole.)

To whom are you most excited to give their gift?

E: All I’m going to say is “cousins.” Because that’s easier to say than all the names.

What is one way you can give even when you don’t have money?

E: A hug. Maybe write them a letter. That’s all I can think of.

How can you help people have a good Christmas if you don’t know them?

E: Just say, “hello.” Be kind.

Why do we celebrate Christmas?

E: Because it’s Jesus’s birthday.

Can you tell me about Jesus’s birthday, and what happened?

E: Well, I don’t know what Mary was doing, but she was probably doing something, and then an angel just appeared. Like magic sometimes. Then she had to go to Joseph, and they were going to marry each other because she was going to have a baby. Then they traveled on a donkey, and they had a long journey. And probably on Christmas they had their baby…but, yeah, on Christmas they had the baby. And then the angel came to shepherds and said, “Good news. There is a baby in a stable that has been born.” And there was a star on top, and probably the angel was watching.

After the angel came and told the shepherds, the shepherds went to the stable. And then they saw the baby. And then a long time ago, probably past (he means a while later), like 2 years, like Mommy said, these guys on camels, these kings brought presents for the baby. Silver, is that one?

Me: Gold

E: Gold? *Pause…*

Me: Frankincense

E: (Smiling) Frankincense and myrrh.

What was so special about the baby?

E: That He was God’s Son, and He can create anything He wanted.

Why did God send His Son? Why did Jesus have to come?

E: To die for us.

CHRISTMAS ACCORDING TO JOSIAH (2-1/2 Years Old)

Josiah had watched me ask Elijah questions, so he was ready with his answers before I even had a chance to ask them.

Josiah: Mommy, I want to buy present for Grandpa and Grandma and Grandpa Rowland, and Daddy and Vinny. A bone – a character one, like has scrubby one. (I have no idea what “has scrubby one” means)

Tell me about Jesus:

J: Jesus loved to buy a present, too. (Hahaha. But, hey, Jesus is the best gift, so he’s close.)

Do you remember the story of Jesus?

J: Jesus died on the cross, like this (makes a cross with his fingers).

Why did Jesus die on the cross?

J: Because He keep us safe.

We talked about the story of baby Jesus, too.

J: Mary had the baby.

Who came to see the baby?

J: The camels. The angels and the horsey. And the cow.

What do we do at Christmas?

J: We give presents. And buy one for Jeremiah. (I LOVE that he said GIVE instead of GET) I like to buy a present for Grandpa. A toy present. A hippo. (For Grandpa) And a dinosaur.

Me: For who?

J: Jesus

Elijah jumped in here: Jesus already made the dinosaurs. He already has a dinosaur.

There you go. Christmas as explained by my two precious boys: Giving is like being God’s servant, baby Jesus was visited by “these guys on camels” and all the animals in the barn, Jesus came to die for us, Jesus died for us to keep us safe, and you can’t give Jesus a dinosaur. He already has one.

What fun, sweet, or profound things have your children said about Christmas?

Why These 7 Christmas Songs Are Special to Me

December 15, 2015

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Life in Lape Haven: Why These 7 Christmas Songs Are Special to Me. Seven holiday songs and Christmas carols that bring back great memories of past Christmases.

This post contains an affiliate link, which means that at no extra cost to you, I may receive a small commission if you use the link.

Of all the holidays on our calendar, no other day has as many songs about it as Christmas does. From Christmas carols to holiday classics to brand new songs released every year (who HASN’T done a Christmas album?), you can fill December entirely with songs all about Jesus, winter, Santa, and general “Christmasness.”

As I began thinking about all things Christmas earlier this month, I realized that I have a lot of truly wonderful and precious memories tied to specific Christmas songs. Stop and think about it. I bet you do, too.

Just for fun, and for a few sentimental smiles, I’ve compiled a list, in no particular order, of memory-rich Christmas songs and why they mean so much to me.

#1. O Holy Night: When I was younger, my mom was given a musical Christmas decoration of an angel kneeling at the manger, a little baby Jesus resting on the hay. When you wind it up, it plays “O Holy Night.”

Not only was it one of “Mom’s special decorations” in my mind, the song itself is beautiful. Several years later, I would sing it with our high school choir, kneeling for the entire song – all the verses – holding a lit Christmas candle. In a darkened sanctuary, it was pretty powerful.

But perhaps one of the sweetest links to the song has come in the last couple of years, when Elijah started asking me to sing it to him at bedtime (only one verse). I’m not sure why he latched onto that song in particular, but I’ve sung “O Holy Night” to him countless times, from January through December. It was only just this past month that he even realized that it was supposed to be a “Christmas song.” Since it isn’t the easiest song to sing, there have been nights I’ve felt somewhat self-conscious about my singing, but Elijah’s smile still beams sweetly, happily, no matter how imperfect my voice.

#2. Christmas All Over Again: This song was the very first song on my mom’s “A Very Special Christmas 2” CD. This meant that every year, the day after Thanksgiving, this was usually the first song blaring as we started decorating our house for Christmas, singing, dancing, and laughing all the while. The song is VERY danceable! It’s kind of my “let the Christmas season begin” anthem now.

#3. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late): Growing up, my brothers and I probably would have picked this as one of our favorite Christmas songs. It’s classic. However, it earned its place on my list when it became part of my annual Christmas-light-viewing tradition with a few of my closest friends.

Every year around the holidays, anytime we were out and about at night (which, since I was generally driving them home from a youth meeting, was at least once a week), I would drive us around to see Christmas lights in the neighborhood. Our soundtrack for the ride was my Billboard’s Family Christmas Classics, which included “The Chipmunk Song.” As part of the festive fun, we always sang along, but one night one friend decided to be stubborn. She wouldn’t sing a word. So, I kept replaying the song until we finally got her to sing at least “Me, I want a hula-hoop!” and my night was made, along with a memory that is still silly and precious to me. I can’t hear that song without thinking of them.

Here’s an official lyric video, so you can follow the bouncing ball and sing along! (This is for you, Amanda!)

#4. Hark! The Herald Angel Sing: Believe it or not, this was the first Christmas song that Elijah learned at least a verse of. Sure he knew parts of “Frosty the Snowman” after multiple out-of-season viewings of that Christmas cartoon, but it was repeatedly watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at two-years-old that taught him “Hark! The Herald Angel Sings.” Not only did he like the cartoon, he also had a Charlie Brown book with the story, and at the end, they all sing the carol. We all had to each time as well. Elijah even sang it for his Grandma Lape as part of her Christmas gift that year.

#5. The Little Drummer Boy: Okay, this one’s kind of mean, but I can’t help it that that’s how the memory was made. Haha.

When I was a young teenager, we were up at my paternal grandma’s for Christmas and went to her church’s Christmas service. As part of the program, an older lady with rather unnaturally bright red hair and a red dress (yes, she reminded me of a much older “Annie”) sang this very song. She stood still and stiff for the most part and was sooo serious as she sang her “pa-rrrrrrum-pum-pum-pums,” rolling her “R’s” excessively and shaking her head along with her vibrato that I couldn’t help but giggle. (And giggling in church is dangerous because when you aren’t supposed to laugh or giggle, it’s even harder to stop.) I wasn’t the only one who got tickled, though, so I didn’t feel as badly. That lady forever changed that song for me. 🙂

#6. The Twelve Days of Christmas: In the middle of December 1999, my entire immediate family moved from Georgia back up to Ohio. My sister’s family and my dad had already headed north a week or so earlier, with my oldest brother returning back to Georgia after an issue with one of the vehicles. My mom and I had waited for my youngest brother to finish his semester at school, so when we finally pulled out of the driveway, we each were driving one of the four cars in our little caravan making the 13-hour drive.

Since this was back before everyone had cell phones, we couldn’t communicate much with each other while we were driving, but when we had a rest stop, I remember my mom telling us what radio station she was listening to because she’d found one that was playing Christmas songs.

Once we were back on our way, one car following the other, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” came on. To show that we were hearing the same thing, Mom and I counted off the number for each of the twelve days’ items, using one hand, holding it up so that we could each see the other person’s through the back window or rearview mirror. (Eleven and twelve were a bit trickier.) It was how we sang along together while we were all in different cars.

#7. Emmanuel: Written by my father, who is a published singer/songwriter, this is a very special Christmas song. I wish I had a recording uploaded to share with you because telling you about won’t really do it justice.

However, from the time he wrote the song (back when I was much younger), I always looked forward to him ministering with it at Christmas time at church. No matter how many times I’ve heard it, it’s still powerful. Below are the lyrics, at least. (Copyright Jerry Holman)

Long ago and far away

In a place that far from here

A Babe was born into the night

He knew creation, He hung the stars

But the love He had for man

Compelled Him to leave His paradise.

He became Emmanuel, God with Us.

Emmanuel, God Most High

Unashamed He left His throne

Taking on the form of man

And He became, and He is, Emmanuel.

Then came the time as it was told

By the prophets of old

For Him to bleed and die upon the tree

He was spotless, without sin

Neither was guile found in His mouth

But He gave His life so we might go Free.

He became Emmanuel, God with Us.

Emmanuel, God Most High

Unashamed He left His throne

Taking on the form of man

And He became, and He is, Emmanuel.

As always, there are more I could add. “Sleigh Ride” is my mother’s favorite, and “Wonderful Christmastime” is my mother-in-law’s most hated, so we tease her with it. “The Christmas Song” was my paternal grandpa’s favorite, and I can’t help but think of him when I hear it.

So many songs throughout this month bring back thoughts of Christmases past, and as we’re listening to and singing them with our boys, I know we’re making new memories that we’ll cherish for many Christmases to come.

Do you have a special Christmas memory linked to a Christmas song?

My Favorite Christmas Movies & A GIVEAWAY!

December 14, 2015

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With Christmas less than two weeks away, it’s time to really embrace the season by watching all my favorite Christmas movies and television specials and singing along to Christmas carols and fun holiday songs all day.

Sure I’ve already caught a couple of films and shows, and we have had Christmas music playing off and on since the day after Thanksgiving, but I think that everyone generally has a few very special movies and songs that they just have to enjoy every year. This week, I’m going to be sharing my lists with you, and as part of the fun, I’m also going to be doing a GIVEAWAY! (More on that in a bit)

There is nothing like a few good Christmas movies to get you ready to celebrate the holiday. Cuddled on the couch with your family, sipping hot chocolate, and munching on Christmas cookies while you all laugh, sing, or even tear up thanks to a film you’ve probably seen so many times you can quote it by heart. It doesn’t matter. Favorite Christmas movies never get old or lose their charm.

For me, I have a huge list of holiday features that I appreciate, but there are 9 movies that I have to make time for each Christmas, in order from “Really Want to See It” to “Absolutely MUST SEE It.” (I’ve included an affiliate link to each movie, which means at no additional cost to you, I may receive a small commission when you use the link.)

MY 9 FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIES

#9. Meet Me in St. Louis

1944, MGM Musical/Romantic Comedy. Judy Garland, turn-of-the-century costumes, a delightful cast, entertaining storyline, and catchy music make this such a fun film any time of the year because the movie doesn’t just take place at Christmas. The story follows the lives of the Smith family over the course of the year leading up to the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. However, a lot of the best stuff in the show happens during the climatic Christmas Eve scenes, including Judy singing the iconic “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” to her on-screen little sister, Margaret O’Brien.

My favorite part: Either the after-the-party scene where Judy Garland has the “boy next door” help her turn out the lights in the house, or the Christmas Eve ball, including the conversation between the two older girls as they get ready for the evening. Oh, and the early-dinner-scheming in the beginning of the film.

#8. The Preacher’s Wife

1996, Romantic Comedy. Denzel Washington & Whitney Houston star in this remake of the classic Carey Grant Christmas movie, The Bishop’s Wife. While I like both versions of the movie, the music in The Preacher’s Wife makes the newer film my pick. (Sorry, Carey.) Denzel is an angel named Dudley, who is sent to help a busy, giving preacher, a preacher who is so focused on his work for God that he tends to overlook his family. However, Dudley’s arrival seems to cause even more trouble for the minister.

My favorite part: The children’s Christmas program is adorable, and when Dudley “fixes” the preacher’s little boy’s firetruck.

#7. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas

2000, Comedy. The live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ book and the 1966 cartoon is always fun. While other adaptations of Seuss classics have gone horribly awry (ugh…The Cat in the Hat!), this one is pretty perfect. I love how fully they embraced all things Seussical and Who, and Jim Carey plays a good, mean Grinch. Watching this with my boys makes it even better.

My favorite part: Spoiler alert – When his heart changes, of course, and he returns Christmas! Also, when he tries to sing along with the Whos as they celebrate around their Whoville Christmas tree. “Fah Who Foraze, Dah Who Doraze” is just fun to say.

#6. While You Were Sleeping

1995, Romantic Comedy. If you’ve never seen this one, you have to. Sandra Bullock plays Lucy, a lonely girl who is smitten with a handsome stranger who passes her tollbooth every day. When she jumps on the tracks to save him after he’s mugged and fallen in to a coma, his family mistakes her for his fiancée. Only one person doesn’t believe the story, his charming brother (Bill Pullman), who is determined to find out just who Lucy is.

My favorite part: Oh, there are sooo many great scenes and endlessly fun quotables. This is a movie that my mom and I try to see together every year, and it’s always just as funny. One of our favorite scenes is the one around the dinner table with all of his family talking about the mashed potatoes and John Wayne. Watch the movie, and you’ll understand.

#5. Elf

2004, Comedy. Do I seriously need to write a description for this one? Will Ferrell is Buddy, a human who grew up as an elf. Once he realizes this, he goes to New York to meet his father, who has managed to wind up on Santa’s naughty list. Hilarious, heart-warming, and joyful. One of the best family Christmas movies!

My favorite part: The quotes. All the funny quotes. Oh, the initial meeting between Buddy and his dad with the impromptu “Christmas-gram”and when Buddy decorates the toy department. Or discovers the mailroom. And when he takes Jovie (Zooey Deschanel) on a date. “Francisco….

#4. The Nativity Story

2004, Biblical Drama. This is a beautiful depiction of the story of Mary, Joseph, and the birth of Jesus. While I’m still a bit amused at how easily Mary actually delivers her baby (seriously, I’m pretty sure Mary had to work a little bit for it) and annoyed by the fact that the wise men show up so early (they would have been a year or more later in arriving), I love this movie. It shows the real emotions, humor, and struggles that Mary, Joseph, their families, and friends may have dealt with. It’s so easy for us to forget that these people actually lived – they aren’t just characters in a story. Seeing their humanity brings the Christmas story that much closer to home, stirring my heart to the awesomeness of Jesus as Immanuel, God with Us.

My favorite part: I love Joseph. Seriously, he’s my favorite character. Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem and their journey to caring for each other. Also, the comedic side of the wise men is pretty great.

#3. White Christmas

1954, Musical Romantic Comedy. You had to guess that this one made my list. It’s one of the all-time greatest Christmas movies. Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, tons of singing and dancing, and Christmas! The story is about two army buddies who come to the aid of their former commanding officer by putting on a Christmas show at his Vermont lodge. With the aid (and adoration) of a sister act, all they need is a little snow to make it perfect.

My favorite part: Can I first share my least favorite? Vera-Ellen. She drives me crazy throughout the whole movie because she’s constantly looking at the camera, especially during dance routines, and it’s just weird. I mentioned this once to a friend, and she said now that she’d noticed it, it was bothersome. So, sorry if this changes the movie for you.

Okay, the good parts – the banter between Bing and Danny and the songs and dances. Obviously.

#2. The Shop Around the Corner

1940, Romantic Comedy. Hello, Jimmy Stewart! He is one of my classic Hollywood favorites (I mean, he’s just great, isn’t he?). In this film, Jimmy is a head sales clerk at a small store, and he’s corresponding with a girl that he’s never met. Meanwhile, a new sales girl (Margaret Sullavan) is hired on at the store right around the Christmas season, and she and Jimmy Stewart’s characters do not particularly care for each other…or do they? 🙂

If you recognize some of the plot, it may be because this movie was remade twice: once as In the Good Old Summertime with Judy Garland (I like this one, too) and more recently as You’ve Got Mail (Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan – I don’t like this one).

My favorite part: When Jimmy Stewart’s character finds out the identity of the girl he’s writing. Watching him interact with her from then on is funny and sweet and swoon-worthy all at the same time.

#1. It’s a Wonderful Life

1946, Drama/Comedy. There really isn’t another Christmas movie that captures it all for me like this one does. Humor, music, struggle, faith, and hope. Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey is perfect. In the move (if for some sad reason you’ve never seen it), George, in desperation, wishes he’d never been born and miraculously gets the chance to see just what the world would be like without him.

My favorite part: Walking Mary (Donna Reed) home from the dance – “What is it you want, Mary?” and “This is a very interesting situation.” His stand against Potter. When he meets Clarence – “Well, you look about the kind of angel I’d get.” His joy as he runs through the town, shouting, “Merry Christmas,” to everyone and everything just because he’s happy to be alive. And of course, the end, where all of his giving and sacrifice are rewarded.

I also have an Honorable Mention list or an “If I can fit them in” list, which includes Miracle on 34^th Street, In the Good Old Summertime, Bachelor Mother, Little Women (1994 version is my favorite), National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Brad has an edited, more family-friendly version), The Nutcracker, Holiday Inn, Home Alone, & A Christmas Story.

I realize that everyone’s list is different, and I might not have mentioned your number one “Absolutely MUST SEE It.” Sorry. As I said before, I like a lot of Christmas movies. But they can’t all be my favorites. 🙂

Speaking of favorites, this week one holly jolly reader will win one of my “Absolutely MUST SEE It” favorite Christmas movies along with three more holiday films.

My special Christmas giveaway

is a TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Holiday, a 2-disc set which includes my #2 favorite – A Shop Around the Corner – as well as three more Christmas movies: the beloved Christmas in Connecticut, the 1938 version of A Christmas Carol, and the cute It Happened on 5^th Avenue. Along with the movies, the prize pack includes a selection of Land O Lakes Hot Chocolate in a variety of flavors. My boys enjoyed helping me taste-test the different options, so they could pick their favorites.

: TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Holiday

: A selection of Land O Lakes Hot Chocolate

The giveaway starts today and is open until Thursday 11:59pm, with the winner being announced on Friday.