Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without...
*Watching The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (original, animated version) & Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on TV -- they tend to play Rudolph way too soon...right after Thanksgiving instead of closer to Christmas...but I still never miss them. And if either is on more than once, I'm there every time. Frosty the Snowman comes in a close second. (Or would it be third?)*Mom's pumpkin pie -- well, all right, it's now called "Heidi's Practically Perfect Pumpkin Pie," but only because I fiddled with the spices...we're taking it up a notch--BAM!
*Scrooged & Elf -- these are two of my favorite holiday films, & I never quite feel like the holidays are complete until I've seen them at least once. (Just watched Elf last night & laughed myself silly.)
*Christmas music -- I'm a sucker for Christmas music. The day after Thanksgiving, I start searching for the radio stations that play nothing but holiday songs. And I was delighted to discover that Dish Network actually has two radio station channels completely devoted to holiday music. I love having them to play in the background when I'm doing a million other things. My favorite songs? Right off the top of my head, I'd have to say "Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt & "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" by Elmo & Patsy.
*snow -- okay, I was born & raised in Pennsylvania. I've never spent a Christmas without snow, & I don't think I'd want to. I hate the cold temperatures & shoveling the stuff, but I darn well have to have it for Christmas to feel complete. (I could totally do without it the other 364 days a year, tho. :-))
*"Suddenly" by Lisa Kleypas -- this is the best Christmas romance novella ever. Hands down, no holds barred, without question. I try to read a handful of Christmas books or anthologies every year to get me in the holiday mood, but I've never found one that's as wonderful & moving as this. I used to read it every year, but when I realized I was starting to know it by heart, I decided to only read it every other or every couple of years to maintain the emotional impact I love so much about the story. If you've never read it, make it your New Year's resolution to do so. You won't be sorry.
*Garth Brooks's "Beyond the Season" Christmas album -- Oh my gosh, this is the absolute best Christmas collection! As I said, I love Christmas music, so I own a lot of Christmas albums...Aaron Neville, Trisha Yearwood, Celine Dion, The Carpenters, lots of collections made up of various artists...but this is at the very top of my list. It's the first one to get dug out each season & the one I listen to most. Every song is fabulous...my only complaint would be the part where he talks during "Silent Night," but even that I'm willing to overlook. And my favorite songs on the album? No question--"The Gift" & "The Friendly Beasts." (You had to know my all-time favorite Christmas song would be about animals. :-))
Here's wishing you all your favorites this holiday season.
Merry Christmas, everyone!!!
