Tag Archives: Christmas

Arts & Humanities, Books & Reading, Current Affairs, Film & Movies, Love & Relationships, Memories & History, Music, Pleasures, Religion & Spirit, Television

How “It’s a Wonderful Life” Almost Never Happened | Library of Congress Blog | Library of Congress

By Neely Tucker, December 21, 2022

James Stewart and Donna Reed, center, in a famous scene from “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Photo: RKO publicity still.

Elizabeth Brown is a reference librarian in the Researcher and Reference Services Division. This article appears in the Library of Congress Magzine, Nov.-Dec. 2

Perhaps the most beloved Christmas film of all time got its start during a morning shave. Philip Van Doren Stern, while getting ready for work one day in 1938, had an idea for a story: A stranger appears from nowhere to save a husband and father from a suicide attempt on Christmas Eve, restoring his joy of living by helping him realize his value to others. Stern, an author and editor, eventually wrote a draft that he polished periodically and, in 1943, shared with his literary agent. It didn’t sell.

The first page of the script of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Motion Picture, Film & Recorded Sound Division.

Editor’s Note: Read more, see link below for original item…

Source: How “It’s a Wonderful Life” Almost Never Happened | Library of Congress Blog

Books & Reading, Current Affairs, Film & Movies, Love & Relationships, Memories & History, Pleasures, Television

Geeky Hallmark: Our 30 Fave Sci-Fi Christmas Ornaments

From Star Wars and Spider-Man, to Aliens and Mario, we’re having a pop culture Christmas.

By Germain Lussier, Published December 6, 2022

This ornament is definitely not a piece of junk.
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

When we bought a second tree, it was officially a problem. I’ve loved sci-fi and pop culture my entire life. So, when I was young, my mom started taking me to Hallmark each year to buy a few of the latest Keepsake ornaments. Even after I moved out, each year I’d give her a list and that year’s ornaments were part of my Christmas presents. Sadly, my mom passed away in 2020, but our tradition for pop culture Christmas ornaments continues. In fact, it may have gotten worse.

After completely covering a 7.5-foot tree for the past several years, this year my wife and I decided to buy a 10-foot tree to go along with the 7.5-footer. And, even though I’d estimate 100 or so ornaments are still in my childhood home where I left them, we were still able to fill the big tree, with the smaller one reserved just for ornaments I bought this year.

What follows is a slideshow of my favorites from this emotional but obviously expensive obsession. Some of these were released by Hallmark this year and are still in stores. Others are long retired. But there’s a little bit of everything in here. Check it out.

[Editor’s Note: See slideshow on the link below… ]

Source: Geeky Hallmark: Our 30 Fave Sci-Fi Christmas Ornaments

Current Affairs, Film & Movies, Television

The Best Christmas Movies in 2022 and Where to Watch Them – TV Guide

Where to stream 8-Bit Christmas, A Christmas Carol, and more

By Allison Picurro, Nov. 24, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. PT

June Diane Raphael, Neil Patrick Harris, and Sophia Reid-Gantzert, 8-Bit Christmas HBO Max

Remember the rule about no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving? Yeah, that rule is a thing of the past. “Jingle Bell Rock” is all over your local Starbucks, so you may as well watch a Christmas movie too.

At this rate, we’ll be watching Christmas movies in before we go trick-or-treating, and you know what? I’m fine with it! Especially with all the great Christmas movies out there, both old and new.

Our list of the best Christmas movies to watch in 2022 is updated with all the latest streaming destinations, and features childhood favorites like Elf and A Christmas Story, all-time classics like A Christmas Carol and It’s a Wonderful Life, and new movies like 8-Bit Christmas and Happiest Season, whether they’re on HBO Max, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or anywhere else. If you’re looking for more Christmas cheer, check out our guide to every Christmas movie and special airing on TV or streaming on your favorite streaming service, or check out our list of the best new Christmas movies on Hallmark, Parmount+, Hulu, and everywhere else.

Editor’s Note: Read more, see link below for original item…

Source: The Best Christmas Movies in 2022 and Where to Watch Them – TV Guide

Current Affairs, Food & Drink, Memories & History, Pleasures, Travel

Christmas in New York: 15 Festive Things To Do in NYC | Condé Nast Traveler

Our editors’ favorite holiday activities in the city they call home.

By Alex Erdekian, December 7, 2020

Getty, from article screenshot

We’re all looking for silver linings these days—and we’ve got one for you.

This Christmas season in New York City is sort of peaceful. There are fewer tourists crowding Midtown sidewalks, no social pressure to attend every holiday happy hour, and, more importantly, no Santa Con!

One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is that NYC in December holds the power to grow the hearts of the Grinchiest of us.

Even this year, there is more than a little magic to be found. To help you find the best of it, our editors who call the city home share their favorite Christmastime traditions—nostalgic standbys you’ll recognize from the scenes of Elf, seasonal restaurant rituals, and neighborhood celebrations that put them in the holiday spirit.

Andrew F Kazmierski/Getty ..ice skating at Bryant Park…

Source: Christmas in New York: 15 Festive Things To Do in NYC | Condé Nast Traveler

Food & Drink, Memories & History

15 Traditional Christmas Dinner Recipes – Paula Deen

By The PD Web Team

From article…

There’s no better time to embrace tradition than during the holiday season!

There’s nothing better than a traditional Christmas—we’re talking mistletoes, classic Christmas carols, gingerbread houses, It’s a Wonderful Life, and, yes, those traditional Christmas dinner recipes.

While we can’t supply all the holiday magic, we certainly can inspire your Christmas culinary adventures!

Whether you’re looking for a show-stopping entrée for Christmas dinner; the sides to go with it; heavenly cakes, cookies, and candies; a cozy beverage to sip by the fire; or something special for Christmas morning, we’ve got wonderful Christmas recipes that harken back to those old-fashioned Christmases of years past.

Source: 15 Traditional Christmas Dinner Recipes – Paula Deen

Current Affairs, Pleasures, Travel

Places to Go for Christmas: 23 U.S. Cities Full of Holiday Cheer | Condé Nast Traveler

You don’t have to go far to find holiday cheer.

By Caitlin Morton, December 6, 2021

Screenshot, Courtesy Galleria Dallas

You’ve heard it a thousand times: “There’s no place like home for the holidays.”

No offense to Perry Como, but with so many great places to go for Christmas, we’re going to have to respectfully disagree. The festive weeks of December make for one of the best times to travel to a new destination, with city squares and charming towns pulling out all the stops to make visitors feel extra merry and bright.

Lights hang from every storefront and lamppost, hotel lobbies get decked out with perfectly trimmed trees, and parks turn into makeshift ice skating rinks—all set to the backdrop of snowy mountains and iconic skylines. So you could stay home for the holidays, why would you?

Having said that, winter travel does look a little different this year due to lingering COVID restrictions and the emergence of the Omicron variant. We usually have our sights set on Europe in December (those Christmas markets are pretty epic, after all), but there are plenty of places to visit in the U.S. that have just as much holiday cheer—minus the hassle of crossing international borders during a pandemic.

Whether they’re New England towns with major storybook vibes, or some of the biggest and brightest metropolises in the country, celebrating in these cities is well worth the price of a domestic airline ticket or road trip. And let’s face it: You haven’t really experienced true Christmas spirit until you see it through the shiny lens of Las Vegas.

Source: Places to Go for Christmas: 23 U.S. Cities Full of Holiday Cheer | Condé Nast Traveler