Winter Gift Giving Day is upon us

[fabrisse]

Or it soon will be.

I'm participating in Christmas fic exchanges for the first time, and that's exciting. Since I'm not going to California for Christmas (there's both good and bad to that), having a yuletide and a Christmas exchange story to look forward to is a biggy -- even if I'm an atheist.

Beyond that, I'm looking forward to my favorite holiday episodes of various TV shows.

For instance, the Winterfest episode of Beauty and the Beast is wonderful. So many candles, and I'll light a few of my own -- a bayberry and several beeswax for their warmth and scents.

It's just not the holidays without seeing Sandra Lee's favorite Christmas tree ever, the one she adorns with barware. Her holiday cocktail episode is showing on December 3. If you haven't seen the Tidy Bowl Cocktail, the emasculated gingerbread man, and Bjorn the Nutcracker... Look, it gets a bit Dada. Just watch it with your jaw dropped in wonder.

The only episode of Supernatural I own is A Very Supernatural Christmas which means I now get a lump in my throat when I see motor oil and girly mags.

I'll probably watch The Grinch at some point (half hour animated not the Jim Carrey monstrosity) if only for the look on the dog's face.

My favorite Christmas movie ever is The Thin Man. Myrna Loy is perfect. And I love Asta.

There's also While You Were Sleeping which is really creepy if you think about it, but works due to the charm of its leads.

This year, I know I'll be spending some part of Christmas day seeing The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus at the local theater.

So what holiday tradition, tv or movie, is going to warm the cockles of your hearts?

Comments

[elfwanderer.livejournal.com]

Spending an Un-Christmas with a Jewish friend. LOL!

Seriously. Work stood me up again. Get to see my family earlier in the month, but Christmas Day is Right Out.

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

Hope it's a good Un-Christmas.

[eanja]

I've asked the SO to snag the Sandra Lee special.

Me- hmmm. Having an athiest, ex-jewish boyfriend has toned down my level of holiday-ness generally. But I will probably watch A Child's Christmas in Wales at some point. And maybe The Box of Delights despite the wussy ending.

My parents are planning to visit at some point, so I may do a little more decorating and such than last year, if there's someone here to see it.

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

I can see how the holiday side might be toned down. Take pictures should you decide to decorate.

[eanja]

It's also not having a kid around- when Patrick was both here, and younger, there was more incentive to be all traditional. Then, for several years, I was either at my parents, or in Europe w/ Patrick, so I kind of got out of the habit of decorating. But I'll still put up my cards, if nothing else. (BTW, despite losing my address book, I do still have your address, since it was in my email.)

[snopes-faith.livejournal.com]

During the seven years my parents lived in the USA, I'd go and spend my Christmas with them and Dad & I would always watch "Trading Places" which is inevitably shown on Comedy Central this time of year. Now that we're both back in the UK, I think I'm going to tack it down on DVD so we can keep it going. Also "Scrooged".

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

"Scrooged"! How could I forget that one? Alfre Woodard is wonderful in it, as is John Glover. I must find it for the holidays.

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

Then you must watch Sandra Lee's House of Horrors, er, Semi Homemade and her Holiday Cocktail party episode. Truly, it must be seen to be believed.

I adore White Christmas. My sister and I always get up and sing "Sisters" together when we have a chance to be in the same house to watch it.

I'll look for Noel.

I love these two Christmas albums from very different parts of the musical spectrum.
We Three Kings (http://www.amazon.com/Excelsis-Vol-2-Winters-Song/dp/B00000JCBV/ref=sr_1_47?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1259515061&sr=1-47) is my favorite song off that one.
Kathleen Battle and Christopher Parkening (http://www.amazon.com/Angels-Glory-Christmas-Music-Guitar/dp/B0000029TS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1259515214&sr=1-4) are wonderful together. Her voice is one of the most beautiful sopranos ever.