December 7 - Pre-Christmas Christmas Movies

I firmly believe that some Christmas movies should not be watched until the week of or only a few days before Christmas. I'm really a little neurotic about sticking to traditions, especially when it comes to Christmas. Those particular movies will be revealed when the time comes.


There are however many lovely and magickal Christmas movies that I encourage watching in the weeks leading up to Christmas.


I also have to warn you that I have never and will never endorse the viewing of A Christmas Story. I find it neither funny nor heart-warming, and I will stick to my guns (pun!) no matter who threatens to shoot my eye out (pun #2!).


Elf

I love Christmas movies! Christmas movies are my favorite!

 This movie is funny, child-appropriate, and drives home the message of the importance of family and believing in magick (by the way, I think spelling "magic" as "magick" is more magickal) at Christmas, all in a unique format. Oh, and Zooey Deschanel (blonde!) is in it, and and and she sings "Baby, It's Cold Outside"!


The Polar Express

"Tickets, please!"

Who doesn't wish that as a child, you could have taken a train to the North Pole to meet Santa? Complete with hot chocolate  and elves! And with this movie you finally can! The animation is beautiful and the story is one everyone knows and cherishes.

The Santa Clause

A classic. Tim Allen at his prime. Again, another interesting twist on the story of Santa Clause that gives us the message that family and believing in magick is important.

Any and All Christmas TV Movies

Okay, I know that they are kind of all the same, and some are really ridiculous, but there are a few gems in the mix like Secret Santa and Three Days. Plus, they are never in short supply and most never fail to be heart-warming, despite the corniness (then again, I'm a sucker for corniness). 

What movies do you watch around this time of December? 

All photos courtesy of IMDB

December 6 - The Limited Funds Gift-Guide

As someone with a pile of debt of loans to pay off and very little funds available, you can bet your bottom-dollar (or I guess I’m actually betting my bottom-dollar, literally) that the gifts I give this year will be on a budget.

And I know I’m not the only one who has to go this route, so here is my (small) list of my favorite budget-friendly present ideas.

Mix CD

Seriously, who doesn’t love a mix CD? Surprise a friend or family member with a mix of songs you think that he or she will like, use it as an opportunity to introduce someone to some new bands or artists.

Just be sure to include a track listing so you don’t have to worry about being asked: “What’s that one song with the guy that sounds like that other guy?”

Or, for the more tech-savvy, you can be really fancy-schmancy and pick up a USB drive for a few dollars and load it up with a whole bunch of music. Speaking from personal experience, the recipient will be very very appreciative.

Hand-Knit (Crocheted, Sewn, etc.) Item

It’s all about the hand-made item: knitting or crocheting a simple scarf or hat, sewing an ornament, or making jewelry or record-bowls. It’s all very simple, easy to do on limited funds, and shows a person that you put a lot of time, thought, and effort into making something special just for him or her.

Gift Card

Never underestimate the power of a $10 or $15 gift card, especially if the person is also not in the best of financial situations.

A Framed Picture

Most pictures frames are not super expensive, and many are easy to customize. Remind a sibling of your favorite childhood memory with him or her, let a friend know how much you appreciate the friendship, or give your parents a new photo to place on their desk.

A Heartfelt Letter

If you do not have the means to spend any money on presents this year, all you really need is a piece of paper and a pen. Write a letter to your loved-one telling him or her just how much you appreciate and love them; tell them the things that you forget to mention to them throughout the rest of the year. It’s the best gift you can give to someone.

December 5 - Christmas Music for the Christmas-Haters

Since today is Monday, I thought I would do another Christmas music post, but one to still kind of help you ease into the Christmas music season.

Don’t worry, by December 25, I will have posted a plethora of the Christmas classics. In fact, by that point, you will probably want to run me over with a reindeer.

In the meantime, I know there is an assortment of Scrooges, Grinches, and Bah-humbuggers out there, so here are a few Christmas songs that do not express a high level of fondness for this time of year.

Don’t Shoot Me Santa by The Killers

Still my favorite of all of the Christmas songs The Killers have done. And quite possibly one of the greatest music videos of all time. Also, a nice warning to all of you misbehavers out there…be nice or Santa may show up with a shotgun rather than a few lumps of coal.

Yellin’ at the Christmas Tree by Billy Idol

This is actually a yearly occurrence in my house…mainly by my mom, as our tree falls over. Strange how it always seems to fall when she’s in the room. Hmmmmm….

Forget December by Something Corporate

Yule Shoot Your Eye by Fall Out Boy

Please excuse me as my pop-punk-emo past rears its head with these two songs. But they are pretty great if you really just do not feel like celebrating Christmas this year.

Know of any others?

December 4 - Christmas Markets

Dresden Christmas Market

I stood in the middle of this square one time, and I hope to do so again with the same scene as above surrounding me.


The Christmas markets, which originated in Germany, Austria, Alsace, and South Tyrol, have become world-famous, drawing crowds by the thousands during the month of December. The most well-known and large ones take place in Dresden, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Dortmund, and Augsburg.

Vienna Christmas Market

As someone who loves the Christmas season, especially all of the beautiful lights and decorations, it would be a dream come true to go to a Christmas Market in Germany, Austria, or France. All with other people who enjoy the season as much as me.


But in the mean time, I hope to visit the Philadelphia Christmas Market for international holiday gifts, ornaments, arts and crafts, food, sweets and hot beverages. 


As anyone else been there? Or better yet, gotten to go to a real gosh-darn German Christmas market?

December 3 - Advent Calendar

When I was little, one of my favorite things to do in December was open up a new little window on our advent calendar each morning.  At first, I had to share the task with my brother, but after a few years I was the only one who continued to have the same enthusiasm for it.


The advent calendar that we have is nothing extraordinary. It's just paper, and shows a simple theme of several homes at night. But each day, you open a window or door to find someone or something preparing for Christmas Eve, whether it is the moon in the sky, a mouse with a bit of cheese, a woman preparing a cake, or a child decorating a Christmas tree, until by December 24, you see an array of happy people and creatures celebrating that night. I love it.


Today, many of the little paper doors only have one left, others refused to stay closed until it is their turn to stay open, and I know what is behind each door by heart. But each day, I still look forward to opening a window that shows me a simple, but beautiful, Christmas moment.


Do you have an advent calendar you love? What is special about it?


If not, here are some advent calendar ideas I love.


Activities Advent Calendar

I love this idea from Anthology Magazine. Pick an activity to do for each day in December, whether it is simple like having hot chocolate, or a fun activity like ice-skating. So each day, you get to open a box or your vehicle of choice and then do whatever it tells you to do for the day.

I totally plan on doing this when I have a family one day. My kids are going to hate me, and I will love it.

Knit Advent Calendar

Photo courtesy of my favorite favorite favorite blog: a friend to knit with

The knitter in me adores this hand-knit, little gloves and hats advent calendar. You can pop in a little treat   so the members of your household have a little surprise each day.

There are so many terrific and special ideas for advent calendars out there, most of which are pretty easy to do yourself (hurray for self-sufficiency!). Here's a great list of ideas put together by another great blog: Creature Comforts Advent Calendar Round-Up.

It's not too late to start one for yourself this year!

However, I still plan on sticking with my beautifully beat-up advent calendar.

December 2 - Christmas Music That Isn't Too Christmas-y

I'm going to try to post something fun that is holiday-related every day for the month of December, because the holiday season makes my heart sing and I like to share the joy. Don't worry, I won't actually sing.


I know that not everyone is not like me, and some people need to ease into this festive time, so here are some of my favorite Christmas/Winter songs that aren't too Christmas-y (meaning, they are not constantly being played on the radio/in stores/on the street/on television/in your head during December).

Winter Song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson

A nice, slightly sad, winter song that does not mention Christmas even once. Also, can these two lovely ladies do more duets? And how cute is the music video?

River by Joni Mitchell, Live

Again, kind of sad, but so amazingly beautiful. This one does mention Christmas, but it is not the main focus, and is part of a completely non-Christmas album (love love love Blue). There are many wonderful covers of this song, but the original is unsurpassable.

Winter Winds by Mumford and Sons

All you need to know about this song is that it is Mumford and Sons singing a winter song. Perfect for cozying up by the fire on a chilly night.

White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes

Take what I just said about Winter Winds, but replace Fleet Foxes with Mumford and Sons.

2000 Miles by Coldplay, Live (The Pretenders Cover)

Um, is anyone else starting to sense a theme? Apparently, I equate sad Christmas-ish songs with not being too Christmas-y. Either way, I love this version of this Pretenders classic.

Winter Song by Caesars

I also seem to think that if a song has the word "Winter" in the title, it's automatically appropriate for December without being too holiday-centric.

Did I miss any? 

Hope this helps ease everyone into the holiday season!

Happy First Day of December