All posts in Christmas

Post Holiday Egg Nog-Less Pledge

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Today I drank the last of the egg nog, removed Home Alone from the DVR, and newspaper wrapped the last of the ornaments. And with one fell swoop the holiday season grinds to a screeching yuletide halt. It’s not anyone’s fault but my own. I embrace Christmas like snowman Sam likes to tell a wintry story – with all that’s within me. And while the college bowl season might inspire an awakening from lack-of-holiday depression, the truth is that the holidays provide a gentle escape from whatever grind with which you daily participate. This respite is both rare and needed more often for virtually every working adult in North America.

You eat what you want, play when you want, watch ridiculously cheesy movies, spend absorbent amounts of time with family, sing old time classics, and give/receive as you’ve not done in eleven months.

As we usher in a new year, and hopefully learn from the past, it’s time for me to shake loose the shackles of leftover ham. For I refuse to bah humbug my way through life for the next 300+ days. And while I’m doing so, I’ll learn to live life as I do in the 25 days of Christmas window. With joy, kind-heartedness, and fun, making every day a special time of the year. You should too.

Bumble The Abominable Snow Monster “Stuff”

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The treasured classic “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” is a yearly staple in my house. It’s equal parts nostalgic and classic storytelling wrapped in an old school stop motion wrapper. From Hermey the elf dentist to Sam the snowman, there is a lot to love about this mid-60′s holiday special.

In my mind, the scene stealer of the entire program has always been Bumble the abominable snow monster. As a child he frightened the Charles Dickens out of me. Then again, his story of being a mis-understood, tooth-aching good guy has always been his redeeming quality. Thus the fear of his form is also coupled with a great Christmas character who in the end is a pretty decent snow monster who finds new life as a tree decorator. Continue reading →

Survive Black Friday Using Your Android Device

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Christmas Twang From She & Him

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Very few actresses are as hot right now as Zooey Deschanel. Her dorikness has struck a chord with folks far and wide including this humble tv watcher. Yet, Mrs. D has a pretty potent and respected side project that’s as equally as hot. One half of She & Him, Zooey is the soft-toned songrestress that bellows breathy melodys while accompanied by the rest of the one half in the guitar playing M. Ward. Separately, these two are superb at their individual crafts. So, when they get nudged together into the band She & Him, it’s always exciting to see what transpires. Continue reading →

Layers of Emmanuel Christmas Acoustics

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Tommy Emmanuel, the Australian guitar virtuoso that’s been making incredible instrumental music since before I was born, has brought us an incredibly breezy and technically layered Christmas album in 2011, and it won’t disappoint even the most Grinchiest heart this holiday season.

Known for his Chet Atkins like rhythmic guitar playing, Emmanuel has captured the heart of instrumental Christmas music, and its easily recognizable melodies. Through twelve beautiful, mostly traditional, Christmas tracks we begin to understand why Tommy Emmanuel is such a gifted guitarist. Much of his career he’s been heralded for making guitar instrumentals interesting without overdoing it. Instrumental Christmas albums are a dime a dozen, and unfortunately the bulk of these are boring and forgettable. What Emmanuel does right is embrace the melody, and by doing so brings a very layered, comfortable sound that demands we listen. And much like his hero, he’s able to add a smidgen of country flair that is felt throughout the duration of the album. Continue reading →

Hello Holiday Heft!

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Photo courtesy of Paula Fernanda on Flickr. All rights reserved.

This is not a post intended for Jillian Michaels to see. Nor does it fit into her, “don’t give up unless you’re dying” motto. No, this is something completely different. This is a musing on the joys and pangs of the holiday goodness that is about to come our way. Brace yourself, it’s coming (or perhaps it’s already here).

Not sneaky or crafty, but rather deft are the holiday marketers. They ease into your brain stems when summer gracefully ends and fall rears its chilly head. Automobile commercials shift from happy-go-lucky trips to the beach, to treks through white-capped snowy mountains. Your local department store shuns the short sleeve and short combos for scarves and long underwear. Even our beloved online retailers give us handy, and often irritating, reminders that Christmas is only “this many” days away. It’s maddening really, but it’s the over-hyped world of seasons greetings world that we live in. And I love every candy coated moment of it. Continue reading →

This Chrstmas…Let’s Surf!

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As the holidays inch a little bit closer with each passing day, the singles for upcoming Christmas albums start to trickle out. Last week, I mentioned the She & Him redux of The Christmas Waltz. In all it’s indie glory, it was a subdued charmer of a track, that both captured the original perfectly while also adding to it a layer of quirkiness that only She & Him can do. Continue reading →

Unwrap An Early ‘She & Him’ Christmas Gift

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It’s never too early for a wicked Christmas tune…or is it? Nevertheless, when said Christmas tune is an indie-pop gift courtesy of She & Him, it’s always a good thing. One of the most anticipated Christmas albums of the 2011 season just happens to be the latest creation of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward in the form of She & Him. Featured on the album are some sleigh ride charmers. “Sleigh Ride”, “Little Saint Nick”, and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” seem perfect fits for this duo; as do “Silver Bells”, “Christmas Day”, and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”.

But unwrap an early Christmas gift from the hipsters! “Christmas Waltz” is available as a free download from their site. Or you can simply listen and download below. A beautifully acoustic and muted track that embodies the classic song perfectly with a touch of indie magic. Get it today, and you all can thank me for your Christmas gift later!

She & Him – The Christmas Waltz by MergeRecords

*When the album is released look for a full forced review.