It’s the most wonderful time of the year…
Merry Christmas!!!
As far as I’m concerned, this holiday season doesn’t last nearly long enough. That doesn’t mean I’m in favor of Christmas decorations and sale items being up in the stores before Halloween; I just love the feel of the season - the lights, the music, (the candy), peace on earth, goodwill toward men 
…even the weather (when it’s pristine snowy and not “muddy slushie” snowy)!
And I must say, I love shopping for everybody. 
I love picking out things I think they’d like (whether they’re things they’ve thought of and put on their “list” or not); I love wrapping them (while listening to Christmas music, of course), and I love the excitement and anticipation of waiting for them to open it and seeing the looks on their faces.
Unfortunately, this enthusiasm can backfire (in a way): case in point, I’m already done with my shopping for this year. That’s a good thing in that I’m not going to be racing around on Christmas Eve going, “What am I gonna get so-and-so?!” But it’s a bad thing in that I have no real reason for going out to the shopping venues and sharing in and soaking up that Christmas spirit. (I’m an abnormal girl in this respect: I don’t like window-shopping.) But there are ways to supplement that lack! Namely, music and movies!
That said, my top 10 Christmas CDs are:
10. Mannheim Steamroller “Christmas”
9. Jars of Clay “Drummer Boy” (LOVE “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”!)
8. Point of Grace “Christmas Story”
7. Trans-Siberian Orchestra “The Christmas Attic”
6. VeggieTales “A Very Veggie Christmas”
5. Mannheim Steamroller “Christmas in the Aire”
4. Trans-Siberian Orchestra “Christmas Eve and Other Stories”
3. Glad “An Acapella Christmas”
2. Mannheim Steamroller “A Fresh Aire Christmas”
1. John Denver & the Muppets “A Christmas Together”
*Note: The top 3 trade places with each other quite often, so think of them as all tied for first if you want.* 
And my top 10 Christmas movies are:
10. One Magic Christmas (a movie from 1985 - anybody remember it?)
9. Mickey’s Christmas Carol
8. Miracle on 34th Street (the original with Natalie Wood)
7. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
6. White Christmas
5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the original, animated version)
4. Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol
3. Santa Claus: The Movie
2. A Charlie Brown Christmas
1. The Muppet Christmas Carol (hands down the best version!)
–P.S. Feel free to comment on your Christmas favorites!!!
What about “It’s a Wonderful Life”?!?!? I mean, come on — it’s Jimmy Stewart! Makes me cry every time.
Amy
Comment by Amy — December 6, 2004 @ 7:16 pm
White Christmas! White Christmas!!! I love that movie. =) =) =) =) And Miracle on 34th street and DEFINITELY “It’s A Wonderful Life”.
And “The Muppet’s Christmas Carol”. Most certainly the best version! By far!! teehee.
And I love the trees that are decorated and the huuuuuuuuuge tree that Ma put up in the living room, and the holiday parties (sparing as they seem to be… *sad*).
I just wish I had more money to give presents. *sad again*
~Crystal
Comment by Cris — December 8, 2004 @ 9:37 am
Yeah, “It’s a Wonderful Life” is conspicuously absent, but here’s the thing… I didn’t really like it. *ducks* I KNOW, I know, it’s Jimmy Stewart, and I LOVE Jimmy Stewart!!! (I do, however, believe the opposite that he does (did) in that I think he got BETTER with age.)
Maybe I’ve just seen the story re-done so many times that by the time I saw the original it just seemed… I dunno. It didn’t seem trite at all, but some of the acting just wasn’t convincing. *shrugs*
Sorry, Amy!
Comment by Katie J. — December 9, 2004 @ 2:33 pm
*gasp* BLASPHEME!!!!! Just kidding.
Dunno, I never saw any other versions, so maybe that’s why I liked the original. *shrug* Or maybe just ’cause it’s cool ‘n stuff. I just saw it for the first time last year. I’m just getting acquainted with the old sappies.
~Crystal
Comment by Cris — December 9, 2004 @ 3:14 pm
VOYAGER all season!
Comment by Keef — January 18, 2005 @ 3:47 pm