First of all, congratulations to the winners of my Thanksgiving Giveaway: Saundra M. of Alabama and Tina M. of Pennsylvania. I hope you enjoy reading Love’s Courage.
Speaking of love, I love all the schmaltzy things about the holiday season. I love old Christmas movies like It’s a Wonderful Life, I love Nat King Cole’s rendition of “The Christmas Song” aka “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” I love decorating our trees (we have two), and I love buying gifts—especially when I find that perfect gift for someone.
Here’s a gift you can give me. Rich and I are always looking for Christmas movies to watch. In the Comments, tell me your favorites. I’ll get the popcorn started.
This year, our daughter-in-law Rachel suggested we have an eco-friendly gift exchange with used or upcycled items or items that we really need. I love that idea, and I recently read a blog by K. M. Weiland that suggests perfect eco-friendly gifts for readers and writers. Check it out: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/15-eco-friendly-gifts-for-writers-this-christmas/
I also suggested experiences instead of items. Experience gifts don’t have to be expensive. Each family member could plan something throughout the year and give it as a coupon for Christmas. For example, since 2020 brings us the Olympics, plan a backyard picnic with “Olympic” event such as ladder golf, bean bag toss, badminton, etc. with goofy prizes. It’s the gathering that’s the gift.
Another suggestion for the book lover in your life is The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates. This book is a must read for both men and women. I’ve just finished reading it, and it’s transformed my understanding of what is needed to change the world. Here’s a quote from Malala Yousafzai:
Melinda Gates has spent many years working with women around the world. This book is an urgent manifesto for an equal society where women are valued and recognized in all spheres of life. Most of all, it is a call for unity, inclusion and connection. We need this message more than ever.
Whatever your holiday plans are, I wish you peace and joy.
Happy Hanukkah, Happy Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas Day), Happy Kwanzaa, Merry Christmas.
Now what was that Christmas movie you were going to tell me about?
The BEST Christmas movies are the older ones from Hallmark. . . .A Dog Named Christmas; Silver Bells; Fallen Angel are just a few. We have them all and when the TV Christmas movies are just the “same old, same old”, i.e, girl falls for boy; couple stranded in an inn on the slopes. . . we put on our Hallmarks and settle in for some GOOD entertainment. The problem with the new shows is they lack imagination. So happy we have our OLD Hallmark movies. Hope you can find some. I don’t think they make them any longer. Check Amazon.
Great suggestion, Cynthia. I still remember an old Hallmark movie titled “What the Deaf Man Heard.” I loved that movie! I don’t think it was a Christmas movie, but it was classic old style Hallmark. Do you have that one? I may just look on Amazon and see if I can find it. Happy New Year!
A movie that always makes me laugh is The Christmas Story (aka “You’ll shoot your eye out.” It’s so charming with a glimpse of a bygone era. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Betty.
I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never watched The Christmas Story, Diane. I’ve seen some of it, but never watched the whole movie. I know it’s a classic, so I’m putting it on my list for this year. Merry Christmas to you and your family.