Christmas Recommendations: Pretty Please?!

I’m creating a scrapbook for my grandchildren to read on the 24th. It is based on the meter from Night Before Christmas, but is based on our family with a nod to the Corona grinch. It has taken time and lots of imagination to do the story and pictures, but has filled so many empty hours. I may miss seeing their faces, but hope they will enjoy it.

Hmm. I thought Love Actually was pants.
Each to their own.
?

You too Jaxjacky and thank you. x
These days it doesn’t take much.

I think good films, a documentary or two and some comedy (loved last year’s Gavin & Stacey) will do the trick. Plus some chocolate ...

I always watch National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. Sometimes there are good adaptations of MR James (Thank you Mark Gattis)

The Dark is Rising is a lovely spooky book for the build up to Christmas and I also read The Children Of GreenKnowe.

And I can't do Christmas without Love Actually because what is life without Alan Rickman?

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Urmstongran this year, more than ever, brings our happy memories back, my thoughts are with you and others ?

Hetty58 when I was working, shopping & hosting Christmas dinner for 8 or 10 I used to get stressy. I did every Christmas dinner from 1978 up until 2009. My lovely mum used to ring me every Boxing Day and say ‘well - it’s as far away now as it’ll ever be!’ It always made me chuckle and sigh contentedly that yet another Christmas Day with dinner had gone well but boy, it was my more favourite day -

I miss that call on Boxing Day as it’ll only be our 3rd one without her.

Oh dear, I’m filling up now ...
Such an emotional time on top of an emotional year isn’t it folks?

Nice to meet another 'Miss Read' fan. Have you read her book 'The Christmas Mouse'? Well worth it if you haven't read it yet.

I like Miss Read books but haven't read that one. I must investigate, thank you.

Annie Lennox; 'Cornucopia of Christmas' album.

Well, not Nigella's plate of cold ham, stirfry, topped with an unappetising-looking fried egg, topped with pickled peppers.

It reminded me of something totally inedible I was served in hospital one Christmas Eve when I had just had DC1, although that was a beef burger topped with a fried egg and greasy gravy.
Revolting.

Thanks Casdon for your recommendation. It sounds a lovely winter book & right up my street. I’m off to our local independent bookshop tomorrow to order a copy!

always get in pork pies topped with cranberries, my favourite Christmas treat
Oh yes, I don't normally like pork pies but they are delicious
Too late now though

Well it's just got to be 'It's a Wonderful Life' on the telly - my most favourite film in all the world, cry every time I watch it! Also no Christmas would be Christmas without a viewing of 'The Snowman'. We play a Bing Crosby CD when opening our gifts and always light the fire (we have central heating, so very rarely use the fire). I also light spicy Christmas candles and must have a glass of fizz with my breakfast. Plenty of nibbles to put us on until we sit down to a late afternoon Christmas Dinner. I love pies (well I am a northerner!) but never buy them because they are so naughty, but make an exception at Christmas and always get in pork pies topped with cranberries, my favourite Christmas treat ???

I shall be doing exactly the opposite, avoiding all things 'Christmas' related (wish me luck). Already I feel quite sick of it all.

No TV or radio as far as possible, lots of long walks, reading, knitting and DIY/decorating will do. I'll play my old music CDs on the DVD player and watch films on Netflix instead.

It's interesting that, this year, among my friends, our usual like or dislike of Christmas is wildly exaggerated. Some are going OTT - and others ignoring.

I used to do it all for the children, then grandchildren, joining in the enforced jollity (through gritted teeth) yet secretly yearning for it all to be over. This year, no kids, yippee, I can be myself!

Sarnia..yes I've read The Christmas mouse..in Christmas at Fairacre...(short stories) ..love them all..?

I like Stickman too!

"Babe, the Sheep Pig" has a message for all ages; it was our Christmas play last December with the am dram group to which I belong.
Or "The Railway Children" which provides family entertainment.

I shall probably watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation if it’s on, (it usually is).

I would love to have a season of old films, not necessarily Christmas ones.

Now Voyager, Mildred Pierce, All That Heaven Allows, that type of thing.

It's got to be the film Elf starring Will Ferrell about a human being brought up by elves. So heartwarming and full of Christmas spirit. Always a few tears (from me and my DH).

The little children here have been enjoying the animation of Julia Donaldson's "Stick Man" on Amazon Prime TV.
They shriek excitedly, "It's Christmas Eve!" as it starts ?

farview

Every year for about 25yrs...I've read Miss Reads 'Village Christmas '...just read it today...always makes me happy...a little tear also... old fashioned and warming ?

Nice to meet another 'Miss Read' fan. Have you read her book 'The Christmas Mouse'? Well worth it if you haven't read it yet.

As well as some of the above I am looking forward to Worzel Gummidge on Christmas eve and Call the Midwife.
I am rather disappointed with the selection on offer. I watched Shirley Valentine a month or two ago and I see it is being repeated umpteen times over the holiday period.

Going back a bit, I shall be watching 'White Christmas'. It was my first outing to the pictures, as we called the cinema then.

Winter Solstice by Rosamund Pilcher is a lovely read. Very Christmassy and leaves you with a warm glow. Bailey's, chocolates and nibbles while watching something like The Holiday, Love Actually and if the gc are here Home Alone 2 (even if they are not here!). Set in New York where we have been as a family. Little Women too if it's on. Christmas tree lights on, candles burning. My kind of Christmas!

'It's a wonderful life,' 'The Bishop's wife' which I watch for Cary Grant. Always Carol's at King's on Christmas eve. I have A Christmas Carol on audible as well as a children's book called 'The Dark is Rising.' I also love a good ghost story at Christmas and bbc have a couple on bbc2 again on Christmas eve. All sorted.