Good morning from a rainy Kansas City! All back on track with Blogmas so on to today’s topic of Inspirations and Stories. Tamy who is hosting Blogmas over at Chasing My Life has some good ones so be sure to go check those out when you finish reading this post.

I’m going to go a slightly different direction with my Inspirations.

Inspirations

This is sort of an Advent but she states right in the beginning you can start reading it at any time during the season so that’s what I’ve done (mainly because I couldn’t find it on December 1, ha!). I find Simply Christmas to be so motivating. It reminds me where I should focus during this season.

Note, it is geared to moms with younger children. However, I still find most of the context relevant even with young adult children.

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The next inspiration just popped up in my inbox today and I fully plan to follow along with it. I needed to get back to this anyway. Faithful Workouts is doing a 12 days of Christmas countdown with motivational Christian messages plus there’s a link in the e-mails to the fitness calendar days.

I really enjoy the messages and the fact that the workouts are actually indeed 10 minutes long. No this is a 10 minute workout after we have 10 minutes of warm-up and 10 minutes of cool down. Um, that is a 30 minute workout. And even my lazy self feels it when I do the beginner chair workouts.

Christmas Stories

I’m not sure what to share here. Christmas stories makes me think of books. I’ve put out all the Christmas books every year since we’ve had kids, need to do that still this year. One of the board books in our basket is Carl’s Christmas.

This book used to aggravate my husband to no end. Seriously, they left the dog in charge of the baby while they went Christmas shopping? Ha! No imagination, I suppose.

I’ll go ahead and end the post by sharing my all-time favorite (how odd that we don’t own this in book form!) Christmas short story:

It is a very short story. You can read it here if you’d like.

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Tell me, what keeps you inspired at this time of year? Any favorite Christmas stories?

Well, I started out so good on this. And then, work took off in a crazy, busy direction. Somehow (whispering), I’ve managed to avoid the plagues going around there. Even my other “black elderberry” devotee teacher succumbed last week.

I think forcing myself to go to bed early has really helped. And the black elderberry. Managed to stay healthy for my birthday and enjoy a handbell concert that evening.

Enough of all that, let’s play Blogmas Catch Up.

Day 14: Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Well, I’m surrounded by boys over here aside from the cat. And now the boys are young adults. Here’s a snippet picture of what I have for the stockings so far this year. None of them read this blog (that they’ve mentioned to me so I think I’m good). This is a collection of different things for everyone.

Catnip mittens are clearly for the cat. J gets the pfeffernusse cookies each year. Bob Ross page clips are for G. Hunter’s soap is for my husband. Everyone gets a new toothbrush (just one pictured) and batteries. I’m undecided on the t-shirts. They might get wrapped as gifts or I’ll throw them in stockings. I see now I need to focus a bit more on some stocking stuffer items for this year. 

Day 15: Goodies For Others

I’m not good in this category. I remember my mom would spend the weeks leading up to Christmas making all those cookies, pumpkin bread in coffee tins, and who knows what else. Then, we’d drive around to all my aunts and uncles to deliver them sometime the week prior to Christmas. I get hung up when I think of doing this for the neighbors/friends because I start worrying about food allergies/restrictions.

Day 15: Wish List

Hopefully, we all wish for peace on Earth and kindness to spread around the world. Aside from that, I have a fairly long wish list this year that I posted on the fridge. I made us all fill out a paper. Instead of boring you with mine, let me show you what I get to work with from my husband: 

He’s getting a new blanket for the naps/more sleep answer. Maybe some lottery tickets for the more money answer. SIGH. The boys lists aren’t much better. Underwear for all! And when I threatened that, G told me he actually needed some. At least, it’s an easy item to buy, right?

Day 17: Party Food Likes/Dislikes and Ideas

Sigh, it’s been awhile since I’ve been to a proper Christmas party. Is this where we all mumble: stupid COVID!? Anyway, back when get-togethers were more taken for granted..our two go-to appetizers to take to a party were: bacon wrapped little smokies (or you can use the grocery store crescent roll dough but the bacon is better!) and/or a homemade cheeseball.

super easy recipe:

take two 8 oz packs of cream cheese, soften, beat in one package of Hidden Valley Ranch dip mix. Form into ball, roll in chopped pecans. Or sometimes I’ve done parsley. It’s best if you can let it chill several hours in the fridge.

Serve with crackers. For me, it’s not official unless served with these Sociable crackers but it’s good with any crackers. P.S. amazon link for reference only, please don’t pay $10 for said crackers, they aren’t worth that price!

I like pretty much all party foods with the exception of olives. YUCK. Also, not a huge fan of salmon though I can get through smoked salmon.

As far as ideas: I’ve always thought it would be fun to host a Hot Chocolate Open House party around the holidays. Just make up a bunch of hot chocolate, have toppings, and a few sugar cookies. Do it on some Saturday and have people stop by and say hello while they’re out running around. Maybe someday I’ll manage to be together enough to do that.

Day 18 Favorite Christmas Food and Drink

I also love most appetizer foods like the summer sausage/crackers/cheese spreads. I’ve been trying to stick to water as much as I can lately but would be happy to find some cranberry sprite somewhere.

Hot chocolate.

Might have a glass of Prosecco on Christmas Eve.

I don’t know.

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Kind of a short post but I think it gets me all caught up and ready for tomorrow’s topic. What’s your favorite holiday food and/or drink?

Don’t forget to check in over at Tamy’s blog, Chasing My Life where she’s hosting Blogmas! Lots of great food/drink ideas over that way.

Still playing along with Blogmas hosted by Tamy at Chasing My Life. Work got crazy busy for a moment. So, naturally, I’m a few days behind on this. I’ll probably group days 14 & 15 (maybe 16, not sure of the topic) together tomorrow to catch up.

This post would be a fun one to join in the fun!

Top 2 Winter Beauty Essentials?

1. Lip balm for dried out lips. I prefer this natural one in peppermint flavor from a local company.
2. Face moisturizer and hand lotion, guess that’s 2 so I’ll say hand lotion.

Top 2 Winter Fashion Essentials?

Not really a fashionista over here so let’s see:

1. Cardigan sweaters. I have a dark/bright green one that works well for the holidays. Sometimes it can start off cold and be tee-shirt weather by the afternoon around here. I also have a pink work hoodie that I’ll wear if it’s really cold in the mornings but usually have to take off by the afternoon. Some classrooms are warmer than others.
2. Warm socks for at work. Fuzzy socks for at home. Did I mention I’m not the most fashionable?

Favorite Winter Accessory?

Fingerless gloves! My favorites are big and thick gray ones.  My more fashionable ones have little mitten toppers so I can actually have warm fingers when I don’t need the fingerless glove function. They are black and white with a bit of sparkle to them and have a matching hat that I seldom wear.

Favorite Winter Nail Polish?

I don’t paint my nails any more. Actually, I’ve never been much of a nails person except in my mid-20’s I had the acrylic nails for a bit. And at Christmas, the tech made a little Christmas tree design on red nails. Loved that look!

Hot Cocoa or Apple Cider?

Hot cocoa. Apple cider is a fall drink in my mind.

Favorite Winter Candle?

That’s a tough question, not sure I have just one favorite. I’m on a mission to use up my current candles before buying new ones. Right now I’m finishing off two that I really love: Twisted Peppermint from Bath and Body Works and Vanilla Balsam, also from Bath and Body Works.

After the holidays, I like light, citrusy clean smells until February when I like the hot cocoa scents.

Really, I love most candle scents as long as they aren’t perfume-y.

Does it snow where you live?

Yes. However, it’s common for our weather to be in the 40’s or 50’s around Christmas. White Christmases aren’t as common. However, white January, February, and early March are not uncommon. Sometimes we also see snowflakes in early April (rare), May (very rare but it has happened), and October (occasionally but it melts very fast most of the time).

I’m just a bit excited that the Farmer’s Almanac is predicting we might have a white Christmas this year!

Have you ever made a snowman?

Of course!

What is Your Favorite Holiday Movie?

I can sit and watch most holiday movies any time. However, I’m partial to The Polar Express (my kids both hate it, go figure) and the classics. Confession: when I had time this week to watch a holiday movie, I opted to watch The Princess Switch on Netflix. I guess I should add that to my favorite list.

What’s your favorite holiday drink? 

Any of the flavored coffees. If it’s a warmer winter day, my favorite thing from the Starbucks menu is an Irish cream cold brew. Cold days are good for a peppermint mocha or caramel brulee latte. I also like their plain holiday blend.

As far as holiday spirits: a local chain of a Mexican restaurant always does a cranberry margarita around the holidays that I like to have just once a season. And I’ll not say no to a glass of prosecco.

Candy cane or Gingerbread men?

Both. I’ll probably choose the gingerbread men as a dessert and a peppermint candy cane later as a stomach soother.

What’s your favorite holiday/Christmas song?

Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives.

What is most important to you about the Christmas holidays? 

Family. Peace. Love. Can’t beat the explanation Linus gives for what is most important though:

Bit of a catch up post again! My work is keeping me hopping lately. Sadly, it’s because so many are sick in our area. Both types of flu going around, COVID (thankfully, not as much), and a stomach bug! Ick. Been doubling down on my vitamins and black elderberry syrup. Stay healthy, my friends!

Blogmas Day 10: Advent Calendars

I bought this Advent calendar several years ago on clearance at K-Mart. It’s one of my favorites. Just a simple block countdown. Some years we do chocolate ones and some years I forget until it’s too late. This is an “I forgot until it was too late year.”

I also light a simple flameless candle in the window each week for Advent. Nothing fancy but I like it. You can see my two candles (not lit) behind the plant and small lantern decoration.

Christmas Trees

I love Christmas trees! If we had space, I’d put one in every room. However, we don’t have space. We’ve always had an artificial tree. My dad was a firefighter and so real trees were a fire concern to him. He used to worry very much about my sister’s insistence on a real tree once she moved out. The real trees do smell good but I’m too worried about our cat (and let’s face it, that fire hazard thinking is well soaked into my psyche).

This is the year, I’m trying a simpler approach to my tree decorations. It’s still an ongoing process but the picture above is what we have currently. Here it is lit (please forgive the fuzzy photo):

Ornaments and Favorite Decorations

I’m still so far behind on Christmas decorating that I don’t have much to show in this category yet. Work’s been crazy and I had planned to do more today but once again, I’ve been called in for this afternoon. So it’s a quick glance at my current progress:

A favorite Christmas mug, they count as decorations right? A coworker gave me this when she was my secret Santa one year and I just love it. Only get it out at Christmas.

These little candy cane people are in our bathroom. They belonged to my late Aunt Helen and I’ve always loved them. The lantern beside them is new from last weekend. So I have a new favorite beside an old favorite. Funny thing, I just started putting these candy cane people out in the last few years.

Last one and then, I’m off to try and work on my Happy Homemaker Monday post (yes, it’s Tuesday). This is my Party Lite Nativity. I’ve had it for years, the first big Christmas decoration I bought when my husband and I started together in this house.

(I’ll have to share a better picture when I have it lit up).

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Hoping I can get a bit back on track with Blogmas for the rest of this week. Be sure and go check out Chasing My Life where Tamy is hosting Blogmas for us with all these great topics. Join in for a day or two, it’s fun!

I finally got our tree up today. It’s been quite the comedy of errors all day process. Quite a frustrating time to tell the truth. The re-arranging of the furniture but I would love to put the tree somewhere else. However, it only fits one place currently. Maybe next year. We’re slowly updating our living room so there’s hope.

Then, you know the most “convenient” thing about those pre-lit trees? When the lights only work on parts of them. SIGH. So, off to Home Depot to get some white lights. Took a picture of the tree to share and it’s blatantly obvious to the camera’s eye where the light’s differ. Looks like a two-tone tree. Not so pretty. Here’s just a glimpse (the color came out so strange!) of part of the branches.

On a more positive note, I bought a box of battery operated candle lights for the tree a few weeks ago. They were a bit of a splurge but I absolutely love them! Need to get one more box to even things out.

Today’s blogging topic is all about Christmas cards.

Christmas Cards: A Lost Tradition

When my husband and I were first married, 20 something years ago, I used the Christmas cards that came to the house as part of my holiday decorations. We received enough for me to display them all around the entrance to our kitchen. And stick them on the coat and linen closet doors.

We had quite a few friends, relatives, and acquaintances back then (big family on my side remember?). However, sadly, many of our older relatives have since passed away. And as is natural, we’ve lost touch with a few friends through the years.

As much as I love getting the cards, we get far fewer now. And in fairness, I’m not great at sending them out. Not from lack of want. Sometimes time simply gets away from me. Or stamps. One year I did great at sending them out by signing and preparing all the cards in January! Then, they were ready to go in December.

Of course, that doesn’t work for those who like to do the whole Christmas newsletter thing. I did that a couple times when the boys were a lot younger but for the most part I’m a sign our names kind of card sender. Hoping it’s enough to just know that I’m thinking of your family.

Homemade or Store Bought? Or Virtual?

I haven’t sent or received an e-card in so long. Are they still a thing? I think they probably cost now and I’m too cheap for that. If I’m spending money on a card, it needs to be a physical hold in my hand kind of thing. Crafts and I don’t seem to agree so cards from here are store bought. I’ve fallen in the habit of just grabbing cards at the grocery store or Target.

However, my preference is to go to Hallmark when I can manage it. I have my loyalty card that usually comes in handy getting me a few dollars back to spend at this time of year. And they do have beautiful cards there. I like to buy the boxed cards mostly. Last time I bought a variety box (oh my, I’m becoming my late mother!). However, one year I bought cards that depicted the Country Club Plaza, a local shopping district noted for being modeled after the city of Seville, Spain as well as its Christmas lights on the buildings.

Recycling the Christmas Cards

Of course, the paper waste is one of the arguments against getting actual Christmas cards in the mail. My mom always made tags out of our Christmas cards and then, used the same tags year after year as well.

Funny story: The first year I went to my husband’s family for Christmas and took presents: I made all the tags just the way my mom did. Cutting up old Christmas cards, punching the hole in the card design part, writing the to/from on the back, and stringing the ribbon through before putting it under the bow. They were all so confused. How come none of these packages have tags? His family always used the sticker tags (or sometimes just wrote on the paper). Ha! Of course, they were a bad influence and now I use the simple sticker tags as well.

One year in elementary school, we cut a shape out various cards and then glued them together to make ornaments. I can recall doing that.

The other thing I did with the discarded Christmas cards was to make boxes. I found this fun and relaxing though my boxes didn’t always fit together perfectly. 

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It’s still up in the air if I’m going to get cards sent out this year although I hope I do. I find them to be such a day brightener during the holiday season. So, I hope I can share a little joy that way myself. If I don’t manage though, I also don’t beat myself up about it too much. Some years just work out better than others.

Are you a Christmas card person?

*Joining in with Tamy over at Chasing My Life for Blogmas 2022.

Since cookies are sort of winter must haves, I’m combining days 7 and 8 of Blogmas into one post today. I went to bed super early again last night. I’m determined not to get sick! (Had a sick little friend snuggled up to me all afternoon at work yesterday so I’m really doubling down on all my anti-sick routines).

Christmas Cookies

Who doesn’t like Christmas cookies? Of course, if you offer me a piece of cake, slice of pie, or a Christmas cookie, I’ll probably choose pie. With a cookie on the side 😉

My mom always spent the weeks before Christmas making several kinds of cookies:

1. chocolate chip
2. sour cream softies (my dad’s favorite and now one of J’s favorites)
3. chocolate crinkles
4. jelly cookies
5. fruit cocktail cookies (my least favorite, yuck)
6. sugar cookies
7. ranger cookies (my favorite!)
8. other kinds I’ve forgotten

She stored the cookies in round tin coffee cans .

The first year we were married, I did the same thing: made lots of cookies! And then, it occurred to me there were only 2 of us. Oops. I made more cookies here and there as the boys came along but I’ve never been a huge make all the kinds of cookies baker. Helps that my family’s cookie of choice is simple chocolate chip. My husband’s favorite Christmas cookie is actually the blue tin of Danish butter cookies. I’ve recently discovered these, my new favorite:

My husband’s grandfather made everyone peanut brittle every Christmas. I tried to make some last year. If someone gives you homemade peanut brittle as a gift, they love you and spent some time at it. (Unless you’re allergic to peanuts, then you might want to re-evaluate that relationship)

I want to try some different cookies this year, hopefully, I’ll be able to find the time.

Winter Must Haves

Cookies, of course! However, like the little mouse, if you’re going to have a cookie, you need a cup of:

Coffee! Or hot cocoa. Or tea. Depending on the day and time.

My the must have list for Winter:

1. A good heavy coat, preferably with a zip out lining for warmer days
2. Layers, it tends to be cold outside and hot inside depending on who is in charge of the thermostat at different places. Ironically, I just had the argument with my husband. He had set the thermostat crazy high. So I had to do the “put on some pants instead of shorts!” exasperated comment.
3. hand lotion and lip balm *it tends to get windy!*
4. Lots of cozy blankets
5. Warm pajamas and fuzzy socks for snow days
6. Gloves, fingerless gloves for working
7. A snow scraper for the car! One with a brush on the end is ideal as often our snow is dry and and easier to just brush off the windshield
8. A good book or tv series to watch or both
9. Waterproof boots
10. Greenery and sunshine *time outside, sitting by indoor plants by a sunny window*, I need these things.

That’s my quick brain-stormed list this morning. I am planning to start a new series called Winter Wednesdays next week (I’ve decided Winter runs December to March) where I’m going to try and find some new appreciation for my least favorite season. So I may have new things to add to this list in the future.

What things must you have for the winter?

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Thanks for all the great comments lately, hoping to get around a visit everyone a bit more this weekend!

Pretend your reading this yesterday, okay? I was so tired last night and with all the sickness in the area, decided to just go to bed. Thankfully, I feel fine this morning.

So I’m a day behind here and it’s going to be a quick post (probably no photos today).

Yesterday’s Prompt Was: Quiet Christmas, big gathering, or traveling? Has the celebration style changed much since COVID came along and disrupted our lives?

We’ve done all of these.

Big Gatherings

As a kid, most my Christmas memories are of large gatherings. Once married, we still gathered together with family. My husband and I would alternate which side we visited for dinner. Christmas always worked out well as his family did breakfast and opened presents after in addition to the dinner.

Once, when we were first married, I remember getting a call from his sister at something like 9a.m. on Christmas morning wanting to know where we were?! Ha, it took me a few years to come around to the whole Christmas at the crack of dawn idea. (I wasn’t always the morning person I find myself to be now)

After we lost our most our parents (3 in 3 years…from 2004-2007), we still did breakfast at my father–in-law’s home but my older brother took over the hosting of my side. Still felt like large gatherings (more so on my side) with all the siblings, nieces and nephews, and their children as well!

Traveling

One time, before we had our boys–actually when I was pregnant with G, we traveled to Oklahoma for Christmas. It was a fun gathering but driving around Christmas was a bit tough. And of course, I missed my own side of the family terribly.

Christmas Celebration Changes

After a bit of a falling out with my husband’s father and new wife, we started hosting the Christmas breakfast for his side here. I fully admit I loved that (the hosting, not the falling out). We generally did it quite early as my brother-in-law and his wife went to her side usually for a brunch/early gathering.

COVID didn’t change much as far as our breakfast gatherings but we did take a 2 year break from going to my brother’s home. Sometimes with large families and lots of opinions, things get dicey. However, things seem to be tilting somewhat back to normal and we’ll probably be going there for Christmas this year. I’m fairly excited as I did miss seeing my side during all of the craziness.

I doubt we’ll do the breakfast this year as my sister-in-law and her husband moved to Florida and don’t plan to come for Christmas this year. And I’m not sure (we’re never sure) of my brother-in-law and his wife’s plans.

Quiet Christmas

Last year we had an extremely quiet Christmas celebration with just the four of us. I probably should have planned Christmas dinner a bit better. Other than that, it was relaxing but I’m really happy to perhaps have a bit more structure to our day this year.

What type of Christmas do you anticipate having this year? Which type of gathering is your favorite? I admit I’m very partial to a loud, boisterous family gathering for the holiday.

Well, this one should be short considering we still have a pumpkin sitting on our front porch. We just don’t do much outdoor decorating. I’d like to have things but the crew just refuses to cooperate most years.

So I settle for driving around and looking at everyone else’s fabulous Christmas displays. Not our house:

For a few years, we had a light up reindeer and sleigh, the kind with just the white lights. And we did have the inflatables we’d inherited from my in-laws at some point. A Santa and a snowman. Santa went first, my husband didn’t put him up because poor Santa was worn enough to potentially be frightening to young children. Then, the snowman went. Thought I could share an old picture but alas the computer/blog/universe is not cooperating today.

Almost forgot, that I usually do put a small real tree in my angel planter each year. And I’ve always wanted to decorate a tree for the birds (maybe this is finally the year for that).

And the Award Goes To…

I do have a fun little game I play as I’m out driving and see homes decorated for the holidays. I give awards. Not real ones, just in my head or sometimes spoken out loud. I’ll acknowledge red ribbon, blue ribbon, honorable mention, and grand prize ribbons. Or sometimes I do 1st, 2nd, 3rd place. Of course, I give out more than one ribbon or placement so many houses can be blue ribbon or 2nd place.

Well, I’m off to switch some laundry and head off to work. Hoping to actually get inside this house decorated by the weekend.

Do you decorate inside and outside for the holiday?

*Joining in with Tamy over at Chasing My Life for Blogmas 2022.

Busy working day tomorrow and it’s late so this one is going to be a bit shorter than I want.

My all time favorite Christmas tune is Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives. NOT Michael Bublé. Sorry fans. Just don’t like his version.

Actually, the only two Christmas songs I really do not like are the one mentioned above and Taylor Swift’s version of Last Christmas. The Wham! version is fine and you may or may not find me singing along with it.

My Top 5 Christmas Tunes: 

1. Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives
2. The Christmas Song by Nat “King” Cole
3. Do You Hear What I Hear by Carrie Underwood (this is a remake that I actually like and prefer)
4. Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano
5. Sleigh Ride (instrumental or with the lyrics)

Number 6 bonus tune:

Have to hear Same Old Lang Syne by Dan Fogel at least once during the holiday season and have a bit of a cry. Plenty of other crying songs out there, I just like this one.

Other Thoughts on the Music Before I Finish This Post:

I actually really enjoy instrumental Christmas tunes this time of year as I find them calming and peaceful.

And if you’re wondering, the preschool kids LOVE Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer…I’ll be hearing those tunes well into February most likely.

Sorry to not share links to my songs in this short post, you’ll have to do your own googling.

*Joining in with Tamy over at Chasing My Life for Blogmas 2022.

Oh, I feel like I might get extra credit for this one! I’ve already started making a list of Christmas movies I want to watch. Here’s my current list of movies. Some I’ve not seen yet. Some aren’t *technically* Christmas movies perhaps. I’ve put my favorites in bold. Completely random order. More than a fair share of silly Netflix choices

1. Holiday in the Wild
2. Polar Express
3. Spirited
4. Knight Before Christmas
5. Santa Claws *This has terrible reviews and is kind of weird but J and I love it. Probably all the kittens*
6. Nightmare Before Christmas
7. Die Hard
8. Christmas Chronicles 1 & 2
9. Home Alone
10. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
11. Gremlins
12. A Christmas Story
13. New Christmas Story Sequel on HBO
14. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
15. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated)
16. Charlie Brown Christmas
17. Love Actually (note: NOT for the kiddos!!!)
18. Christmas Vacation
19. Christmas with the Kranks
20. Elf**probably one of my all-time favorites!
21. Noelle
22. Jingle Jangle
23. The Princess Switch & The Princess Switch/Switched Again
24. The Holiday Calendar**a new favorite from last year
25. White Christmas

More Random Movies/TV specials

Clearly, not going to run out of things to watch this holiday season! Here are a few more I forgot though I already hit 25 on my list. Usually try to watch a few of these each Christmas season:

1. Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger! *This is a British show and so hard to track down and watch but I love it. I should probably watch the other parts, have never actually seen the 1st or 2nd one*
2. It’s A Wonderful Life This was my all-time favorite for so many years. It’s a bit bittersweet for me though as I often watched it during difficult holidays and sometimes those memories bubble to the surface during the viewing of it.
3. The Snowmen Dr. Who special
4. Krampus
5. Pettersson and Findus 2 *not sure if this is still on Netflix

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I’m sure I’ve forgotten a few. Before I run off to get started watching my movies and holiday specials, tell me what’s on your watchlist this year?