...and with it naturally comes memories of past years.
Funny how childlike we become this time of year. My Christmas memories are wonderful.
In the small town I grew up, Santa would ride around town upon our fire truck on the Friday night before Christmas. As soon as we heard the siren we would all gather on our porch steps to watch him go by. Then the next morning the entire town would go to the VFW. We all got to see Santa, sit on his lap, and tell him our tall Christmas wish list. Then he gave each of us a gift and the town served up hot dogs, soda, and a full day of fun and games.
I remember my brother and I being so excited about Santa's impending visit to our home that we couldn't sleep. My parents were big on decorations and tradition, so they did all the tree trimming and preparation on Christmas Eve after we were put to bed for the night. I remember bursting out of bed 3 or 4 AM, fleeing down the stairs only to stop and stare in amazement at Santa's handywork. The tree twinkled with lights and ornaments, presents made mountains up both walls and lay scattered beneath all around the base. And the only thing left of the cookies and milk we'd left out for Santa was a few crumbs upon the plate.
Mom and Dad must have just crawled their way to bed but up they got without complaint and seemingly as excited as we. Then the opening of presents began. Of course we weren't done yet because Christmas day the relatives would visit with more presents. And sometimes we would go out and visit, as well. It seemed the gifts never ended.
Memories of happy Christmas' leave my heart warmed but I miss the childlike innocence and anticipation the holiday always brought. I do, however, keep it in how I celebrate the holiday. I decorate, I used to bake up a storm-these days I don't do much of that, so little time but oh the smells of Toll House cookies baking. Another wonderful part of the holiday.
And the holiday Christmas specials. I watch them! Every year! I always have and I always will. From the cartoons of long ago to the new special movies of today. They are all so wonderful. The tales so loving. Even Scrooge is lovable, don't you agree?
Hey! What holiday special is your ultimate favorite. Do you like 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' or maybe 'The Charlie Brown Christmas Special'? Pehaps you absolutely love 'Scrooge' with Alistair Sim(My favorite oldtime movie), or 'A Christmas Carol' with George C. Scott. How about 'All I Want for Christmas' or maybe 'The Little Matchstick Girl'?
Why not take a moment to comment and post your favorite? Then stay turned. I'll draw a name on Christmas day for a free download of my newest release, Eternal Obsession, an erotic vampire short.
Anyway, I have a little song lyric to post now to guide you along the Christmas Sleigh Ride, so here we go...
"Ring a ding-ding, wrapping presents hearts reflect
The fire's glow, I have you underneath the mistletoe..."
Hint: One of the most popular and awarding winning Christmas specials featured this song.
And to spread more Christmas cheer, we're giving one lucky person a $75 Wild Rose Press gift certificate! All you need to do to enter is attend each day's blog post, identify the carol, and make a complete carol list to submit after the final blog post of Christmas Eve. Don't forget to check the list twice! Send it to Christmasrideblog@live.com by midnight, CST Dec. 31st 2008!
Next blog on the run: http://lianalaverentz.blogspot.com/
Best of luck to you all:) Hope you are enjoying the sleigh ride.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! Ho! Ho! Ho!
Dayana~
Hi Dayana, and Happy Holidays to you! Ah, the Christmas specials, I love them all. But as a child, my favorite was always Charlie Brown. My dad brought home a little artificial tree one year, and we called it Charlie Brown's tree. We'd decorate it, and wrap up our building blocks as presents to put under it.
ReplyDeleteAnother favorite was Santa Claus is Coming to Town, the claymation with Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney. And Frosty. And Rudolph. I could go on and on...
Helen
Merry Christmas!! I have really enjoyed the ride these few weeks. I still like the old Christmas movies, like It's A Wonderful Life!
ReplyDeleteI can't miss my Christmas toons! Rudolph, Charlie Brown, Frosty and Santa too! Plus I love the comparing the news ones each year to the traditionals LOL Some stack up but some are just cute.
ReplyDeleteI also love to start the season off with White Christmas. Gotta love the musicals! It just says "Christmas Time is Here" to me!
Hi Dayana! Santa on a fire truck! It doesn't get any better than that. Thanks for sharing your memories.
ReplyDeleteNow I am gonna date myself again. But they always showed The Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan, with Mary Martin. Both oldies. But we would wait every year to see them. Especially Peter Pan, where one could fly away, what a thrill! They don't show it anymore, but it was a wonderful movie, great kids flick.
ReplyDeleteYour X mas morning sounds very much like what mine was like when I was young. But there were six of us kids and you can imagine the living room for that many children.
Christmas Time Is Here
ReplyDeleteHey Dayana, There are to many chrsitmas specials to choose from but one of my favorites are national lampoons christmas vacation, with family around for the holidays things get a lil crazy so it help to watch a family that's crazier then your own :-)
ReplyDelete~Afshan
I love all Christmas Movies, Old New it doesn't matter. I stay up late every night watching. Lifetime and Hallmark always have great ones on.
ReplyDeleteChristmas Time is Here
Christmas time is Here
ReplyDeleteThank you all for visiting and sharing.
ReplyDeleteThere were a few who posted your song title answers on the blog but I hope you know that you need to send your completed list in to the email listed in the contest blurb to qualify for the $75.00 gift certificate.
Wow! The favorites you all list are all on my list as well! I just watched Christmas Vacation and laughed my you know what off once again:)
Now, don't forget to move on to the next blog and list your song title answer.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Dayana~
Great post, Dayana. I remember sneaking downstairs about 3 AM to snatch the stocking--fair game before sunrise. ;)
ReplyDeleteToday, we decorated a gingerbread house for Santa and his reindeer to eat. You know, it can go in the trash on Christmas Eve and no 3 yr old is the wiser! Why am I worried about consuming calories? We practically finished off 3-lb box of Godiva chocolates since I opened it at noon... :( And Santa delivered my exercise machine last week. Looks like I need to live on it!
Happy Holidays!!! Skhye
Thanks, fun post. My favorite is A Christmas Story!!
ReplyDeleteThis carol is Christmas Time Is Here.
Happy Holidays!!
Merry Christmas!! My favorite is Home Alone. I enjoy it every year.
ReplyDeleteThey've started showing the Harry Potter movies during the holidays and I love them, so I don't even have to make excuses to pop the DVDs in the player. LOL
ReplyDeleteDeidre