It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas. I have to admit it is not my favorite time of the year. In my field it means dealing with people’s depression, disappointment and anxiety. The things I do like about the holiday season are the lights, food and yes indeed,  the classic TV movies about the holidays. Last night the Hallmark station did a “brand new” Christmas movie and this got me thinking…

 Sometimes nothing beats the classics. It seems like most of the modern day Christmas stories are all the same with different characters. You know, there might not be Christmas, or a single mom falls in live just in time for Christmas…gag me with a chocolate Santa! Give me the classics.

 Last week I watched the new Christmas Carol with Jim Carrey. Great effects and it was pleasant, however, nothing beats the original Scrooge. This movie which came out in 1951 and stared Alastair Sim, Jack Warner and Kathleen Harrison was just a classic to me and reminds that despite all the crud that Christmas brings, that there can still be joy by reflecting.

 For me, Christmas just would not be Christmas without The 1980s film The Christmas Story. I think it is one of the best Christmas movies ever. This movie simply makes me laugh, warms my heart and takes us in to the lives of middle class Americans. I never wanted a BB gun, but after this movie, I sure did, just didn’t want to shoot my eye out!

 Another great classic is It’s A Wonderful Life. Poor George Bialy if it can go wrong it does, but when it goes right, well ring and let me earn some wings!  I love this movie—always have and always will. Movies such as this just don’t get old.

 So many modern Christmas movies have taken the plot from Miracle on 34th Street. I think it goes to show just how wonderful this movie is. As most of you know this movie is about a nice white haired bearded old man who claims to be Santa Claus is thought to be insane. It’s a great movie and as always, Santa is not crazy…

 White Christmas which came out in 1954 and stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye is another favorite of mine. What I like about this classic is it is about sacrifice and selfless giving which in today’s workld we see so little of.

 I think that is what I like about all classics. It isn’t about the giving as much as it is the acts of love. Maybe we can learn about these classics how to not buy people for Christmas but rather just show them our love with great and giving acts of kindness..

 Of course there are the classic cartoons such as Rudolph, The Grinch, Santa Clause is Coming to Town, Little Drummer Boy and the Grinch who Stole Christmas, Frost and what would it be without Charlie Brown.

 So maybe this Christmas you might want to have a nice evening and rent some of the classics and watch them over a cup of hot chocolate and cookies. Now that’s the holidays!

 By the way what is your favorite classic?

touchwind.blogspot.com

This is my first holiday out at the ranch and I have been noticing the neighborhood in front of me is beginning to glow. As I drive down our dirt road and look to the side, there is small neighborhood that is decorated to the tee and it got me thinking…

 What person does not have memories of Winterhaven? If we have not seen the lights no doubt we have at least heard of those wonderful lights here in Tucson. However, what do we really know about WinterHaven? Well believe it or not this small neighborhood began in 1949 displaying spectacular lights at Christmas and after 61 years is one of the longest running festivals of its kind in the country.

As kids my parents used to take us there on a few days before Christmas. Mom would make up some hot chocolate and Rice Krispies Treats and off we would go.  All the hot chocolate and marshmallow treats could not beat the eye candy that awaiting us as kids.

 My sister and I would be bundled up with coats and ear muffs as dad drove block to block showing us the lights. He had the heater on and at times I thought I was going to faint with the heat blaring and being so bundled but it did not matter we were at the most magical place a kid could be at Christmas time. The neighborhood just glowed and was so bright that as a kid I had no doubt in my mind that the lights could be seen from space.

 As an adult I have visited the magical Christmas haven of my time. I don’t do it often enough, about every three or four years.  Normally I go for a hayride. That way we do not have to fight the traffic or walk endlessly. We still take our hot chocolate and bundle up. With each block we go down, a fond childhood memory comes up for me.

 Some of these lights never seem to change. There is still Charlie Brown and mangers and reindeers. There are also more modern ones like Star Wars and other famous movie themes. In fact I wont be surprised if this year we don’t have an Avatar sort of lawn somewhere in the neighborhood.

I am not a real Christmas buff and believe has lost so much of its magic, However, I am a light person and think that the lights and music is what Christmas is all about.  It seems to not only bring the kids in me out, but that magic.

Yes I can really do with out the gifts and hoo ha that goes with Christmas. I never was one to show my love by buying someone a gift at a mall or the local box store however, making Rice Krispies Treats and hot chocolate and a fun hayride, well that is a gift that keeps on giving.

So let your inner child out this holiday season and visit the magical kingdom of Winterhaven.  If you are, might I suggest a hayride. It is easier, and you get a real chance to feel the spirit move through your body as the horses gallop through the neighborhood.

 So do you plan on going to Winterhaven this year, donate some food and relive your childhood memories?