Heidi of Along the Brandywine created the 12 Delights of Christmas Tag. I was delighted to be tagged by Rachel at Hamlette's Soliloquy as part of the spirit of the season.
On Christmas Eve the kids open their gift of pajamas and a book, so everyone is nice and cozy when we watch A Christmas Carol aka Scrooge, 1951 starring Alastair Sim.
2. Say it snowed at your domicile, would you prefer to go out or stay curled up inside?
I like to be inside looking at the outside, but I find it more enjoyable if I have been outside first.
3. Tea or hot chocolate?
Generally tea, but if there is a bitterness to the cold (and isn't there always?) then it is hot chocolate time.
4. Favourite Christmas colours (e.g., white, blue, silver, blue, green, etc.)?
It's not always the same. The basic reds and greens speak to me, but sometimes I like the look of pink Victorian decor.
5. Favourite kind of Christmas cookie?
Maybe it's the kid in me, but I find sugar cookies are irresistible, especially with icing.
6. How soon before Christmas do you decorate? More specifically, when does your tree go up?
December 1st, the wreath goes on the door and the kid's decorative stockings made by their aunt when they were babies go up. Sometime during that first week, it is tree time. Last year, I switched from the green floor size to a white tabletop retaining the most sentimental of my ornaments. Framed posters (reproductions) of Christmas movies take up the stairwell or any blank spot I can find.
7. Three favourite traditional Christmas Carols.
What Is This Lovely Fragrance?
8. A favourite popular Christmas song.
9. A favourite Christmas movie.
A Christmas Story, 1983 always makes me laugh in recognition. I wasn't a kid in the 1940s, but I was a kid who lived in my own head like Ralphie.
Three Godfathers, 1936 directed by Richard Boleslawski is my favourite telling of Peter B. Kyne's classic tale of redemption.
10. Have you ever gone caroling?
I belonged to a community choir and sharing Christmas Carols was my favourite time of the year.
11. Ice skating, sledding, skiing, or snow boarding?
I am a kluntz and could never get the hang of skating. Didn't even consider trying skiing. I was frightened by a "Goofy" cartoon. Nonetheless, I love getting knocked around on the old sled. Especially when you know hot chocolate is at the end of the line.
12. Favourite Christmas feast dish?
Last year I began adding Yorkshire Pudding to the turkey dinner and it was a hit. Why wait for roast beef?
Tagging the following, if they have the time and inclination:
Maddy Loves Her Classic Film, Critica Retro, Silver Scenes, and any friends who may wander by and think it would be fun.
1) A favorite Christmas tradition?
2) Say it snowed at your domicile, would you prefer to go out or stay curled up inside?
I’m pretty sure I’ve never been snowboarding. The one time I went skiing was when I was eight or nine and you can imagine how successful I was then. I feel confident I could ice skate passably but I can never find anyone to go with because all my friends are old(er) now and unwilling to risk their knees. So I guess that leaves sledding.
ReplyDeleteA natural process of elimination.
DeleteGarry was a hockey player much of his youth so skating is his thing. My dad also played the game and old guys would tell us he was a wonderful skater.
My Aunt Jean (one of dad's sisters) would tell us that skating was the way to socialize back in the 1930s and 1940s. It sounds like fun. I tend to follow Gavin who fell down on his first lesson and refused to get back up.
Janet gave it a good try and kept it up through high school, for the socializing but she just laughs if you suggest it now.
My favorite CHRISTMAS dishes are stuffing, scalloped potatoes and deviled eggs. I also like white turkey.
ReplyDeleteSounds delicious. I don't know which I like best, the aroma of the turkey cooking or sitting down to the meal. I know I don't like scrubbing the roaster!
DeleteDICK VAN DYKE turned 95 two days ago! I'm sure you enjoy the CHRISTMAS ep of THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW. I remember the DIAGNOSIS MURDER ep titled "SANTA CLAUDE". It was one of the eight episodes with JOANNA CASSIDY as MADISON WESLEY. I first saw Joanna way back in 1978 on THE ROLLER GIRLS, a short-lived comedy. She is a good actress. Also I like her voice and her laugh.
ReplyDeleteI always associate Joanna Cassidy with Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and the very short-lived 240-Robert, a "rescue" TV show from 1979. The length of my memory aside, I think Joanna Cassidy is a very appealing actress.
DeleteDICK VAN DYKE is probably one of the most beloved male TV stars still living. I think for the female TV stars it would be (in alphabetical order) CAROL BURNETT, ANGELA LANSBURY and BETTY WHITE. There may be other stars as beloved as those three ladies but they can't be any MORE beloved than Carol, Betty and Angela.
ReplyDeleteYou may be right about that. We saw Angela in Blithe Spirit when the tour came through Toronto and you could feel the love from the audience.
DeleteMerry Christmas, and the best in the New Year!
I certainly have learned a lot from the Goofy "How To" cartoons, and one of the lessons is that I probably am too clumsy to skii.
ReplyDeleteThanks for tagging me! I'll try to answer the questions this Christmas. I loved your ornaments.
Kisses!
Thank you. I know you'll have fun with this tag.
DeleteBest wishes to you for the holiday and the new year.
So happy you got the tag and I really enjoyed your answers!
ReplyDeleteWow, framed Christmas film posters is such a neat idea!
And I love your Christmas Eve tradition. *high fives for loving the Alastair Sims version.* Seriously though, I do need to be broad-minded and at least watch some of the many others, but it's so hard to get around to when that version's so perfect. (Though I do love a couple other comedic takes on it too.)
High five right back! It's the "only" one in my eyes. Although I will admit to enjoying some others, the 1951 movie is in a class all its own.
DeleteThanks so much for starting this very fun lockdown activity for Christmas.
What are your favorite kinds of books to give your kids? I've mentioned before that I really like the "LITTLE HOUSE" books by LAURA INGALLS WILDER. My favorite is ON THE BANKS OF PLUM CREEK where they settle down and MARY and LAURA go to school. It has a great chapter about CHRISTMAS. Do you or your daughter Janet know these books very well?
ReplyDeleteLittle Janet never got into the "Little House" books. She enjoyed Sherlock Holmes (Classics Illustrated) written for children. We would read single novels instead of other things which were part of a series. At this time, we share classic movie books.
DeleteMy special needs son is still on the "reading for grammar school level" and likes things based on Disney stories and Thomas the Tank Engine.
Love your replies. We share 2 of your 3 favorite Christmas Songs. I love the Bing Crosby version of "Merry gentlemen". 3 Favorite Christmas tv/movies would be: Charlie Brown Christmas, Sims' Scrooge, and Miracle on 34th street. I enjoy the 1936 version but prefer the 1948 "3 Godfathers" because I'm a big Duke fan. Anyway, sorry to hear you're not "shreading the slopes" with your snowboard.
ReplyDeleteMe on a snowboard would be like Mrs. Playfair on her bicycle at the end of The Quiet Man when Father Lonergan says "She'll run you down with that juggernaut!"
DeleteShh. I hope you won't pass it along to Ford and Wayne that I prefer 1936. That's just the kinda hairpin I am.
Merry Christmas!
I like your answers, CW! Three Godfathers for Christmas...now that's different. And good for you for putting up those Christmas posters! Every year I plan to switch posters for the seasons or holidays and instead they remain the same all year through. Laziness, it's an awful thing. Anyway, I'm going to follow your lead and give Yorkshire pudding a try this year.
ReplyDeleteBest gravy catcher ever! And not as filling as stuffing. I hope you enjoy your Christmas and your Christmas dinner. All the best in the New Year.
DeleteOh my goodness, I would LOVE to decorate with repro posters of classic Christmas movies! MAN, now I want to do that.
ReplyDeleteYour answers are so cozy and jolly :-) Merry Christmas!
Thanks. Have a very cozy and jolly Christmas!
DeleteSpeaking of GOOFY one of my favorite cartoons is the one where GOOFY, DONALD DUCK and MICKEY MOUSE are taking a camper on a trip. Goofy is driving and then he goes to eat in the camper with the others. One thing they are eating is corn on the cob. Mickey(I think) asks "Who's driving?" and Goofy says "I am" and then realizes what he did. Funny stuff.
ReplyDeleteMickey's Trailer is as fresh and funny as it must have been back in 1938. I remember having a view master with that cartoon. Classic stuff.
DeleteALLAN KAYSER is 57 today! He is best known for playing BUBBA HIGGINS on MAMA'S FAMILY in it's syndicated years. He didn't get to work with CAROL BURNETT and HARVEY KORMAN because they didn't guest star anymore. So he didn't get to work with the people who played his parents! Allan did get to work with BETTY WHITE in her last ep of the show. Ellen(Betty) was Bubba's aunt. Allan was nominated for a YOUNG ARTIST AWARD for this role. P.S. MAMA'S FAMILY had at least two CHRISTMAS episodes.
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of a lot of the folks involved but I never saw Mama's Family. Perhaps it didn't air in our area or I was busy when it was on.
DeleteLove this Christmassy and cosy post Paddy, hope you have a lovely Christmas too and you are right, Yorkshire Pudding should be served with so much more. I went through a phase of eating them with chocolate spread...
ReplyDeleteYorkshire Pudding - good for dinner and dessert!
DeleteAll the best to you as we enjoy a different Christmas.
"I like to be inside looking at the outside, but I find it more enjoyable if I have been outside first."
ReplyDeleteHa. I couldn't have put it better myself.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Paddy.
All the best! This year will be a different Christmas, but different doesn't necessarily mean bad.
DeleteThese all sound like wonderful ways to spend the holiday season – especially if hot chocolate is included.
ReplyDeleteHot chocolate makes everything better. Especially if you take the time to do it the old-fashioned way instead of with a mix. Convenience vs taste - what's a girl to do?
DeleteMerry Christmas and Happy New Year!