Embedded Files
'Tis the season for Christmas movie viewing! Whether it's a nice, sappy Hallmark Christmas romance or an old black-and-white holiday film, these movies can get you in the Christmas spirit fast! Peruse my selection below and snuggle on the couch with a fleecy blanket and a bowl of hot popcorn!
Christmas is also a time for music, and some of the most beautiful music has been composed for the season. Everyone has their favorites, whether you love the old fashioned carols or Christmas jazz or Rock n' Roll renditions. Let me offer you some suggestions of my favorites to explore. Fill the house with Christmas tunes!
Music
(Mannheim Steamroller: A Fresh Aire Christmas)
My go-to for Christmas music on the 1st of December is Mannheim Steamroller. A so-called "new age" group, Mannheim began doing Christmas music in 1984 with their first Christmas album, "Christmas 1984". Since then, they've realeased more than a dozen Christmas albums. This one, "A Fresh Aire Christmas" is my favorite. With mostly instrumental pieces, it's basically new takes on traditional tunes, both upbeat and softer melodies, and I find all their albums to be very festive and great background music for a party!
(Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles: Christmas at Ephesus)
If you like something more traditional, try the haunting sound of Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. Of their three gorgeous albums, this one is my favorite. They are an order of nuns in Missouri, and their music is perfectly harmonized a capella. They typically sing for five hours a day as part of their daily prayer. Their Christmas music is sung in the sanctuary, which gives it an ethereal quality that is just beautiful.
(The Snowmen: Christmas Cocktails)
Prefer something more jazzy? This mostly unknown jazz group, The Snowmen, have a great little album that'll get your feet tapping and your fingers snapping! This is instrumental Christmas jazz at its best, with familiar tunes in the jazz style. Despite the group's obscure status, this album really rocks! It is out of print now, but you can still download it from Amazon. Check this one out if you want something Christmassy that's upbeat and fun!
(Rundfunkchor Berlin: In Dulci Jubilo)
Another more traditional album is this elegant one, In Dulci Jubilo. It is sung by Rundfunchor Berlin, Simon Halsey conductor. The songs are all in German, but the tunes will be familiar, and the orchestra and singing is just transporting! This is one of my favorites for its traditional sound and Christmassy beauty, a real gem of an album.
Biltmore Estate Christmas
by various artists
Biltmore Estate Christmas
by various artists
There are four Christmas CDs in total from the Biltmore Estate Christmas celebrations. The Estate is a popular tourist destination in North Carolina, and is especially magical during the holiday season. The first CD of the four is my favorite, but may be hard to put your hands on, as it is out of print. However, it's worth pursuing a used copy, as these tunes are varied and traditional, a relaxing and eclectic mix of Christmas music.
Christmas Ivory
Christmas Ivory
by Dave McKenna
Dave McKenna was a superb pianist who worked with some of the jazz greats throughout his career. His jazzy Christmas piano is uplifting, but never over-done, and perfect for party background music. (I have a sample on the home page!) This CD was also released as "Christmas Party: Holiday Piano Spiked with Swing" - but it is the same track list. Excellent stuff!
A Canadian Brass Christmas
by Canadian Brass
A Canadian Brass Christmas
by Canadian Brass
I love a brass band for Christmas! Canadian Brass does a wonderful, festive job on this beautiful Christmas album. All the familiar Christmas favorites in a brass band format, fun and inspiring, you'll love these guys! (They do non-holiday music as well, very good!)
Movies
Few activities can put you more in the Christmas mood than settling in on the couch with a cozy blanket to watch a yuletide movie. There are hundreds out there, of course, but some stand apart from the crowd. Here are a few of my favorites that I must watch, year after year!
The Snowman
(1982)
The animated film "The Snowman" is one of my top three all-time Christmas movies. It was inspired by the children's illustrated book by the same name, written by Raymond Briggs, and was named best animated short film for 1982.
The animated film "The Snowman" is one of my top three all-time Christmas movies. It was inspired by the children's illustrated book by the same name, written by Raymond Briggs, and was named best animated short film for 1982.
It captures the wonder of a child at Christmas, and the music is nothing short of stunning. There are no words in the children's book, and no speaking in the movie, which lends an extra sparkle of magic to the film.
It captures the wonder of a child at Christmas, and the music is nothing short of stunning. There are no words in the children's book, and no speaking in the movie, which lends an extra sparkle of magic to the film.
The Homecoming
The Homecoming
(1971)
This was the pilot film for the beloved series "The Waltons". Written by Earl Hamner, it is the story of a depression-era family in rural Virginia, awaiting the return of their father on Christmas Eve. I love this film for its traditional themes, values and old-time Christmassy feel. It brings the viewer to a time when Christmas was certainly less frantic, but also more meaningful and rich with family warmth. If you haven't seen it, and even if you have, watch it this year and reminisce on a simpler time ....
Two more of my "top three" Christmas movies!
Two more of my "top three" Christmas movies!
Scrooge
(1970)
This movie is a masterpiece of Christmas lore. Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol", but it's a musical version! The music is very catchy, and the dance numbers complex and so much fun! Albert Finney plays Scrooge, both as an old man and as a young man, and is superb. The background scenery is excellent and sets the mood perfectly, and the joyful ending will warm you all the way through, leaving you tapping your toes the rest of the day.
More Christmas Movies Not To Be Missed!
The Nativity Story
(2007)
The Nativity Story
(2007)
The Nativity Story is a beautiful rendition of the Bible story of Jesus' birth. But it takes in much more than just that holy night! The story begins with Mary's meeting with the angel who tells her she is to have a son. The young woman who plays Mary, Keisha Castle-Hughes, is perfectly calm and humble, the scenes and backgrounds are accurate and depict the times honestly, and the story is true to the narrative in the Bible. It's a heartwarming ancient tale that will remind you of the "reason for the season"!
Rick Steves' European Christmas
(2004)
Rick Steves' European Christmas
(2004)
Oh, I love this film! Rick Steves is the well-known travel guru whose films I always enjoy, but this Christmas one is extra special. Rick and his wife visit several families around Europe at Christmas season, and experience the traditions, food and music of each country and culture. My favorite is the tiny house up in the Swiss alps, where they join a family on Christmas Eve. Magical!
Christmas in Connecticut
(1945)
Christmas in Connecticut
(1945)
This one is an oldie but goodie! Barbara Stanwyck is great in her role as the "perfect housewife" newspaper columnist who must grapple with her deception when uninvited guests show up for Christmas. The story is fun, and the scenery snowy and festive, like old New England. Don't miss this little gem!
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse