Many of us enjoy a number of the "made for television" Christmas - Themed movies--enjoy watching them throughout the year in fact. As mentioned in previous posts, two of my favorites are "Secret Santa" with Jennie Garth, and "Matchmaker Santa."
The Hallmark Movie Network / Channel produced 12 new movies for the 2014 Christmas season--and most -perhaps all of them depending on your taste--were winners!
Added to my "Favorites" list---The Christmas Parade--starring among others: AnnaLynne McCord, Jefferson Brown, Jennifer Gibson, and Drew Scott. I've got to admit that I'd never heard of any of these actors prior to watching the movie--with the exception of Drew Scott--who co-hosts, along with his twin brother --at least one program on HGTV --doing renovations on homes! One of the results of my watching a number of these movies is I begin learning about and looking for these actors in other programs and movies.
This was just a fun, feel - great movie with a couple of nice emphasis on life lessons and in a town that I'd love to find to live in! You know, filled with many nice people, but a small community that cared about Christmas and the meaning / spirit year round....I'm always searching for Mayberry --and here is another version!
The acting was very good -fitting the mood and tenor of the movie perfectly. Most of these "themed" movies are supposed to be uplifting --basically cheerful---without too many dramatic "downs" ---leaving us smiling and feeling a little more hopeful about life. The Christmas Parade certainly fits that description --without being too "sappy" ---with an appeal to most anyone who watches --no matter what age. Sometimes the acting in movies like this can be less than stellar---but the actors in The Christmas Parade do a fabulous job!
My heartiest recommendation to The Christmas Parade! I hope Hallmark will begin selling the DVD of this production SOON --on their site!
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Massive Christmas / Holiday Displays
Throughout November and December--I watched several television programs that "spotlighted"--and in some cases actually set up competitions with cash prizes ---homes with what can only be described as MASSIVE Christmas / Holiday Season displays.
First, it kind of boggles my mind that people would spend THOUSANDS --and in some cases over time --TENS of THOUSANDS of dollars --and countless hours over months --purchasing, building, electrifying, and running these kinds of displays.
Second--all who read this blog know that I am certainly a person who loves and finds great meaning and joy in Christmas. But, would want to live near one of these displays --which become attractions?
A couple of the programs suggested that in fact--not all the neighbors around those who built the displays --whether for money or not--were very happy. Most of the displays at "this level" included loud, blaring music --many included pulsating light and animation---and neighbors "get to enjoy" that every night for maybe 6 weeks?
I love light displays ...but ...if you live in any sort of neighborhood---in anything that approaches proximity to neighbors --like a mile or so---do these people --however well intended they may ( or may not ) be---demonstrate any consideration for those neighbors? Is this really the Christmas or Holiday Spirit?
One of my dreams has always been--and continues to be--should I win Powerball or MegaMillions--to own and run a "Holiday Village"---along the lines of a couple of "Santa's Village" that I've seen...and I have helped communities and Chambers of Commerce build animated light displays --but all of those are in non-residential areas --not far off the beaten track--but with at least a half mile between the "Light Park" or "Village" and homes or apartments...not 20 feet from my neighbor!
These programs were focused on celebrating these displays --which I understand to a point--but I have no doubt what those who have to live adjacent to those displays think about the displays --or the people producing --hence encouraging --the shows.
In the true spirit of the season --which we hope to carry with us year round--perhaps some "re-thinking" might be in order?
What do you think?
First, it kind of boggles my mind that people would spend THOUSANDS --and in some cases over time --TENS of THOUSANDS of dollars --and countless hours over months --purchasing, building, electrifying, and running these kinds of displays.
Second--all who read this blog know that I am certainly a person who loves and finds great meaning and joy in Christmas. But, would want to live near one of these displays --which become attractions?
A couple of the programs suggested that in fact--not all the neighbors around those who built the displays --whether for money or not--were very happy. Most of the displays at "this level" included loud, blaring music --many included pulsating light and animation---and neighbors "get to enjoy" that every night for maybe 6 weeks?
I love light displays ...but ...if you live in any sort of neighborhood---in anything that approaches proximity to neighbors --like a mile or so---do these people --however well intended they may ( or may not ) be---demonstrate any consideration for those neighbors? Is this really the Christmas or Holiday Spirit?
One of my dreams has always been--and continues to be--should I win Powerball or MegaMillions--to own and run a "Holiday Village"---along the lines of a couple of "Santa's Village" that I've seen...and I have helped communities and Chambers of Commerce build animated light displays --but all of those are in non-residential areas --not far off the beaten track--but with at least a half mile between the "Light Park" or "Village" and homes or apartments...not 20 feet from my neighbor!
These programs were focused on celebrating these displays --which I understand to a point--but I have no doubt what those who have to live adjacent to those displays think about the displays --or the people producing --hence encouraging --the shows.
In the true spirit of the season --which we hope to carry with us year round--perhaps some "re-thinking" might be in order?
What do you think?
Christmas Lights--Holiday Lights--or just Welcoming Lights
Here we are in mid -February, our landscape still covered with snow in this never - relenting winter. We used all white lights to adorn our bushes, our light pole, and the reindeer / sleigh display--and with the exception of the reindeer / sleigh, all our lights are still shining bright every night! I've had to replace a few strings, but to look at during the evening or middle of the night ( I have trouble sleeping )--and see the lights brings a feeling of warmth and welcome to the night--and hopefully to those who live nearby or drive by the house.
One of the neighbors up on a hill behind our house uses multi-colored lights around their back deck --which "faces" our backyard and patio---and as I walk our little maltese Romeo in the evenings out back --the lights they still have up and lit never fail to bring a smile!
Another neighbor --using primarily white lights, still has the bushes in their front yard--which I can see from the living room window--lit during the evenings---and again, always brings a sense a smile.
Small things perhaps --and some people would wonder why we leave lights lit all winter---but I appreciate --and hope others might too--the smiles--the sense of welcome and gladness --just a warmth needed in this world every day throughout the year. We added candles to the front windows this year, and leave them lit during the evenings as well --a traditional sign of welcome ....and may do that year round....
Have you considered leaving some sort of light displays up --inside and/or outside your home--throughout the year? Throughout the cold nights of winter? I'm not referring to Santas and musical displays that are particularly "Christmas" season displays --but lights of some kind to warm your hearts and the hearts of others around you?
Please share ideas --what you might do--with the rest of our readers--our community....and have a peaceful day.
One of the neighbors up on a hill behind our house uses multi-colored lights around their back deck --which "faces" our backyard and patio---and as I walk our little maltese Romeo in the evenings out back --the lights they still have up and lit never fail to bring a smile!
Another neighbor --using primarily white lights, still has the bushes in their front yard--which I can see from the living room window--lit during the evenings---and again, always brings a sense a smile.
Small things perhaps --and some people would wonder why we leave lights lit all winter---but I appreciate --and hope others might too--the smiles--the sense of welcome and gladness --just a warmth needed in this world every day throughout the year. We added candles to the front windows this year, and leave them lit during the evenings as well --a traditional sign of welcome ....and may do that year round....
Have you considered leaving some sort of light displays up --inside and/or outside your home--throughout the year? Throughout the cold nights of winter? I'm not referring to Santas and musical displays that are particularly "Christmas" season displays --but lights of some kind to warm your hearts and the hearts of others around you?
Please share ideas --what you might do--with the rest of our readers--our community....and have a peaceful day.
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