By Mike McKiernan Fri, December 19, 2008, 12:01 am PST

(Photo by Kris de Curtis) Every year, it seems like the Christmas season gets pushed up earlier, starting at the beginning of November instead of the end. It's like Halloween is the new Thanksgiving. Most people say, "Jeez, it's too soon!" But for me, it can't come soon enough! You see, I'm a huge Christmas geek. Bring on the movies, the music, the lights, and the egg nog (that my doctor strongly advises I avoid putting into my fat body)! First, the movies: Ahh, Christmas movies! I own them all and can't wait to watch every one during the season. These aren't just classic Christmas movies, but classic movies, period. Despite what my grumpy old colleague says, it doesn't get any better than "It's a Wonderful Life." I cry at least three times during that film. And if you don't feel just a little something when Harry Bailey calls George the "richest man in town," then I'm sorry, but you're just heartless and stupid. Next on my long list would have to be "Christmas Vacation." I'll admit that some of Chevy Chase's slapstick falls totally flat, but I'll be damned if I don't laugh out loud every time that squirrel leaps out of the tree to attack everyone, or when Clark has one of his cussing rants. Christmas music might be the corniest music ever, but I don't care. I love it. Maybe it's because it makes me feel like a kid again. Being a fan of hard rock and metal music, I prefer Gary Hoey's instrumental renditions of the classics. (If you're a fan of rock, but aren't completely sold on Christmas carols, check out his killer version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.") At the same time, however, I like the good old classics like Johnny Mathis, Perry Como, and Andy Williams. Heck, I might be the only person I know who doesn't mind hearing carols by Bing Crosby, the Jackson 5, and Twisted Sister back to back. While I'm not a huge fan of jazz, my all-time favorite holiday album is Vince Guaraldi's soundtrack for "A Charlie Brown Christmas." No matter what mood I'm in, that one always hits the spot. Every year, we take the kids to various holiday traditions around town. There's a drive-through light display that we visit at least twice, and a Christmas in the Park setup of holiday-themed houses and displays with bad animatronic figures, scalding hot cocoa, and even carnival rides, yipee! (OK, that particular event was a lot more fun when I was a kid.) And almost every neighborhood has at least one house that's been transformed into a giant box of lights -- some even synced to music. (That tradition is free, so naturally, it's one of my favorites.) My kids are already accustomed to these traditions and start bugging us right after Halloween about the Christmas season: "When can we put up the lights?"..."Can we watch Christmas movies now?"..."Is Santa coming tonight?"..."Daddy, don't drink so much egg nog!" Suggested Sites... Christmas Movie Montage - YouTube - a sappy montage with sappy music -- and I love it! Christmas Radio Stations Online - Yahoo! Music - listen to holiday music radio stations, from country to "Scrooge Tunes." Gary Hoey's Ho! Ho! Hoey Collection - Amazon - because it's that awesome! Give it a whirl. Top 25 Christmas Movies of All Time - Moviefone - I don't agree with them all, but it's got some good ones. The Ten Worst Christmas Movies of All Time - Film School Rejects - now this list, I agree with!

Directory categories: Christmas, Christmas Movies, Christmas Music, Christmas Theme Parks, Egg Nog Recipes

Archived under: Christmas, Entertainment, Holidays, Movies, Music

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