Thursday, October 28, 2010

Toys "R" Us: The Great Christmas Book

Toys "R" Us has released their annual Christmas book. Ive had a good time browsing the toys. In order to gain access visit the Toys "R" Us website. There you will find a link to "like" their facebook page. If you like their page you get instant access. Im a little disappointed with the FAO Schwarz area, because I have grand ideas of what FAO Schwarz should represent but all in all its a quality catalog. My personal favorite is the Big Foot Monster.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Drink Recipe: Eggnog I

Id like to thank Allrecipe.com for this recipe.

Ingredients

  • 6 eggs
  • 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 quart milk
  • 1/3 pint heavy whipping cream
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt

  • Directions
  1. Beat eggs; mix in condensed milk, vanilla, quart of milk and salt.
  2. Beat the whipping cream until soft peaks form. Fold in to egg and milk mixture and sprinkle with nutmeg. Serve chilled.


Monday, October 25, 2010

Train: "Shake up Christmas" : Coca Cola

Unfortunately the sound on my computer isnt working right now but anything that is Coca Cola and Christmas has to be good. Heres an article I just found. Enjoy!

The song, "Shake Up Christmas," is a key part of Coca-Cola Co.'s new Christmas advertising campaign that in past years has featured people or animals, such as the friendly polar bears of 1993, which became iconic for generations of TV viewers.Continue Article...

Saturday, October 23, 2010

A Tourist's Guide to Christmas in Manhattan

So its never too early to start planning for Christmas. And theres no better place to enjoy the holidays (in my opinion) than Manhattan. So i found an article to help anyone who wishes to visit there in the holiday season to get a head start. Ill most likely re-post this when it gets closer to Christmas as well.

A tourist's Christmas in midtown Manhattan has a logical starting place: Rockefeller Center, with the famous tree and ice skating rink, Radio City Music Hall, and the view from Top of the Rock, the observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Continue Article

Friday, October 22, 2010

Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas II You Release

So her Christmas Album has been released. So far ive only found one other song and it is terrible. They definitely havent lived up to my expectations. Here it is, have a listen and let me know what you think.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas II You

Mariah Carey's new Christmas album is one that I am definitely looking forward to. Mariah has already established herself as a worthy candidate for producing Christmas songs after her rendition of All I Want For Christmas Is You. The first sneak peek available for her new album didn't impress me much but hopefully her other songs will be better. Heres your first sneak peek, i hope you enjoy and ill keep you updated as more comes around.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Neiman Marcus Update!

As posted previously I stated that the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book was released. In a matter of three minutes, all 100 of the Neiman Marcus Convertibles sold out. That is an incredible feat and shows the interest of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. Props to them. 

Monday, October 18, 2010

Glee: Christmas Album

Rumors are starting to circle about Glee producing a Christmas Album. While Im not a fan of Glee, Im always up for listening to different versions of Christmas songs so keep and eye out for this album. Ill release more information whenever it becomes official.



Sunday, October 17, 2010

Back! Sonny Boy Williamson: Santa Claus

So Im back from my Habitat trip which was easily one of the best experiences of my life. All the people were awesome, I was able to help others, and it was fun in the process. So my review today is a "Christmas" song that most people probably have never heard but its a combination of my favorite blues artist and Christmas. I put Christmas in parenthesis before because its not exactly a Christmas song, just mentions bits of it. I hope you enjoy the harmonica as well as the song.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Habitat For Humanity

Hey Everyone. In honor of the giving spirit of Christmas I am going on a Habitat for Humanity trip this week so I will not be able to post until next Saturday. Unlike the picture below, Im doing this in Fort Smith, Arkansas, not Ireland.  I hope you can last a week without your daily Christmas Fix.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Neiman Marcus Christmas Book

For those who can afford it, Neiman Marcus released their Annual Christmas Book of fantasy-like items today. This years catalog features a $17,500 camera, a $75,000 corvette, and my favorite, the Edible Gingerbread PLAYHOUSE for a measly $15,000. So if you can afford it, or if you just want to fantasize of what it would be like if you could, take a stumble over to the Neiman Marcus website.

Dorm Idea: Wrapping Paper

This section is for all of the college kids out there who desire a way to decorate their dorms. Everyone who's been through college knows that money is tight and therefore the allowance for decorations is limited. My roomate's and I composed an idea last year which worked brilliantly. Run down to your nearest dollar store and pick up rolls of wrapping paper. Then cover your walls. Yes it might come off as tacky, but you'll be the most decorated college dorm and spend the least amount. Trust me, we received many positive comments on our walls. Enjoy!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Drink Recipe: Candy Cane

For my first drink recipe, I chose one that ive been wanting to try for a while. This is Sandra Lee's Candy Cane Cocktail. I haven't tried it yet, but when i do ill leave a review. Enjoy.

Ingredients
1 shot vanilla rum
1 shot white chocolate liqueur (recommended: Godiva)
1 shot peppermint schnapps
Candy cane, garnish

Directions
Add all liquid ingredients to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into martini glass. Garnish with candy cane.

Song Review: Happy Holidays: Andy Williams

This is a staple of Christmas songs and one of my favorites. It was first performed in Holiday Inn by Bing Crosby and while Bing's version is incredible, the Andy Williams version has more of a holiday feel to it for me. Ive started rating songs with various criteria. This scored an overall score of 9.5/10 and scored a perfect 10 in the "Christmasness" criteria. I dont have much time for a full review today but sit back and enjoy this must listen to Christmas song.

Monday, October 4, 2010

White House Christmas Tree

Well I'm a little late on this Christmas news, but better late then never, right? Especially since I started this post yesterday. Anyway, The White House has chosen their Christmas Tree already (i like the enthusiasm) from N.E. Pennsylvania. Heres a quick video. Enjoy.

Christmas Movie Clip of the Day: Elf: Exploring New York

First off, what an awesome movie. Second, I chose this to be my first clip because I believe in demonstrates one of the most important aspects of Christmas (while being really funny at the same time). To me this aspect is finding your inner child. When you find your inner child, you are able to have fun with the simplest of things. If you can find your inner child again, hopefully you can regain some of the Christmas magic. Sorry the video quality is a little poor, hope you enjoy.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Baby It's Cold Outside: Dean Martin

When a song is as popular as Baby It's Cold Outside, you need a "control" to help you in your later reviews. A control is the norm, the version that comes to mind when you hear the title. For me the control of Baby It's Cold Outside is Dean Martins original version. This goes against my general philosophy of choosing the King of Christmas, Mr. Bing Crosby, and even my personal Queen of Christmas, Martina McBride who was overdubbed to duet with Dean Martin. However, Dean's original version stands out the best for me for 1 huge reason.
This song as most people know is a conversation that takes place after a date between the two individuals. To me Dean Martin's voice and his partner's voice team up for a perfect pair of conversational voices while still singing. I am able to be swept away and envision myself as Dean himself. To me that is the power of this song. By far one of my favorites, and one of the all time classics. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

-SLB

Christmas 365



What better time of the year is there than Christmas? My answer, and THE answer is Christmas. Often times my friends criticize my affection for all things related to Christmas, but I believe it is justified. So I created this blog for all of those Christmas fanatics out there who listen to the songs, watch the movies, and share in the joy throughout the year. I say, why confine yourself to "after Thanksgiving and until Christmas?" 

I watch normal movies because they are inspiring, funny, contain action and dare I say romantic. Well guess what, Christmas movies have all of these aspects; inspiring (It's a Wonderful Life), funny (Elf), contain action (Jingle All the Way), romantic (White Christmas). Just because the plot takes place during a specific time of year, I believe they shouldn't be subjected to punishment of only beings watch around Christmas. If you can watch normal movies all year, why not the ones which take place during Christmas. 

Now for music. I listen to music because it I enjoyed it, it puts me in a certain mood, and helps pass the time. Christmas music does this all. Whenever I need an uplift, Christmas never fails. So it constantly remains on my Ipod.

So this blog is for all of those Christmas lovers. It will contain reviews of songs and movies, decoration ideas, drinks for parties, college dorm ideas, song and movie countdowns, etc. All things Christmas. If you have a specific song or movie you want me to review, feel free to forward it to me.

Sincerely,
Santa's Little Blogger