CHRISTMAS MOVIE: Klaus (2024) on Netflix

 

J.K. Simmons is a national treasure. I first remember him as the psychologist in the early Law Order series. Later, he was the insurance guy on TV commercials. 

But this guy has serious acting chops. He can carry the whole show. If you have not seen him in the following, you are missing out:

         1. Night Sky*

         2. Being the Ricardo's*

         3. Goliath

         4. The Tomorrow War

         5. Brockmire

         6. 21 Bridges

         7. Counterpart*

         8. The Snowman

         9. The Accountant

        10. La La Land

                    (I have starred my favorites.)

This versatile actor also does one great Santa Claus.

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CHRISTMAS 2024 TRENDS: The Organic Tree

 Strings of popcorn. Dried orange slices. Cinnamon sticks tied with red ribbon. Burlap bows. Pinecones. Ornaments that give your tree the look of nature.

That’s what the Organic Tree is all about. And this is not a new trend. It is resurrecting a very old one. Use what you’ve got. 

I can remember stringing popcorn and dried cranberries for the Christmas tree at my grandmother’s house when I was a child. 

I remember dipping pinecones in pink and purple glitter with my sister to use as ornaments on our brand new aluminum tree with pompon branches. 

New or old, elements of nature can give your Christmas tree  a wonderfully homey look.

Reference: Pinterest

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CHRISTMAS BOOK: Madison's Christmas by Carol Ann Kauffman

 

Christmas is Madison’s favorite holiday, but this year is different. She has to face it alone, without her father and her best friend/boyfriend Bob, amid the problems of running her own high-stakes business and dealing with family issues.

Can the spirit of Christmas lift a heavy heart?

Available in both kindle format and paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Madisons-Christmas-Madison-Rand-Book-ebook/dp/B00PSNA7FM/

Reviews:

"Madison's Christmas was a fast passed, easy, fun and such a sweet Christmas story. It's about how one person is all it takes to change how your Christmas can turn out for the better. Very cute!"

"I really love Carol Ann's work! This love story was fun, true to life, a magical romance. I love short stories because they are not drawn out and over done. Carol Ann has a wonderful way to her writing. She makes you feel all the emotions and leaves you feel good inside. This short story will leave a smile on your face and a big "ah" with it as you put two and two together.

All Madison wants for Christmas is to be left alone. She usually has a magical wish for Christmas and enjoying the holiday fun, but not this year. Her Sister talks her into coming over for Christmas. But first she has to deal with a new employee, court and meetings galore. This new guys seems very familiar to her, but she can't put her figure on it. She makes it through the week and heads to her Sisters. Madison and the kids go on an errand and when they return, Madison has the surprise of her life. Christmas Magic!
I enjoyed this book very much. The pace was excellent and the story wonderful. This is a must read for everyone."

"Well-written fast paced short story about a high-powered well-intentioned female boss and her struggles to cope with the merriment of the Christmas season, while facing the recent loss of her father and her best friend. Madison reluctantly promises her sister Susan that she will join the family for Christmas. In the meantime, Kyle, a brand new employee, falls in love with Madison. Through a complicated mix-up, he confuses her with another employee. Madison struggles to hold her feelings in check, knowing that she must soon reveal her true identity. This story presents a realistic portrait of the situations many people face during the holidays. Characters are realistic and well-developed. I was able to empathize with them, feeling both their laughter and pain. Highly entertaining read."

Excerpt:

Chapter 1

“Madison… you ARE coming to Christmas dinner, aren’t you?” Susan anxiously asked her sister as soon as she answered the phone. “You didn’t return my phone calls…any of them.”

“Suze, please, ask me to do anything else, but not Christmas dinner,” Madison said slowly with a sigh.  “I can’t do Christmas this year, not without Dad, not without Bob.”

“Oh, honey, I know. We all miss him.  And I know how much you miss Bob.  But as cruel as it may sound, life goes on, Sis. Tommy and I have to make Christmas a happy day for our kids, and Trina and Scott want their auntie here.  Plus nobody believes in the magic of Christmas like you, little sister.”  

“Not this year, Susan.”  

“Maddie, please come,” she begged.

“I don’t know, Suze,” she said finally, giving Susan hope.

“Come on Saturday.  We’ll bake cookies with Trina and dance around to Christmas music, like we did when we were kids. She’d just love it. We need to make those memories for my daughter. On Sunday, you and I can catch up, get some sisters’ time, and then you’ll be here early on Christmas morning to see the kids open their presents.  It’ll be simple Christmas fun. Nothing about this is going to be easy for any of us, but it’ll be easier if we’re together.”

“Not really,” Madison said with a laugh.  “If I’m not there, I can just pretend that it’s not Christmas.”

“Really?  No radio, no TV, no Christmas carols in the stores?  You can’t escape Christmas, Madison.”

“I have a plan.  I’ll stay inside, drapes drawn.  Piles of DVDs, pajamas, a gallon of Rocky Road, and a spoon.”

“That sounds strangely comforting in a ‘hermit in a cave’ kind of way, but Maddie… I need you here.” Madison knew Susan had a rough year as well, and Christmas with two young children needs to be a magical time. She shook her head.

“All right, all right, I’ll do it.  For the kids,” she said begrudgingly, all while banging her head on her refrigerator, wondering how she could be a such a formidable force at the office and in the community, and putty in her big sister’s hands. 

“I have the best sister in the world,” said Susan.

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CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS: Sugarplum Spritz

 

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CHRISTMAS CRAFTS: Jeweled Christmas Tree Ornaments

 

 These are cute! In school, we made them with cardstock. I precut the colored strips for the tree branches. We only used a popsicle stick for the back of the tree for support. The popsicle sticks need to be painted in advance of the happy little assembly session, which must include Christmas music in the background and snacks. Make sure your snacks look VERY different from your stick-ons! 

A variety of flat back stick-on jewels and little stickers allowed for some creativity and choice. I bought puffy star sticks for the tree toppers, but some children opted for wildlife stickers or drew their own topper.

I added the yarn ties when they were all completely dried. 

I tried this this year with clear glue (like Elmer’s Clear) and the leftover “diamonds” from a Diamond Painting Kit (from Amazon). This tiny little crystals worked well with older children who had more manual dexterity. 

Remember, adults, you are ultimately making happy memories with the little ones here, not perfect, professional-looking ornaments. Do not be picky or growly. Smile and nod. Admire their creative effort. Don’t forget to add their name and year on the back. 

The original ideas came from Pinterest.

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SCHEDULE: December 2-6, 2024

 

Mon., December 2 - CHRISTMAS CRAFT:

Jeweled Christmas Tree 

Popsicle Stick Ornament 

Tues., December 3 - CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS:

Sugarplum Spritz

Wed., December 4 - CHRISTMAS BOOK: 

Madison’s Christmas

by Carol Ann Kauffman

Thurs., December 5 - CHRISTMAS 2024 TRENDS:

The Organic Christmas Tree

Fri., December 6 - CHRISTMAS MOVIE:

Klaus

(Animated)

on Netflix 

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