Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. Or so the 1963 evergreen classic by Edward Pola and George Wyle would have us believe, what with “kids jingle belling”, “everyone telling you to be of good cheer” and “caroling out in the snow” (unless you’re in Continue Reading
Christmas 2019
On 1st day of Christmas … I decorated my tree wth 10 new pop culture ornaments incl. Forky, Carl & Ellie (Up), Huckleberry Hound, Mary Poppins and Big Bird
You know that old classic Christmas song “O Christmas Tree” which contains the very appreciative line – “How lovely are your branches”? It’s a lovely sentiment, and as a piece of lauding nature, pretty damn exultant, but what it misses, and yet even with all the gushing positivity it misses Continue Reading
Ho! Ho! Ho! Uh-oh! The festive baking mishaps of Nailed It! Holiday! season 2
Following a recipe is easy. A dash of this, a pinch of this, a cup of this, and a handful of that and voila … something that looks nothing at all like the picture in the book (or, of course, on the iPad). NOTHING AT ALL. For most of us, Continue Reading
Book review: Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
Diving into an already well advanced series of books, where the character has already done a fair amount of living and a great deal of narrative has already flowed under the literary bridge, is akin to walking into a conversation that is well underway. Weirdly uncomfortable and more than a Continue Reading
Christmas with the Berenstain Bears – Night Before Christmas, Merry Christmas and Old-Fashioned Christmas
The Berenstain Bears are the epitome of a snug and cosy, loved and valued life. Created by Stan and Jan Berenstain (their son Mike later assumed full authorship following Jan’s death in 2012), with the first book The Big Honey Hunt hitting bookshelves in 1962, reading one of the more Continue Reading
Merry fiery Christmas! John Lewis/Waitrose introduces us to Edgar the Dragon
SNAPSHOTJohn Lewis is counting on an excitable baby dragon called Edgar to put some heat under sales this Christmas in its first joint festive advert with the retailer’s sister chain, Waitrose. The campaign is fronted by a 10-year-old actor called Ruby, who had to act alongside a stick or plastic Continue Reading
Let’s Make Christmas Extra Special: ASDA’s beautiful nod to festive magic
I know there are lots of people who think Christmas is far too commercial for its own good … and in lots of ways that’s likely true. BUT, and this is a very important BUT, that doesn’t mean there can’t be some festive wonder and magic in the midst of Continue Reading
“There’s a lot of stuff happening … and it’s all bad” – Nailed It! Holiday! season 2 trailer goes ho! ho! Oh no!
SNAPSHOTHosted by host Nicole Byer and Jacques Torres, Nailed It! Holiday! sees guests judges Maya Rudolph, Jillian Bell, David Burkta, Bridget Everett, Jason Mantzoukas, and Ron Ben Israel navigate some of the worst baking fails this season while the bakers truly struggle to complete all new challenges inspired by the Continue Reading
Falling in love at zero degrees: Let It Snow
SNAPSHOTFor those who haven’t read the book, Let It Snow, the novel, is essentially three holiday-themed romantic YA short stories that eventually intertwine together. The first story, written by Johnson, is about a young girl named Jubilee (Merced) whose train breaks down in a snowstorm. Luckily, she meets a cute Continue Reading
Is life wonderful? Last Christmas asks the festively big questions
SNAPSHOTThe romantic comedy stars Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones), Henry Golding (A Simple Favor) and Emma Thompson, and is directed by Paul Feig (A Simple Favor) from a script written by Academy Award winner Thompson (Sense and Sensibility) and playwright Bryony Kimmings inspired by a George Michael beat. Kate (Clarke) Continue Reading