Tag: Christmas

Happy Holidays: It’s Not Such A New Thing

Happy Holidays: It’s Not Such A New Thing

by MichelleMcHatton

This time of year always pushes the “politically correct” or “not politically correct” buttons with some people.  For some reason people seem to think you can’t say “Merry Christmas”.  Nobody ever said you couldn’t say “Merry Christmas” so don’t say they did.  It has been suggested that you say “Happy Holidays” because, gasp!  Not everyone celebrates Christmas.  But instead of people looking at it as a “suggestion”, they twist it around and say “we were told to say this”.  Guess they forgot this is America.  Nobody can make you say “Happy Holidays”.  Just like nobody can make anyone else say “Merry Christmas”.

For the record, saying “Happy Holidays” is not as new as everyone thinks it is.  Wishing someone a “Happy Holiday” started in 1942 when Irving Berlin wrote the song “Happy Holiday” for the Bing Crosby film “Holiday Inn”.  Another popular version of the song “Happy Holiday” was recorded by Andy Williams in 1965.  So stop saying that the phrase “Happy Holiday” is a new thing because we’ve been saying it and singing it since WWII.

Once people get off their high horses and accept and understand others for who they are and what they believe instead of what they always feel is right, then the world will become a better place.

Making Merry

Making Merry

by MichelleMcHatton

Last night I attended a friend’s Christmas party.  Or as she called it “a holiday get-together”.

There were only ten couples there, most of whom I had never met.  The coolest couple was Jim and Bob.  This was the first time I ever encountered a same-sex couple and I certainly hope I encounter these two again in the future.  Aside from my friend, the host of the party, Jim and Bob were the nicest people.  Jim, a web designer by trade, is an expert at karaoke.  Bob is a chef and his cranberry-pear tart is to die for.  Plus I owe him a big “thank you” for introducing me to “sugared” champagne.

We’re already discussing getting together for New Year’s Eve.  Chinese food and “sugared” champagne?  Sounds like a great way to ring in the New Year!

 

 

 

Christmas isn’t just for little kids…

Christmas isn’t just for little kids…

by MichelleMcHatton

it’s for adult “kids” too.

I recently had the privilege of spending an afternoon at a holiday party for some very special “kids”.  By kids I mean adults who will never grow up.  These are men and women from their 20’s well into their 60’s who suffer from some kind of mental disability–mainly autism or severe brain damage.

Some could not walk.  Some could not talk.  Many could not chew solid food and needed their meals pureed for them.  But when that fat jolly old man in the red suit entered the room, every single one of their faces lit up!  He certainly speaks the Universal Language of All People, doesn’t He?

There’s nothing more joyful than seeing a young man running around holding his gift from Santa declaring “He knew just what I wanted!”.  I have no idea what this guy got from Santa but it sure made his day–and mine.

And what better gift than to witness a young woman carry a HUGE box to her table, rip off the paper and find just what she loves inside–a basketball, a pair of sunglasses and a bag of M & M’s.  Life is good.  And my heart is full of love for these “kids” who don’t ask for much, who are easy to please and find love in the simple things in life.

Maybe if we all stopped what we were doing and spent a little more time enjoying the simpler things in life ourselves, the world would be a better place.

Ten movies or specials I can’t get through the holidays without

Ten movies or specials I can’t get through the holidays without

by MichelleMcHatton

In my order of opinion:

10.  “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer”

9.  “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

8.  “Frosty The Snowman”

7.  “White Christmas”

6.  “Christmas Vacation”

5.  “The Grinch” (movie or cartoon–both are great!)

4.  “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”

3.  “Christmas at Boston Pops”

2.  “A Christmas Story”

1.  “It’s a Wonderful Life”

Speaking of movies, I just watched “Fred Claus” for the first time.  Not bad for a holiday flick, once you get over all the Santaishness and North Polishness of the whole thing.  But not being a big Vince Vaughn fan, I have to give it a “5”.