Hope everyone had a good weekend. We ballroom danced Friday night and our dinner group met Saturday night for wrapped, stacked, or stuffed night (we made a tasty dessert trifle that was a hit). Sunday was a tough day as a handbell choir had a special rehearsal for the piece we are playing at Monday’s funeral for our good friend and handbell choir member. This will be a difficult ring.
On to today’s Monday Morning Entertainment theme. Sights and sounds of the holiday season surround us – but when does the season actually start? I imagine many link it to a Thanksgiving-related event as the annual Macy’s parade or the shopping madness known as Black Friday. Then again, the stores spark the spirit by rolling out holiday displays on November 1st, the day the dismantle the Halloween displays.
Others designate the start of the holiday season by something on television. A member of our dinner group told me his official start is when watching the holiday classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with Burl Ives. Mine too, links to the television. Although it is something that we no longer see, but thanks to YouTube, I can see it whenever I want. Let the season begin! Hope everyone has a good week.
A Frank Angle 
It’s not my start point, but for the past few years, the Christmas season has been inaugurated with WGN’s Superstation running a retrospective of various shows, including the original “Frosty The Snowman” (NOT the Rankin Bass production) and that old classic, “Hardrock, Coco, and Joe”.
And I do not expect a SINGLE person, outside of Chicago, to have the FAINTEST idea of what I just typed! 😀 (Or many in Chicago, for that matter.)
Here’s hoping you’re having a better Sunday than I am, and that the week brings us BOTH happier weeks!
LikeLike
John,
This info is good for all we non-Chicagoans … and yes, we don’t know what you’re talking about – but we’re OK with that. 🙂 …. and yes, the week will get better! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Frank, stores out here had Christmas stuff up before Halloween! What is the world coming to?
For me, I start the season the day after Thanksgiving. All the decorations, along with the tree go up as quickly as possible. And my favorite Christmas movie, Miracle on 34th Street (the 1947 version, in black and white) is played.
I hope you have a wonderful week!
LikeLike
D-Fae,
Ouch – well, I imagine some stores around here display their Christmas stuff before Halloween … but most don’t. Miracle on 34th Street is a definite classic! Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
Hi,
I usually have my Christmas cards done by the end of November, I post them around the 1st of December, this is about the same time I start with the Christmas decorations as well. I love watching the old Christmas movies on TV, it really does get the spirit in the mood I feel. 🙂
It’s great being able to look back onto some of the old stuff from TV. I really admire the people that have gone out of their way to try to find whatever they can, and put it up on You Tube.
LikeLike
Mags,
Oh my … thanks for reminding me to work on my Christmas cards because I currently have the time. Old holiday movies are also good traditions. Bing Crosby’s Holiday Inn is one of my fav classics for early in the season. Closer to Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life chokes me up every time. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Eleven grooming attachments?
LikeLike
Ginger,
Well, you have me wondering what the 11 grooming attachments are for the ladies. Meanwhile, in the earlier edition of this commercial, it’s the Norelco Home Beauty Salon! Thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
i don’t celebrate xmas, but i do have it down pat. there are 4 little kids i buy gifts for. i already bought them a few weeks ago, and i already bought wrapping paper for them (buy 1 roll, get 2 free at walgreens!). now i just have to wait for my son to buy presents for his friends, because he brings them here for me to wrap them. i don’t celebrate xmas, but i love wrapping the presents each year.
LikeLike
Nonnie,
Knowing that you are Jewish, I thought about you during this post – and after reading your comment, I remember you mentioning that you purchase for a few kids. So even though one may not celebrate Christmas, there is a spirit of the season that goes across different cultures. 🙂 Many thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Frank, I hope you enjoy the holidays immensely — today’s labor (of love) notwithstanding.
For me, it’s the Grinch. And Charlie Brown. Oh, dear, I’m starting to like Christmas again! Thanks for the clip — I loved it!
LikeLike
Elyse
“Today’s labor (of love)” is so true. As my wife and I were talking last night, she mentioned that this passing has affected her like no other before. Since it has weighed heavy on our mind, I can’t imagine the family’s feeling. As ringers, I hope we get through it. Good news is that we play right before the service (as opposed to during).
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the Grinch and Charlie Brown – which also reminds me that there are so many holiday classics that have been around for some time! Thanks for commenting!!!
LikeLike
For me the holiday season officially begins when the exams are all done and dusted.
LikeLike
Sami,
For those in the midst of studies, well said as I recall those days. Thanks for sharing and visiting.
LikeLike
Why is Santa hawking a product he has probably never used? (except to sled on).
Thanks for the early monday laugh. Hope it sets the tone for my week.
And in my neck of the woods (NYC), yeah, the christmas stuff was out before halloween too.
I’m sure your friend would love the handbell piece for the funeral. I know your group will do it all the justice it deserves.
LikeLike
El Guapo,
Oh my … I love the commercial but never thought about Santa promoting something he doesn’t use. Now that’s a hoot!
The handbell piece is calm and beautiful … fitting for many occasions, including today. Hopefully we can be strong for two minutes.
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
LikeLike
What a cool flash-back. The over commercialization of Christmas doesn’t get much better than that one; crude as it may be by today’s standards (or lack thereof).
LikeLike
I Don’t celebrate Christmas but love everything about it… 🙂 The more decors and bright lights the better…
LikeLike
Princess,
Hey hey … another one who sees the importance of the spirit of the season! Thanks for visiting and sharing.
LikeLike
My season starts as soon as my grandchildrens call with their Christmas list. They are late this year. I wonder what that is about?
LikeLike
Kibs,
Now that is funny! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
For me, I think it’s December 1st. I won’t snub a good Christmas song after Thanksgiving, but I like to let November come and go before diving into Christmas. I do think the airing of Rudolph on TV is a good start. It’s an old favorite of mine.
LikeLike
Erin,
Welcome first-time commenter. Interesting point about a simple use of the calendar to mark the start of the season while not snubbing other stuff. Thanks for visiting and for sharing.
LikeLike
my condolences to the loss of your friend
feeling older being able to remember that commercial, though I never realized Norelco dropped the ‘R’ for that spot until now
LikeLike
3rd Stone,
Good eye on the greeting at the end of the commercial. Thanks for the condolences. I’m hoping for 2-minutes of strength for each handbell choir member so we play the song. And if we get it, I imagine we’ll lose it at the end. Thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
I was so intrigued by the Lady Bug Salon that I trying to find out what the 11 attachments did. Norelco hasn’t made it for long enough that it is now a vintage collectible. Who’d have guessed? Can’t seem to locate one for sale at the moment, so no info on what the attachments were for. Maybe Norelco should consider a comeback!
Christmas starts for me about the same time as the panic that I’ve waited too long. 🙂
LikeLike
Miss Demure,
Interesting that the attachment for the lady’s model received more than one comment – If Norelco only knew. 🙂
Funny was mention the holiday panic mode, which I imagine many can relate to. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
We have been fortunate at work. our Muzak is broken since 3 days befor Thanksgiving, so we do not have to listen to the same 10 songs every hour, but They are supposed to fix it tomorrow.
LikeLike
Larry,
Oh my my … you bring up a good point about retail workers and the Muzak environment – which would drive me off the deep end! I have a suggestion for it gets fixed – sabotage. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
It was back on today, But it was very low and not all Christmas
LikeLike
Larry … that’s good news. The Expert better get his picks done before the music gets louder!
LikeLike
Ballroom dancing? How posh are you, eh?
LikeLike
Michael,
Ha ha … I have a wide variety of interests – after all, just see the Categories in the sidebar. Thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
I’ve been thinking about it and…. I’m not sure. The first snow always ushers in the season for me. Prior to that I’m a real bah-humbug. It should be noted, however, that I shop (or make gifts) throughout the year so I’m not much attached to the shopping part of it all.
But I do love this commercial:
LikeLike
Robin,
Now there is a vintage commercial! And to be honest, one that I don’t remember. Nonetheless, it’s simplicity strikes me in a good way. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike