Top Ten Things to get me in the the Holiday Spirit

Okay, so I know I just posted about how I wouldn't be posting a whole lot these next few weeks, but I just had to take part in this week's Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish) since it's pretty much my favorite stuff ever. After you read my top ten, mosey on over to The Broke and the Bookish to link to your own. What gets me into the holiday spirit? Well, let me tell you!

1. A Christmas Story: This movie is one of my favorite movies of all time. I've been known to watch it in February. We put on the TBS marathon while we open presents Christmas morning and leave it going while we're home—I can't wait to watch it again! And I know it's a book. I haven't read all of it, but I definitely will this year. Once my special Christmastime discount rolls around, I'm totally buying this and reading it and loving it.

2. The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog by Dave Barry: Best quick Christmas book ever. It's short, has pictures, and is absolutely hilarious (would you expect any less from Dave Barry?). Plus it will still give you that warm fuzzy feeling. I mean come on. It has a dog.

3. White Christmas: You know, the one with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. It's a family favorite. We always go to see it on the big screen when they do that at the Showcase Cinema each year.

4. Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle: Haven't read this one yet, but I'm told it's a great book to get you all Christmasy and excited. So I took it out from the library, and it's waiting for me and more time.

5. All the Hallmark Original Christmas movies: I know, what? Yeah, I love these. They're often poorly acted with plenty of plot holes, but that's part of their appeal to me. Plus they're all heartwarming and have romance and are about being with your family and realizing the importance of love. (Gosh I'm so schmaltzy. I love it.)

6. Nonstop Christmas music on the radio: We have at least three stations here in the Boston area that do nonstop Christmas music from this time until Christmas, and though it can get incredibly annoying to hear the same song 50 times (ahem, Feliz Navidad) it's nice to just switch on the radio and have the Christmas tunes (and the option to change to another station). Plus, WROR has Santa on the radio from 7-8 taking calls from kids and it's absolutely adorable.

7. Elf: Yep, this is a new classic for sure. I love this movie and will watch it as often as it's on, or put in the DVD myself. "I'm singinngggg! I'm in a stooore and I'm siinngiiiiing! I'm in a STORE AND I'M SIIINGING!" And that scene where they're singing but Joely doesn't know he's in there? Priceless.

8. Peppermint schnapps in my hot chocolate. Do I need to say more? If can legally drink, I would highly recommend you try it. Or if you don't like chocolate or mint, try hot apple cider with butterscotch schnapps for a Thanksgiving-y drink.

9. Barenaked for the Holidays: This is the Barenaked Ladies' holiday album, and it's fantastic. There are a handful of original songs, a bunch of quick synthesizer-type songs that last about a minute, and of course some traditional ones they jazzed up a bit. They don't forget about Hannukah either—there are a few of those on there. A heartbreakingly beautiful version of Auld Lang Syne caps it off.

10. Anything Rankin-Bass: You know those claymation movies that are always on each year? Those are the best. It's not Christmas without them, as far as I'm concerned.

BONUS

Okay, I thought of another one and I want to include it, so I'm calling it a bonus.

Charlie Brown! What is Christmas without Charlie Brown, or the Vince Guaraldi Trio? If you don't know what I'm talking about, I encourage you to acquaint yourself with this stuff immediately.

That's all, folks! I'm sure I'll be thinking of more as the holiday gets closer, this is just a start. What about you?