Giveaway and Guest Blog by Shirley Jump
Today for Winter Wonderland Week we are honored to welcome guest blogger Shirley Jump, author of MARRY ME CHRISTMAS and SIMPLY THE BEST. Besides reading her great post, you also have a chance to win a Romance Stocking Stuffer, filled with great books to keep you warm over the holiday (or they make an excellent gift). All you have to do is leave your name in the comments section to enter the random drawing. The winner will be announced tommorow.
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It's a Wonderful...Movie
I admit it, I’m a sucker for “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It’s the first movie I set up to tape as soon as the holiday season arrives, and the only one I’ll watch more than once. I do indulge in “Rudolph” and “Frosty” (the original Animatronic versions), but they’re not on my have-to-see list like the original Frank Capra version of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
I’m not sure why that movie is on my must-see list. There are plenty of other movies I love, plenty of others that scream Christmas, but this one…It just seems to grab me in a way none of the others do. Maybe it’s Zuzu’s petals. Maybe it’s the way the whole town comes together at the end, and how it just grabs my heart. Maybe it’s the simple love story between George and Mary, the kind of elemental romance that every romance in the world must be based upon.
Or maybe it’s the lessons in the movie. The basic good versus evil, home is where your heart is, and finding gratitude and happiness in what you have and where you are, rather than always looking for the greener grass elsewhere. Not to mention the message about coming together to support the ones you love. One of my all-time favorite scenes is the one when Officer Bert and cab driver Ernie create a honeymoon “retreat” in the abandoned house (which looks an awful lot like the first house my husband and I bought, LOL), and do their best to bring poor, hard-working George a night to remember with his beautiful bride—after the bridal couple had to abandon their original honeymoon plans. Those are true friends, and that town is the kind we all wish we could live in, isn’t it?
So this Christmas season, I’ll be cozying up with a glass of wine, a thick blanket and my daughter (who also loves this movie) to watch George and Mary fall in love all over again, and to see Bedford Falls come together for one of their own. Once again, we’ll count our blessings, and our gratitude for the special people in our lives.
After all, isn’t that what Christmas is all about, after all?
Tell me, what’s your favorite, can’t miss holiday movie?
Best,
Shirley
Labels: shirley jump
posted by Jia Gayles at 10:02 AM
15 Comments:
I'm all about contests, and I love Shirley Jump's books!
:),
Julie Trevelyan
Hi Shirley, I have to watch it every year, too, along with my other favorite, Miracle on 34th Street. Have a Merry Christmas!
Our family tradition is to decorate the tree while we watch, The Christmas Story.
Love The Christmas Story, Cathy! I just saw someone buying a T-shirt that had the famous "shoot your eye out" saying on it when I was in the store today. Made me chuckle ;-)
Thanks so much, Julie!
And Merry Christmas to you, too, Pam! I have to admit--I cried at the end of It's a Wonderful Life again this year :-)
Shirley
There are so many good ones, but if pressed, I would begrudgingly say "White Christmas" for my classic pick and "Love Actually" for a more recent fave.
Hopefully, this Christmas I won't overdose on "Fa la la la Lifetime" or the Hallmark Channel. It's so easy to fritter away a Saturday afternoon watching these movies. My guilty pleasure, I guess ;).
I used to love to watch Its a Wonderful Life with my grandmom (in B&W 'cause she thought the colored version was a blasphemy against great film making). I haven't been able to watch it since she died last year however. It makes me cry :(
Miracle on 34th Street is my favorite! though I'm loving some of the newer christmas movies from Lifetime and ABC Family (The Christmas List is funny and I love Ebbie with Susan Lucci).
One of my favorite's in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. I've seen it many times, but it never fails to make me laugh. I also love the Christmas tv specials, like Rudolph, Frosty, the Muppets, and Charlie Brown. They help put me in the Christmas mood!
It's family tradition for us as well. My brothers love this movie and we all watch it together. I think I get choked up every time...
I think you really captured why I love the movie so much too!
I'd say my favorite holiday movie is the original Grinch Who Stole Christmas or nearly any of the Charlie Brown shows, although I watch a few new ones each year.
Enter me in the contest - Karen
What a beautiful post, Shirley.
Chevy Chase's CHRISTMAS VACATION grabs my heart during the holidays. I love humor during the Christmas season along with the family hugs. :D
Cheers! Nancy Locke
I love almost all of the movies that are mentioned here! And I have to say that "Love Actually" has become one of my absolute favorite movies too.. (even after watching it at least 10 times already *grin*)
Thank you for a great contest, and happy holidays!
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and Home Alone
I like watching "White Christmas" and "Scrooge."
Terri W.
Every year I love to re-watch White Christmas and The Christmas Story. Love Actually has become a new favorite, too.
best holiday movie: "Since You Went Away." Perhaps it is a bit before your time? Well, I am a retired teacher, so my references are from another time. Indeed.
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