Winnie the Pooh Christmas Quote

E.H. Shepard

"Christmas is a togethery sort of holiday," said Pooh.

"That's my favorite kind," said Piglet, "Togethery and Remembery."

Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar

One of my favorite places to visit at Disney World during the holiday season is Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Holiday Bar in Disney Springs. The decor is always kitschy, but it becomes even more over the top at Christmas. There are giant ornaments and tons of tinsel both inside and out, and a couple of enormous wreaths on the front of the building. This one with the giant Santa is my favorite. It's so retro and quirky!

Red One Is Surprisingly Fun

All images: Amazon

When I saw the first trailer for Red One, I will admit I wasn't too sure what to expect. Christmas & action movies aren't exactly a natural fit, though a few have succeeded: Die Hard takes place at a Christmas party, but isn't really about Christmas, and Violent Night stars Santa Claus, but really is violent, though entertaining. Red One is one wild and crazy ride of a movie, with lots of mythological Christmas characters and a fun story. I haven't laughed that much in ages. 

If you're still on the fence, check out this behind the scenes glimpse of the two main characters: Callum Drift and Jack O'Malley.

And here are the main characters. As you can see, there are quite a few Christmas characters you don't see too often, such as Gryla and Krampus.

Dwayne Johnson as Callum Drift, commander of ELF (Enforcement Logistics and Fortification)

Chris Evans as Jack O'Malley, bounty hunter, gambler, and Level 4 Naughty Lister

J.K. Simmons as Nick, Santa Claus

Bonnie Hunt as Mrs. Claus

Reinaldo Faberlle as ELF Agent Garcia

Lucy Liu as Zoe Harlow, Director of MORA

Kiernan Shipka as Gryla, the Winter Witch

Kristofer Hivju as Krampus, Dark Lord of Winter

Red One is available now on Amazon Prime. 

And while it's definitely not for kids, it's a fun addition to my Christmas movie list.

It Feels Like Christmas

Jim Henson Company

I love nearly every version of Dicken's A Christmas Carol. There's something delightful about discovering which twist each film will include. In the Muppet Christmas Carol, each of the ghosts is, quite appropriately, a Muppet. The Muppet version of the Ghost of Christmas Present is my absolute favorite of any film. He's just so jolly! Here, he's singing to Scrooge about what makes it feel like Christmas. 

The Muppet Christmas Carol is available on DisneyPlus.

Venom: The Last Dance At Home

Marvel

Eddie Brock and Venom's adventures together have come to an end. But, you can now relive the craziness of all three films in the comfort of your own home.

Here's the official synopsis from Marvel: 

In Venom: The Last Dance, Tom Hardy returns as Venom, one of Marvel’s greatest and most complex characters, for the final film in the trilogy. Eddie and Venom are on the run. Hunted by both of their worlds and with the net closing in, the duo are forced into a devastating decision that will bring the curtains down on Venom and Eddie's last dance.

Venom: The Last Dance is available to rent or purchase on various streaming platforms.

Venom is available on DisneyPlus and Venom: Lat There Be Carnage is on Starz.

That Christmas

Netflix/Locksmith Animation

It seems like there are a ton of new Christmas movies every year. Some are just OK, some are downright terrible, and a rare few are good enough to add to your official Christmas Viewing List. Netflix has had a few truly splendid Christmas movies in recent years. I thoroughly enjoy watching Klaus and Jingle Jangle every year, and this year's That Christmas is another I look forward to watching again. In true Netflix fashion, it's not your usual animated Christmas fare, but it is an unexpected delight.

Here's the official synopsis from Netflix:

Based on the charming trilogy of children's books by beloved multi award-winning writer/director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually, Yesterday), "That Christmas" follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys!

That Christmas is available now on Netflix.

Joy To The World Doctor Who Style

BBC

The Doctor Who Christmas Specials are often the wildest and most fun episodes of the year. I always look forward to seeing what craziness the Doctor will get wrapped up in next. This episode looks to be filled with timey-wimey Christmas shenanigans. 

Here's the official synopsis from the BBC and Disney:

When Joy opens a secret doorway to the Time Hotel, she discovers danger, dinosaurs and the Doctor. But a deadly plan is unfolding across the Earth, just in time for Christmas.

Where has the Doctor been? What is going on in Joy’s hotel room? An old enemy of the Doctor’s is lurking in the wings and all of human history hangs in the balance. Can the Doctor save Christmas, everywhere, all at once?

The Doctor Who Christmas Special: "Joy to the World" arrives on DisneyPlus on December 25th.