Across from the I ❤️ NY Gift Shop-December 20, 2025
Thank you for tuning in.
Tomorrow will be my sisters and I first Christmas without our Mom.
I published my very first Christmas Eve special in 2016. It was a Saturday night, and I was stuck coming into the Post. My father and mother in law always hosted a party on Christmas Eve, and I was bummed I couldn't be there.
So to keep myself occupied I started putting together a list of Christmas songs and things off Youtube that were Christmas related and also that I found interesting. It made the night go by faster and kept my spirits up.
And that's always the purpose here, to keep my spirits up and hopefully make your Christmas Eve a little more enjoyable.
And that will be the goal here tonight as well. I know Mom wouldn't want us dwelling on her not being there, she would want us to remember all the times she was there and to celebrate all of us together.
And in that spirit, we press on.
Let's start with our annual Christmas music list..
10) Holiday Party-Dan and Shay- The more I hear this one, the more I really dig it. Simple and catchy.
9) O Come O Come Emanuel- Joan Baez- Joan Baez came back to the forefront a bit this year, as she was portrayed by Monica Barbaro in the Bob Dylan movie A Complete Unkown. This song helps to qualify the Jesus song quota my WM Music editor Nisha suggested I have when I first started this list back in 2001.
8) Christmas in New York-Shilelagh Law- These next two songs are about remembering people you may have lost along the way this year. This one is specifically about those we lost on 9/11.
7) 2000 Miles- The Pretenders- And this one, written by Chrissy Hynde about one of her Pretenders bandmates that had died the year before. I remember hearing it a couple of years ago and thinking of my aunt/godmother. Now playing it to remember Mom.
6) Christmas in Hollis- Run DMC- And then I put this one here to snap us back into the holiday spirit. I'm sure if I scour YouTube I can find someone who sang a song about Christmas in Woodside or Rockaway. I'm sure someone has come into Donovan's and performed near the fireplace, and there are lots of songs about Rockaway (besides the Ramones classic). For now though, this song is the closest one I have to repping my two hometowns. Word up!
5) Wonderful Christmastime-Wings- this was number three for a long time. Now it holds steady at number five. I know this song out everybody’s cup of tea, but it’s Paul McCartney so it has to be here.
4) Oh, Holy Night- Josh Groban- And here's our second Jesus song to keep The Big Guy happy. O Come O Come Emmanuel is about waiting for the birth of Christ, this song is about the night He arrives. The pastor at my dad's church did a great version of this, but since his version was never committed to a record, (at least as far as I know) we'll stick with the amazing Josh Groban's version.
3) Happy Christmas (War is Over) Plastic Ono Band- All these years later, this powerful John Lennon song still resonates. One that I will never get tired of. For years it was a staple at number 2, the past few years it’s held steady at number 3.
Before we get to the top 2, let's look at some Honorable mentions...
Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer-Elmo and Patsy Tara and I were in Kohl's the other night when we saw a kitchen towel inscribed "It's just not Christmas without Grandma." I know it was lyric from this classic and meant to be fun, but I mean of all the years to have that on display... .
Mele Kalikimaka-Bing Crosby- I know this song has been around since the 50's, but the first time I heard it was during the reboot they did of Hawaii Five-0, (the Alex O'Loughlin/Scott Caan version). I always say I'd like to spend one Christmas in my life some place where it's warm. And with the way the temps around here have been fluctuating it may be 60 on Christmas or it could be the Ice Storm.
Blue Christmas- Elvis/Porky Pig Both of these versions make me laugh. Imus used to refer to the later years version of Elvis as the "Gravy Stained, Pill Poppin Elvis." His version of Blue Christmas was done before that unfortunately happened
And then there were two…
2) Do They Know it's Christmastime-Band Aid- For 39 of this song's 41 years, I would say it was my favorite Christmas song of all time. The collection of talent gathered to make this record is unbelievable.
The song was Bob Geldof’s idea after seeing BBC news reports of extreme famine in Ethiopia in the early 80's. .
Since Captain Orange has ended all the world's conflicts, (according to him anyway) we can move Band Aid down to number 2 this year.
1) Fairytale of New York- There are a couple of reasons I have moved this back up to number 1 this year.
It reminds me of my late great pal, CJ Sullivan, who told me under no uncertain terms that this was the greatest Christmas song ever.
CJ wrote an article one time about how Babe Ruth had donated the altar at St. Angela's Merici's Church on Morris Avenue, not far from Yankee Stadium, where the Bambino would attend Sunday Mass. Two of St. Angela Merici's Elementary School's more famous graduates were Mom and Aunt Eileen.
The Boy's of the NYPD Choir still singing Galway Bay...
The Raftery's are from Galway. Galway Bay I know was played at some of my relatives funerals. This year, when I hear Shane McGowan and Kirsty McColl singing that verse, it hits home a bit harder.
But mostly, as I've written before, Fairytale of New York, if nothing else, is a song that reminds us that no matter who you are, you pick up your share of heartaches and emotional bruises every year. If you get to December 25, even (and maybe even especially) if everyone you were with last year aren't there, you can still lean on the the people who are. Yes, I'll be missing Mom, and Aunt Eileen, and Becky and my father in law, but my family and my friends will be there to celebrate with.
Can't Make all alone
I've Built my dreams around you.
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So for our special this I've decided to do what I have been resisting, and do a dive into the world of Christmas/ Holiday Movies.
The main reason I haven't broached this topic is because to be honest, I'm not much of a Christmas movie person.
And I'm not even talking about those Hallmark Christmas movies, which, spoiler alert, are pretty much all the same. I spoofed one a couple years ago so true to the formula, that my co-editor Karl (the Ace) Ludwig was convinced I just copied one I had seen. Dude, I copied all the ones I had seen. Tara is a huge fan of these movies. Not only are the plots and resolutions almost always simpatico, many of them have the same actors and actresses. The gal who played the youngest Salinger kid in Party of Five, does like a dozen of these cheeseball films a year.*
No, I'm talking about the classics.
For example, I have never sat down and watched It's a Wonderful Life from beginning to end, this despite marrying into a family that watches it faithfully every year. I've seen parts of it, I know what the story is about, I know that when my sister in law Megan says "We're going to put George Bailey on" I know who and what she is talking about, but no, I have never watched George Bailey from opening to closing credits. I might be the only person in America over the age of 50 who can claim this.
And the one's I've seen were good, but I mean, even Christmas Vacation, perhaps my all time favorite Christmas flick, I'm kind of over that one too.
So I'm taking to IMDB tonight to look up some of the Christmas movies I've seen, and a few that I haven't, and I'll put together a little quiz.
All right kids, here goes nuttin.
1) Hey, jackweed, I get more action in a week than you've had in your entire life. I've got houses in L.A., Paris and Vail. In each one, a 70 inch plasma screen. So I suggest you wipe that stupid smile off your face before I come over there and SMACK it off! You feeling strong, my friend? Call me elf one more time.
Answer:______________
2) That's not the friggin' Christmas Star, Gris... Its the light at the sewerage treatment plant.
AND
If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn't be more surprised than I am right now.
Answer:__________________________________________
3) Aaah! "Fra-GEE-leh!" It must be Italian!
AND
Fa-ra-ra-ra-ra, ra-ra ra ra.
Answer_____________________________________________
4) Your Honor, every one of these letters is addressed to Santa Claus. The Post Office has delivered them. Therefore the Post Office Department, a branch of the Federal Government, recognizes this man Kris Kringle to be the one and only Santa Claus.
Answer__________________
5) I love that word "relationship." Covers all manner of sins, doesn't it? I fear that this has become a bad relationship; a relationship based on the President taking exactly what he wants and casually ignoring all those things that really matter to, erm... Britain. We may be a small country, but we're a great one, too. The country of Shakespeare, Churchill, the Beatles, Sean Connery, Harry Potter. David Beckham's right foot. David Beckham's left foot, come to that. And a friend who bullies us is no longer a friend. And since bullies only respond to strength, from now onward I will be prepared to be much stronger. And the President should be prepared for that.
Answer__________________________
6) Dear George, stop. Mr. Gower cabled you need cash, stop. My office instructed to advance you up to twenty-five thousand dollars, stop. Hee Haw and Merry Christmas!
AND
You made one mistake Mr. Potter, you double crossed me and you left me alive!
Answer______________________________________
7) Young Boy: Excuse me, where's the lobby?
CFCO: Down the hall and to the left.
Young Boy: Thanks.
Answer____________________________
8) I hate people / I hate people! People are despicable creatures / loathsome, inexplicable creatures / good-for-nothing kickable creatures, I hate people! I abhor them / When I see the indolent classes / sitting on their indolent asses / gulping ale from indolent glasses, I hate people! I detest them / I deplore them! Fools who have no money spend it, get in debt then try to end it / beg my on their knees befriend them, knowing I have cash to lend them! Soft-hearted me / Hard-working me / Clean living, thrifty, and kind as can be / Situations like this... are of interest to me...
AND
Thank you very much!/Thank you very much!/ That's the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for me!
Answer__________________________________________
9) I'm a master of fright, / and a deeeemon of light, / and I'll scare you right out of your pants. / To a guy in Kentucky / I'm Mister Unlucky / And I'm know thoughout England and France, / And since I am dead, / I can take off my head /
- [does it]
- to recite Shakespearean quotations. / No animal or man /
- [puts it back on]
- Can SCREAM like I can / With the fury of my ree-cii-ta-tions.
- Answer__________________________
- 10) This time John Wayne does not walk off into the sunset with Grace Kelly.
- That was Gary Cooper, asshole.
Answer:________________________________
1) Elf: I'm still pissed at Will Farrell, nearly 12 years later, putting up a billboard saying Let's Go Kings, right outside MSG during the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals. Still, I liked this one, the first time I saw it on TV. Have no real desire to see it again.
2) Christmas Vacation- There was a guy who worked at the Gift Shop at Mercy who sounded just like Uncle Lewis, the character played by William Hickey, who delivered the above line near the end of Christmas Vacation.
3) A Christmas Story- One of the only Christmas movies I actually saw, as Timmy would say "in Theaters" (Christmas Vacation was the other). Uncle Eammon took cousin Tiernach and I to see this at the old movie theater on 45th and 7th on December 26, 1983. Back when Times Square was, well, Times Square. Now it's wall to wall tourists, but back then, you went there at your own risk. I remember there was huge wall mural advertising Al Pacino in Scarface. One of the most fun days I ever had as a kid.
4) Miracle on 34th Street, the 1947 edition. Watched this on TV one year in the 80's, I think it was the Channel 9 Million Dollar Movie one night in December. Haven't seen it since, or any of it's remakes.
5) Love Actually- Watched this just a couple of years ago with my in laws. TBH, I was dozing off through most of it, but I remember getting a kick out of this part.
6) OK, so as I previously mentioned, I have never seen the full version of It's a Wonderful Life AKA-George Bailey. However, at least once a year, I re-watch this clip, the lost ending to It's A Wonderful Life, with Dana Carvey's spot-on impression of Jimmy Stewart. I have always said this is my all time favorite SNL cast, and to my point, if I recall correctly, this was the last skit of that particular episode, meaning it came on around 12:50 or so, on December 20th 1986. Now, they put the crappy skits on after Weekend Update.
As an added bonus, here is a Michelob commercial that aired that night. Featuring Genesis. You're Welcome.
7) Home Alone 2: Lost in New York- Oh, if someone had just told him he was the next Sir Laurence Olivier and just had him make movies.....**
8) This is Albert Finney's musical version of Scrooge (1970). I have a theory that everyone has their definitive version of Scrooge and or A Christmas Carol. We did Scrooge for our 3rd Grade Play, Christmas 1981. I played Fred, Scrooge's nephew, my co-editor Razor Ray McGarvey played Bob Cratchit. It was this version that Mrs. McArdle and Mrs. Alam had us watch to prepare for the play.
9) The Nightmare Before Christmas- Have never seen this movie. My nephew Brendan loves Jack Skellington. One of these days, I'll watch this with him. .
10) Die Hard- There were a bunch of quotes I could have used for this one. This was my favorite. Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman at their absolute best.
Now for the debate- Is Die Hard a Christmas Movie?
This is not really a question I spent a whole lot of time pondering, but apparently it's a thing.
Die Hard was released as a summer blockbuster in July, 1988. Score one for the argument that it is not a Christmas movie.
There is also this point, made by Ross Tannenbaum in this Screenrant.com article he wrote:
Die Hard is primarily considered a Christmas movie because it takes place on Christmas Eve. While it has many references related to the holiday, the film isn't really about the holiday itself. It's focused on John McClane ..., rather than him trying to get presents for his kids or believing in Santa Claus.
That's purposeful, as even McTiernan admitted they "hadn't intended it to be a Christmas movie" in a video shared by the American Film Institute. Since the film was made with other intentions, it doesn't evoke the holiday spirit that other purposeful Christmas movies do, like It's a Wonderful Life or The Santa Clause.
But the fact of the matter is, as Tannenbaum points out, the movie does take place on Christmas Eve, at an office Christmas party. And let's be honest, 1988 was almost 40 freakin years ago. There are a whole generation of movie fans that don't realize it was released in the summer. To them, it's a Christmas movie.
And this may be my NY Bias showing, but Christmas movies in Los Angeles are tough. People equate Christmas with cold weather. Obviously, you're not getting any snow or ice in LA. I think that's another reason one may not look at Die Hard as a Christmas film.
And that reminds me.... There is another movie that I saw in a theater, that came out in the spring, but also took place on Christmas Eve in Los Angeles. Here is a quote from that classic...
So what do you have against The Family Circus?
OK, you sit down to read the paper, and you are enjoying your entire two page comic spread, right? And then there the Family Fucking Circus, bottom right hand corner, just waiting to suck, and its the last thing you read. so, it spoils everything you read before.
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1
That was from the 1999 movie Go, a scene at a diner on Christmas morning between Claire (Katie Holmes) and Todd (Timothy Olyphant). That's one of my favorite movies. Not sure I consider it a Christmas movie though. There's not the debate about it because Die-Hard was an all time classic. Go got mixed reviews, but I thought it was awesome.
I like to end these specials with a video. Through the years, I had a video of Paul McCartney playing the British Version of Who Want's to Be a Millionaire on Christmas Eve, a re-make of the Twilight Zone Christmas episode (original was Art Carney playing Santa. 1985 re-make was Richard Mulligan), and a couple others. I'm tapped out and too lazy to do any serious perusing.
So, I'll leave you with the Charlie Brown Christmas dance. Celebrating its 60th anniversary.
Merry Christmas.
*I may be slightly exaggerating on that one, but Lacey Chabert has been called the Queen of the Hallmark Movies.
If you are upset that I picked on Captain Orange a couple times, but you stuck with me anyway, here is a picture of me with the All American Christmas Tree in Fox Square.
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