Another Christmas Memory

I found it ironic that after posting about Christmas Memories, I quickly have another that easily cracks my Top 5 list. Starting early Wed. 12/20 it began snowing in Denver. It did not stop (or even slow down) until 1 pm Thur. Between 20-30" of snow fell and drifts were even larger than that. With this amazing amount of whiteness, DIA (Denver International Airport) was closed from Wed. evening until Fri. at noon (with 2 of 6 runways opened). Needless to say, my flight on Thur. was canceled. I stood in line for 6 hours to try and rebook a flight. However, the airline decided to close the rebooking line and sent us home. In their defense, they did this so people with scheduled/confirmed flights could be checked in and get through security. After discussions with the parentals, I rebooked with a different airline. I arrived in Indianapolis around 11 pm on Christmas Eve and was home by 12:30 am Christmas Day. Absolute craziness.

Christmas day with immediate family (parents, sibs, and sibs-in-laws) was really good. Mom's family is tomorrow and Dad's is on Saturday. I'm looking forward to good food, rest, and bowling. That's the life.

And I've seen enough snow for a long long time....really long time.

Best of Christmas: Memories

The final Best of Christmas posting, and another one where you are not allowed to argue with. With Christmas inside of a week away, and my return home a mere few days away, it's time to give you an insight into some of my favorite Christmas memories. There were many to choose from, but these 5 are some that have stuck with me and bring a smile to my face. So, without further ado....

Top 5 Christmas Memories (rank ordered)

5. Christmas with Dad - A year ago, my sister and mom went to spend Christmas and New Years in England with the current in-laws. That left Dad and I around for Christmas. While this lacked much of the normal Christmas feel, it was still neat. We bowled, we watched movies, we spent time with family (my brother and dad's side of the family). It was a different Christmas, but still one I'll remember.

4. Nerf Bow and Arrow - As a kid, I owned many many Nerf weapons. Without a doubt, one of the greatest of these was the Nerf Bow and Arrow. My brother and I got these the same year at Christmas. Shortly after gifts were opened, we were standing on opposite ends of a room and began firing at each other. The Nerf Bow and Arrow was an awesome toy and many many hours were spent playing with them. One of the coolest Christmas gifts.

3. Grab Bag gifts - My Uncle and Aunt (on my Dad's side) have some unique things about them. One year, they came for Christmas and did not have time to wrap gifts for my siblings and I. So, all of the gifts were in one big sheet. They put it on the floor, opened it up and said go get it. We started tearing through the gifts pulling stuff out. In the end, we made some trades and were pleased, but it was an experience that will probably go unrepeated.

2. Snowing at 12:01 am - Everyone can think of a White Christmas, but there is a particular kind that sticks with me. At the end of an 11 pm candlelight Christmas eve service, exiting the church on Christmas day and it is snowing. Really cool. I don't believe it turned in to much more than a dusting, but to walk out of church on Christmas Day and to see it snowing...wow!

And my Number 1 Christmas Memory....

1. Visit by Santa - To be honest, this one is primarily a memory of being told as opposed to experienced. That is I don't truly recall it (in my own head), but have heard the tale numerous times. As a very young kid, my family and I were watching Mickey's Christmas Charol when we hear "Ho-Ho-Ho" and the front door shut. We (my brother and I) race into the living room and bam, our gifts are laid out on the floor. Amazing. Santa visited us and we never knew he was there. Thanks for some creative parents, this will probably never leave me (and might even cause me to attempt a repeat of it for my own kids).


There they are. I look forward to making new memories each year, but it'll take some special things to overtake some on this list. An early Merry Christmas!

Best of Christmas: Traditions

Continuing the best of Christmas series, this time I treat you with my Top 5 Christmas Traditions. This topic will make it more difficult to disagree or argue with because each family has its own Christmas traditions. So read and enjoy. It was tough to separate this from Christmas memories because many of the traditions are tied to memories and whatnot, but I will attempt to avoid many specifics in case they overlap with my top memories (future post). Also note, that most of these traditions are from my childhood, as things have changed with my siblings getting married and my recent departure to Colorado.

Ok, Top 5 Christmas Traditions (ranked order)

5. Family and Food - My family has always had the youngest kids (compared to aunts/uncles and cousins), plus since my Dad's a minister he has to work Christmas Eve, extended family has always came to our house. My grandparents on my Dad's side would visit a day or two before Christmas, Christmas day would have pretty much everyone come in. Visiting with family can be nice, but the day shined because of the food. Ham, cheesy potatoes, corn and bread (there were other things, but these were the best) and good desserts. Great meal...and on the good china (not that I ever cared, but it was there...used once or twice a year).

4. Movies - Not necessarily Christmas movies. Every year numerous movies are exchanged amongst our family (many, many movies), and over the course of the next several days, we watch them (not all, but many). Also, there is often a family (immediate, not extended) trip to the theaters to see a recent release. It is always fun to enjoy these movies with family.

3. Decorating the Tree - One of the quintessential Johnson family traditions. Shortly after the Thanksgiving (often that weekend, or the following), all Christmas decorations would came out of the basement or attic. The kids were allowed to select 5 ornaments for the main tree (the rest went on our own Charlie Brown Christmas tree). Then we would apply our 5 and assist with the numerous ornaments our parents have collected over the years all while listening to some Mannheim Steamroller. It was always a fun activity.

2. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - I don't remember the exact year I started to attend these, but ever since it really is something I look forward to. Different churches do it different ways, but the staples are music, the Christmas story, and Silent Night in candlelight. The preferred method is to start the service at 11 pm and have it end at 12 am. It's a great way to bring in Christmas Day. If you haven't been to one, check it out.

And the Best Christmas Tradition.....

1. Santa Gifts - As little kids, my parents allowed us to believe in Santa Claus, and we would wake up on Christmas day and find our presents in piles in front of the Christmas tree. Even after we found out Santa was make believe, we still received our gifts from our parents in this manner. I mean all the way through high school and a little beyond. It was always fun and neat. As a kid, I couldn't hardly sleep and woke up ridiculously early to see what I got, but as I aged I would sleep in and in fact had to be woken up. Anyway, it was a great tradition that I really enjoyed.

There really are no honorable mentions, most of those rated more as memories instead of traditions. Keep posted for more Best of Christmas.

Best of Christmas: Music (songs)

Continuing with my December thematic postings, it is time for Best of Christmas: Music (songs). I emphasize songs so as to not confuse you with artists/groups (which is a possible post of its own). So, as with the previous post (Best of Christmas: Movies....if you missed it, scroll down and check it out), the list will be a top five in ranked order. Without further ado, here is the list.

Best Christmas Music (in my humble opinion)

5. We Three Kings - Despite the biblical inaccuracies of this song (note: the Bible never states their were three, nor states they were kings), I really like it. Good chorus and not one of your stereotypical Christmas carols (many of which I'm not a fan of). A good start to my list.

4. Silent Night - Probably the most recognized Christmas song of them all. However, also one of the best. There's just something about a candlelight Christmas Eve service (11 pm - 12 am) that ends with only candles and christmas lights on while singing Silent Night. A really neat scene.

3. Charol of the Bells - This one makes this list more for its instrumental quality as opposed to the lyrics. Don't get me wrong, the lyrics are ok and with a good choir it can be done well. But where this song shines is in instrumental form. And primarily my favorite single Christmas song is "Christmas Eve Sarajevo" (aka Carol of the Bells) by Transiberian Orchestra...now that is awesome!

2. Little Drummer Boy - I think this is a solid blend of intrumental and lyrics. I also like the fact that this is a Christian based fictional story. I love the story of this song. A boy with no possessions wants to bring a gift to the Christ-child, so he chooses to play his drum for Him. It's great. For whatever reason, this is one of the best Christmas songs.

And the best christmas song ever.....

1. O Holy Night - An absolutely amazing song. Either instrumental (I really liked the brass group performance on Studio 60 this past Monday on NBC) or vocal, this is a great song. I especially enjoy it acapella (with a really good vocalist, of course). Really drives home the meaning of the season. At Washington (IN) Christ UMC, they have a woman sing this song, and it is beautiful.

Honorable mentions: Jingle Bell Rock, The Night Santa Went Crazy (by Weird Al), Dominic the Italian Christmas Donkey (just kidding...but all my Butler friends should laugh), O Come all Ye Faithful

There they are. Bust out your Christmas albums and listen to these 5 great songs. Stay tuned for the rest of my Best of Christmas series.

Best of Christmas: Movies

I've decided to do a series of posts: Best of Christmas. Topics most likely will include Movies (today's topic), Music, Traditions, Memories, and possibly others (give me your thoughts on topics). Ok, so now that the intro is over, on to the meat.

Best Christmas Movies (in my opinion)- in ranked order with thoughts

5. A Charlie Brown Christmas - Let's face it, I really like Charlie Brown. The guy everyone can relate too. Plus this is where the reference to a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree comes from, and I use that reference regularly. A good film for Christmas.

4. A Christmas Charol - NOT the classic version!! However, the story is really good. Here are my three approved versions: Mickey's Christmas Charol, Muppets Christmas Charol, and Scrooged. The story is a classic and has a great point/moral. My versions are generally funny. Mickey's holds nostalgic value, Muppets have random kid humor, and Scrooged has adult word humor with Bill Murray when he was still funny. Quality stuff.

3. It's a Wonderful Life - The movie that everyone must see. Probably the only one on the list that I would say that of. Why's it not #1 then? Well, simply because it doesn't have the rewatchability and is not quite as fun as the others, but still a must watch. This movie really only works because you feel so much for the main character. Just an amazing film.

2. Home Alone - The best Christmas comedy ever. This movie is still laugh out loud funny. I could probably watch this ever Christmas and not ever complain. It's hilarious. "Keep the change, you filthy animal."

And the number one Christmas Movie is....

1. Die Hard - Awesome! Set at Christmas, Christmas music on the soundtrack, Santa hat, and "Ho-Ho-Ho" and "Merry Christmas" are said. Amongst all of that Christmas cheer, bad guys, hostages, guns, explosions, robbery, and one butt-kicking Bruce Willis. Gets going and doesn't let up. Unbelieveably high on the rewatchability scale. Best Christmas movie...ever!

Ok. There's my list. Here are the honorable mentions: National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, Santa Clause, and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (1960s cartoon).

Hope you enjoyed. Stay tuned for my next installment: Best Christmas Music (songs).