Every year we kick off our holiday celebrations with watching “It’s a Wonderful Life”.
It gets us into the spirit of Christmas.
Throughout the rest of December we also make sure to watch some of our other favourites, including Elf, A Christmas Carol, and Mr. Krueger’s Christmas. This kids also watch things like Deck the Halls, Jingle all the Way, The Santa Clause, and Elf at least a dozen more time. (This year we also squeezed in the Sound of Music. I think we could out do the Von Trapps. You should hear us sing Do Rae Me Fa So La Ti, and Captain Rob can sing a mean Edelweiss.)
This year was no different. Because we only have everyone every second weekend, we have to get started early in the season as our Saturday night movie nights get taken over with Christmas parties. So, this year it sort of snuck up on me and all of a sudden, on November 23rd, the kids announced we had to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” or we would not have enough time! What?!?!?
So we did. Of course, they made me run to the store to get all the treats that we usually eat while we watch it. Apparently that has become a tradition too. Note: Never bring a teenager and two tweens with you to the store to buy treats for movies. Or, learn to say no. This is what it looked like:
The check out lady literally told me that that was a LOT of candy and instructed the kids to rinse their mouths out with water immediately after all these sweets, before even brushing their teeth. Of course, the kids have to respond to her by saying things like, “Oh, we don’t worry about stuff like that. We already have a lot of cavities. They aren’t so bad.” Funny guys. Funny. And then the check out lady handed me mother-of-the-year award.
Not.
I didn’t care to go through the explanation that I actually have 5 kids and not to worry because we don’t eat all the candy…but she had already cast her judgement:) And, I must admit, it looks bad:
Nonetheless, we arrived home and the kids set up camp. I love that they still love having “Sleepovers” in our family room. It’s the best. I hope they never outgrow it….
And that was the start to our fabulous Christmas season!
It certainly is a wonderful life.
Truly does look like a A Wonderful Life and must say it looked absolutely perfect to me!! 🙂
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Thank you!
I’m tearing up seeing them in sleepover mode, all in a row, watching Christmas movies! I love everything about this…even the judgmental cashier. I think you’re not doing parenting right if someone doesn’t pass judgement on you at least twice a week!
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They LOVE sleepovers. They are all together every second weekend and pretty much ask every second weekend to do one. The answer is usually yes unless someone is sick! I wonder if there will be a day when they won’t think it’s fun anymore… (when they are married??? Maybe their spouses won’t like it ?!?!lol)
Yes, it certainly is!
And all those Canadian junk goodies!!!
Before my father died, he had taped “It’s a Wonderful Life” off of the VCR and gift wrapped it under the bed. It was a favorite of theirs and they were very poor so it was intended as a gift he never got to give.
Needless to say, we watched it together when I was 16 and I SOBBED. She wound up losing the VHS of it and she was very depressed so I made it my mission to find it one day and I did. Her look of relief was worth every second!
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Love this story. xo
Oh, there’s nothing like a judgmental check out lady! All I thought about when I looked at that photo was what I would have eaten if I were with you guys! I think it’s great that you have these traditions. I can learn a think or two from you.
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Traditions have really helped me keep some stability in the years in the not so distant past that were a bit crazy:)
Personally, I’m a little envious about your movie snack haul!!
Love that the kids camp out in the living room.
I bet y’all can keep up with the VonTraps!!!
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If I make them dress up in matching outfits and perform at a Music show, I’ll let you know!
I’ve never seen some of those snacks – I want some Canadian candy! I must admit that the only Christmas movies we watch are Elf and A Christmas Story – I have deprived my kids of that whole experience. You have plenty of candy…can I send them to your house?
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Funny – I couldn’t even tell you what is the Canadian candy!! I didn’t realize that some of those things aren’t sold in the US! Amazing how we are such neighbours but really do have some differences!
Looks fun! Really cashier lady??? Who asked you anyway!
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Exactly!
What a wonderful tradition! Your family seems like so much fun! Can you believe I’ve never seen “It’s a Wonderful life”?
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You should definitely watch it!
Sounds like a great tradition. I love holiday movies, but I admit It’s a Wonderful Life is not one I can sit through.
Single Mom in the South recently posted…Boy Mom Spotlight
There are so many good holiday movies to choose from!
Ha! A little bit (or a lot all at once) of candy isn’t going to kill anybody. I can’t believe that cashier told your kids to rinse their mouths. I like their response though. 🙂 Happy holidays!
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I was a bit taken aback when she said it too!! But my kids take these comments up as a challenge!
I love the way the kids responded to the checkout lady! I almost laughed out loud! I don’t know what people are thinking! Sounds like it was a great time!
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