Was It Just Me?
I grew up in a time before every family owned a VCR and before every movie and television show ever created was available on DVD. While I thoroughly enjoy all of the movies I own now, I am also thankful that we didn't have that luxury when I was growing up.When we were kids, my brothers and sister and I looked forward to the Holiday season all year long and it wasn't just because we knew we were going to get presents. We waited with growing anticipation for...our holiday movies. That's right. We're talking, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, A Charlie Brown Christmas...and The Wizard of Oz (I know that really isn't holiday related but for some reason they seemed to play it around the same time.)
These movies only aired on television once a year but somewhere along the way they became part of a family tradition for us. On the big night I remember my mom would get us all into our pajamas and we'd each grab a blanket and curl up in the floor in front of the television. Mom would turn off the lights and it was like we were sitting in a movie theater. Everything was larger than life. The music would start playing and everyone would start shooshing everyone else to be quiet...then eyes big as saucers...we'd start our adventure.
Those special nights in front of the tv are some of my fondest memories as a child. I just hate that the kids of today are missing out on that since all of these movies are now readily available on DVD and can be watched any time of the year, as often as they like. To me, it just takes some of the specialness out of it. Everyone else can do as they like, but when I have children, this is one tradition that I intend to keep.
posted by Lindsey @ 12/06/2005 06:40:00 PM
32 Comments:
I love all those movies. Especially Wizard of Oz.
I know what you mean, Linny. I have those kinds of memories too.. except that my maternal grandfather would call to remind us that the shows were coming on. He & Meema lived across town so sometimes we'd go to their house to watch with them. My favorite is "Miracle on 34th Street," and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." That song, "Put One Foot in Front of the Other," is great, isn't it?
I just LOVE your blogs. You bring everything home. I was just listening to the Charlie Brown Christmas CD too.
I think those DVDs are simply for our generation. Some of th ekids I teach have never even heard of a Charlie Brown Christmas. I think it is a good tradition to keep going. Its Christmas but simple, unlike the holidays are now.
Our family Christmas movie was A Christmas Carol, the old one starring Alistair Sims. I saw in it it’s original black and white and the colourized version.
I will probably buy it on DVD (when I own a DVD player), but still only watch it once a year around Christmas. That way I keep the tradition but ditch the commercials.
I gave my nieces The Snowman a couple years back, a cartoon based on the story by the same name.. how a child is taken by his snowman to the Snowman’s Ball at the North Pole one night. It is beautiful, because there is no dialogue after an introductory sentence or two. There is some very beautiful music throughout the cartoon. The lack of dialogue gives the movie some of it’s magic. The girls only watch that at Christmas time, too.
I agree with you 100%. Fond memories of Wizard of Oz involve my mom letting us stay up late and lay in her bed to watch....I always hid under the covers when the witch got electrocuted from the shoes......it scared me.
this could be part of your letter to your great grandchildren. creative minds think alike, linny.
You so hit the nail on the head with that post!
My family did just the same, the suspense and excitement.
Heck, even 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown' had it's place!
U r spot on abt today's kids fun activities. They dunno what 'special' is all abt anymore...it's sad.
Keshi.
In the UK for some reason, The Great Escape is a Xmas movie - just because it is played every Christmas. I would still rather watch that than Harry Potter though to be honest!
Kids have it too easy, entertainment is so accessible and disposable that they don't know what it was like to have to wait months for things.
Linny... I hate to say this... we're getting old... the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia will be permanent soon if we carry on like this. :-)
It was the same at my house growing up Linny...
Nice memories
TBS has been showing The Wizard of Oz a lot here lately, and I watch it every time...My friend said, "Why don't you just buy it on DVD?" I accused him of blasphemy; that my sister and I would watch it on TV every year (Thanksgiving weekend on CBS, as I [think I] recall) while growing up, and I want baby girl to have that same feeling...that, having to wait through the commercials, not being able to fast-forward of rewind. Makes you pay more attention. Kids today don't pay enough...
Great post.
~ Ash
Very true.
My favorite was the Charlie Brown Christmas - with that sad little tree that Charlie picked out. He's such a goof, and I love him for it. But yeah - those days were better for sure!!!
I completely agree with you Linny. I think that The Year Without A Santa Claus is the best because of the Heat Miser and Cold Miser. I put my Christmas movies and DVD's away every year and don't take them out until after Thanksgiving. They're great for a Saturday afternoon when it's cold outside.
I always loved doing that too. I couldn't wait for all the Christmas shows to start!
I want to hear about some of yoour BAD memories from childhood.
I STILL look forward to those movies every year. It was a big tradition with my sister and me too. ABC has the 25 nights of Christmas and play all types of holiday favorites. And now I am addicted to the Hallmark movies as well.
I love this time of year.
Excellent post!
'Wizard of Oz' is an absolute classic!
Confession: yes, own a few of Christmassy films,
but they are kept to one side to be watched only then.:o)
chuckles...I have too many bad childhood memories...thus, I stick with the only good ones that I have.
Don't we all...I was being facetious.
I agree, sometimes some things are better if you have to wait for them. The anticipation alone builds such feelings of awe when they do happen.
But I like the luxury of watching "Friends" and "Will and Grace" whenever I want. Sometimes I just need that pick me up laughter.
My childhood wasn't too far off that, although we did have a VCR, just not that many movies for it. And this was an old VCR. We're talking Betamax (remember those)... with a WIRED remote control. Gotta love the 80's.
Anway, a more fun recent holiday tradition I've been involved in is to go to the local old movie theater with a bunch of friends and watch "Its a Wonderful Life" on the big screen. Corny? Well... yeah... but fun nonetheless.
For whatever reason the last several years, they've followed "It's a Wonderful Life" with a midnight showing of "Princess Bride". We stayed for that once (as we all love that movie)... but the fact that everyone there kept trying to recite the lines along with the movie (and not always accurately) spoils it.
Great post Linny :-) I know what you mean about all those special movies - Like Peter Pan, Wizard of Oz, and the true Christmas classics - It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Rudolph, Charlie Brown Christmas (40th anniversary showing last night)Frosty, A Christmas Story...those movies are ageless and loved by all. Your post makes me want to curl up in bed with an armful of movies right now!
Your right. Kids dont get that excited about holiday movies like we use to when we were little.
I miss the 80's ;(
The 80's - ha ha ha I'm talking about the 60's - ROFLOL
I intend to keep it too. I love love love Charlie Brown Christmas.
word!!!! I was just telling Glitter that I wished I was 6 years old again. For a different reason, but this is now the 2nd reason. *sniff*
oh yeah! although you know, i watched "charlie brown's thanksgiving" for the first time this year... and it was TERRIBLE. i certainly hope the xmas special was better than that? i mean, i know "frosty the snowman" isn't quite oscar material, but i'm starting to think these movies were a lot more painful than i knew...
I liked "Christmas Story" , you'll shoot your eyes out"
Yes! Yes! Yes! I have those same memories. Loved watching those movies at Christmas, except for The Wizard. They flying monkeys really freaked me out!!
That is so true! I saw the box set at Wal-mart of all of the classics that you mentioned (that I also couldn't wait for as a kid!). I also thought about how rare it was for a cartoon to be on at NIGHTTIME!! Now a cartoon can be on any time you hit play on the DVD player.
Linny, we use to do the same thing only it was before berly can prob. remember. My sis Jenifer & I use watch them too. But you forgot my favorite one "How the Grinch stold Christmas"(& not the Jim Carry one). I have a 5 yr ond & the other night Rudolph was on. My Mom, Dad, Me & Vivien all sat on the couch together & watched the whole thing. i don't think my Dad even got up. It was so cool.
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