Countdown to Christmas

Just hours to go until Christmas!

2009-12-24T06:15:00.000+00:00

So this is it then, we have arrived at Christmas Eve, and as I type this, just under 18 hours to go until Christmas Day celebrations get underway, although depending on what time you are reading this, you may be celebrating Christmas already, or just a few hours away!

It's been a long long road, since the countdown was first started 100 days ago, and in the main I've tried to update the blog each day, but certainly sometimes it proved impossible to do, so apologies for that, but I hope you enjoyed the blog anyway!

Last night, we had a snowfall in Chester, probably the heaviest for some time, so we all ended up going outside and having a snowball fight, blimey it's been ages since I was able to do that - and what good fun was had!

Today though it's that long day at work for myself, as I'm unfortunately expecting to work longer than what I normally have to, rather than having a shorter day, gutted, absolutely gutted.

Never mind though, no time for sulking, just gotta get on with it, and try and enjoy the festivities going on around the place.

May I take this opportunity to thank everyone for staying tune to this blog, and becoming a follower too, it's been great to have you with me along the way, and thanks to those also who didn't follow but checked out the blog anyway!

Merry Christmas to all...

I'll leave you with what in my opinion is the best Christmas song of all time:

Enjoy!!

1 Day to go until Christmas!

2009-12-23T06:23:00.000+00:00

Yes, we are so nearly over that finishing line, and yes, it may only be the 23rd, and you're thinking hold on, that's two days to go, well not if you look at the counter on the right, which tells you we are just over the 1 day, and as soon as midnight tomorrow night arrives, we will be into Christmas, so tomorrow the Blog title will read "Just hours to go!"

I think the biggest change to previous weeks has happened this week at work, after mentioning that the music volume levels are upped a little, so too now are the amount of car parking spaces available, as people now take those last remaining holidays before the year is out.

It's time to get those skeleton staff days going, as things start to wind down, well that's the plan for most, however, for me, my work load is about to head the opposite way having been drafted onto a different project, which will possibly mean that instead of finishing at midday on Christmas Eve, it looks as though I could be in until 6pm - nooooooo!

So, all I can do is sit back and watch those leaving early tomorrow, but I'm taking it positively, and will still try and have some fun with what I've been assigned to do - no point in sulking about it, that's what the rest of the year is for!!!!

I hope you have all got your wrapping done, you've probably got around 36 hours now to make sure you're all sorted, and don't forget to check that you've got sellotape in reserve, nothing worse than getting cracking on your wrapping skills onto to find that you've run out of the sticky stuff on Christmas Eve!

So then, just one more blog to go on the Countdown to Christmas - have a great day today!

Oh let's have a song before I go...

...and what about a film trailer for Christmas?...

Enjoy!

2 Days to Christmas!

2009-12-22T06:19:00.000+00:00

The countdown is nearing it's end, and I'd like to thank those who have followed, and also commented on the Blog - some kind remarks received.

At work yesterday, I managed to hire a plasma tv for my department, and had a couple of films on the go, such as Home Alone 1 & 2, great films for this time of the year.... "Kevin!!??!!"

The atmosphere at work is very much ramped up now, with most if not all of the teams having now had their festive nights out together, with probably much fun and I daresay plenty of scandal going on during the nights!

Still on the subject of work, there is much talk of employers being scrooge on Christmas Eve - we all like to finish early, but the term "business as usual" has been thrown around, primarily because of the recession that we are in, but for god's sake, it's one afternoon, why can't all employers just say okay, it's a 12 noon finish across the board in jobs, and give everyone the chance to enjoy the Christmas build up with their family or friends, or both?

It surely wouldn't damage the world that much would it if the afternoon was made exclusively for the pre-Christmas buzz, and not having to stay in work, it's my opinion that these businesses that insist their staff continue to work through are playing Scrooge, and should not expect favours back from it's staff when asked.

Come on, get into the christmas spirit hey??

Anyway, let's not finish today on a low, let's have a sing-a-long...

Enjoy!

3 Days to Christmas!

2009-12-21T06:26:00.000+00:00

So, the final weekend before Christmas has now passed, and we are now well and truly in the final run in to Christmas, with just a few days remaining!

It's also the beginning of Christmas week at work, which is always a special atmosphere, and no doubt the mince pies will be in full swing, and those festive CD's turned up that little bit more with people singing along to the likes of Band Aid, as they now get themselves all Christmassy.

Sitting here typing this, looking over at the Christmas tree with presents already below it, and the excitement is now starting hit fever pitch, couple that with watching a couple of movies yesterday, the first one being National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, how funny is that film still after all these years - the moment when he lights the house up is just classic!

The next film enjoyed yesterday was Miracle on 34th Street, the new version, starring Richard Attenborough, a heart warming film, where you just have to say "ahhhhhhh" somewhere along the way!

Classic!

4 Days to Christmas!

2009-12-20T00:08:00.000+00:00

As promised, it's time to launch the 4 day countdown, fresh from writing the 5 day countdown, it's just gone midnight in the UK, so covering two days in the space of half an hour!

So far we've had one set of carol singers round at our door, but they were the type of kids you don't really want to open your door too, sad that as it should be a special time of the year this, but those creeps who try to just con money off you, seem to turn up, rather than the sweet innocent kids with their parents with them.

So, normally it's one look at them, one listen, and then close door, see ya!

4 days to now, wow, it will soon be Christmas Eve, over here in the UK we've had plenty of snow in the country, but about one smidgeon of the stuff here in Chester, which is disappointing, we're all hoping for a nice white blanket of snow for Christmas week, mind you it could be a bit early yet, as the snow would probably turn to slush very quickly over here, and appear ugly, so we'll settle for it on Christmas Eve night instead!

Talking of carol singers by the way, I just had to play this today...

Poor Cartman!!

Only 4 more days before this blog sadly comes to an end!

5 days to Christmas!

2009-12-19T23:55:00.000+00:00

Well I'm writing this with just twenty minutes to go until the Countdown to Christmas blog will require another entry, so this is going to be a little weird, as the 5 day blog is quickly followed by the 4 day blog!!

So, what did you all get up today then?

I actually thought I'd be in the middle of all the insane last minute shoppers today, but thanks to a heavy night out last night - think I got through about 10 pints along the way, and all that in a short space of time, so as you can imagine, the day today began at a very slow pace.

Unfortunately, my wife isn't in the best of health at the moment, so I was doing my husband duty and looking after her again, whilst still trying to ignore my own unhealthy feelings - at least mine were self inflicted, poor Mrs B's are a different story.

I did go out a little today though, as I had to fetch some medicine, but also managed to collect a different kind of medicine too - a MacDonalds, well you know it all helps!

Anyway, time for a tune, who remembers Band Aid?

Yes, I'm sure you all do, but I bet you don't remember this version of it...

Enjoy!

(4 days to go coming up very soon!)

6 Days to Christmas!

2009-12-18T06:44:00.000+00:00

It's Friday, and in the next few days, we'll see masses take to the shops in the cities and towns across the world, all desperate for those last minute gifts that they wished they'd picked up ages ago, although will be hoping that everything has reduced in price being so close to Christmas!

Unfortunately this year, I'll be amongst them as I search out that perfect gift for my wife, any ideas anyone - I do have a few, but would be interested in any suggestions you all have!!

For those who haven't put their decorations up yet, I'm sure you'll all be feverishly putting them up tomorrow, but how could you wait so long, didn't you have any burning desires to get them up before now - if so, you've done well to resist the temptation of it all!

The Christmas CD in the car will be turned up that little bit more from today onwards as we head into the final straight now, and no doubt I'll be singing loads too, looking very strange when I stop at traffic lights, belting out "simply havin' a wonderful christmastime!"

Oh it's all good fun, and from tomorrow, the TV Times magazine purchased last week comes into effect, it's the only one I buy all year, so Christmas really does start tomorrow as far as that's concerned!

Hope everyone enjoys their Friday, for many this is pay day, so enjoy that too, but remember it has to last that extra week this time, January is always a killer!

How's about a Christmas song for Friday too...

Enjoy!

7 Days to Christmas!

2009-12-17T20:16:00.000+00:00

We are down to just 7 days to go now until the Christmas fever really kicks in!

Just a quickie today, as I'm looking after the wife today who isn't very well, so in the absence of a normal blog, please enjoy looking at another king sized comedy film trailer...

and how's about a song for today...

Enjoy!

8 Days to Christmas!

2009-12-16T12:40:00.000+00:00

That clock just a keeps on counting, and we are down to that single fat lady, number 8, as we await that big fat man himself, Santa, who is currently working busily through all of our Christmas lists!

Everyone at work now seems to be realising that it is next Friday that we'll all be sitting there early morning ripping open plenty of pressies, and enjoying those great, and possibly not so great gifts that we've all been given.

Just get practicing that false smile, as you try to think of a reason why you needed a deodorant set off your family - do you really smell that badly???

So, tomorrow, it will be down to one week til Christmas Eve.

I just love the feeling when you finish work on Christmas Eve - everyone seems to be in a happy mood - it's always the calm before the storm I think!

Speaking of nightmares before Christmas - was I? Oh well I am now, what did everyone make of this film?...

It was certainly a very strange film, but then again, we know what to expect with a Tim Buton movie!

What did you all make of it?

9 Days to Christmas!

2009-12-15T08:56:00.000+00:00

Well I thought I’d go on about Christmas Day tv, it’s always full of repeats isn’t it??

However, many cannot wait until the TV Times or Radio Times magazine comes out, with that bumper issue that covers the whole of the festive period – and first page opened is normally Christmas Day to see what’s on, what the big movie is after the Queens Speech takes place at 3pm – I say big movie, it was in the days before satellite tv came long, I even remember the Christmas when ET was the big premiere after the Queen – now it’s probably relegated to New Year!

In those days, if you hadn’t seen it at the cinema, or on video like 2 years later, then this would be the first chance you’d get to watch it, the family would be gathered around the front room, settling down to watch the big film, complete with a glass of Port, Whisky, or even Champagne, just trying to inch that big lunch you’d just had down a little bit further!

The kids would have pretty much settled following playing around with their new toys, and screaming around the room with their new goodies, and finally you’d get a bit of peace as the film came on.

What else was good on the box Christmas Day?

Well, I can remember the Only Fools & Horses Special, that was legendary, and a classic clip from that is shown below the blog today, there is also Top of the Pops Christmas Special, you just tuned in for the best hits of the year, but secretly awaiting that appearance from Wizard – “Oh I wish it could be Christmas Everyday” – come on admit it, you even sing the bit at the end “When the snowman brings the snow, when the snowman brings the snow”!!

But who watches Christmas Morning TV???

Those pointless programmes at 7am, that just cry out “turn me off and put your Christmas CD on instead – well now of course, you don’t have to do that, you can just tune into the Christmas Music channel on satellite tv instead!

Either way, lets hope that there is something decent on TV for Christmas Day!

Classic, absolute classic!

10 Days to Christmas!!

2009-12-14T06:27:00.000+00:00

Just ten magical days separate us from Christmas Day now, and the excitement is truly building up, as now we start to countdown hours rather than days!

I remember when I was a kid, I used to actually have a countdown chart on the wall at home, where I could tick off the hours that had passed, as my own personal countdown to Christmas got underway around this stage.

The great feeling of ticking so many hours off the chart when I got up in the morning before going to school was brilliant, around 8-10 hours chalked off the list in one hit, I used to love doing that, and maybe an idea for your kids to do as this festive season continues.

Well at the weekend, I battled through the crowds of people shopping, and managed to come home with... 2 rolls of wrapping paper!!!

Exciting stuff hey!

Yep, that's all I managed, wrapping paper - ah well, there's always next weekend. What am I saying? There is only next weekend left to sort out those pressies!!!

So has everyone got their presents sorted then?

No?

Well I'm glad I'm not alone!!

Anyway, time for a bit of a laugh....some Christmas Blunders!

Enjoy!

11 Days to Christmas!!!

2009-12-13T19:20:00.001+00:00

Just a quickie today, as it's Sunday, and plenty of other things on the go, but how's about a belter of a Christmas tune, and also a look at one of the great Christmas movie trailers:

Enjoy!!!

10 days countdown starts tomorrow - whahoo!!

12 Days to Christmas!

2009-12-12T21:49:00.000+00:00

On the twelth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me....

Yes, we are just twelve days from the big day itself, and things are now hotting up!

Plenty more presents have been bought today in the Christmas sales (what?) - yes really, Christmas sales are already on the go - anyone remember when that started on Boxing Day???

Now though, the shops absolutely fight each other for Customers, and today they would have been hoping that the shoppers would be out in force, although with yesterday's fact that yesterday was actually supposed to be the most popular night of the year for people going out on the town, there may have been a few hangovers to nurse this morning, so going shopping may not have been on the agenda for many!!

Personally speaking, I've been out today shopping despite having the hangover, but hardly spent a penny - why?

I haven't got any to spend!

Yes, this year is pretty much the credit crunch christmas, without sounding tight, it's time to pull the reigns in, and watch how much is spent, but does that mean curtains for decent presents?

No, I'll still be making the most of what I can do for my other half this year!

There may not be the holiday to the Maldives on offer, but I'm sure an equally exciting trip to Manchester - only kidding I'm sure I can do a bit better than that!

13 Days to Christmas!

2009-12-11T10:16:00.000+00:00

It suddenly dawned on me this morning that it’s actually Christmas Day just two weeks today!
Oh my God!

Yep, it’s very real now, it’s nearly here, and this weekend will I’m sure see shoppers in their millions getting their gift lists out, and sorting out who is having what, and those currently without their Christmas Trees up in their homes will I’m sure be making the trip into their loft tomorrow to get their stuff out!

Now that the office parties have started, the feeling of Christmas gets closer every day, and more and more people will I’m sure be nursing hangovers tomorrow morning, as this Friday is one of the most popular to go out on apparently.

Saying this though, it is of course pay day Friday next week, so I’m sure there will be just as many revellers going for it next Friday too, and expect to see plenty of people dressed up in Santa outfits on both Friday nights!

The temperature in Chester dropped to “freezing” this morning, it’s all coming just in time for the festive season, maybe, just maybe snow is round the corner, and we may just get a White Christmas for the big day.

We’re dreaming of a white Christmas!

14 Days to Christmas!

2009-12-10T08:40:00.000+00:00

We are now just 14 days away from the best day of the year, and the excitement continues to build, the little ones eyes tend to gaze open wide at the Christmas lights and decorations, and we all start to panic when seeing our bank balances going quickly downwards, and wondering if we can all make it to pay day!

Anyway, as we’re getting closer, I thought I’d ask what you are wishing for this Christmas?

I’m probably one of the worst people to buy for, as I always say, I don’t want that much, but I know that’s no good for the other half who has to go and buy me something, but fair play she always comes up with a cracker of a present, in recent years I’ve had a parachute jump, a Ferrari, Porsche, and Lotus driving experience, and last year, a Segway Experience, which was pretty cool.

So, what are you hoping for this Christmas?

Time for a tune…

I pulled this one off Youtube this morning, quite a weird one, and definitely not a classic, but it tends to remain in your head, and is really good for the keep fitters amongst you!

Enjoy!!

16, now 15 Days to Christmas!

2009-12-09T08:22:00.000+00:00

Two weeks tomorrow is the BIG day, and as the day gets closer, the temperature falls, and we are led to believe that the temperature in the UK is set to drop for the weekend, and the question is, are we going to have a white christmas?

Bookies normally offer long odds for snow turning up on the day, and this year will probably prove to be no exception, but we can live in hope...

Anyway, as promised, here is the modern version of Miracle on 34th Street, no not the whole film, but the trailer from 1994!!!

Enjoy!!

17 Days to Christmas!

2009-12-07T14:56:00.000+00:00

So, how is everyone getting on with their Christmas shopping?

Are you all done & dusted yet, or have you got into a panic seeing that there are now only two and a half weeks to go until the big event??

The last few weeks have certainly flown, and it doesn't seem a minute since I started the 100 days to... countdown, it really has flown quicker than a sledge on an ice hill!!

I was out shopping the other day in town, and the atmosphere has certainly changed now all the Christmas light switch ons have taken place, and also that the decorations both inside and outside of houses are now fully on the go - it always makes me laugh though that people who claim that they have no money are usually the ones that have about 10,000 christmas lights flashing all over their houses!

Good fun though, especially with those big inflatable snowmen sat in gardens, or those Santa's attached to the chimneys of houses.

Another two and a half weeks hey?

Still got lots of shopping to do, though not sure I'll be able to match last year's present to the wife, which was a holiday in the Maldives - I don't think I'll ever be able to beat or match that one - it was one of those "once in a lifetime" type presents!!!

She'll be lucky to get a card this year!!

Pah Humbug.

Anyway, let's have a look at another film trailer, today, it's the Miracle on 34th Street - we'll go for the 1947 version today, and then tomorrow look at the modern edition.

Enjoy!

19 & now 18 days to Christmas!

2009-12-06T18:50:00.000+00:00

The busy week continues, and just time to update the Countdown to Christmas, which is now on 18 days, so time is ticking away, and now it's time to feature another cracking festive flick...

Tim Allen was the star of the film who ends up filling Santa's boots, but as soon as he puts the Santa Suit on, he is stuck in it, and ends up having to do santa's job.

Here's the trailer...

Enjoy!

22, 21, 20 Days to Christmas!

2009-12-04T23:20:00.000+00:00

Well, it's been a mad mad mad busy 3 days and I'm gutted that this is the first chance I've had to get back to the Blog - gutted!

Anyway, here we go then, time to take a look at some of the best Christmas films, and we have to start with one of those films that's on every single Christmas, Home Alone.

Starring MacCaulay Culkin, this was the first in a series of 4 films that centred around a young child in a huge family that had been left behind at home, and ended up defending the house from Burglars.

A classic, as I'm sure you'll agree...

Enjoy!

23 days to Christmas!

2009-12-01T20:08:00.000+00:00

We made it then, we're finally into Christmas month!!

It's now official, you can now put up your decorations with pride - that's if you haven't already, as it's now December 1st, only a few more weeks to go til the fat man comes hurtling down the chimney!

Over the last couple of months, I've been featuring 50 of the best Christmas songs, and from tomorrow, I'm going to feature 20 Greatest Christmas movies, with plenty of trailers thrown in along the way!

Next, I'm going to try to finish off a sentence without using an exclamation mark!

D'oh!

Right, anyway, welcome to December, and it certainly felt like winter had arrived in the UK today, as it was into the minus temperatures this morning, and it's set to drop to minus 5 degrees celsius overnight tonight, so time to get that De-Icer back out again - it was certainly needed this morning!

So, what has everyone got planned for the next few weeks then, apart from the shopping, where you end up getting covered in cuts & bruises, thanks to all the mad shoppers out there. Will you be relaxing with a glass of mulled wine, or a nice cool beer whilst you bring the festive season in?

It's time to get Christmassy, and open door number one on the advent calendar!

26...25...24 Days to Christmas!

2009-11-30T08:52:00.001+00:00

Unfortunately, due to other events over the weekend, I missed two days on the Countdown, so today, it's time to catch up as it's the last day of November, and so to celebrate that - I've included three top Christmas tunes on today's Countdown to Christmas!

Firstly, an absolute belter - well to be fair they all are, but let's start with this one....

A song that actually was written to protest at the commercialism of Christmas, yet this proved to be one of the biggest tunes to appear on Christmas CD's and albums since it's release in 1975, and became a Christmas Number 2.

Greg Lake was one of the trio Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and the video came under fire as it contains scenes from the Vietnam war, not what you'd associate with a festive tune!

Anyway here it is:

The second tune for today is one of my own personal favourites, as it always gets me in the mood for Christmas, one of those bouncy songs that keeps you coming back for more!

It's Paul McCartney's Wonderful Christmastime, and it's the 30th anniversary of the song this year, it actually only made Number 6 in the UK Charts, but is still one of the most played Christmas songs around.

Here it is then:

Finally for Day 24, we have what most consider to be the best Christmas song ever, and completes the countdown of the 50 Best Christmas songs.

It was McCartney's fellow Beatle who released this one, the late John Lennon, along with his wife Yoko Ono, in one of the most powerful songs for this time of year.

It was actually written in 1971, and was actually a protest song at the Vietnam War, and contained the Harlem Community Choir's vocals.

"War is Over" adverts found their way around the world thanks to John & Yoko, who rented billboards in eleven cities across the world, which included New York, Tokyo, Rome, Athens, Amsterdam, London, Paris, and Toronto.
So, it was actually released in the US in 1971, but was delayed until 1972 in the UK thanks to a publishing dispute, after it was released, it made No.4, but was then re-released in December 1980, and made it to the top of the charts for 3 weeks.

So then, here is the classic, Happ Xmas (War is Over) from John & Yoko:

Enjoy all the tunes as November comes to a close!

27 Days to Christmas!

2009-11-27T19:56:00.000+00:00

Okay a real classic today!

No more words needed....

Enjoy!

28 Days to Christmas!

2009-11-26T08:47:00.000+00:00

If you could put money on which programme would be on TV on Christmas Eve, you can guarantee that it would be The Snowman!

The half hour animation is such a classic, that it just simply HAS to be on, and I'm sure there are numerous reasons why people want to tune in to it.

It could be to spread the magic of Christmas to the young children who get hooked on the story, or it could even be to get that Christmassy feel for yourself too, as it tends to warm the cockles!

It could even be to hear the song that makes it such a famous animation, the song being of course, "Walking in the Air" by Aled Jones, the famous choirboy from Wales.

All get ready to join in now...

Enjoy!

If you actually want to watch The Snowman, then here it is below:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Enjoy!!!

29 Days to Christmas!

2009-11-25T17:15:00.000+00:00

So, we drift in to the 20's on the Countdown, and an absolute belter of a tune for today's song, with just a handful remaining on the countdown of 50 best Christmas tunes.

1984 was a massive year, many great new bands found their way into the charts, and many came together to release the charity record that has done so much for the world, and even been recorded two more times no less.

Live Aid took place in July 1984, and was followed up witha song called "Do They Know it's Christmas" by Band Aid, and was of course produced by Midge Ure & former Boomtown Rat, Bob Geldof.

Together they got a brilliant array of stars to feature on this song, and it became the biggest selling chart single at the time, selling one million copies in the first week alone, and remained there for five weeks.

Here it is...

Enjoy!

30 Days to Christmas!

2009-11-24T08:14:00.000+00:00

The Countdown progresses, and it;s the final day of the 30's, and we have just nine songs to go on the 50 Best Christmas tunes, so here we go with today's effort!

It's one of my own personal faourites this one, as it must be the only song that contains the words, "scumbag, maggot, cheap lousy faggot" - yes, it's Shane McGowan & The Pogues, who teamed up with the sadly now departed Kirst MacColl.

The song was released in 1987, yep, 22 years ago, wow, and made it to number one in the irish cahrts, but number 2 in the UK charts, and was voted the Best Ever Christmas song three years running from 2004-2006 by VH1 viewers!

So, here it is...

Enjoy!