Author Archive for: Editor
Entries by Jeff Westover
Earth, Wind And Fire Releasing Christmas Album
Legendary band Earth, Wind and Fire has announced they are releasing a Christmas album later this month to be called “Holiday”. “Holiday” features seasonal standards like “Winter Wonderland,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Jingle Bell Rock”, and carols “Joy to the World,” “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” “What Child Is This?,” “Away in a […]
The Delicate Art of Regifting
By Andrew Wilkins Christmas might be a season of goodwill and peace on earth but it is not without its controversies. Real versus artificial trees, opening presents on Christmas Eve versus Christmas morning or Santa versus No Santa are nothing to debate compared to the practice of regifting. Simply put, there are no greater minefields […]
Jimmy Stewart Remembers It’s a Wonderful Life
By Jimmy Stewart (1977) A friend told me recently that seeing a movie I made in 1946 is a holiday tradition in his family, “like putting up the Christmas tree”. That movie is It’s a Wonderful Life, and out of all the 80 films I’ve made, it’s my favorite. But it has an odd history. […]
The Christmas Legend of Abraham Lincoln
By B. Francis Morlan Abraham Lincoln is consistently ranked as the greatest American president. But at the same time his place in history is frequently debated for a variety of contrasting reasons: Constitutional scholars claim that Lincoln’s actions during the Civil War were so drastic that he consolidated authority in the executive branch of government […]
Downton Abbey Christmas Album Coming
The cast of Downton Abbey are recording a Christmas album. For the non-television watcher Downton Abbey is a British television drama series about a well-to-do family living on an English country estate. The series has been wildly popular in the U.K. and in the U.S.A. on PBS. This year marks their fifth season. The project […]
I’ll Be Home For Christmas Day
Today is Saturday, October 4th, 2014 and there are only 82 days left until Christmas! Today is I’ll Be Home for Christmas Day. On this date way back in 1943 Bing Crosby recorded the now classic song with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra. Written from the perspective of the away-from-home-for-the-first-time soldier, the song expresses the […]
UPS Asks Retailers to Spread Out Last Minute Christmas Deals
UPS famously blew the delivery of Christmas to millions last year. And they think it is unfair for them to shoulder the blame. When gift givers purchased goodies from online retailers who “guaranteed” overnight delivery for last minute purchases UPS’ delivery system was pushed beyond capacity and a lot of stuff didn’t get delivered until […]
Country Music Association Lines Up Talent for 2014 Show
The Country Music Association announced today the many stars they have lined up for their Country Christmas TV Special. The organization announced plans for its annual “CMA Country Christmas” ABC television special Wednesday morning and revealed some chart-topping names had already signed up to perform. Jennifer Nettles will be back for the fifth year as […]
Michael W. Smith Announces Christmas Tour
Three-time Grammy winner Michael W. Smith will bring holiday cheer to audiences across the country this holiday season as he launches “The Spirit of Christmas Tour,” set to hit several cities in the U.S. and Canada. Partnering with Michael W. Smith as the official tour sponsor is Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. Earlier this year, […]
Kirk Cameron is Explaining Christmas to Christians
Actor and Christian activist Kirk Cameron is a releasing a new movie in November titled Saving Christmas. While media coverage is already negative on the project the target audience appears not to be the critics and the skeptics. Cameron appears to be playing the film towards Christians. The film is scheduled to open on 400 […]
Great Debates: Christmas in Stores Before Halloween?
By Jeff Westover (Author bias: I’ve worked in retailing for 32 years. I also manage 30+ Christmas websites, which likely exposes my full pro-Christmas bias. But on this piece I lay claim to a purely American and capitalistic stance: if I can sell ice to eskimos, I will. I’m in favor of Christmas merchandise in […]
