Tag Archives: christmas
122 Facts about Some of Your Favorite Christmas Movies
Over the years we’ve explored some great Christmas movies…we learned about who voiced all the kids in A Charlie Brown Christmas (it was actually a bunch of kids!), how Chevy Chases’s rant scene was filmed for National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and even what inspired the “accidental boob graze” in The Holiday.
If you’ve missed any of the holiday-themed fun fact articles, I’ve gathered them all here for your reading pleasure!
So after you’re done shopping, when the gifts are wrapped and the kids are put to bed, pour yourself a glass of eggnog and enjoy these fun facts about some of your favorite Christmas movies!
122 Facts about Some of Your Favorite Christmas Movies
15 Fun Facts about A Charlie Brown Christmas
13 Fun Facts about National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
27 Fun Facts about The Holiday
19 Fun Facts about How the Grinch Stole Christmas
25 Fun Facts about It’s a Wonderful Life
Sometimes you just need a little fun in your life! Check back every week for a new “Just Bee-cause” post, where I discuss everything from celebrity news to favorite videos and websites!
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7 Super Last-Minute Stocking Stuffers
Well, it’s now T-minus 5 days until the big day…do you have all your stockings stuffed?
If not, no worries! Here are 7 SUUUUPER last-minute stocking stuffers you can make and gift this weekend!
7 Super Last-Minute Stocking Stuffers
Candy Cane Sugar Scrub Cubes
These scrubbie cubes make a great gift for anyone on your list. Refreshing and soft on the skin, these scrub cubes are sure to become holiday favorites in everyone’s stocking.
Grinch Bath Bomb Ornament
This is like two gifts in one! Presented as an ornament, this gift can then be opened and used as a bath bomb for after the holidays. I mean, let’s be real, we’re all gonna need to relax after this one, right? 😉
Handmade Sushi Roll Socks
Simply roll and pin some socks and you’ve got yourself a gift! Gift or “serve” them in a little bento box for a fun presentation.
Popcorn Ball Kits
Filled with everything you need to make your own popcorn balls, these kits are super easy to make and great for gifting to cousins, co-workers and neighbors.
DIY Jewelry Dish
Moms, grandmas, sisters, aunts and friends will love this beautiful clay dish…and you’ll love how easy (and fast!) these are to make! Don’t forget to make one for yourself, too!
DIY Grippy Socks
Turn plain ol’ socks into cozy grippers with a little fabric paint. Create a cute snowflake or star design, or let your imagination run wild!
DIY Candy Cane Sugar Scrub
A few ingredients come together to create this delicious scrub that will help get anyone through the winter. You can make one huge batch or several small ones. Step aside, Santa…gift-giving just got real…
Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.
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For Those Who Still Believe
“Sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.”
—The Polar Express
Come back every Tuesday for “The Bees Knees”, where I post the best quotes from my favorite movies, TV shows, songs, and books.
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16 Last-Minute Candy Barks You Can Make for Christmas
Looking for a last-minute Christmas gift for friends and family? Forget the cookies and go for the candy bark!
Easy and quick to make, these candy bark recipes make a great gift for anyone on your list. Use the recipes below or mix and match your favorite holiday flavors to create your own unique creations!
16 Last-Minute Candy Barks You Can Make for Christmas
- Rocky Road Chocolate Bark
- Candied Orange Peel Bark
- Chocolate Cherry Bark
- Candied Bacon Bark
- Peanut Butter Pretzel Bark
- Swirled Peppermint Bark
- Chocolate Peppermint Bark
- Snowman Bark
- Oreo Cookie Bark
- Pomegranate Bark
- Gingerbread Bark
- Pretzel Bark Bites
- Quick and Easy Holiday Bark
- Cherry Cashew Bark
- Super Nutty Chocolate Peppermint Bark
- Salted Caramel Chocolate Bark
Every Monday is a “Reci-bee” post, where I share my favorite recipes, recipe collections, and cooking and baking hints and tips.
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27 Fun Facts about The Holiday
Get ready for Mr. Napkin Head!
The Holiday is one of those Christmas movies I could watch anytime of year and still love. Starring Jack Black, Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz and Jude Law, this movie is the epitome of holiday rom-com.
If you haven’t seen this holiday treasure, do yourself a favor and check it out. It’s got heart, humor and a dash of real-life, everything you need to get you in the holiday spirit. If you’re still on the fence, check out these 27 fun facts about the making of The Holiday!
27 Fun Facts about The Holiday
The “boob graze” line came about because Jack Black accidentally boob grazed director Nancy Meyers and then apologized. She found it so funny that she wrote their interaction into the script the next day.
Meyers wrote Black’s part for him, after she fell in love with his performance in School Of Rock.
By the time she’d finished writing the script, Meyers knew she wanted to cast Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, and Kate Winslet too.
At first Black was skeptical about doing a rom com, but then Meyer told him he’d get to be in a movie with Winslet and he said yes.
After filming, Winslet said “Trust me, it was not difficult to fall in love with Jack Black. At all.”
The website that Amanda and Iris use to swap houses is real.
But Iris’s house Rose Hill Cottage is not (booo). It was built as part of the film set.
Amanda’s mansion is a real place in San Marino, California.
The English village scenes were filmed in Godalming and Shere in Surrey.
And the pub featured is real: It’s The White Horse in Shere.
In the week of making the film it snowed three times in Surrey, even though the crew had hired a snow machine because they thought it wasn’t going to.
Meyers knows Lindsay Lohan because she directed The Parent Trap. She convinced Lohan to film a fake movie trailer for The Holiday by telling her she owed her. Lohan was immediately up for it.
Eli Wallach turned 90 during filming.
Diaz kept her character’s clothes after filming.
In the film Jude Law plays Iris’s brother. In real life, he has a daughter called Iris.
Law’s favorite part of the film was working with the girls who played his daughters, Sophie and Olivia.
When Iris first arrives at Amanda’s LA house she picks out a film to watch. The movie she selects is Punch-Drunk Love, a film about an American man who dates a British woman.
Rufus Sewell plays the guy who Kate Winslet’s character is in love with. In real life, they dated for three months in the mid-’90s.
At one point in the film, Winslet and Wallach’s characters talk about how Cary Grant was from Surrey. He was actually from Bristol.
Winslet’s video shop scene with Black was largely improvised.
The crew removed all of Winslet and Black’s films from the video shop so it wouldn’t be distracting.
Dustin Hoffman was never supposed to have a cameo in the popular movie shop scene. He was having lunch near the film shop’s set, stopped because there were lots of cameras, and ended up appearing in the movie because he knows Meyers.
An unspoiled cottage like the one Iris owns easily be worth a million pounds, not far off two million dollars. She’s far from slumming it, no matter how basic the kitchen.
The house used for Arthur Abbot’s (Eli Wallach’s) house belonged to Phyllis Diller at the time of shooting, and is located in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles, California.
Cameron Diaz has claimed that this movie is her most physical due to all of the running she had to do.
The example Arthur uses to explain a “Meet Cute” was used in Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife (1938). Strangers Claudette Colbert and Gary Cooper meet while shopping. She buys the bottoms and he buys the tops of the same suit of pajamas.
A young John Krasinski has a part in this film, too as part of Amanda’s film crew.
Sometimes you just need a little fun in your life! Check back every week for a new “Just Bee-cause” post, where I discuss everything from celebrity news to favorite videos and websites!
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10 Foods From Your Favorite Christmas Movies
Now that we’re about mid-December, you should have seen White Christmas at least 2 times by now, right?
If you’re gearing up to binge your favorite holiday film, check out this list of delicious recipes inspired by the films that make this the best time of the year. From meatloaf inspired by A Christmas Story to the Morton Family strata recipe straight from The Family Stone, here are 10 recipes inspired by your favorite Christmas movies.
10 Foods From Your Favorite Christmas Movies
Roast Goose, A Christmas Carol
Egg Nog, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Cheese Pizza, Home Alone
Meatloaf, A Christmas Story
Hot Chocolate, The Polar Express
Chocolate Ice Cream with Coconut, It’s a Wonderful Life
Buddy’s Pasta, Elf
Who Fudge, How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Ham and Cheese on Rye, White Christmas
Morton Family Strata, The Family Stone
Every Monday is a “Reci-bee” post, where I share my favorite recipes, recipe collections, and cooking and baking hints and tips.
Filed under christmas
15 Multicultural Christmas Books for Kids
Sure we’ve all read The Polar Express and How the Grinch Stole Christmas a hundred times…but there are a ton of other amazing Christmas books out there for kids, many of which teach children about celebrations around the world.
From a feminist take on the three wise men to stories about those who celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah, here are 15 multicultural Christmas books to add to your family reading list!
15 Multicultural Christmas Books for Kids
Light the Lights!: A Story about Celebrating Hanukkah & Christmas
A delightful picture book captures the warmth of family tradition as Emma and her family celebrate two holidays–Hanukkah, a time to light the menorah and play dreidl games, and Christmas, a time to sing carols and open presents.
The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story
A particularly irate latke is the star of The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming, but many other holiday icons appear and even speak: flashing colored lights, cane-shaped candy, a pine tree. Santa Claus is briefly discussed as well. The ending is happy, at least for some!
Grace at Christmas
Grace loves Christmas – acting out the nativity story, opening presents, celebrating with Ma, Nana and Paw-Paw. But this Christmas Nana announces they will have visitors from Trinidad. Grace is horrified! She does NOT want to share the day with another little girl she doesn’t even know. But after some wise words from Nana, Grace’s generous spirit shines through.
Yoon and the Christmas Mitten
When Yoon’s teacher lends her a book about Santa Claus, Yoon can’t wait to show it to her parents. To Yoon’s disappointment, though, her mother responds, “We are not a Christmas family.” As Christmas Eve approaches, Yoon learns more and more about this exciting holiday. But no matter how hard she tries to convince her parents to sing Christmas songs or put up Christmas stockings, they always say no. A determined Yoon soon realizes that she must use her own “Shining Wisdom” to persuade her parents that they can indeed be a Christmas family.
Too Many Tamales
This is the story of a treasure thought to be lost in a batch of tamales; of a desperate and funny attempt by Maria and her cousins to eat their way out of trouble; and the warm way a family pulls together to make it a perfect Christmas after all.
Tree of Cranes
As a young Japanese boy recovers from a bad chill, his mother busily folds origami paper into delicate silver cranes in preparation for the boy’s very first Christmas.
La Noche Buena: A Christmas Story
Nina is visiting her grandmother in Miami for Christmas. Usually she spends it in snowy New England with her mother and her family, but this year is different. She isn’t certain what to make of a hot and humid holiday, until she learns the traditions of her father’s side of the family from her Cuban grandmother.
The Trees of the Dancing Goats
Trisha loves the eight days of Hanukkah, when her mother stays home from work, her Babushka makes delicious potato latkes, and her Grampa carves wonderful animals out of wood as gifts for Trisha and her brother. In the middle of her family’s preparation for the festival of lights, Trisha visits her closest neighbors, expecting to find them decorating their house for Christmas. Instead they are all bedridden with scarlet fever. Based on a long cherished childhood memory, this story celebrates the miracle of true friendship.
The Snowy Day
No book has captured the magic and sense of possibility of the first snowfall better than The Snow Day. Universal in its appeal, the story has become a favorite of millions, as it reveals a child’s wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever. The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day.
Three Wise Women
Three wise women follow a bright star to find a very special newborn baby in a stable, where each of them is able in her own way to give the child a gift, in a feminist adaptation of the Nativity story.
N is for Navidad
From the angel hung above the door to the zapatos (shoes) filled with grass for the wise men’s camels, each letter in this festive alphabet introduces children to a Spanish word, and each colorful page takes them through another joyous aspect of the 22 days of the traditional holiday.
The Legend of Old Befana
This is a delightful reading of the favorite Italian Christmas story about an eccentric old woman and her never-ending search for the Baby King.
The Spider’s Gift: A Ukrainian Christmas Story
Although Katrusya’s family cannot afford to celebrate Christmas, they cut a small pine tree in the forest, decorate it with buttons, and when baby spiders hatch in its branches, they especially enjoy the silvery webs that appear.
Coyote Christmas: A Lakota Story
On Christmas Eve, Coyote wants to find some people to trick out of a hot meal. Sneaky Coyote is known in the Native American tradition as the Trickster. He knows that there’s one character people can’t refuse on Christmas Eve: Santa Claus! Using straw for a jolly belly and wool for his Santa’s beard, the Trickster fools a family into welcoming him to their Christmas meal. But just when he thinks he’s gotten away with his ruse, he’s foiled by a strange occurrence. Could it be a Christmas miracle?
Jingle Bells
Join children on a Christmas sleigh ride around the world as they discover traditions from Mexico, Sweden, the Philippines, Poland, Italy, Kenya, and the United States. Festive illustrations show the customs and foods that each country has to offer. Music and lyrics are also included.
Looking for a new book to read? Check in every Friday for a “Bee Happy” post, where I share reviews of books I’ve read or other book-themed lists.
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19 Fun Facts about How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Bleeding hearts of the world unite!
Whether you’re a fan of the original TV special or the newer 2000 movie starring Jim Carrey, Christmas just isn’t Christmas without The Grinch.
A story with a sweet message and a curmudgeon you can’t help but love, both versions of How the Grinch Stole Christmas have become beloved classics in homes all over the world. And with the recent release of the 2018 version starring Benedict Cumberbatch, The Grinch as seen a resurgence in popularity…
If you are a fan of the original, the remake or both, you’re going to love this collection of 19 Fun Facts about How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
19 Fun Facts about How the Grinch Stole Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
The original Grinch from the Dr. Seuss book was black and white with pink eyes. The decision to make him green came from animator and director Chuck Jones when he created the original animated film.
Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel and Jones actually worked together previously on Army training videos. They created an instructional cartoon called Private Snafu, featuring a bumbling protagonist who helped illustrate the dos and don’ts of Army safety protocols.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas almost didn’t get made because it didn’t have a sponsor. However, it finally found support from The Foundation for Commercial Banks…despite the popular line: “Perhaps Christmas doesn’t come from a store”.
The budget for HTGSC was massive, about $300,000 ($2.2 million in today’s dollars). That was almost unheard of for a TV cartoon, especially compared to the popular special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, which had a budget of $96,000 (or $722,000 today).
Though they don’t appear in the book, Geisel also wrote the lyrics to “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch”.
Narrator Boris Karloff is often credited with singing the title song; however, it was actually the voice behind Tony the Tiger, Thurl Ravenscroft. Geisel did not give Ravenscroft credit in the film (which supposedly was an oversight) and wrote a letter to him to apologize.
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Geisel thought the illustration of Grinch had a striking resemblance to Jones himself.
The voice of Cindy Lou was provided by June Foray, a legendary voice actress who also voiced Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Lucifer the Cat in Disney’s Cinderella, and Grandmother Fa in Disney’s Mulan.
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Karloff also won a Grammy for his narration of the HTGSC story on the vinyl record.
Towards the end of the special, the Grinch’s eyes change from red to blue to match his change of personality from evil to good.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Eddie Murphy and Jack Nicholson were both considered for the role of the Grinch before Jim Carrey was cast in role.
It took Carrey almost three hours to get all the Grinch makeup on, and about an hour to take it off. He spent a total of 92 days in full makeup.
It was worth it, though. The film took home the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
The film was almost directed by Tim Burton, however it conflicted with Burton’s then project, Sleepy Hollow.
Cindy Lou Who is played by Taylor Momsen, who would go on to be Jenny Humphrey in Gossip Girl.
The actors who played Whos also had to go to Who School to learn movement and facial expressions.
The movie also included a fair number of Cirque de Soleil performers for the acrobatic stunts.
The man who played the young Grinch was Josh Ryan Evans, who was 18 at the time. He had a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia.
Carrey’s Grinch suit was made with yak hair, dyed green, and sewn onto a spandex suit.
Sometimes you just need a little fun in your life! Check back every week for a new “Just Bee-cause” post, where I discuss everything from celebrity news to favorite videos and websites!
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Grinchy Christmas Ornament
Looking for a cute stocking stuffer for your little Grinch lover Whoville citizen? This Grinchy Christmas Ornament is just the thing! Filled with paper, feathers, or any other green, Grinchy filling, this ornament takes minutes to make and even features a quote tag from the book.
PIC
Grinchy Christmas Ornament
Materials:
- Clear plastic ornament
- Green filling (such as feathers, paper, or even paint or glitter)
- Red felt heart
- Hot glue gun
- Grinch Printable Tag (see below)
- Red ribbon or twine
Instructions:
Fill your ornament with your green filling. Be sure to keep weight in mind (avoid using heavy things like beads unless you have REALLY supportive branches!).
Using a hot glue gun, attach your felt heart to the outside of the ornament.
String on the printable with red ribbon and you’re good to go!
Want to make your own? Here’s the tag:
Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.
Filed under christmas
The Hob-bee Hive 