Post XMAS Viewing in the UK

Christmas movies after Christmas? What? That's not right!

I've been coming here for Christmas several times now, and one thing I'll never get is Christmas movies aired AFTER Christmas. Yesterday Home Alone was on. Today you could be merry with Christmas with the Kranks. I don't have all the listings, but there are definitely more Christmas movies on in the UK after the merriest day of the year. I haven't wrapped my head around it, and I never will.

Another British must for holiday viewing...List Shows. Tons of them. The 50 Best Christmas Songs EVER! (Aired after Christmas, of course.) The Top 50 Greatest Moments in Harry Potter! (The movies, of course.) The Greatest Christmas Toys! (This one actually aired before Christmas.) The list of list shows go on and on, and I find them oddly comforting. It's just not a UK Christmas without some shortbread, good homemade stuffing from my mother-in-law, and a few list shows.

But perhaps the greatest viewing pleasure around the holidays here is the extravaganza show. NEW Doctor Who special! NEW Great Expectations adaptation! (With Gillian Anderson as Miss Havisham...EXCELLENT.) The AbFab reunions! (Wish my buddy, Michael Wayne, could be here for that one.)

So there are silver linings to Christmas movies after Christmas...just don't ask me to EVER get behind that decision.

XMAS in the UK, Part III

George Bailey's face says it all. What a WONDERFUL life I have...we all have.

Jesus died for us, gives us neverending grace, and all we have to do is say THANK YOU.

I have an amazing family on both sides of the Atlantic.

I wouldn't want to be anywhere else this Christmas day.

AMEN.

XMAS in the UK, Part II

Sure, we get the Doctor every Saturday night on BBC America now, but there's still something uber special about watching his Christmas adventures while in Scotland for Christmas. I can hardly wait for collapsing on the couch Christmas night to watch his newest tale, The Doctor, the Widow, and the Wardrobe. I still get to see it six hours before my friends at home, which is still special!

To celebrate I've already bought a special kids magazine, Doctor Who Adventures, which came with a Doctor mask and a weeping angel for the top of the Christmas tree! I already have visions of next year's special tree at my house, full of homemade Doctor Who ornaments and that weeping angel at the top. Ah, the Doctor...the gift that just keeps on giving! Now if I could only find a real TARDIS ornament for that future tree I'd be set!

XMAS in the UK

What's the first reason I love Christmas in the UK? Two words: JAMIE OLIVER.

I got to watch part II of Jamie's Christmas with Bells On last night, and let me tell you what...RECIPES GALORE! I love me some Jamie! I love being able to watch NEW Jamie here. Although I love the Cooking Channel, could they possibly get anything other than Jamie at Home to show???...POSSIBLY???

So, what will I bring home with me? Ideas for Festive Breakfast Tacos, Leftover Turkey Chowder, Bloody Mary Shrimp Cocktail, AND Brussels with Hustle (Yes, he actually made me want to jump through the screen for Brussels Sprouts. The man's genius.) Oh, the show's also given me loads of decorating with crepe paper ideas. (See picture above.)

As for now, back for watching and running after the lovely kids in this lovely Scotland. More reasons why I love XMAS in the UK later...I hope!