My Top 13 Christmas Movies

These are the ones I watch every year - usually while writing cards, wrapping pressies etc.

1. Love Actually 2003
2. The Holiday 2006
3. Jack Frost 1998
4. Die Hard 1988
5. Scrooged 1988
6. Blackadder’s Christmas Carol 1988
7. A Christmas Prince 2017 (#2 2018, #3 2019)
8. The Christmas Chronicles 2018 (#2 2020)
9. Home Alone 1990 (#2 1992)
10. The Knight Before Christmas 2019
11. The Princess Switch 2018 (#2 2020, #3 2021)
12. Trading Places 1983
13. Deck the Halls 2006

And these get a look-in, too:
Your Christmas or Mine? 2022 (#2 2023)
Father Christmas is Back 2021
Klaus 2019
Jingle All the Way 1996
A Castle for Christmas 2021
Operation Christmas Drop 2020
Holidate 2020
The Family Stone 2005
Surviving Christmas 2004
Noelle 2019
Last Christmas 2019
White Christmas 1954


When I researched this, I was shocked by the total ramp-up in production of Christmas(ish) movies this millenium. This selection is only a very small sample, based on the ones I've actually heard of/watched. In particular, since 2014 when Hallmark, Netflix and Lifetime etc got in on the act producing dozens of "original" movies each year. Is it just me or is that the very last thing they are???
There are many more out there and if you want a more exhaustive list, I suggest you try these excellent sites: https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-christmas-movies/
https://www.countdownuntilchristmas.com/category/christmas-movies-a-to-z/
Although you will have to spend most of your time scrolling past adverts - but hey, these good folks gotta get some ROI for the hours they've devoted to setting up the sites.

2020s

A California Christmas 2020
Operation Christmas Drop 2020
Holidate 2020
Love Hard 2021
A Castle for Christmas 2021
Father Christmas is Back 2021
Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special 2022
Violent Night 2022
Falling for Christmas 2022
A Brush with Christmas 2022
Your Christmas or Mine? 2022 (#2 2023)

2010s

Arthur Christmas 2011
Get Santa 2014
The Man Who Invented Christmas 2017
Christmas in Angel Falls 2017
A Christmas Prince 2017 (#2 2018, #3 2019)
The Christmas Chronicles 2018 (#2 2020)
The Princess Switch 2018 (#2 2020, #3 2021)
Dr Seuss’ The Grinch 2018
Klaus 2019
Noelle 2019
Last Christmas 2019
The Knight Before Christmas 2019

2000s

How the Grinch Stole Christmas 2000
Elf 2003
Love Actually 2003
Surviving Christmas 2004
The Family Stone 2005
Deck the Halls 2006
The Holiday 2006
Four Christmases 2008
Nativity 2009 (#2 2012)

1990s

Home Alone 1990 (#2 1992)
The Muppet Christmas Carol 1992
The Nightmare Before Christmas 1993
Miracle on 34th Street 1994
The Santa Clause 1994
Jingle All the Way 1996
Beauty & the Beast Enchanted Christmas 1997
Jack Frost 1998

1980s

The Snowman 1982
Trading Places 1983
Gremlins 1984
A Muppet Family Christmas 1987
Die Hard 1988
Scrooged 1988
Blackadder’s Christmas Carol 1988
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 1989

1970s

Scrooge 1970
Miracle on 34th Street 1973

1960s

How the Grinch Stole Christmas 1967

1950s

A Christmas Carol 1951
White Christmas 1954

1940s

Holiday Inn 1942
Meet me in St Louis 1944
It’s a Wonderful Life 1946
Miracle on 34th Street 1947

Top 13 Christmas Toys

This list is a combination of my favourites from when I was young (60s/70s), and from when my kids were young (90s).
Funny how much crossover there was.
1. Lego
2. Spirograph
3. Connect Four
4. Etch-a-sketch
5. Trivial Pursuit/Monopoly
6. Twister
7. Rubik's Cube
8. Thunderbirds Tracy Island
9. Barbie/Action Man
10. Spacehopper
11. Power Rangers
12. Matchbox cars/vehicles
13. Polly Pocket


And here's a breakdown by year for 3 decades.
1990s
1990 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures, Mouse Trap, Polly Pocket
1991 – Sega Game Gear, Nintendo Gameboy, Super soaker 50
1992 – Thunderbirds Tracy Island, Weekend Barbie, WWF Action Figures
1993 – Talkboy, Action Man, Play-doh
1994 – Power Rangers Action figures, Biker Mice from Mars, Cabbage Patch Kids
1995 – Playstation, POGs, Beanie Babies
1996 – Toy Story Buzz Lightyear Action Figure, Tickle Me Elmo, Doodle Bear
1997 – Nintendo 64, Tamigotchi, Blue and Pink Model, Teletubbies
1998 – Furby, Bop It, Gameboy colour, (Teksta Robot Dog)
1999 – Pokemon (Red and Blue), Who Wants to be a Millionaire Game, Bob the Builder


1980s
1980 – Hungry Hippos board game, Lego Train set, Mr Frosty
1981 – Rubik’s Cube, He-Man, Donkey Kong
1982 – Lego 255 train set, BMX bike, Stompers Truck
1983 – Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, My Little Pony
1984 – Cabbage Patch Kids, Transformers Optimus Prime, Pound Puppies
1985 – Trivial Pursuit, Wuzzles, Pillow People
1986 – Lazer Tag, Lego Airport, My Pet Monster
1987 – Sylvanian Families, Jenga, Koosh balls
1988 – Ghostbusters Proton Park, NES Action Set, Playskool Kitchen
1989 – Batmobile, Disney Sno-Cone Castle, Talking Alf

1970s
1970 – Nerfball, Sindy, Apollo Moon Rocket
1971 – Space Hopper, Mastermind board game, Weebles
1972 – Skateboard, Uno card game, Plasticraft modelling kit
1973 – Shrinky Dinks, Evel Knievel stunt cycle, Walkie Talkie sets
1974 – Rock 'Em Sock 'Em robots, Spirograph, Twister
1975 – Pet Rock, Pong, Othello board game
1976 – Magna Doodle, Pogo Stick, Stretch Armstrong
1977 – Atari 2600, Star Wars toys, including figurines of Luke, Darth and R2D
1978 – Connect Four, Dungeons & Dragons, Matchbox Powertrack, (Simon Says)
1979 – Strawberry Shortcake, Millenium Falcon, Sony Walkman

1960s and earlier
Lego/Meccano Construction Set
Action Man/G.I. Joe
Hot Wheels (matchbox cars)
Barbie/Sindy
Etch-a-Sketch

Monopoly 

My Top 13 Christmas Songs

Something a bit different - or is it?

1. "I Believe in Father Christmas" Greg Lake 1975
2. "Fairytale of New York" The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl 1987
3. "Driving Home for Christmas" Chris Rea 1988
4. "Carol of the Bells" John Williams 1990
5. "A Spaceman Came Travelling" Chris de Burgh 1975
6. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" Tom Jones & Cerys Matthews 1999
7. "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow" Michael Bublé 2003
8. "Merry Xmas Everybody" Slade 1973
9. "Last Christmas" Wham! 1984
10. "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" David Bowie and Bing Crosby 1982
11. "All I Want for Christmas Is You" Mariah Carey 1994
12. "A Winter's Tale" David Essex 1982
13. "Stop the Cavalry" Jona Lewie 1980

And because I can never contain myself in 13 (let alone 10):
"Thank God It's Christmas" Queen 1984
"Keeping the Dream Alive" Freiheit 1988
"Wonderful Christmastime" Paul McCartney 1979
"I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" Wizzard 1973
"Step Into Christmas" Elton John 1973
"When a Child Is Born" Johnny Mathis 1976
"Mistletoe and Wine" Cliff Richard 1988
"The Power of Love" Frankie Goes to Hollywood 1984
"Merry Christmas Everyone" Shakin' Stevens 1985
"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" Bruce Springsteen 1985
"Saviour's Day" Cliff Richard 1990
"Christmas Time" Bryan Adams 1985


So while I was researching, I came across this list. Interesting how often the #1 had nothing to do with Christmas, or was an out and out novelty offering.

1990s

1990	CliffRichard	Saviour's Day
1991	Queen	Bohemian Rhapsody/These Are the Days of Our Lives
1992	Whitney Houston	I Will Always Love You
1993	Mr Blobby	Mr Blobby
1994	East 17	Stay Another Day
1995	Michael Jackson	Earth Song
1996	Spice Girls	2 Become 1
1997	Spice Girls	Too Much
1998	Spice Girls	Goodbye
1999	Westlife	I Have a Dream/Seasons in the Sun

1980s

1980	St Winifred's School Choir	There's No One Quite Like Grandma
1981	The Human League	Don’t You Want Me?
1982	Renée and Renato	Save Your Love
1983	The Flying Pickets	Only You
1984	Band Aid	Do They Know it’s Christmas?
1985	Shakin’ Stevens	Merry Christmas Everyone
1986	Jackie Wilson	Reet Petite
1987	Pet Shop Boys	Always on My Mind
1988	Cliff Richard	Mistletoe and Wine
1989	Band Aid II	Do They Know it’s Christmas?

1970s

1970	Dave Edmunds	I Hear you Knocking
1971	Benny Hill	Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West
1972	Jimmy Osmond	Long-Haired Lover from Liverpool
1973	Slade	Merry Xmas Everybody
1974	Mud	Lonely This Christmas
1975	Queen	Bohemian Rhapsody
1976	Johnny Mathis	When a Child is Born
1977	Wings	Mull of Kintyre/Girls’ School
1978	Boney M.	Mary’s Boy Child – Oh My Lord
1979	Pink Floyd	Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)

1960s

1960	Cliff Richard & the Shadows	I Love You
1961	Danny Williams	Moon River
1962	Evis Presley	Return to Sender
1963	The Beatles	I Want to Hold you Hand
1964	The Beatles	I Feel Fine
1965	The Beatles	Day Tripper/We Can Work it Out
1966	Tom Jones	Green, Green Grass of Home
1967	The Beatles	Hello, Goodbye
1968	The Scaffold	Lily the Pink
1969	Rolf Harris	Two Little Boys

1950s

1952	Al Martino	Here in My Heart
1953	Frankie Laine	Answer Me
1954	Winifred Atwell	Let’s Have Another Party
1955	Dickie Valentine	Christmas Alphabet
1956	Johnnie Ray	Just Walkin’ in the Rain
1957	Harry Belafonte	Mary’s Boy Child
1958	Conway Twitty	It’s Only Make Believe
1959	Emile Ford	What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For?

 

2023 Advent Deals

Huge apologies for starting this late, but there's plenty of opportunity for you to stuff your kindle full of great reads for those cold, wintry nights. With so many books in my back catalogue, you can pick up several bargains every day in December, and this will run well into the New Year. Merry Christmas everyone.
Here's a sample of what's out there:

Dec 16:    FREE - The Day the Earth Caught Fire - Ro Green
                 FREE - Linda (CC#3) - Jacky Gray   

Dec 15: FREE - Catalyst (CoL #4) - Jacky Gray 
              FREE - Big Bad Wolf  (Hostage #3) - Ro Green 

Dec 14: FREE - Captive (CoL #3) - Jacky Gray
              FREE - Young Men Gone West - Ro Green 

Dec13: FREE - Chrysalis (CoL #2) - Jacky Gray   
             FREE - Chloe (CC#2) - Jacky Gray   

Dec 12: FREE - Stand By Me (BR #6) - Jacky Gray
              FREE - Geraint (Hengist #5) - Jacky Gray
              FREE - Don't Stop Believing - Ro Green

Dec 11: FREE - Music was my First Love (BR #5) - Jacky Gray
              FREE - Slater (Hengist #4) - Jacky Gray  
             FREE - Final Jeopardy (Jeopardy #3) - Ro Green
           
Dec 10: FREE - Edge of the Blade (BR #4) - Jacky Gray 
              FREE - Reagan (Hengist #3) - Jacky Gray  
    &9nbsp;         FREE -  Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (Hostage #2) - Ro Green   

Dec 9: FREE - Leader of the Pack (BR #3) - Jacky Gray
             FREE - Rory (Hengist #2) - Jacky Gray
             FREE - More Jeopardy (Jeopardy #2) - Ro Green         
        
Dec 8: FREE - Show Must Go On (BR #2) - Jacky Gray
            FREE - Tina (CC#1) - Jacky Gray   
            FREE - Death Wishes - Ro Green

My top 13 from 1981 & 1982 (revisited)

You just couldn't write it. When I voted for my #1 hit of the 70s, 80s and 90s in the Greatest Hits poll a few weeks ago, I realised I hadn't included this song in my list from that year. Egg all over my face. 
So I've gone back and redone the 80s charts after trawling through all their suggestions for each year. it wasn't as bad as I thought - so far there were only 3 or 4 missing.
So, for the detectives among you - can you work out which song it is? There's a bit of a hint later on.

1981 – Top13

1. Journey - Don’t Stop Believing - 10-1981
2. Ultravox - Vienna - 02-1981
3. The Jacksons - Can You Feel It - 04-1981
4. Kim Carnes - Bette Davies Eyes - 05-1981
5. Rainbow - I Surrender - 02-1981
6. The Police - Every Little Thing She Does is Magic - 10-1981
7. Randy Crawford - You Might Need Somebody - 07-1981
8. Elvis Costello - A Good Year For The Roses - 10-1981
9. Godley & Creme - Under Your Thumb - 10-1981
10. The Look - I Am The Beat - 01-1981
11. Queen & David Bowie - Under Pressure - 11-1981
12. Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight - 01-1981
13. REO Speedwagon - Keep On Loving You - 05-1981

And the bubbling unders:
Squeeze - Labelled With Love - 11-1981
Kiki Dee - Star - 03-1981 (Ariola)
Dire Straits - Romeo And Juliet - 02-1981 (Vertigo)
Quincy Jones - Razzamatazz - 07-1981 (A&M)
Madness - It Must Be Love - 12-1981 (Stiff)
John Lennon - Imagine - 01-1981 (Apple)
Diana Ross & Lionel Richie - Endless Love - 09-1981 (Motown)
Bob Marley & The Wailers - No Woman No Cry - 07-1981 (Island)
Sugar Minott - Good Thing Going (We've Got A Good Thing Going) - 04-1981 (RCA)
Julio Iglesias - Begin The Beguine (Volver A Empezar) - 11-1981 (CBS)
Imagination - Body Talk - 07-1981 (R&B)
The Pointer Sisters - Slow Hand - 09-1981 (Planet)
Cliff Richard - Wired For Sound - 09-1981 (EMI)
The Human League - Don't You Want Me - 12-1981 (Virgin)

1982 – Top13

I would hazard a guess that my 80s memories are not the same as the true aficionados of that era - I really wasn't into the whole New Romantic scene at the time, however compared to the last couple of decades, their songs did have some merit, and quite a few are creeping in as the decade progresses. I dare say that if I'd done this at the time, the songs would all be there, but maybe in a different order because I wasn't making it to anything like as many discos/nightclubs back then.

1. PhD - I Won't Let You Down - 05-1982 (WEA)
2. Toni Basil - Mickey - 03-1982 (Radialchoice)
3. Foreigner - Waiting For A Girl Like You - 01-1982 (Atlantic)
4. The Stranglers - Golden Brown - 01-1982 (Liberty)
5. Irene Cara - Fame - 07-1982 (RSO)
6. Chicago - Hard To Say I'm Sorry - 10-1982 (Full Moon)
7. Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen - 07-1982 (Mercury)
8. Dire Straits - Private Investigations - 09-1982 (Vertigo)
9. Marvin Gaye - (Sexual) Healing - 11-1982 (CBS)
10. Fat Larry's Band - Zoom - 10-1982 (Virgin)
11. Daryl Hall & John Oates - Maneater - 11-1982 (RCA)
12. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - I Love Rock 'n' Roll - 05-1982 (Epic)
13. XTC - Senses Working Overtime - 02-1982 (Virgin)

The J. Geils Band - Centrefold - 02-1982 (EMI America)
Madness - Our House - 12-1982 (Stiff)
David Bowie & Bing Crosby - Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy - 12-1982 (RCA)
Phil Collins - You Can't Hurry Love - 12-1982 (Virgin)
Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger - 08-1982 (Scotti Brothers)
Clannad - Theme From Harry's Game - 11-1982 (RCA)
Duran Duran - Hungry Like The Wolf - 06-1982 (EMI)
Kid Creole & The Coconuts - Annie I'm Not Your Daddy - 10-1982 (Ze)
Jon & Vangelis - I'll Find My Way Home - 01-1982 (Polydor)
Shakatak - Easier Said Than Done - 02-1982 (Polydor)
Charlene - I've Never Been To Me - 06-1982 (Motown)
Kids From 'Fame' - Starmaker - 10-1982 (RCA)
The Jam - Town Called Malice/Precious - 02-1982 (Polydor)
Kool & The Gang - Get Down On It - 01-1982 (De-Lite)
Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder - Ebony And Ivory - 04-1982 (Parlophone)
Tears For Fears - Mad World - 10-1982 (Mercury)
Bucks Fizz - My Camera Never Lies - 04-1982 (RCA)
Chas & Dave - Ain't No Pleasing You - 04-1982 (Rockney)

And finally, the song I missed was in the earlier version of these 80s posts which you can find here: https://hengistpeoplehorse.blogspot.com/2022/10/