Tonight is Christmas Eve. Simple wholesome food is ready for tomorrow. It will be a quiet day for me, with family scattered until after Christmas. I’ll enjoy a day of rest and play, movies and music. The hygge activity I drew from the jar was perfect for an evening in.
Watch a favorite movie from my childhood.
That seemed like an easy task. A movie immediately came to mind.
A Childhood Favorite
My first film choice, for tonight, was the 1964 movie Mary Poppins. That fun musical had a great impact on me as a child. Mary Poppins showed me how magical life could be. And I’m talking about truths deeper than flying with an umbrella, although I tried that, unsuccessfully, as a six year old.
Alas, I could not find Mary Poppins online to watch.
I’ve learned, these last few years as a blogger, that if a plan goes awry it’s best to let it go and remain open to other possibilities. The search began, at almost 8:00 PM, for another movie from the 1960s that I could watch this evening.
White Christmas
Being Christmas Eve I turned my focus to classic holiday films. Flipping through tv channels I looked for Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964) or Charlie Brown Christmas (1965). I had a fallback ready to go…my beloved Jason and the Argonauts (1963). That adventure fantasy is a favorite and I own the DVD. Something Christmasy appealed to me now however. I kept searching.
I found the right one. Netflix has a great selection of holiday films. White Christmas (1954) stood out. Although I watched the classic every year, as a child, it had been a very long time since I watched this Irving Berlin musical all the way through.
A Favorite Movie From My Childhood
White Christmas stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. The story follows a popular song and dance team, Bob and Phil (Crosby and Kaye), as they team up with sisters Betty and Judy (Clooney and Vera-Ellen), who are launching a musical career of their own. The four end up at an inn in Vermont, where lack of snowfall is hampering business.
I confess, I smiled though this 2 hour movie. I’d forgotten so much: How rich and distinctive is Bing’s voice and how brightly his eyes sparkle. I laughed over Danny Kaye’s comedic antics. His weekly variety show in the 60s was another favorite.
And as a child, I missed the real plot of the story. The lack of snow affected the inn of a man who was important to Bob and Phil. The owner was Major General Waverly, formerly in command of the troops Bob and Phil served in. They literally rallied those troops, and performed a Christmas show, to support their old Major General.
White Christmas is fun, it’s full of familiar tunes, and it has a great message about helping each other through difficult times. I appreciate the timeless story as presented through song and dance.
Hygge Christmas Eve
Before starting the movie I created a cozy, hygge environment. Throughout the house and out onto the front deck, candlelight welcomed Christmas and sent the lights of hope, peace and joy into the world.
I carried hot tea and a nutritious dinner of lentil shepherd’s pie into my room. For warmth I snuggled beneath a fuzzy blanket while my new cat socks kept my feet toasty.
It was the perfect setting for a watching a favorite movie from my childhood. I loved the whole experience.
I have no idea what hygge activity I’ll draw tomorrow, for Christmas Day. However I trust it will be just as perfect!
