Merry Christmas to all!

It’s been delightful seeing all your smiling faces, reading your lists and being part of your Christmas tradition.

We look forward to seeing you next year!

You know the rest, right?

It was on this day in 1823 that the poem “Account of a Visit from St Nicholas” was published anonymously in a New York newspaper.

More popularly known as “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” it was later attributed to Clement C. Moore.

That rocking pony is one popular attraction!

It’s great for kids that aren’t quite ready to sit on Santa’s lap.  They’re happy to climb on the pony and rock away as we slide it a little closer to Santa and capture a portrait!

Come for a visit!

Click here for the schedule!

How well do you know your movies?

Deck the Halls
The Christmas Song
Winter Wonderland
White Christmas

Top Ten Christmas Gifts 2010

For anyone old enough to have ever had a Sears catalog at home, the memory of being a child and circling the toys they wanted for Christmas is a strong one.

Sears printed the catalogs from 1896 until 1993, and while the catalogs that millions of children tore into is now long gone, they’re available on the Internet in a new Sears catalog archive.

Remember these popular toys?

1903: Magic Lantern — “The young people not only derive great pleasure from giving magic lantern exhibitions, but the business training they gain…gives them the rudiments of money making…” ($1.90)

1919: Tinker Toy — “Tinker Toy is the wonder builder. An educational, interesting and amusing toy for any child.” (57 cents)

1927: Erector Sets — “The greatest construction toy in the world.” (89 cents-$12.98)

1937: Monopoly — “The shrewdest investor wins!” ($1.69)

1945: Model Plane — “For men and boys with hobbies!” (23 cents-$2.69)

1958: Coca-Cola Dispenser — “Looks just like regular dispenser in drug store…set up your own soda fountain and you’re in business.” ($2.79)

1974: Sidewalk Shoe Skates — “Oversized composition wheels provide greater stability for young skaters.” ($9.98)

1980: Video Arcade Cartridge System — “Console attached directly to your TV…turns it into an arcade of action-packed fun or educational games.” ($148.95)

1991: Exciting Gameboy by Nintendo — “With a dot-matrix screen plus standard controls you’ll recognize.” ($89.95)

Bet you can’t top Santa’s perfect score!

Take the quiz!

Tis the season to curl up with a cup of cocoa and watch a favorite Christmas flick!

These movies rank among the most popular!  Have you seen them all?

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – Tops on any list. We watch it every year, and it just keeps getting better.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) – Definitive proof that Santa really does exist?

A Christmas Story (1983) – We double dog dare you not to like this one.

White Christmas (1954) – Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye head up this Christmas classic. But the real star of the show is Irving Berlin’s score. A little “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” anyone? Great choice to impress your grandparents with your taste in movies. They’ll love you for it.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 – TV) – I know it’s a made-for-TV movie, but to ignore it would be stupid. Generations of kids have grown up on it.

Elf (2003) – Will Ferrell drives this great-for-the-entire-family Christmas comedy. Of course the uncredited appearance of Peter Billingsley is a special holiday treat.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – Tim Burton’s stop-motion feature has already become a holiday classic. “And they call him Sandy Claws!”

The Chronicles of Narnia (2005) – Not really a Christmas movie but Santa Claus does make an appearance so it must be added to the list! A fantastic movie experience!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 – TV & 2003 cinematic) – It’s fun to watch the TV version and the movie version back-to-back.