Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Specials From a Simpler Time...


Last night was the big night...RUDOLPH was on TV!


Rudolph takes us back to a simpler time, when a movie or cartoon wasn't at your fingertips, it was an EVENT, it only came on one time a year, and you better be in front of the television when it came on or you'd miss it.



The excitement, especially if the tree was up and you could watch by the glow of the lights...WOW! It signaled the official beginning of the Christmas season!




I have sweet memories of my kids running to get their baths done and their pajamas on so they could be together on the couch watching their favorite Christmas cartoon! What a great motivation to get the bedtime ritual over with.

(But, growing up didn't stop them from watching, they still do. We all watched it last night, the fifteen year old, the 26 year old, and my daughter and her family living in another state now.)

My husband, who celebrates his birthday today, said it has been almost every year of his life that he's watched Rudolph right around his birthday.



The "specials" stretched out over December and were each an event too look forward to. There was Frosty the Snowman, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, and more.

(When I think of Rudolph, I can't help but humming "Silver and gold, silver and gold....")




SO out came the brown grocery sack, the big heavy kettle and popcorn was also made the old fashioned way, on top of the stove with clashing and banging and rattling so the kernels on the bottom wouldn't burn. The excitement of the poppping, and the clanging of the kernels inside that hot pan!



Butter watched closely as it melted....poured over the top of the bagful and shaken well, just a sprinkling of salt and more shaking!

No one could wait for their bowls to be filled, a nice glass of ice water, and for the "Christmas Special" to begin.

You're never too old for Christmas classics!

And hope that as the years add themselves to your lives, that you're never too old to sing along with all the songs and tap your toe to the cheerful tunes.




What's YOUR FAVORITE vintage Christmas special?



14 comments:

Cindy said...

Yes it was time for the tv on last night!! My hubby was laughing at me..just all curled up watching Rudolph. My next favorite is The Wizard of Oz..I know not very Chrissmassy..but when I was little and it first came one..the whole thing in black and white..lol It only came on at Christmas time!
And then Meet me in St. Louis..love how they decorated the house.
Opps look like I love Christmas specials..lol

Hugs Cindy from Rick-Rack and Gingham

BumbleBeeLane said...

Oh the nostalgia of those special movies before cable was in every home and simple things ment so much.We watched the grinch last night(hubby's choice) Warm Blessings!~Amy

savvycityfarmer said...

Suzy Snowflakle was always my fave ....
oh and with popping corn

Down On The Farm said...

You and I have the same memories. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Rudolph, and Frosty. Wizard of Oz, too! Charlie Brown Christmas. Ahh, great, great memories!!! I watched the Wizard over the weekend. Rudolph was on last night but I was cooking while it was on and didn't REALLY get to ENJOY IT!!!

Eileen said...

I too grew up watching these specials and brought my children up watching them too. My favorites were "Charlie Brown Christmas", "Frosty the Snowman" and "The Year Without a Santa Claus". Great memories! :0)

Mel said...

I was doing dishes last night, when I looked over and spotted my husband watching Rudolph.

Those were the good ole days... I love "Charlie Browns Christmas," "Rudolph," "Was The Night Before Christmas," "Frosty The Snowman," "The Little Drummer Boy,".... still do. hehe

What Can I say!

Blessings,
Mel

Tanya said...

I'm all warm and fuzzy inside now just recalling THOSE exact memories! Good grief,..what happened to those days!
I'm 100% with you on all recollections!
My kiddos still love them!
My 3rd graders are watching Rudolph on Friday while we do art projects.
We never get too old, huh?

Farmgirl Cyn said...

Charlie Brown's Christmas is probably my favorite, with The House Without A Christmas Tree right up there with Christmas in Connecticut, White Christmas, Christmas Vacation, and Holiday Inn. I especially love the oldies, can you tell?

Dar said...

Christmas is not Christmas without the best of the best...the specials that we couldn't wait to watch. It was a popcorn night for us too as we gathered around the TV to watch Frosty, Rudolph, the Ed Sullivan and Carol Burnett Christmas Specials. Thanks for bringing back some gentler times.
BlessYourHeart

Ali said...

We were watching it too! Watch it every year. This was the first year Jimmy really paid attention. He sat in my lap the whole time and watched, it was great! This Christmas is the best so far as a parent because Jimmy is really getting into it. And I keep getting glimpses and feelings like I used to as a child! Its great!

I love LOVE White Christmas, the Bishop's Wife, Holiday Inn, Christmas in Connecticut (I lived there as a child and my parents always watched that movie!) along with all the old kids specials. Rudolph, Charlie Brown & the Grinch are the ones we can't miss though!

Tightwad Mom said...

Oh, I just love your post! I still love to watch all the old Christmas specials from my childhood. I won't buy them on DVD, because that ruins the fun of looking forward to watching them on television. I really miss those simpler times!

Kerin said...

Happy, happy belated birthday to your husband. I hope it was a great one.
I'd have to say that my favorite Christmas movie is, 'White Christmas.'
Hope you're having a wonderful week:)

Kathie Truitt said...

Dang! I missed it this year. My memories of Rudolph is watching it on Saturday night (that's when it always played) and I'd be at my grandmothers with that old tin pan full of buttered, salted popcorn and sweet iced tea. Those were the days.

Anonymous said...

Joni,
I think Rudolph and The Grinch would be my first 2 favorites. We had our TV in the basement and my sister and I would run upstairs when the Abominable Snowman appeared.
And on the stovetop IS the best way to make popcorn, isn't it?
Lately I've been sprinkling mine with spray butter, splenda and cinnamon. It's quite tasty.