Reason #367 Why I Love the Internet

Dear Person Who Was Searching for “Gangster Christmas Sweaters” and Ended Up Here,

I don’t know who you are, but you’re totally my hero.

Thanks for the laugh,
Sarah

Music Post Part II: Songs That Will Make Your Parents/Children Question Your Sanity Edition!

Oh my god, you guys, it’s snowing! First snow of the season! Yay! (Yeah, just wait until I have to drive in it, I’ll be singing a different tune then)

As promised, the second installment of Christmas music downloads. This time around, it’s the pop/non-traditional tunes, the ones that we don’t all know, but will soon all love. These were harder to put into sections because they’re all so different, so I’ve organized them by decade.

Disclaimer: The RIAA dictates that all music downloaded should be removed after previewing for 24 hours. I am not responsible for what you do with the music you download. Basically, if you’re keeping it, I don’t want to know about it.

Season of Giving, or Ways to Help Out this Christmas (Part I)

The holiday season is an excellent time to be charitable and help out those less fortunate than ourselves. With that in mind, I’ve gathered up a few links that will help you be more giving this season. The best part about all of these things is that they aren’t limited to Christmas time! You can do these all year.

May Your Days Be Merry and Bright, Etc. Etc.

Well first of all, I just joined the Christmas Junkie Top 50 and Santa’s 50 Faves, so if you stumbled upon this blog via either of those, welcome! And to all readers in general, if you’d like to support Christmas Crackers and find lots of other Christmas sites (49 of them even) just click on the buttons I have on the sidebar over there. ->>>>>

Also, if you’re wondering where those pictures of Christmas decorating I keep promising are, I sadly haven’t been able to take them yet. Basically, the entire south side of my house is windows which means crazy intense light from one side of the room and nothing from the other and so I have to wait for an overcast day if I want the pictures to turn out. We’ve had pretty much nothing but sun for a week. What the hell weather, it’s the mid-west, where are the clouds?

Now then, on to the post! Today it’s all about the music, specifically the traditional kind. The Holiday Standards we all know and love: the crooners, Elvis, Brenda Lee, and many more. The good news for you guys is that I’ve uploaded all this fabulous music for you guys to download for free so that you can fill in any holes in your Christmas music collection. And! Next week I’ll be uploading my non-traditional/pop Christmas music for you. Because I love you guys. And because I’m totally willing to bribe you to get you to visit my blog again.

Now for legal reasons, I need to say that all of this music is intended for preview purposes only and should be deleted after 24 hours. Yeah, I know, you’re all sitting at your computers going, “Oh yeah, I’m totally going to do that.” but, I have to say it.

On to the good stuff!

Wearable Christmas Spirit

I’m beginning to think the “post every day” goal was slightly unrealistic. Le sigh.

Anyway, this is a post I’ve been planning to do since the beginning, and I realized it should happen sooner rather than later, mostly because it involves ordering things off the internet. Allowing for shipping times and all that.

The topic I’d like to address today is holiday fashion. Now, I suspect most people haven’t really given this a lot of thought beyond the obvious, “Oh dear lord, what am I going to wear to Minnie VonSnoot’s Christmas party tonight? Last year she told Barbara (who told Alicia who told me) that I have the fashion sense of a feral cat!” but that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about Christmas Casual-wear.

Look dears. I hate to say it, but there’s something that simply needs to go. And I didn’t want to have to tell you, but everyone’s been talking behind your back about it, and I just couldn’t let you go on unawares any longer. It would be cruel.

It’s about the Christmas sweaters.

I know you want to look “festive” and “fun”, but really, just look at that. It’s awful. It’s so tacky that the anchors of a local news affiliate in Jersey wouldn’t wear it. It needs to be put out of it’s misery. If you won’t listen to me, at least listen to Tim Gunn:

So! In the spirit of holiday giving, I’m providing you with links to a gaggle of (far more tasteful) Christmas t-shirts. Some are funny, some just have lovely designs, but trust me – they’re all better than those damn sweaters. “But,” you protest, “T-shirts? Won’t my delicate arms freeze in the chilled winter air?” Well first of all, why on earth are you going outside without a coat on in this hypothetical scenario? Have you no sense? And second of all – layers darling, layers. Long sleeve T’s and cardigan sweaters should be your wintertime BFFs.

Worst. Blogger. Ever

So guess who’s laptop is having trouble connecting to the internet? Yeah, that would be mine. So between that and cleaning the ol’ homestead I haven’t been able to update. Apologies.

BUT! We’re currently putting up decorations at this very moment. Right now! As we speak!

By which I mean that the artificial tree is in it’s spot and there are plastic tubs full of garland and ornaments piled all over our living room.

Pictures! And Real Posts! Soon! I swear!

Gobble Gobble

I hope everyone’s Thanksgiving was fantastic and that you all ate so much you feel like you’re going to explode. We’ll be putting up the Christmas decorations this weekend (yay!), so expect photos of that very, very soon.

Here’s hoping you don’t get injured during your Black Friday shopping.

It’s Christmastime on YouTube

Ack. I know, I know, I said I’d start posting Monday or Tuesday, but sadly, life got in the way. You have my deepest apologies. I suck.

But on to the matter at hand: YouTube. Granted it may seem like an odd place to find holiday cheer, but in addition to videos of dogs riding skateboards you can also find all kinds of holiday fun – and by holiday fun, I mean silly Christmas videos (including some of questionable taste)! So, if you already feel the holiday stress pressing down upon you, just take a look at these videos and remember that everything – even Christmas – shouldn’t be taken too seriously.

Welcome!

Hey all. I just wanted to make a quick introductory post to welcome you all to Christmas Crackers, my Christmas blog. I’m Sarah (aka candycaine) and I needed a project to channel all of my excess Christmas energy into. Thus, the blog. And I totally just ended a sentence with a preposition and I don’t even care. Moving on…

My goal is to make a post every day. Some days, due to extenuating circumstances, this might not happen, but believe me, I’ll be trying my hardest. I’ve been working all weekend gathering things together for posts so I can try to have some entries done ahead of time. Then if I get swamped or if my original post isn’t working out I can throw one of those up here. I’m still in the process of gathering, so expect the first real post either tomorrow or Tuesday.

So what can you expect to see?

• Rockin’ Christmas Tunes
• Holiday Fashions
• Christmas the YouTube Way
• Recipes
• Movies to Put You in the Holiday Spirit
• Crafts
• Charities You Can Donate to During the Holiday Season (because Christmas is all about the giving)
• And Pictures and Recountings of My Own Christmas Preparations and Celebrations (wait ’til you see the decorations we put up!)

Oh, and one last thing: Would anyone like to trade links? I’m haven’t found a lot of other Christmas blogs or websites yet, and my link list looks sad and empty. I’ll link to yours if you link to mine.