Tag Archives: Christmas

Saturday video break: The boys of the NYPD Choir still singing “Galway Bay”

Posted on December 2, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I will have a note on his passing in the Sunday linkdump, but for obvious reasons the first thing I thought about upon hearing of Shane MacGowan’s passing was this: As a part-Irishman, I’m an absolute sucker for a sad … Continue reading →

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It’s time to recycle your Christmas tree

Posted on December 27, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

If you’re in the city of Houston and you want your tree to get mulched, here’s how to do it. Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) encourages residents to recycle live Christmas trees after the holidays. The holiday season is … Continue reading →

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The Christmas Bird Count

Posted on December 26, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

If you’re looking for a little holiday project… For the 123rd year in a row, the Christmas Bird Count is happening all over the country. Bird enthusiasts and nature lovers head outside, take a census of birds in their area … Continue reading →

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Say goodbye to 2022, Mel Torme

Posted on December 25, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

We have our traditions at this here weblog, and this is one of them. Enjoy, as I know you will, my favorite Christmas story. And may 2023 be better than 2022. Stay safe and warm and be well, y’all.

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Christmas Eve video break: The luster of midday

Posted on December 24, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Hope you’re staying warm and that your pipes haven’t frozen. To celebrate, or to commiserate as the case may be, here once again is my favorite rendition of “A Visit From Saint Nicholas”, as performed by cartoon and voice actors: … Continue reading →

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Now is a great time to buy a Christmas tree

Posted on December 22, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Procrastinators rejoice. When it came to buying a Christmas tree in Houston it paid off to procrastinate. Prices, already high last year, jumped further this year as retailers sought to lock in supplies despite increases spurred by skyrocketing fertilizer and … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: A brief manifesto about Christmas music

Posted on December 17, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Been awhile since I’ve done one of these. Maybe I’ll work a few in next year, we’ll see how it goes. I was inspired by the Slacktivist re-running his own Christmas music manifesto from a few years ago. I broadly … Continue reading →

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Santa Claus is back

Posted on December 13, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

So, you know, you better watch out, and all that. Some Santas who stayed home the past two years out of concern for their health have returned, but performers have pressing issues, including inflation, on their minds. Many are older, … Continue reading →

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Say goodbye to 2021, Mel Torme

Posted on December 25, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

We have our traditions at this here weblog, and this is one of them. Enjoy, as I know you will, my favorite Christmas story. And may 2022 be better than 2021. Stay safe and be well, y’all.

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It’s never to early to wish you all a good night

Posted on December 24, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

And yet another viewing of my favorite Christmas Eve video: May you have a safe and joyous holiday. See you on the flip side.

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Say goodbye to 2020, Mel Torme

Posted on December 25, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

You know the story by now, my favorite Christmas story ever. If you know it, treat yourself and read it again. If you don’t know it, if you’re new here and you have no idea what I’m talking about, go … Continue reading →

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Christmas Eve video break: Time for tradition

Posted on December 24, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

And that can only mean my favorite rendition of “A Visit From Saint Nicholas”: I’ve been posting this on Christmas Eve for over a decade now. I watch it every year, more than once, and I never get tired of … Continue reading →

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Give Pancho Claus a hand

Posted on December 20, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Tis the season. He doesn’t come the night before Christmas in a miniature sleigh with reindeer like St. Nick, but instead parades along city streets with an equally number of low-riders, often surrounded by a festive jazz band. “To the … Continue reading →

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Christmas tree recycling 2019

Posted on January 1, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

For your last act of Christmas 2019, here’s how to dispose of your tree. Twenty-five recycling centers in the Houston area will take your Christmas trees. All city recycling facilities will take trees through Jan. 25. All you have to … Continue reading →

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I’ll have a Mel Torme Christmas, please

Posted on December 25, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

You know the story by now, my favorite Christmas story ever. If you know it, treat yourself and read it again. If you don’t know it, if you’re new here and you have no idea what I’m talking about, go … Continue reading →

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Tuesday video break: It’s Christmas Eve, y’all

Posted on December 24, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

And that can mean only one thing: Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good afternoon.

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Where have all the Christmas tree farmers gone?

Posted on December 24, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

They’re not growing them like they used to. Across the U.S., Christmas tree farmers are getting out of the business. Illinois lost dozens of farmers in recent years, dropping from 212 growers in 2012 to 182 farmers in 2017, according … Continue reading →

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Watch your packages

Posted on December 27, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

They’re disappearing off porches at an increasing rate. Package thefts have become a growing problem across the country, Texas and Houston as more people shop online. Nearly 26 million Americans have had a holiday package stolen, according to a study … Continue reading →

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It’s tree-recycling time

Posted on December 26, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s what you need to know. You have nearly three weeks to do this. Don’t miss out.

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Mel Torme once again wishes you a Merry Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

You know the story by now, my favorite Christmas story ever. If you know it, treat yourself and read it again. If you don’t know it, if you’re new here and you have no idea what I’m talking about, go … Continue reading →

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And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle

Posted on December 24, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

As always, my favorite Christmas Eve video: May you and yours get all your Christmas wishes fulfilled.

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Santa’s employment agency

Posted on December 24, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Good work if you can get it. If you have had a picture taken with Santa Claus in San Antonio this holiday season, there’s a good chance he was booked through a local business run by a head elf. That … Continue reading →

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Will Amazon ruin Christmas trees?

Posted on December 23, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe! Amazon this year launched a new service to deliver full-sized, fresh Christmas trees to customers’ homes, betting that lots of people will prefer convenience over experience. The mega-etailer has shown time and time again that it can change consumer … Continue reading →

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And so I offer you this Mel Torme Christmas story

Posted on December 25, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Every year on Christmas Day, I link to my favorite Christmas story, which stars Mel Torme. This has been a rough year in many ways, but reading that story always makes me happy, and I hope it will do the … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: The night before the night before Christmas

Posted on December 23, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

A day early, but what the heck: Not to mix metaphors, but may your days be merry and all that.

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It isn’t Christmas without Mel Torme

Posted on December 25, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Every year on Christmas Day, I link to my favorite Christmas story, which stars Mel Torme. It is often shamelessly ripped off a lot, which is a Bad Thing that one Should Not Do. So click over and read it, … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: A right jolly old elf

Posted on December 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

How delightful that today actually is Saturday: Every year I watch this, and every year it makes me happy. I’m especially happy that they made it while Don LaFontaine was still with us. May Santa be good to you and … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Ladies’ night, part 26

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Once again, by sheer coincidence, this list has a meaningful intersection with the calendar: 1. I’ve Seen All Good People – Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs 2. The Coventry Carol – Mediaeval Baebes (Katharine Blake, Melpomeni Kermanidou, Sophie Ramsay, Clare … Continue reading →

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It’s Santa season

Posted on December 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Ho, ho, ho, y’all. For two months of the year, Houston aircraft mechanic Lance McLean trades in his coveralls at the end of the day for a red Santa suit. This year, McLean will don the suit 49 times, beginning … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break – Merry Christmas, Baby

Posted on October 1, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Boss and friends bring you greetings of the season: This was recorded in 2002. Seeing Clarence Clemons and Danny Federici again – it’s all the feels, you know? Here’s a much shorter version of this song from Otis Redding: … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Mele Kalikimaka

Posted on September 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

We’re going to have a little Christmas in September these next couple of weeks, starting with this oldie from Bing Crosby: I believe that’s the Andrews Sisters joining him as well. This is one of those songs, which were fairly … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Little Saint Nick

Posted on July 23, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Hey, how about a little Christmas music? Here are the Beach Boys with “Little Saint Nick”: Videos of bands where they all wear the same outfit – especially when they all also have the same haircut – will never get … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: The State of New York concedes the existence of Santa Claus

Posted on December 26, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

A climactic scene from one of my favorite movies of all time: That is of course the one true version of Miracle on 34th Street, the original 1947 version. I do not speak of the 1994 remake, but I will … Continue reading →

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Pancho Claus keeps on going

Posted on December 26, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Always a pleasure to hear. Pancho Claus [Richard Reyes] works year-round, looking for sponsorships and running an ongoing toy drive, so he can have enough to hand out each December. His day job involves driving a promotional vehicle for Taxis … Continue reading →

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