The Snowman

The Snowman, a short animated film based on a book by Raymond Briggs, is a Christmas memory waiting to happen.

If you or your children haven't seen this movie yet, this is the perfect season to experience it for the first time.

The movie has no words, only music, and vibrant, pulsing scenery like a moving watercolor painting, or the northern lights.

In the film, a young English boy wakes up on Christmas Eve to find that it has snowed. He spends the day building a snowman, which comes to life later that night, taking him on a magical flying journey to the North Pole.

This is a must-see film, and one that you and your children will cherish and enjoy at Christmas time each year.

The Snowman

The Christmas Season Begins!

The Christmas Season traditionally begins the day after Thanksgiving. This is the time when many people begin to put candles in the windows and Christmas lights on the house, and millions get a jump on their holiday shopping.

Check back here at the Old Time Christmas blog for daily Christmas news, stories, gift ideas, recipes and reminiscences!

An Amish Christmas

We all know the Amish don't use electricity, automobiles, or telephones. But have you ever wondered what an Amish Christmas is like?

You won't find elaborately decorated Christmas trees, tons of presents or Christmas lights on the front of an Amish home.

But Amish homes are often decorated with pine boughs and candles, children exchange simple gifts like paper products or knitting kits, and families will exchange similar gifts with other families. Special cookies and candy are often made as special Christmas treats, and some Amish will send Christmas cards to their non-Amish friends.

The Amish celebrate both Christmas on December 25th, and "second Christmas" on the 26th. Second Christmas is a day for relaxing and visiting with friends and family. Highlights of the Christmas festivities include gatherings at the small one room school houses to showcase craftwork as the children perform Christmas-themed plays.

Now THAT is an old time Christmas.

Norman Rockwell Christmas

Norman Rockwell is one of the most beloved American painters of all time. In his art, he captured the essence of American culture and tradition.

Included among his paintings are numerous Christmas scenes and reminiscences that are sure to bring back your own childhood memories of the holiday season.

Holiday Fun

A great way for your kids to enjoy each day of the Holiday season is with an Advent Calendar!

Advent Calendars have a door for each day in the month of December, and behind each door is a piece of chocolate with a Christmas-themed image on it.

Your kids will love counting down the days to Christmas every year and getting their piece of chocolate each day!

Some advent calendars have pictures behind the doors, while still others are constructed of wood and have a toy for each day. The kind of advent calendar you get for your family is something they'll cherish for life as a fond Christmas memory.

Narnia Christmas

Lucy meets Mr. Tumnus, from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis