Tag Archives: Christmas

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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It’s Mel Torme time again

Posted on December 25, 2015 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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Thursday video break: And all through the house

Posted on December 24, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve posted this video before, and here it is again: I’m nowhere close to being tired of this, so look for it again next year. Happy Christmas Eve!

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Wednesday random ten: It’s wintertime in the city

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I figure today is like Friday for most people – I will certainly be on a reduced schedule for the next few days – so here’s an early song list, in honor of our benighted Ag Commissioner, Sid Miller – … Continue reading →

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My annual salute to Mel Torme

Posted on December 25, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Every year on Christmas Day, I link to my favorite Christmas story, which stars Mel Torme (a more recent posting of it is here). Apparently, this story is so popular now that it gets ripped off a lot, which sure … Continue reading →

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Wednesday video break: A visit from St. Nicholas

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Still my favorite rendition of this classic poem: And now I’ve got to dash away as well. Merry Christmas to all, and I’ll see you on the flip side.

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Krampuslauf

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Now this is what I call going old school for Christmas. Long before parents relied on the powers of Santa Claus to monitor their children’s behavior, their counterparts in Alpine villages called on a shaggy-furred, horned creature with a fistful … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Yes, there are Christmas songs I like

Posted on December 19, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Quite a few of them, really. Here are ten from my collection: 1. Another Christmas Song – Stephen Colbert 2. Blue Christmas – Asylum Street Spankers 3. Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses 4. The Eleven Cats of Christmas – Trout … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: It’s the least wonderful time of the year

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Yes, it’s Christmas time again, and inspired in part by this Slate story on how bad Do They Know It’s Christmas? is, here’s a list of Christmas songs we, or at least I, could do without this year. 1. Do … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The good thing about drafting a couple of these in advance is I don’t get caught late in the week needing to put a post together for Saturday. The downside is that I might forget where I am alphabetically. Oopsie. … Continue reading →

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Lone Star Santas

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I love this story by Lisa Gray. When Jim Fletcher asked his fiancee whether she’d mind if he grew a beard, Madge Boyer didn’t realize what she was getting into. That was in early 2007, not long after he’d played … Continue reading →

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Your Mel Torme Christmas moment

Posted on December 25, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Every year on Christmas Day, I link to my favorite Christmas story, which stars Mel Torme. Apparently, this story is so popular now that it gets ripped off a lot, which sure seems to be contrary to the Christmas spirit … Continue reading →

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Tuesday video break: With how much care are your stockings hung?

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Christmas Eve, y’all. You know what that means. I’ll post the Mel Torme story tomorrow. Until then, Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

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Merry Christmas from Pancho Claus

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

If it’s Christmas time, it must be time for a Pancho Claus story. He usually has black hair and a black beard, sometimes just a mustache. Like Santa, he wears a hat — though often it’s a sombrero. He dons … Continue reading →

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Compost that Christmas tree

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Let your Christmas tree do some good after you get rid of it. When that Christmas tree comes down this year, take a moment to imagine its next incarnation: Chipped up and mixed into soil, it might soon secure new … Continue reading →

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Have yourself a Mel Torme Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Every year on Christmas Day, I link to my favorite Christmas story, which stars Mel Torme. Apparently, this story is so popular now that it gets ripped off a lot, which sure seems to be contrary to the Christmas spirit … Continue reading →

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Get well soon, Elf Louise

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

If you’ve ever lived in San Antonio, you are undoubtedly familiar with the Elf Louise Christmas Project. I’m sad to say that “Elf” Louise Locker has suffered a heart attack, but thankfully appears to be recovering nicely. The woman behind … Continue reading →

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Monday video break: Tonight’s the night

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve posted this video before, and here it is again: I’m nowhere close to being tired of this, so look for it again next year. Happy Christmas Eve!

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Saturday video break: The Charlie Brown School of Dance

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Just watch: Admit it, you always wondered what those dances were called.

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Friday random ten: The annual Christmas list

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The staff of Popdose has their fifty favorite holiday songs for your consideration. Those of you familiar with the Mellowmas tradition will note with amusement a few crossovers, but theirs is a pretty solid collection. As is my tradition, here … Continue reading →

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Recycle your Christmas tree

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

And now, a message from the City of Houston Solid Waste Department:   The City of Houston (COH) Solid Waste Management Department will embark on its 21st year of Christmas tree recycling(.pdf) after the holiday by providing recycling drop-off sites throughout Houston. … Continue reading →

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It isn’t Christmas without Mel Torme

Posted on December 25, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Every year on Christmas Day, I link to my favorite Christmas story, which stars Mel Torme. Apparently, this story is so popular now that it gets ripped off a lot, which sure seems to be contrary to the Christmas spirit … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: And all through the house

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve shown this video before on Christmas Eve, and since that happens to be Saturday this year, it all comes together beautifully: Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

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Friday video break: And to you your wassail too

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I’m going to take a short break from the Random Tens to bring you a few Christmas songs I wish got more exposure. First up, the King’s Singers take us all wassailing: Here’s the Irish Rovers, with “Good King Wenceslas”: … Continue reading →

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Friday random however many: The airing of grievances

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Last week was about all-purpose songs that we hate. This week, in the spirit of the season, let’s discuss Christmas songs that we can’t stand. Here’s a list from the Chron, some of which will be familiar to Mellowmas fans. … Continue reading →

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It’s hard out here on a Christmas tree

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Another victim of the drought: Texas’ Christmas tree farms. [T]he Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association estimates that less than half the owners of the state’s 100 Christmas tree farms had watering systems. Those with the foresight to irrigate saved their … Continue reading →

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Recycle that tree!

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

If you live in the city of Houston and have a natural Christmas tree, you can simply put it out for curbside recycling. If you need to deal with it before then, here are your options: Those who don’t want to … Continue reading →

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One more time, Merry Christmas, Mel Torme

Posted on December 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Every year on Christmas Day, I link to my favorite Christmas story, which stars Mel Torme. Apparently, this story is so popular now that it gets ripped off a lot, which sure seems to be contrary to the Christmas spirit … Continue reading →

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Special Friday video break: Dash away all

Posted on December 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Once more with my favorite narration of “Twas The Night Before Christmas”: Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

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Special Thursday video break: It’s hard out here on an elf

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Elf’s Lament, by the Barenaked Ladies: Thanks to Ezra for the link.

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Saturday video break: We Three Kings are totally on Twitter

Posted on December 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

If the Christmas story were happening today, this is how it might go down: Thanks to Harold for finding this.

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