It is November 1st and that means it’s time to get laser focused on Christmas! The holiday movies started to roll out this past weekend on Hallmark on Oct 29. Hallmark wins with first holiday movie of the season! This inspired me to pull together a list of 2016 holiday movies. Not everything is on this list. I am not interested in every movie that connects to Christmas. So this is curated for family friendly, things I love and things my kids love and some grown-up gal alone time watching chick flicks while sipping a hot tottie!
Santa Claus (1959)
In this trippy Mexican film, Santa wrestles with poofy-pants Pitch for the soul of an impoverished poor little waif who’s tempted to steal a new dolly for Christmas. Dig Santa’s sweatshop in the clouds, manned by child labor from around the world, and the surreal surveillance equipment he uses to determine who’s been naughty and who’s been nice!
Watch on You Tube
Bill Murray worries no one will show up to his TV show due to a terrible snowstorm in New York City. Netflix | with Bill Murry
The House Without a Christmas Tree 1972
A young girl named Addie, living in Nebraska in 1946, wants nothing more for the holidays than a Christmas tree, but her widowed father is bitter and refuses due to events from the family’s past. Stars: Jason Robards, Mildred Natwick, Lisa Lucas
Watch full movie on YouTube
Or you can buy the holiday combo pack: Holiday Family Classics: The Thanksgiving Treasure / The House Without A Christmas Tree – on Amazon
It’s time to clean out those summer olympics episodes you know your not going to actually watch; Â to make room for the holiday flicks! First up is Hallmark because they win in 2016 for first new holiday film of the season this past weekend.
NOTE: This list is a line up all new for 2016 Hallmark movies, they will also play Christmas movies from past season check their website or your TV guide for movies from previous year.
A Wish For Christmas Saturday, October 29, 8/7c
Starring Lacey Chabert & Paul Greene
The Mistletoe Promise Saturday, November 5, 8/7c
Starring Jaime King and Luke Macfarlane
A Perfect Christmas Sunday, November 6, 8/7c
Starring Susie Abromeit, Dillon Casey, & Erin Gray
Every Christmas Has a Story Saturday, November 12, 8/7c
Starring Lori Loughlin, Colin Ferguson, & Willie Aames
Christmas Cookies Sunday, November 13, 8/7c
Stars Jill Wagner and Wes Brown
Home & Family Holiday Special Thursday, November 17, 8/7c
Hosted by Mark Steines and Debbie Matenopoulos
My Christmas Dream Saturday, November 19, 8/7c
Starring Danica McKellar, Deidre Hall, & David Haydn-Jones
A December Bride Sunday, November 20, 8/7c
Stars Daniel Lissing and Jessica Lowndes
Broadcasting Christmas Wednesday, November 23, 8/7c
Starring Melissa Joan Hart, Dean Cain, Cynthia Gibb, Jackée Harry, & Richard Kline
Christmas in Homestead Thursday, November 24, 8/7c
Stars Taylor Cole and Michael Rady
Christmas List Friday, November 25, 8/7c
Stars Alicia Witt and Gabriel Hogan
A Heavenly Christmas From the Hallmark Hall of Fame Saturday, November 26, 8/7c
Starring Kristin Davis, Eric McCormack, & Shirley MacLaine
Journey Back to Christmas Sunday, November 27, 8/7c
Starring Candace Cameron Bure, Oliver Hudson, & Tom Skerritt
A Dream of Christmas Saturday, December 3, 8/7c
Starring Nikki DeLoach and Andrew Walker
Looks Like Christmas Sunday, December 4, 8/7c Starring Anne Heche and Dylan Neal
National Christmas Tree Lighting Monday, December 5, 8/7c
A Nutcracker Christmas Saturday, December 10, 8/7c
Starring Amy Acker, Sascha Radetsky, & Sophia Lucia
Love You Like Christmas Sunday, December 11, 8/7c
Starring Brennan Elliott
My Christmas Love  Saturday, December 17, 8/7c
Starring Meredith Hagner, Bobby Campo & Gregory Harrison
Sleigh Bells Ring Sunday, December 18, 8/7c
When Calls the Heart Christmas Sunday, December 25, 8/7c
Starring Erin Krakow, Daniel Lissing, Lori Loughlin & Jack Wagner
A Rose for Christmas Sunday, January 1, 8/7c
Starring Rachel Boston
One Repeat worth noting  on Hallmark Movie Channel
5:00am – Holiday Inn (1942, Bing Crosby)
NOTE: This list is a line up all new for 2016 Hallmark M & M, they will also play Christmas movies from past season check their website or your TV guide for movies from previous year.
Love Always, Santa Sunday, November 6, 9/8c
Starring Marguerite Moreau and Mike Faiola
Finding Father Christmas Sunday, November 13, 9/8c
Starring Erin Krakow, Wendie Malick, and Niall Matter
Operation Christmas Sunday, November 20, 9/8c
Starring Tricia Helfer and Marc Blucas
I’ll Be Home for Christmas Sunday, November 27, 9/8c
Stars James Brolin, Mena Suvari, & Giselle Eisenberg
Hearts of Christmas Sunday, December 4, 9/8c
Starring Emillie Ullerup
The Sound of Christmas Sunday, December 11, 9/8c
A Christmas to Remember Sunday, December 18, 9/8c
Starring Mira Sorvino and Cameron Mathison
NOTE: This list is a mix of old and new 2016 Christmas movies on UP Â
My One Christmas Wish 11/05/16 – 07:00pm Based on the true story of Jackie Turner
Christmas Angel 11/05/16 – 09:00pm Stars: Della Reese, Teri Polo, Tamera Mowry and Kevin Sorbo.
Stealing Christmas 11/06/16 – 09:00am Stars: Tony Danza, Lea Thompson and Betty White.
Beverly Hills Christmas 11/06/16 – 11:00am
Naughty & Nice 11/06/16 – 01:00pm.
All I Want for Christmas 11/06/16 – 03:00pm
A Christmas Wedding Date 11/06/16 – 05:00pm
Guess Who’s Coming to Christmas 11/06/16 – 11:00pm with Drew Lachey
NOTE: This list is a line up all new for 2016 ION holiday movies. ION will also play Christmas movies from past season check their website or your TV guide for movies from previous year.
 A Vermont Christmas Vacation – Sunday, Nov. 27, at 9/8c PM
Cast: Abigail Hawk, Chevy Chase, David O’Donnell, Howard Hesseman, Morgan Fairchild, Zack Ward
“A Firehouse Christmas” – Saturday, Dec. 3, at 9/8c PM
Cast: Anna Hutchison, Marcus Rosner, Anita Brown, Bruce Dawson
“A Cinderella Christmas” – Sunday, Dec. 4, at 9/8c PM
Cast: Emma Rigby, Peter Porte, Sarah Stouffer, Leland B. Martin, Lesley-Anne Down, Mindy Cohn, Lucy DeVito
“Christmas with the Andersons” – Saturday, Dec. 10, at 9/8c PM
Cast: George Stults, Christy Carlson Romano, Ion Overman, Dale Godboldo, Julie Brown, Caia Coley, Barry Livingston.
“A Husband for Christmas” – Sunday, Dec. 11, at 9/8c PM
Cast: Vivica A. Fox, Ricco Ross, Dominique Swain, Michael Bergin
NOTE: This list is a line up of classic holiday movies.Â
 Prime time only version:
Thursday, Dec. 1 – The Santa Clause, 9:15 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 2 – The Polar Express, 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 3 – Arthur Christmas, 6:45 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 4 – Elf, 6:40 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 5 – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 6 – The Polar Express, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – The Santa Clause, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 8 – Elf, 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 9 – Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups, 7:45 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 10 – Pixar Toy Story Marathon
Sunday, Dec. 11 – Pixar Toy Story Marathon
Monday, Dec. 12 – The Polar Express, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 13 – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 14 – Arthur Christmas, u p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 15 – The Santa Clause, 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 16 – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 7:35 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 17 – Disney Frozen, 9 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 18 – The Santa Clause, 5:10 p.m. and Disney Frozen, 7:20 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 19 – Elf, 6:50 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 20 – Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 21 – The Santa Clause, 6:50 p.m. and Elf, 8:55 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 22 – Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, 5:10 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 23 – Disney’s A Christmas Carol, 6:45 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 24 – Elf, 7:40 p.m. & National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 9:45 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 25 – Holiday favorites air all day long
Extended Version removing the repeats:Â I didn’t list everything and attempted to eliminate repeats to see their full schedule visit their website.
December 1
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory 3:30PM/2:30C
The Year Without a Santa Claus 6PM/5C
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 7:05PM/6:05C
The Santa Clause 9:15PM/8:15C
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas 11:20PM/10:20C
December 2
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year 12:55AM/11:55C
Jack Frost (1979) 11AM/10C
The Polar Express (2004) 9:20PM/8:20C
December 3
Elf 8:50PM/7:50C
The Holiday 10:55PM/9:55C
December 4
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas 7AM/6C
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey 7:30AM/6:30C
Rudolph & Frosty’s Christmas in July 10:05AM/9:05C
I’ll Be Home for Christmas (1998) 12:10PM/11:10C
Arthur Christmas (2011) 2:20PM/1:20C
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town 10:55PM/9:55C
December 5
Scrooged (1998) 9PM/8C
December 6
Snowglobe 12AM/11C
December 8
12 Dates of Christmas 12AM/11C
Holiday Joy 3PM/2C
Deck The Halls 5PM/4C
December 9
Holiday in Handcuffs 12AM/11C
Dec 10
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland 11AM/10C
Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws 3:35PM/2:35C
The Search for Santa Paws 5:40PM/4:40C
Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups 7:45PM/6:45C
Snow Buddies 9:50PM/8:50C
Rudolph & Frosty’s Christmas in July 11:55PM/10:55C
December 11
The Little Drummer Boy (1968) 7AM/6C
December 13
Christmas Cupid 12AM/11C
December 14
Three Days (2001) 12AM/11C
December 15
Santa Baby 12AM/11C
December 16
Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe 12AM/11C
December 17
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year 7AM/6C
Disney Frozen 9PM/8C
December 20
Just Friends 12AM/11C
December 21
Holidaze 12AM/11C
December 22
The Mistle-Tones 12AM/11C
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The Family Stone Sun Nov 6 3:00am ET
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Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas Sat Nov 12 10:00am
The Muppet Christmas Carol Nov 2 10:15pm and Nov 7 4:00am
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Samantha an American Girl Holiday Monday, December 22nd 12 ET
Unlikely Angel Wednesday, December 24th 12 ET
The Preacher’s Wife 11:30 pm C
Holiday baking championships all day on Nov 5th
Don’t forget about all the Cooking and Food Channels – many are doing holiday bake offs!
Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas Special  FOX | 8:30pm Nov 29
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town  ABC | 8:00pm Nov 27
It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown ABC | 8:00pm Nov 30
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas  ABC | 9:00pm Dec 1
The Christmas Shoes  ABC | 7:00am Dec 2
Jack Frost  ABC | 1:30pm Dec 2
Prancer ABC  | 12:00pm Dec 4
Love Actually  ABC | 1:00pm Dec 7
Mr. St. Nick  ABC | 7:00am Dec 14
Shrek the Halls  ABC | 8:30pm Dec 15
Yes, Virginia  ABC | 8:30pm Dec 18
I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown  ABC | 8:00pm Dec. 19
A Charlie Brown Christmas  ABC | 9:00pm Dec 24
Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special  CW | 9:00pm Nov 27
Merry Madagascar  CW | 9:30pm Nov 27
Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol CW | 8:00pm Dec 24
Frosty the Snowman  CBS | 8:00pm Nov 28
Frosty Returns CBS | 8:30pm Nov 28
The Story of Santa Claus  CBS | 9:00pm Nov 28
A Home for the Holidays  CBS | 9:00pm Dec 18
Christmas in Rockefeller Center  NBC | 8:00pm Dec 2
How the Grinch Stole Christmas  NBC | 9:00pm Dec 2
It’s a Wonderful Life NBC 8:00pm Dec 10
Coat of Many Colors  NBC | 9:00pm ET Dec 10
Meet Me in St. Louis Thursday November, 24 2016 at 08:00 AM
Holiday Affair Wednesday November, 30 2016 at 06:00 AM
Christmas in Connecticut Wednesday November, 30 2016 at 03:00 PM
The Shop Around The Corner     November, 30 2016 at 06:00 PM and
Thursday December, 15 2016 at 08:00 PM
Tenth Avenue Angel Saturday December, 24 2016 at 06:45 AM
Miracle on 34th Street  (Visit their website to see when date and air time are as they have yet to be announced)
Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show  CBS | 10:00pm ET Monday Dec 5th – I will do a post soon on hosting a V.S. Fashion Show viewing party. I have done this every year since this has been on the air – it’s a lot of fun!
The time listings are mostly eastern and you’ll have to do the math in your area. Also, check your local TV, cable and dish providers schedules as different options will show at different times. So what I am saying is use this list for inspiration and if some days and times are wrong or different in your area – make note for yourself so you don’t miss anything you love! If it’s too much to print from this site I made a simple PDF for you to download:Â 2016-holiday-movies
See you in the New Year – I am on TV lock down!
xoxo Lovely Lula
This week we celebrate all things local! Get in on the action and spend your money on your local economy this week. Laboratory5 Inc is a locally owned business so naturally it is important to us to promote and celebrate all of our localists in AZ and around the country.
Check out some of your favorite local shops and business this week and get in on some great deals. Grab your golden ticket and get to shopping!
Why have kids play and explore in nature? Because they already know what to do there – not instructions required. Kids are hard wired to know how to play outside, it is only we adults who interrupt their potential while they are explore. We do this out of our own fears but what if we allow these young explores to take over and investigate all on their own? Just think of what they might come up with. Beyond playing out in a natural environment what if you are interested in building a playground in the back yard for the kids? consider building one out of natural materials. You can keep it simple and put up a few tree stumps to offer space for imaginative play.
You could create structures that are more complex and offer a fort like set ups so kids feel like they are in their own land and are able to invent new games with new rules. They can build characters and use their imaginations to create whole new worlds.
Mix nature with richer character development and storytelling by creating an outdoor structure that is a puppet theater combined with a beverage stand or Lucy from Peanut’s Advise stall. Let kids decide how they want to incorporate nature into the story they tell and how they see the world.
Next time you think “should I let the kids play an hour more on their tech or should I take them to a nearby playground?” consider how healthy it is for kids to have unsupervised, creative outdoor play. Leave them alone because they know what to do out there, just like you did when you where a kid.
Celebrating Summer Solstice is a great way to connect kids with nature as Solstice highlights the transitions in nature. Crops are starting to grow, daylight is at its peak and the weather in most locations is inviting.
FEAST – Eat local and seasonal foods -Â Visit a farmers market
FLOWERS – Pick some fresh outside, visit a florist, Research legends about flowers
FIRE – Have a Bonfire -Â According to old pagan traditions, the bonfires would to scare off witches and other evil creatures during the Solstice.
SCIENCE – Learn more about Phenology - the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate and plant and animal life.
ART and CRAFT – Make Solstice Slime, Fire Flies in a Jar, Hair flower wreath, A Sun Wheel
A solstice happens when the sun’s zenith is at its furthest point from the equator. On the June solstice, it reaches its northernmost point and the Earth’s North Pole tilts directly towards the sun, at about 23.4 degrees. It’s also known as the northern solstice because it occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere.
‘Solstice’ (Latin: ‘solstitium’) means ‘sun-stopping’. The point on the horizon where the sun appears to rise and set, stops and reverses direction after this day. On the solstice, the sun does not rise precisely in the east, but rises to the north of east and sets to the north of west, meaning it’s visible in the sky for a longer period of time.
Although the June solstice marks the first day of astronomical summer, it’s more common to use meteorological definitions of seasons, making the solstice midsummer.