When the four Pevensie children are forced to leave their home country due to airplane bombings in London, they are unsure of what is to come.  However, soon they discover another land, one just beyond the wardrobe. 

During a game of hide and seek, the youngest sister Lucy, who is played by Georgie Henley, discovers a wardrobe filled with old coats and mothballs.  The extraordinary wardrobe takes her to a mysterious land called Narnia. 

Narnia is full of extravagant and odd creatures.  Lucy quickly makes friends and shares tea with a faun named Mr. Tumnus, played by James McAvoy.  Mr. Tumnus is a slave to the corrupt White Witch, played by Tilda Swinton, who makes Narnia “always winter but never Christmas”.

Lucy leaves Narnia, only to find that her brothers and sisters, Peter (William Moseley), Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Susan (Anna Popplewell) are still playing the same game of hide and seek.  Lucy shares her adventure with her siblings, who doubt its authenticity.   

All four children travel back to Narnia and share many extraordinary undertakings there, come against the many problems the inhabitants face, and meet Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson), the lion who guides them throughout their journey.

Narnia takes you on an adventure that is sure to fascinate you. It will capture you with its deeper meaning and excitement, and it is a suitable film for the whole family.

This film was an adaptation of “Alice in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass,” and it brought Alice back to the magical world of Wonderland. While there, Alice is set with a great duty to kill the Jabberwocky, a monster that has been terrorizing all of the victims of the Red Queen. She quickly makes friends with the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, and the White Queen. The cast of this movie did a spectacular job of creating dramatic effect in this film. Alice was played by Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp played the Mad Hatter, and the Red and White Queens were played by Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Hathaway, respectively.

Tim Burton’s recreation of this honored tale is also available in eye-popping 3D. If you enjoy watching 3D movies, this would be the one to see. The film was rated PG, and for good reason. With crazy imaginary creatures brought to life, the battle scenes are not for young children. However, overall, this movie was breathtaking and incredible, and it is completely worth your time and money.

Please enjoy this collection of 12 days of Christmas trivia compiled from internet sources.

Day 12

Rudolph’s story begins sometime in 1939. The nation was still in the midst of the Great Depression. In the Chicago headquarters of department store giant, Montgomery Ward, that summer, executives were making plans for the coming Christmas season. To save money they called upon Robert L. May, a 34 year-old. He worked on a story to hand out to kids. With the help of his daughter, May had created Rudolf after trying out many different names such as .

Unlike the Rudolph we now know from the song and cartoon, May’s original Rudolph lived an ordinary life with his parents in the woods. He did not live at the North Pole and his parents were not part of Santa’s reindeer team. Oh, Rudolph had to deal with the taunts of the other little reindeer who shunned him because he was different. Like May as a child, Rudolph was lonely and had few friends. But, rather than dwelling on his problems, Rudolph had a positive outlook on life and did not let his deformity hold him back.

In the original story, Rudolph’s big moment came when Santa landed his sleigh at Rudolph’s home to deliver gifts to him and the other good little reindeer in the neighborhood. As Santa landed a fog started to roll in. By the time Santa had finished delivering presents to the little reindeer in the area, the fog had become dense, making it impossible for Santa to take off safely. With children all over the world expecting him to visit and leave presents, Santa had a dilemma – he couldn’t see to take off in the fog but if he did not take off he would disappoint children all over the world. At that moment Santa noticed Rudolph with his shiny red nose and asked him to lead his sleigh. Rudolph agreed and Santa was able to make his deliveries. Following Santa’s successful Christmas Eve journey with Rudolph in the lead, the story ends with Santa saying to Rudolph, “By YOU last night’s journey was actually bossed. Without you, I’m certain we’d all have been lost!”  It was different from the ending we all know  where Rudolf goes down in history. The story soon caught the eye of a publisher and Rudolf became one of the biggest icons of Christmas today.

Day 11

Christmas lights are sold by the millions during Christmas times. Traditionally trees were decorated by the Germans with candles and apples and paper stars. They would be on the tree with melted wax but soon little lanterns were used with glass spheres. Albert Sadacca was fifteen in 1917, when he first got the idea to make safety Christmas lights for Christmas trees. A tragic fire in New York City involving Christmas tree candles inspired Albert to invent electric Christmas lights. His idea soon became a reality to what we have now wrapped around our Christmas trees.

Day 10

Most believe the Twelve days of Christmas is before Christmas itself. In fact, the song refers to the twelve days between the day of Jesus’ birth and the arrival of the Wise men. It starts Dec. 25 and continues through Jan.  6. Each day has its special meaning religiously. The song was said to be a teaching tool to instruct young people in the meaning of Christian faith. Since between 1558 to 1829, Catholics were not allowed to express their religion publicly, this song was a sneaky way to stay true to their beliefs.

In the first line “true love” refers to God, the one who loves all and “me” refers to the person who receives the presents, in other words man or people. “The partridge in a pear tree” was Jesus Christ. “Two turtle doves” are the Old and New Testaments. “Three French hens” were faith, hope, and love. “For calling birds” were the four Gospels in the New Testament which sing the song of salvation through Jesus Christ; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. “Five golden rings” were the first five books in the Bible; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. “Six geese a laying” were the six days of creation. “Seven swans a-swimming” were the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. “Eight maids a milking” were the eight beatitudes. “Nine ladies dancing” were nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peach, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. “Ten lords a leaping” are the Ten Commandments. “Eleven pipers piping” were the eleven faithful disciples. “Twelve drummers drumming” were the twelve points of the Apostles’ Creed.

Day 9

“Deck the halls with boughs of holly…” In Northern Europe, Christmas occurred during the middle of winter, when ghosts and demons could be heard howling in the winter winds. Boughs of holly, believed to have magical powers since they remained green through the harsh winter, were often placed over the doors of homes to drive evil away. Greenery was also brought indoors to freshen the air and brighten the mood during the long, dreary winter. Legend also has it that holly sprang from the footsteps of Christ as he walked the earth. The pointed leaves were said to represent the crown of thorns Christ wore while on the cross and the red berries symbolized the blood he shed.

Day 8

One of the most iconic symbols of Christmas is the Christmas tree. In the 7th century a monk from Crediton, Devonshire, went to Germany to teach the Word of God. Legend has it that he used the triangular shape of the Fir Tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The converted people began to revere the Fir tree as God’s Tree, as they had previously revered the Oak. The Germans would decorate their trees with apples and paper stars. Although, the first decorated tree was at Riga in Latvia, in 1510. In the early 16th century, Martin Luther is said to have decorated a small Christmas Tree with candles, to show his children how the stars twinkled through the dark night.

Day 7

Around 1610, tinsel was first invented in Germany made from genuine silver. Machines were invented that shredded silver into thin tinsel-sized strips. Silver tinsel tarnishes and loses its shine with time, eventually, artificial replacements were invented. The original inventor of tinsel remains unknown.

Day 6

The origin of the wreath is nearly unknown. The origin of the Christmas wreath dates back to the ancient cultures of the Persian Empire. During that time, wreaths were believed to be a symbol of importance as well as success. Somewhere around the 776 BC, Greeks started placing wreaths, made of laurel, on the head of the athletes who came first in the Olympic Games. The shift from the head to the door is not known with much accuracy. Some believe that the athletes would place them on his/her door to show off his/her trophies.

Day 5

Candy canes are both a sweet treat and unique tree ornament. The origin of theses striped candies lies in an event in Cologne Cathedra about 230 years ago. It was said that one evening, the children were being very loud at church and were not paying attention. The choirmaster gave them a long, white sugar candy stick to keep them settled but since giving out chocolates and candies at church was considered sacrilegious; he bent these sticks on one end to make them look like shepherds’ cane.

In 1847, a German-Swedish immigrant in Wooster, Ohio liked candy canes so much that he put them on his Christmas tree as decorations. The idea soon caught up and became quite a fashion. In 1900, candy canes started coming in red strips and peppermint flavoring and it was said that the white color was symbolic Christ’s purity while the red symbolized the wounds he suffered. The peppermint flavoring was said to represent the hyssop herb described in the Bible for purification.

Day 4

Kissing under the mistletoe comes from the legend of Goddess Frigga and her son Balder. Frigga was the Goddess of Love and her son was the God of the Summer Sun. Once, Balder dreamt of his death and worried, he told his mother. Frigga was so worried for her son and for the sake of the world, which without the sun would freeze and die, that she went everywhere and to every being in air, water, fire, and earth to promise that they would never harm her son.

Loki, the God of Evil, was the enemy of Balder and was aware that Frigga had overlooked one plant. It grew on apple and oak trees and was known as the mistletoe. Loki made an arrow and placed the Mistletoe at its tip. He then befriended the blind brother of Balder, Hoder, the God of Winter, and made him shoot Balder. Balder was immediately killed. Every creature tried to bring Balder back to life for three days but it was Frigga who managed to revive her son with the help of the Mistletoe. Her tears on the plant became pearly white berries and she blessed the plant. Anyone who stands under the mistletoe plant would never be harmed and would be entitled to a kiss as a token of love.

Day 3

Eggnog is common around Christmas time. In the 17^th century a strong ale called “nog” was bery popular in Britain around the holidays. It was made from beer, sugar, egg yolks, lemon rinds and cinnamon. Later in the 19the century North Americans took the French version of the drink called “Lait de Poule”, made from milk, sugar, egg yolks, and added spices. Though most now don’t drink eggnog with alcohol, the recipe has been he same for over 150 years.

Day 2

Poinsettias are a native Mexican plant named after Joel R. Poinsett, U.S. ambassador to Mexico who brought the plant to America in 1828. The legend has it that a young Mexican boy, on his way to visit the village Nativity scene, realized he had no gift for the Christ child. He gathered pretty green branches from along the road and brought them to the church. He was mocked by the other children, but when the leaves were laid at the manager, a beautiful star-shaped flower appeared on each branch. The bright red petals, often mistaken for flowers, are actually the upper leaves of the plant.

Day 1

Many people refer to Christmas as Xmas, though most don’t even know what it means. The abbreviation is of Greek origin. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. During the 16^th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ’s name, “X”, in place of the word Christ in Christmas. Later on, as the Greek language began to wane in popularity, many who did not understand Greek mistook the abbreviation as a sign of disrespect.

Christmas facts taken from internet resources including  inventors.about.com/od/cstart and inventions/a/Xmas_Lights.htm

The hilarious 1989 Christmas movie gives a new twist on the traditional holiday. Featuring Clark Grizwold played by Chevy Chase, the family man dreams of a big Christmas with all of his loved ones. From the very beginning of the movie their plans go awry.

The movie is filled with surprises and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. It features the accident prone father Clark Grizwold, his wife Ellen who is played by Beverly D’Angelo, and estranged cousin Eddie who is played by Randy Quaid.

The other National Lampoon Vacation movies are filled with other hilarious moments.  It features the family going on different trips to places such as the Walley World theme park to a European tour.

The Christmas movie is considered one of the funniest of the movies, if not the funniest. It takes on a whole new level when you think of embarrassing family members and rude neighbors. The unforgettable moments of Aunt Bethany wrapping her cat for a Christmas present to a squirrel terrorizing the household makes this movie stand out among the predictable holiday movies.

Although this movie has many moments of being outstandingly funny, it also reminds you of the importance of family. This movie shows that without family the importance of Christmas is completely missed.

The nontraditional Christmas, the out-of-the-ordinary family, and love of the Christmas season makes this movie a must see for a good laugh a new appreciation for your out-of-the-ordinary family.

Eight year-old Kevin, played by Maculay Culkin, never felt like he was a part of his family, just the butt of his older brother Buzz’s (Devin Ratray) mean jokes. After an incident at the dinner table he gets sent up to the attic. The next morning his family leaves for France and forgets all about him until they are on the plane, halfway over the Atlantic Ocean.

He is forced to fend for himself–a dream come true! He lives off junk food, watches whatever he wants on TV and is forced to fight off the “Wet Bandits” played by actors Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern.

Kevin finally learns the importance of family in this holiday classic that is now, and will always, be loved by many.

Macaulay Culkin was a young actor talented beyond his years. The rest of the cast is equally talented. They will have you laughing out loud with the witty dialogue and the over-the top-scream from the mother (Catherine O’Hara) when she realizes she left her son at home while the rest the family went on vacation.

Much to our pleasure, this isn’t the last time Kevin is forced to spend Christmas by himself trying to outsmart some not-so-bright burglars.

In the second movie installment of the series, “Home Alone 2,” he gets on the wrong plane and ends up in New York City. In addition to outsmarting the burglars, he is trying to throw off the hotel staff at the Plaza by convincing him that his father, who is actually in Florida with the rest of the family is in “important meetings” while Kevin runs around the Big Apple by himself.

Anyone who needs a little extra laugh during the sometimes stressful Christmas season should definitely watch this movie. You will find a new appreciation for your family and about 100 new ways to use random items around your house to defeat anyone who may try to rob you.

“The Santa Clause” is a movie that will bring your childhood dreams back to life and will make you want to be at the North Pole. Director John Pasquin artfully brings to life the full magic of Christmas time as Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) accidently causes Saint Nick to slip on a cold, icy roof and plummet to the ground.  With this action, Scott finds a peculiar card that that he now has the job of being Saint Nicholas and delivering presents to every little boy and girl across the world.

 Tim Allen brings to life Scott Calvin as he grudgingly accepts the job and conquers the challenges on the way.  Special effects bring to life the movie as you slowly watch the changes from a skinny businessman to white bearded large man in a bright red suite.   The special effects are so realistic you can visibly see the beard growing right before your eyes.

The Christmas time excitement and feeling radiate from this movie as you think back to your youth and remember childhood experiences. The plot is easy to follow and is never confusing or outrageous and won’t cause a mid-life crisis with conspiracy theories.

The movie overall is good, but is somewhat predictable and can be boring at some points.  “The Santa Clause” is a good holiday movie that will bring Christmas to life.

George Bailey, a frustrated businessman residing in Bedford Falls, discovers that $8,000 has disappeared from his family business and believes that he will have to go to jail. All of the other frustrations of his life pile on until he wishes he had never been born. His guardian angel comes to grant his wish so he can see what others’ life and surroundings would be like if he had never been born.

When “It’s a Wonderful Life” first debuted in 1946, the movie was not popular with critics or audiences, but was nominated for five Academy Awards, including James Stewart for “Best Actor in a Leading Role.” The film was quickly forgotten, shown on television occasionally in the late 1950s. In 1973, its copyright lapsed, and it grew greatly popular for the first time since its release.

This movie carries a great message: even when life seems to be trying, people should always remember that they have a wonderful life.  James Stewart (George Bailey), Donna Reed (Mary Hatch), Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter), Thomas Mitchell (Uncle Billy), Beulah Bondi (Mrs. Bailey), and H.B. Warner (Mr. Gower) portray their roles with perfect character and style, and writer Philip Van Doren Stern created a moving and well-paced storyline. With the perfect balance of humor, drama, and romance, the feel-good film leaves the viewer with a positive perspective on life.

Although it premiered 63 years ago, “It’s a Wonderful Life” is my favorite movie, and it has become a tradition for many families to watch every Christmas.

Originally produced in black and white, the colorized version of this movie are available locally at Hastings.

For “It’s a Wonderful Life” trivia and quizzes, visit  http://www.funtrivia.com/quizzes/movies/movies_h-k/its_a_wonderful_life_.html