Christmas Archives - The Culture Mom

20Dec

Annie: A Very Modern Take on a Beloved Story – Does it Work?

Last weekend my 11 year-old daughter and I headed to NYC to catch a preview of Annie the Movie. She had extremely high hopes about the movie and I was excited to see this seemingly very modern update of a story I have loved all of my life. From the original version starring Andrea McArdle to the 1982 film directed by John Huston to the Broadway show my daughter and I saw last year, the story and songs from Annie have been a staple in my life for just about ever. But after seeing this new film, it's hard to give you a fair opinion on whether it's a Read More

17Dec

Giveaway: A Customized iPhone Case by Casetify

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If you want to give a really creative holiday gift to someone you love this year, I have a great idea. A personalized Casetify phone or iPad case is a personal, different and the recipient will deem it a very thoughtful gift. They'll be likely to think of you every time they use it and it's something that nearly everyone will want. I'm talking about a personalized smart phone or tablet case made by Casetify, a digital tool that enables you to customize a case using Facebook or Instagram photos. Use your favorite selfie photos! The cases are compatible Read More

05Dec

A Trip to the North Pole in Saratoga Springs

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Do you know the story of the Polar Express? It's about a boy's journey to the North Pole to rediscover his belief in Santa Claus. It was book turned major motion picture starting Tom Hanks and is meant to teach both kids and adults that it is never too old to believe. Well, apparently Polar Express rides to the North Pole have become a tradition for many families and tickets are in huge demand. I had never heard of the rides until my family and I were invited to ride the Polar Express on the Saratoga & North Creek Railway last weekend. Right now Read More

02Dec

Giveaway: Joffrey Ballet School’s Nutcracker

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Joffrey Ballet School, a world-renowned dance center offering the most versatile and highest quality training, will once again present Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker this holiday season with 355 dancers – the largest cast in the school’s 60-year history. Returning to the Skirball Performing Arts Center, Joffrey Ballet School will perform five performances of the holiday favorite with three casts, December 13 – 15, 2013. In addition to delighting in the timeless tale of The Nutcracker, audiences will also enjoy its rich legacy of culture, with dances Read More

25Dec

Digging up an Old Post: Our Jewish Christmas

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(This is a repost from last year. I will be posting a new Hanukkah tomorrow, as well, as part of the Hanukkah Hooplah blogger Hanukkah showdown) I grew up in a home with a mother who was desperately trying to shed some of her Jewish identity that she felt was forced down her throat. Her parents had kept a strictly Kosher house. Though they weren’t religious, she felt denied…..denied of having the experience of even just knowing how other people lived. She lived in a very Italian neighborhood, so I am sure that Jewish people were a minority. She Read More

14Dec

Stumped at Holiday Card Time and Saved by Tiny Prints

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The end of the year came fast, and here we are once again faced with the task of finding a good picture for a holiday card. As usual, we suffered through the same argument: do we feature just the kids or all four of us? As usual, we disagreed. I had no desire to be plastered on a card that would be sent around the world, finding its ways into the homes of our friends and family and ending up on a wall or mantle. We found our task of finding good photos harder than usual this year. Perhaps it's because we don't tend to all look into the camera lens at Read More

26Dec

Our Jewish Christmas

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I grew up in a home with a mother who was desperately trying to shed some of her Jewish identity that she felt was forced down her throat. Her parents had kept a strictly Kosher house. Though they weren't religious, she felt denied.....denied of having the experience of even just knowing how other people lived. She lived in a very Italian neighborhood, so I am sure that Jewish people were a minority. She loved Christmas and felt that she was an outsider looking in from year to year. The house surrounding her own were smothered in Christmas lights Read More