If you are a regular reader of this column, you know that I am a fan of the Christmas season. In fact, I have some holiday music favorites playing in the background right now. But it’s not just Christmas music that gets my sleigh bells a jingling. There’s nothing like settling in for the night on the couch with a warm blanket and your sweetie while watching a Christmas movie. My favorites are the Bass Rankin stop motion Christmas specials I circled in the TV guide and watched so many times as a child. You may remember them. “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” “The Little Drummer Boy.” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” And my all-time favorite, “The Year Without a Santa Claus.”
Now, they may not be official Christmas “movies,” but I don’t care. I know what I like. Meanwhile, I received a press release from a company called Comparitech that published a study showing the most popular Christmas movies by state. And in our great state of Iowa, they determined that “The Santa Clause” from 1994 starring Tim Allen is the most popular.
How did they arrive at this conclusion? Well, here is how they describe their methodology. “Using Google Trends to search for the term ‘Christmas movie’ in each state, we looked to see which movie was a rising topic in the related topics section. Rising topics are the top related search terms users looking at Christmas movies also searched for over the past year and saw the biggest influx in searches during that period.”
It may not be perfect, but it is certainly one way to determine the answer, and, if nothing else, it’s entertaining. You can check out the full results here. Of course, you are curious how our top pick compares with our friendly neighbors.
Nebraska? The top choice is “Christmas with the Kranks,” which also starred Tim Allen along with Jamie Lee Curtis in this 2004 film that I have seen. It was good, not great.
Illinois? “A Christmas Carol,” the 1951 film adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel, is their pick. I can’t argue with that.
Minnesota? “Merry Kiss Cam,” whatever that is. I had to look it up. From way back in 2022, this movie was filmed entirely in Duluth, Minnesota. As you know, Minnesotans don’t venture out much.
Missouri? “A Christmas Vintage.” Vintage? It’s from 2023. Seriously. And, you guessed it, the film was made in Missouri.
South Dakota? The selection is “Spirited.” I haven’t seen this movie either, but it looks like something I might like. This 2022 musical comedy is a modern retelling of “A Christmas Carol” and a satire of the adaptions since. It stars Will Ferrell, so I am willing to give it a shot.
Any of these holiday movies connect with you? Or did something else come to mind? Send me a note and let me know. And do yourself a favor and watch “The Year Without a Santa Claus.”
Have a merry Monday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
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| CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | The polls have closed and a record number of readers have cast their votes in the latest CITYVIEW'S Best Of Des Moines readers' poll — the metro's original and largest poll of its kind.
Winners will be announced in the February 2024 issue of CITYVIEW! |
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Your Clear Mortgage forecast
No snow and mild December temperatures as far as the eye can see...
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
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| Featured home for sale | | | |
$450,000
3519 S.W. 33rd St.,
Des Moines, IA 50321
Here's your chance to live on an expansive .8 acre wooded lot in an updated two-story in the sought-after Southwestern Hills area. The large kitchen boasts granite countertops and brand-new appliances, including a Kitchen-Aid double oven. Unwind in the spacious living room with new carpet centered around a stunning stone-faced fireplace, perfect for cozying up during the cold months.
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1916: WWI: Over a period of several days, avalanches in the Italian Alps killed an estimated 10,000 Austrian and Italian soldiers in mid-December. READ MORE
1941: Germany declares war on the United States. READ MORE
1978: Millions stolen from JFK Airport in infamous ‘Lufthansa heist’. READ MORE
1980: Da Vinci notebook sells for over $5M. READ MORE
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Invasive blue catfish in Delmarva peninsula waters are now devouring the famous Maryland blue crabs. Previously, the hungry catfish were blamed for declining populations of bass and rockfish.
U.S. Dietary Advisory Committee is facing off with Congress again over classification of white potatoes, which come in many colors, as a vegetable. The bureaucrats want to make white potatoes a grain, like rice. That would cut potatoes out of school lunch programs. Previously, Congress has beaten back such bureaucratic aggression. This year, it's dubious which side prevails. (WSJ)
Cracker Barrel has heat and serve holiday specials on line now. Prime rib dinners with gravy, potatoes and two sides with rolls go for $134 and feed four to six. Chocolate pecan pies are $13. Two dozen sweet yeast rolls cost $8. Available Dec. 23-28.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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FROM KCCI: Hawkeye Marching Band will perform during the Citrus Bowl halftime show
ORLANDO, Fla. —
The Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band will officially play at halftime during the Hawkeyes' bowl game. Previously, the Hawkeye Band was only scheduled to play before the game for seven minutes, without a performance during halftime... READ MORE FROM KCCI
FROM WHO-TV: Tennessee residents clean up after severe weekend storms killed 6 people and damaged neighborhoods
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Residents of central Tennessee communities slammed by deadly tornadoes this weekend described tragic and terrifying scenes in which one mobile home landed on top of another, roofs were ripped from houses and an entire church collapsed during a string of powerful storms that killed six people.... READ MORE FROM WHO-TV
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Des Moines police prepare women for police academy
Only 12% of officers in the Des Moines Police Department are women. On Saturday, they trained and informed new and hopeful police academy recruits....READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5 |
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| From the Iowa Living magazines | | | Early Risers
There for parents who work early
By Jackie Wilson
Finding daycare is hard enough for those with a nine-to-five job, but those parents who work the early shift can have an even more difficult time finding daycare available early in the morning.
That’s why West Side Kids in Waukee was established 18 years ago. The place is co-owned by sisters Erin Christianson and Erika Shepherd and their mom, Cindy Volkes.
Erin explains how the daycare began. Erika worked overnights and noticed not many daycares were available early. So, the two and their mom opened up the daycare to accommodate early drop-offs. The daycare used to be open at 6 a.m. but recently switched to 6:30 a.m. West Side Kids accepts children ages 6 weeks to 10 years and transports students to three different Waukee schools.
Read the rest of the story in the Waukee Living magazine! |
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| Birthdays and notables! | | | Happy Birthday Dave Mable!
These celebrities were born on this date: Brenda Lee, Hailee Steinfeld, Alexa Demie, Jack Griffo, Nikki Sixx, Rita Moreno, Rider Strong, Jermaine Jackson, Mo'Nique, Devon Witherspoon
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
After Jack punched his computer and broke his hand, what kind of help did he need? TECH KNUCKLE SUPPORT! - S. Hill Watkins. OR, DIGITAL REPAIR! William Snyder. Or, A dentist to work on his blue tooth! - Gail Tomlinson. Or Med tech support! - Rex Post.
Today's riddle
What is the medical term for owning too many dogs?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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To advertise in this daily newsletter, contact Jolene Goodman at jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com, or call 515-953-4822 ext. 319.
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