Prancer, in our minds, is Santa’s gayest reindeer. He’s there, working the sleigh like a champ, holding his own with all those straight reindeer. That’s just one of the reasons he’s on Santa’s Nice list. In fact, he’s beyond Nice. He’s Fabulous.
Author: Drew
-
Day 13: Karen
Kate has a special place in her heart for Karen, the heroine of Frosty the Snowman (the classic animated special). Back in the day, Kate was known as Karin and she thought it was pretty awesome to have the hero of a story a) be a girl and b) have the same name (homophonically-speaking). Karen clearly makes the Nice list (she freakin' saved Frosty!) and deserves her own drink. Her classic scene in Frosty where she is shivering on the train is where our inspiration started.
-
Day 12: Nutcracker Prince
The premise of The Nutcracker has got to be every child’s fantasy. What kid doesn’t want their favorite toy to come to life? Of course, today it would be Transformers, Barbie and He-Man action figures. Wait, do kids still play with action figures? Does anyone out there know what Transformers are? Hmmm…maybe we’re showing our age. Regardless, the Prince is the last character from The Nutcracker in our calendar.
-
Day 11: The Sugar Plum Fairy
Perhaps the most recognized piece of music from the Nutcracker is the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Slow and haunting, the bell-like sound of the piece evokes a lullaby and a sense of just drifting off to sleep.
-
Day 10: Clara
First in our advent calendar, we explored some characters who were definitely on Santa’s Naughty list. Next, we had a group of four endearing doofuses (doofusi?) that we dubbed the Loveable Lugs. This next trio of cocktails is based one of the most popular pieces of holiday music and dance, the Nutcracker. In the story, a little girl named Clara is given a nutcracker who eventually comes to life. With her help, he defeats the Mouse King and the pair then whisk away to the Land of Sweets. There they are presented with delicious goodies from around the world as the inhabitants dance for them. Clara falls asleep having been crowned the ruler of the Land of Sweets with her Nutcracker Prince.
-
Day 9: The Grinch
You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch…For over 50 years, the story of the Grinch has been a part of Christmas. Jealous of the Whos, the Grinch (with his loyal dog Max in tow) set about stealing their Christmas. But Christmas morning, as the presentless Whos joyfully sing, the Grinch realizes that there is more to Christmas than just presents and his heart famously grows three sizes.
-
Day 8: The Randy
One of our newest family Christmas traditions is the viewing of A Christmas Story, a story about nine year old Ralphie and the Christmas he longs for a Red Ryder BB Gun. Like many of us, Ralphie has an annoying younger sibling, Randy. Dressed in a red, overstuffed snowsuit, Randy tags along after his brother in his adventures to and from school. Endearing but seemingly not too bright, Randy is the quintessential kid brother we get annoyed with but ultimately love (ahem says Kate).
-
Day 7: The Griswold
National Lampoon’s Vacation movies introduced the world to the Griswolds, a typical American family lead by their bumbling father, Clark. Nearly everyone knows a guy like Clark (if they aren't a Clark themselves). He tries…so hard…to be the best father he can. But whether it's planning a family vacation at an amusement park when the park is closed or putting the downpayment on a pool before getting his Christmas bonus, his best laid plans usually end up backfiring.
-
Day 6: Yukon Cornelius
The first few days of our calendar highlighted some holiday characters who, in our opinion, made Santa's Naughty List. To varying degrees, their actions had negative consequences in each of their stories. But, it being Christmas, each character was eventually redeemed.
Now we move into our next group: the Loveable Lugs. These are guys who just can't seem to catch a break but are ultimately endearing for the way they keep plodding through life. Whether they're buffoonish, bumbling or not all together bright, we usually see some part of ourselves in them and really want them to win.
The holiday special Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was rife with memorable supporting characters who, like Rudolph himself, felt like misfits. One such character was the boisterous prospector, Yukon Cornelius, who rescues Rudolph and his merry band. This peppermint-loving galoot helps to save the day (and the Abominable Snowman) while delivering some memorable lines (“Now I'm off to get my life-sustaining supplies: cornmeal and gun powder and hamhocks and guitar strings.”) How could you not help but love this lug of a guy?
-
Day 5: Jack Skellington
Halloween at Christmas? An odd enough combo, but it seems to work when Tim Burton gets involved. In his movie, A Nightmare before Christmas, we’re introduced to Jack Skellington, the leader of Halloween Town, who is suffering from a bad case of ennui. Jack accidentally makes his way to Christmas Town where he discovers the joy and festive spirit that his life is missing. He then attempts to bring it to his Halloween brethren but not before Santa gets kidnapped. If only for his general arrogance and selfishness, Jack hits our Advent Calendar's NAUGHTY list.