I love holiday movies. Even though my sons are grown and on their own now, when the holiday season rolls around, my entire family manages to watch White Christmas at least once. We know every single line by heart, and many of those lines have long since become part of our regular family lexicon. (“Mutual, I’m sure!”)
I have one other Christmas favorite, however, that is an unknown classic to most, but dear to me in more ways than just bringing a smile to my face each holiday season. My youngest sister and I were both single parents when our kids were little. We lived half a continent apart, which also meant we didn’t get to spend much time together in those days. Without other family nearby for either of us, holidays were always a bit challenging. So, we came up with our own holiday tradition.
We’d organize friends to watch our little ones for the same weekend leading up to the Big Day, giving us a chance to get out and do all the secret Santa stuff that needed doing. Then that Saturday evening, the one kid-free evening we had, sometimes in months, we’d spend together via little camera hook-ups and wobbly microphones we’d each attach to our computers (this was before Skype, or FaceTime.) Card tables set up in front of our tv sets on each end, with stacks of wrapping paper, rolls of tape, and the pile of Santa gifts to be wrapped, we’d watch our favorite movie together while we wrapped presents and caught up with each other without any “Mom! Mom!” interruptions. And yes, there might have been holiday chocolate and adult beverages involved as well. Bliss!
Those are some of the best “girl time” memories of my life, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Oh, and that movie? Desk Set featuring two of my all-time favorite actors, Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. If you haven’t ever seen it, it’s a wonderfully witty, utterly feel good romantic comedy set during the holiday season. Back then my sister and I had grainy, video tape recordings we’d each made of the movie when it aired on tv, complete with all the commercials, that we watched each year via VCR. We’ve long since gifted each other the commercial-free DVD version (though some of those old commercials are now just as dear to us as the movie itself) and we use FaceTime via our iPads, smartphones.
Yes, it’s true, our children are grown now, and both of us are happily paired with the loves of our lives, so we don’t need sitters or have to hide our Santa manuevers any longer. But there are always presents to be wrapped, and it just wouldn’t be the holiday season without Kate & Spencer keeping me and my sister company while we laugh, catch up, and okay, okay, use any excuse to indulge in some of that forbidden holiday chocolate!
ʼTis the season for sweet surprises . . .
Businessman Griffin’s never believed in luck . . . until sassy-sweet small-town baker Melody turns his world around. Except there’s a catch: There’s no way he’ll be able to build his empire and hold on to her. This new love could destroy all his dreams—or make this Christmas better than he ever imagined possible…
Praise for Donna Kauffman and her novels
“Kauffman’s stories show that the bravery to reach for a connection is all we need to discover joy; she excels at expressing the struggles and joys of giving in to love.” –Publishers Weekly on Sandpiper Island
“We all know where there’s Donna Kauffman, there’s a rollicking, sexy read chock-full of charm and sparkle. Kauffman’s characters are adorably human and so very magnetic.” –USAToday.com
“Kauffman pens a touching romance . . . a quirky community and secondary characters with enough personality to make readers want to come back. A light romance with a touch of heat, a pinch of intensity and a dash of mysterious small-town magic.” –Kirkus Reviews on Pelican Point
“Sassy, witty, and sexy.” – Library Journal on Snowflake Bay
“Charming characters, emotion galore, a small town—you’re going to love Donna Kauffman!” – Lori Foster
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