Christmas is right around the corner and to get into the right spirit I annually circle back to many Christmas-themed books, poems, movies/ series and songs before the holidays. Today, I would like to share my personal favourites with you. 

Music:

Many Christmas songs are played throughout December, among them radio classics such as Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin’ Stevens (1984), All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey (1994), and Last Christmas by WHAM! (1984). 

While I do enjoy these songs a lot, I tend to go back to more classical songs from my childhood in a choir with songs such as the German classics Maria Durch Ein Dornwald Ging or O Tannenbaum, du trägst ein grünes Kleid or the song O Holy Night which was based on a French poem. Two songs I always listen to on repeat are Eta Notsch Swjataja (arr. Füting, 2015) and Shchedryk.

Shchedryk might sound unfamiliar, but I am sure that everyone has at least heard of it once. The Ukrainian New Year’s song arranged by Mykola Leontovych in 1916 was originally used in a pre-Christmas spring in Ukraine when the swallows returned after the long winter. By singing these songs, people blessed each other with a good year of harvest. So why do I label it as a Christmas song? In 1922, the Ukrainian song was altered. Peter J. Wilhousky arranged a new English version that is well-known as Carol of the Bells, a popular Christmas song that attracted even more attention with its use in the movie Home Alone (Chris Columbus, 1991). Many people do not know or question the origin of the famous English version, which I believe to be a shame as the story behind the original ritual song and its lyrics are rather interesting. 

Books, Short Stories and Poems:

• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss
• “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen
• “A Christmas Memory“ by Truman Capote

My last recommendation is not considered one of the classics for Christmas. However, I thought it to be rather interesting. “Journey of the Magi “ is a poem by the modernist writer T.S. Eliot. It retells the story of the birth of Christ by focusing on one of the magi’s perspectives. As I just mentioned, it is important to note that its author was an influential writer of modernist literature, so typical themes such as alienation and anxiety in an ever-changing world can be found. I think this poem shows another side of Christmas stories that might not be as popular as it can sometimes be hard to understand the meaning behind the words and verses, however, I still think it would be interesting to approach this poem as a literary challenge. 

Movies/ Series:

• The Family Stone (dir. Thomas Bezucha, 2005)
• Love Actually (dir. Richard Curtis, 2003)
• The Grinch (dir. Ron Howard, 2000)
• Santa Clause (dir. John Pasquin, 1995)
• Dash & Lily (Joe Tracz, 2020)
• Three Wishes for Cinderella (dir. Václav Vorlíček, 1973)

Here are some Christmas traditions and activities that I have enjoyed over the years.

• Feuerzangenbowle (dir. Helmut Weiss, 1944): Every year, a couple of days before Christmas, my whole family gets together to watch the German movie while having the actual drink. While this is an activity catering to the family’s adults, the children can enjoy their hot apple juice from authentic cups as well. Even though their drinks cannot be prepared the same way, they are always fascinated by the Feuerzangenbowle, prepared with a sugar cone on fire on top of the mug. This became a rather important tradition in my hometown as many families, neighbourhood clubs and even our university started to organize Feuerzangenbowle nights in the days before Christmas.
• Silly Christmas Pictures: Ugly Christmas Sweaters, DIY Christmas-themed headbands, recreating Christmas movie scenes as pictures
• Mince Pie Movie Marathons: During my time in England, I was introduced to many traditions from the UK. One that stuck with me was our Mince Pie Fridays. It is not an official tradition but a thing my family enjoyed a lot, it was a great way to introduce Christmas into a stressful week. Every Friday, after work and school, we would meet at home, prepare British Mince Pies and watch Christmas movies together. It was a great way to combine bonding time, relaxation and Christmas. 
• Christmas Crackers: They are an English must-have for Christmas, children can enjoy the little gifts inside.

Merry Christmas!

Lisa A.

Christmas doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.

– Dr. Suess, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Sometimes getting into the Christmas spirit can be difficult. Christmas decorations galore, a dazzling tree, and perfect fluffy snowflakes falling from the sky certainly make it easier! But, for me, Christmas is a state of mind more so than something controlled by outside factors. So, in hopes of sparking some Christmas joy, here are my top literature picks for the holiday season!

• A classic for all ages: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a rhyming tale about the meaning of Christmas and commerce. The sheer thought of the nearing festivities so enrages the green monster everyone knows as simply the Grinch that he plans to steal the whole celebration in the middle of the night.
• A humourous twist on the Christmas song we all know: The Twelve Days of Christmas (Correspondence) tells the story of the 12 days of Christmas with a twist. Accompanied by humourous illustrations, this collection of letters narrates the arrival of extravagant gifts from the recipient’s point of view, Emily. She enjoys the lavish gifts of admiration at first, but as they become increasingly strange her gratitude lessens.
• A cautionary tale to remind you not to be a “Scrooge”: A Christmas Carol is a classic Victorian Christmas tale about Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly, bitter gentleman who despises the festive season and everything other people love about it. One Christmas Eve three ghosts visit him. With the intention to change his perspective, they show Mr. Scrooge the Christmas Eves of the past, the present, and the future – and thereby reveal the consequences of his behavior.
• And lastly, a Christmas carol book for the whole family: The Real Mother Goose Book of Christmas Carols is an illustrated book of Christmas carols with a wide variety of songs suitable for all age groups. Ranging from Jingle Bells to We Three Kings, there’s something for everyone!

I wish you all a very merry Christmas!

Sarah

I’m sure most of us are experiencing yet another stressful Christmas time, for the older you are the more you have to think about, organise, and remember. And what’s more, you don’t even get to keep the mysterious magic of Christmas with believing in Santa Claus, the Christkind, or another Christmas entity. No, at some point it’s just *poof* and it’s gone. The holiday itself doesn’t change so much, most of you and your families have their traditions I assume. Maybe you like to go to church and savor the festive service, maybe you have lovely afternoon tea or coffee time with your loved ones. In my family, we like to dress up, we even sing under the tree, and Christmas Eve in general usually has the same procedure every year which I indeed take pleasure in. Most problematic and unnerving is probably the gift-giving. I’m in my mid-twenties and there still is a hidden expectation that I awaken my creativity and actually make something by hand. And let’s be honest: you’re studying or working, do you really set your top priorities on gift-making?

Now, I don’t want to rant, I really do love Christmas time! I particularly adore all the fairy lights and candles, the colours and comfy blankets, all the warm homes radiating their cozy vibes. I admit, it certainly is kind of stressful but that’s a reason to take a step back, have a hot beverage and take an hour just to take care of yourself. So long story short, here are some warm literature and media suggestions for these special decelerating hours or of course for bringing some Christmas vibes into your classroom:

A Christmas Carol: An all-time classic and one of my favourites! I think it captures the spirit of Christmas brilliantly and conveys positive values that we should pay more attention to. It’s also not that long and it’s ideal for reading it to someone.

The Twelve Days of Christmas (Correspondence): This collection of letters tells the story of the 12 days of Christmas from the recipient’s point of view. What starts out as a grand romantic gesture quickly becomes increasingly strange. Receiving two doves is lovely, but can the same be said for eight maids milking cows in your front yard? This book could be the perfect lighthearted story to read for those who love this classic Christmas carol!

The Real Mother Goose Book of Christmas Carols: You want to include some music and singing in your lessons? This is a perfect medium to implement with a great variety of Christmas carols.

Miracle on 34th Street: This is a magical movie about believing in Christmas and Santa Claus. Despite being quite old, I think it is a great movie for the whole family.

Dash & Lily: Maybe some of you know the Netflix series from last year which was lovely. The books about the couple, the misanthropic Dash and the enthusiastic always happy Lily, are in my opinion definitely worth reading. It’s easy to read and still provides a wide vocabulary range. I liked how the contradicting views of the two are described and combined.

I could and also want to go on and on and on with my list but I want to keep this at a length that isn’t so overwhelming. In the end, we read or watch whatever makes us feel good, and statistically the consumption of wholesome movies and literature goes through the ceiling during Christmas time. If you need some more inspiration for classroom media, have a look at our collection and feel free to recommend your own Christmas favourites!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sarah-Sophia

Every year, the staff of the Department of British Studies at the University of Leipzig arranges a Christmas Reading. This year we will read Oscar Wilde’s “The Canterville Ghost” (1887) – a tale of terror and delight. You are welcome to join our digital Christmas Read on Wednesday, 16 December 2020 from 6–8 pm via Zoom (Zoom: 825 2832 7080 Passcode: 882307).

Happy Christmas and stay safe everybody,

The editors