Cool Christmas Stuff
From Idaho to the Capitol: Meet America’s 2026 Christmas tree
Each year, one of America’s national forests gets the chance to send a little piece of home to Washington, D.C., where it becomes the nation’s Christmas tree. For 2026, that […]
Hallmark wants to find America’s merriest Christmas town in 2026
Is your hometown the kind of place where neighbors gather to light a towering Christmas tree, storefronts glow with thousands of lights, and the holiday spirit seems to last well […]
Las Vegas Christmas Maze returns in 2026 with new attractions, more lights, and holiday magic
The dazzling Las Vegas Christmas Maze, part of the annual Enchant Christmas event at Las Vegas Ballpark, is set to return for the 2026 holiday season with its biggest refresh […]
Vintage Christmas
The little Christmas ad that put Pez on the map
Long before PEZ became synonymous with colorful character dispensers, it was marketed as an adult peppermint breath mint. Introduced in Vienna in 1927, PEZ was promoted as an alternative to smoking, with its name derived from PfeffErminZ, the German word for peppermint. But in 1955, the company made a pivotal change, introducing fruit flavors and marketing PEZ to children. That same year, it introduced some of its first character dispensers, including Santa Claus and a robot.
The Santa Claus featured in this vintage advertisement is particularly special. It is one of PEZ's early Full Body Santa dispensers, different from the familiar character-head dispensers that eventually became the company's trademark. The elaborate figure was more complicated and expensive to manufacture, and the design was eventually abandoned. But Santa was a hit, and the company quickly discovered that Christmas offered a perfect opportunity to sell PEZ as something more than candy. The ad promises a "PEZ Santa Claus Dispenser" for just 25 cents, with two PEZ Paks, turning a small candy purchase into a toy, novelty and Christmas gift.
The advertisement is a wonderful snapshot of PEZ at a pivotal moment. The company was discovering that children, characters and collectibles were its future, and Santa Claus helped lead the way. The quarter price, colorful artwork and sleigh-load of PEZ are pure 1950s Christmas advertising, but there's something more significant hiding beneath the nostalgia. This little ad captures the early days of what would become one of America's most enduring candy-collecting crazes, with Santa leading the sleigh.
Go to our "Vintage Christmas" archive to see all our vintage holiday photos.
The death of Dolly Parton at age 80 has brought renewed attention to the remarkable body of music she leaves behind. Among the many memorable collaborations in her career is her 2020 recording of “Pretty Paper” with longtime friend Willie Nelson. The Christmas duet brought together two of country music’s most recognizable voices and reunited friends whose careers and songwriting roots stretched back decades.
“Pretty Paper” was written by Willie Nelson in 1963 after he was inspired by a street vendor in Fort Worth, Texas, selling pencils, ribbons and wrapping paper during the Christmas season. The song became a bittersweet reminder of the people who can be overlooked amid the excitement of the holidays. Roy Orbison first made the song a hit, and Nelson later recorded it himself, making it the title track of his 1979 Christmas album, as well as a book he co-authored.
Parton had long loved “Pretty Paper” and selected it for her 2020 album A Holly Dolly Christmas. She had one obvious idea for making the recording even more special: invite the man who wrote it to sing alongside her. Parton and Nelson had known each other since their early days as songwriters in Nashville. They had also recorded together before, including their 1982 hit “Everything’s Beautiful (In Its Own Way).” Now, the recording takes on an added poignancy as fans remember Parton and her extraordinary legacy.
Listen to all our seasonal recommendations
by clicking here: Holiday Song Spotlight archive!
Holiday Highlights
25 Towns, One Big Christmas Dream: Hallmark’s 2026 Contest Heats Up
Hallmark’s search for America’s merriest Christmas town has entered its next phase. What began in July as a nationwide invitation for communities to show off their holiday spirit has now been narrowed to 25 finalists, each of which has earned recognition as an Official Hallmark Christmas Town. The competition is part of Hallmark Channel’s 25th anniversary celebration. One lucky community will ultimately have the opportunity to be featured in a future Hallmark original movie.
The nomination period officially closed on August 10, and public voting opened on August 14. Fans can now cast a vote each day through September 4, giving the finalists several weeks to rally residents, visitors and, presumably, every cousin, coworker and Facebook friend. The contest is designed to recognize communities that capture the ingredients Hallmark believes make Christmas special: community spirit, holiday traditions, neighborhood charm and goodwill.
The 25 finalists represent a broad slice of Christmas America. Among the communities attracting attention are Marlborough, Boerne, Carlinville, Bemidji and Lewisburg. Each has its own Christmas personality, from historic downtowns and elaborate lighting displays to parades, markets and traditions that have been bringing communities together for generations.
All 25 finalists are already winners of sorts. Each will receive Hallmark’s Official Hallmark Christmas Town designation, along with promotional materials designed to help communities celebrate and publicize the honor. But the grand prize winner will receive the contest’s most cinematic reward: the chance to have its town featured as the setting for a Hallmark original movie. For communities that have spent years hearing visitors say, “This place looks like something out of a Hallmark Christmas movie,” this competition offers the tantalizing possibility that the cameras may actually show up.
The contest has also sparked a burst of hometown campaigning across the country. In Boerne, Texas, local supporters are highlighting the town’s Dickens on Main celebration, holiday parade and German heritage. Marlborough, Connecticut, is pointing to its seasonal traditions and picturesque Lake Terramuggus, while Bemidji, Minnesota, is promoting its annual First City of Lights celebration. In Lewisburg, West Virginia, supporters are showcasing the historic downtown and its Magic of Christmas festivities.
Voting continues through September 4, after which Hallmark and its judging process will determine which community ultimately earns the title of Hallmark’s Merriest Christmas Town. The winner is expected to be announced around Halloween, providing a particularly festive piece of news just as the Christmas season prepares to kick off. Until then, the 25 finalists have a few more weeks to prove that when it comes to Christmas spirit, their town is the one where Hallmark’s cameras should come calling.
Go to our Holiday Highlights section to all our spotlights.
Did you know?
In 2020, Dolly Parton brought her signature blend of music, heart and holiday sparkle to Netflix with Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square. The musical Christmas film tells the story of Regina Fuller, a wealthy woman who returns to her hometown with plans to sell the entire town just before Christmas. Standing in her way is an angel, played by Parton herself, who hopes to remind Regina of the importance of compassion, forgiveness and the true meaning of Christmas.
The project was especially personal for Parton, who wrote the film’s original songs and helped create its full-scale musical atmosphere. Starring Christine Baranski, Jenifer Lewis and Treat Williams, Christmas on the Square combined elaborate musical numbers with a classic Christmas redemption story. As Regina confronts her past, the people of the town come together to protect the community they love. Released during the difficult Covid holiday season of 2020, Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square delivered optimism at a time when many viewers needed it most.
Go to our "Did you know" archive to see all our fun facts!
Mini Movie and Soundtrack Reviews
Our latest review!
Christmas on the Square is a cheerful, unabashedly festive Netflix musical that knows exactly what it wants to be: a Hallmarkian musical. Starring the late Dolly Parton as a mysterious angel named Angel and Christine Baranski as Regina Fuller, the film tells the story of a wealthy woman who returns to her hometown with plans to evict its residents and sell the entire community just before Christmas. Naturally, the town, the holiday spirit, and a little Angelic intervention have other ideas.
Read the full review of this movie, as well as all our mini movie and soundtrack reviews, by clicking here!
Holiday Books
For fans of Elvis Presley and Christmas, Christmas with Elvis by Robert Elder offers a nostalgic look back at the King's iconic connection to the holiday season. With vintage photographs, behind-the-scenes stories, and historical insights, the book explores how Christmas became an important part of Elvis's personal and public life.
Learn more about Robert Elder's Christmas with Elvis, as well as all our featured Christmas books, by clicking here!
The Christmas Lists
Our new set of Christmas lists is here and includes a list of things minimalists always declutter after the holidays and more!
Go to our Christmas List section to see this list and many more!
