In 1953, Philip Morris issued a holiday-themed print advertisement, and even a special cigarette carton, for the Christmas season that featured Lucy and Ricky Ricardo (their I Love Lucy personas) alongside Johnny Roventini, the company’s iconic “bellhop” spokesman. The ad art included Christmas holly and berries and cheerful seasonal design elements around the stars’ images and the cigarette branding — a festive spin meant to tie the brand to the holiday gifting season. Because I Love Lucy was originally sponsored by Philip Morris from its 1951 debut through about 1954, the network and sponsor heavily intertwined the show’s stars with the cigarette brand. This included magazine ads, TV spots, and even animated sponsor sequences embedded in the show’s opening titles. By today’s standards, having beloved TV stars pose with cigarettes in holiday ads is jarring because we now associate smoking with well-documented health risks. But in the early 1950s, smoking was socially ubiquitous and such celebrity tie-ins were common.

Go to our "Vintage Christmas" archive to see all our vintage holiday photos.

Gavin Guss is a singer-songwriter known for his honest lyrics and strong melodic sense and has led a number of bands, including the Tycoons. As I've stated in the past, it's hard to get any information on Guss but one thing is for sure, he knows how to craft a catchy jangly power pop song! In addition to his regular output, I found his Christmas offerings some of the most melodic and pop-driven music being released in the holiday genre today. Influences range the gamut, but it's clear he was a Beatles fan. He writes songs that explore relationships, personal growth, and everyday experiences with clarity and authenticity. Guss also focuses on storytelling and emotional connection in his music. Musically, his sound blends acoustic-driven arrangements with full-band energy, creating songs that feel both intimate and dynamic. And Every Other December is no exception. Take a listen!

Listen to all our seasonal recommendations
by clicking here: Holiday Song Spotlight archive!

Hallmark and Disney wrap production on 2026 holiday movie!

This year’s 2026 holiday entertainment season is getting a splash of pixie dust with Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True, an all-new original movie produced by the Hallmark Channel in collaboration with Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Announced late in 2025, this marks a historic partnership between Hallmark — the home of cozy holiday romance films — and Disney, bringing a Christmas-themed story to life in The Most Magical Place on Earth.

The story centers on Lindsey — played by Hallmark favorite Lacey Chabert — who brings her extended family to Walt Disney World for a perfect holiday getaway. However, her idyllic vacation hits a snag when she discovers that her hotel room is next door to Philip, portrayed by Travis Van Winkle, a man she once had a disastrous first date with. As they navigate snow-topped parks, jolly events, and unexpected encounters across the resort, what starts as awkward turns into something warm, heartfelt, and brimming with Christmas spirit.

Behind the scenes, the production has already made headlines of its own. Filming began in early December 2025 and — by late February 2026 — crews wrapped up shooting after approximately three months on location throughout Walt Disney World. This extended filming schedule is longer than the typical Hallmark production, underscoring the scope and ambition of capturing real holiday magic amid the parks’ iconic settings.

The cast extends beyond its two leads, featuring familiar faces such as Richard Kind and Christy Carlson Romano, with additional support from Bryce Durfee, Taegen Burns, and Asher Alexander, plus a cameo from Patrick Renna. Disney Parks shared production updates and behind-the-scenes moments on social media, giving fans early glimpses of filming during the curtain-raiser of the park’s own holiday season.

While Hallmark and Disney have yet to announce an exact air date, Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True is slated to debut as part of the Hallmark Channel’s 2026 Countdown to Christmas programming block — which traditionally runs from October through December. Given the buzz from fans and the fresh reunion of Hallmark stars in a Disney landscape, many are already predicting this will become a seasonal favorite for viewers craving nostalgic cheer and theme-park charm.

Go to our Holiday Highlights section to all our spotlights.

Thomas Nast’s illustrations firmly placed Santa at the North Pole for the first time, complete with a workshop—an idea that became a permanent part of Christmas lore. He created dozens of Christmas-themed illustrations over nearly 30 years for Harper’s Weekly magazine. His cozy scenes of family, gift-giving, and winter warmth helped define what a “traditional American Christmas” looks like even today.

Go to our "Did you know" archive to see all our fun facts!

Our latest review!

Christmas Vacation remains one of the most reliably funny and beloved holiday comedies, thanks to its blend of slapstick chaos and warm family charm. Chevy Chase is Clark Griswold, the eternally optimistic dad whose plans for a “perfect” Christmas unravel in spectacularly disastrous fashion. The film moves quickly, packing in quotable lines, unforgettable gags, and a cast of eccentric relatives who keep the energy high.

Read the full review of this movie as well as all our mini movie and soundtrack reviews, by clicking here!

Thomas Nast’s Christmas Drawings feels less like a traditional art book and more like a quiet holiday inspired gallery that you can wander through at your own pace. The book features Nast’s holiday illustrations from the pages of Harper’s Weekly, and describes how one artist helped define the visual language of Christmas in America.

Learn more about Thomas Nast's Christmas Drawings book, as well as all our featured Christmas books, by clicking here!