Do these zombies know it's Christmas?

Easily, the winner for Best Christmas Video of 2012 goes to Emmy the Great and Tim Wheeler's "Zombie Christmas". No matter how bad you think your Christmas was, some people had it worse.

Revisiting three ghosts, geek style

As far as Christmas book traditions go, for years I would read David Sedaris' hilarious Holidays on Ice around this time of year, but then took a break from it to give the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol a try. (Everyone should read that at least once. It's so much more rewarding than any of its adaptations.)

Kinda sorta continuing with the Dickens theme, last year I started a newer, quicker, geekier tradition in Batman: Noël, which is the Dark Knight's take on that holiday staple. Yes, here Bruce Wayne assumes the Scrooge role. It actually works, believe it or not.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to officially close out Christmas with a (comic) book because that's how I roll.

Merry Christmas!

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A Colbert Christmas: Colbert/Costello Duet
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Call me silly, call me sappy,
Call me many things, the first of which is happy
You doubt, but you're sad
I don't, but I'm glad
I guess we're even.
At least that's what I believe in
And there are much worse things

Merry Christmas Eve!

A happy and hearty Merry Christmas Eve to everyone out there. This tune by Better Than Ezra is my absolute favorite contemporary original Christmas song. (And the lead-off track of the very first A Very Micah Christmas compilation, back in 1999.)

Drink 'n Songs: Eggnog

This post originally appeared on my main, non-holiday blog. If you like it, there'll be more posts of these in the new year. (Provided I find the initiative to write them.)

Welcome to the first installment of Drink 'n Songs, in which, in order to maximize enjoyment of a beloved (likely alcoholic) beverage, I pair it with a group of five or so songs. I've been kicking around this idea for a couple of years now and figured Christmas would be the best time to get off of my duff* and unveil it.

And the beverage for this inaugural installment of DNS? Eggnog!

Now, you can go out and buy premade eggnog from a store - might I suggest Southern Comfort's go at it? - and mix it with your choice of spiced rum, Irish whiskey, brandy, or bourbon. Or if you're feeling your oats, you can make your own from scratch. Per the Behind the Bar Show podcast, here's a recipe:

4 eggs
2 oz simple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground allspice
3 cups milk
grated nutmeg

Whisk eggs until frothy. Whisk in simple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and allspice. While still whisking, slowly add the milk. Serve in Irish Coffee glasses or mugs. Sprinkle nutmeg on top. Feel free to spike with rum or whiskey.

Got your eggnog all ready? Good. Just what songs would enhance the pleasure of consuming this Yuletide drink? Look no further! Actually, you will have to scroll down to see them...

1. The Minus 5 - "Your Christmas Whiskey"



"Christmas is the warmest time of year" is the repeated theme of this song by the Minus 5 and they are right. This is a time for sharing with family and friends, so pour them a mug of eggnog and let the warm fuzzies inside you grow.

2. Duke Ellington - "Sugar Rum Cherry"



You're sitting around the house, listening to the same old Christmas songs and the rage swells when Wham! shuffles onto your playlist. It's high time you class up the joint with this smokey take on "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy". And rum is in the title, so it kinda sorta is mandated that it be included in this list.

3. John Legend with Stephen Colbert - "Nutmeg"



Face it: eggnog is the most sensual of the holiday beverages. So, put the kids to bed, ladle out a couple of glasses, and get freaky with your loved one while John Legend ushers you through the quiet (snow) storm.

4. The Decemberists - "Please Daddy (Don't Get Drunk This Christmas)"



While eggnog is one of the best things about the holiday season, you don't want to overdo it. You'll be regretting it when a fight inevitably breaks out during your party. Let the Decemberists' cover of this John Denver staple serve as a reminder that this drink is best enjoyed in moderation. (Plus, overindulgence will result in your "fat pants" becoming your "regular pants".)

5. The Morning Squirrels - "The Eggnog Song"



This is a bit of nepotism on my part, since this is a song my brother composed and performed back around 2005. Yes, it may be a little on the nose for this list, but it really lays out the eggnog-fueled joys of the holiday season (with assists from Charlie Brown and Linus).

So there you have it. Put these songs on the hi-fi in your space age bachelor pad, kick back with a mighty mug of nog, and revel in the waning days of the year. Merry Christmas!

*Duff beer! There's an idea for a future edition. Brilliant.

Make your tree both classy and sinister this season

"The impeccable taste of Vincent Price" is one of the truest phrases ever. The only thing that would be better than ornaments personally selected by him would be ornaments prominently featuring his likeness. I would totally buy those. (Seriously.)

Festivus is back! I'll get the pole out of the crawlspace.

Happy Festivus, y'all!

(Still haven't had a party. Maybe next year.)

"Sorry, Hip-Hop Santa. I can't dance with you this year. I made a promise."

"Max is going to be eggnostic for the day, pun intended."
"I'm not saying there is eggnog. I'm not saying there's not eggnog. What I'm saying is, there's no way to know for sure."

And the winner of Best Christmas Episode of 2012 goes to Happy Endings, in which Jane outs herself as a Christmas baby and her friends try to throw her a birthday party free of the seasonal trappings. I swear, it's so funny that I've watched it three times already. This show is sorely underwatched and I will be pretty upset if it gets the axe.

Speaking of axes, runner up goes to American Horror Story, with it's Murder Santa and whatnot. It's batpoop crazy as usual, but this time with a Yuletide zest.

Honorable mention goes to The League for introducing the concept of a mall Krampus. We really should look into making that happen.

Inspiration struck and I made this picture last night. Look! Tony Montana's making snow angels with his face!

A Very Micah Christmas 2012

Season's greetings, faithful reader(s). The economy's in the dumps, there's rage in the Middle East, Howie Mandel is hosting a new game show. Clearly, we need a little Christmas. And this year's edition of A Very Micah Christmas has arrived just in time.

This year I put all of the songs - well, all of the ones available on Spotify - into a playlist for your convenience:



The full AVMC '12 experience includes the following:

1. "We Need a Little Christmas" - AgesandAges
2. "Wonderful Christmastime" - The Shins
3. "The Wassail Song" - The Boy Least Likely To
4. "Silent Night, Holy Night" - Allen Toussaint
5. "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" - Paul McCartney
6. "All I Ever Get for Christmas Is Blue" - Over the Rhine
7. "O Little Town of Bethlehem" - The Silver Fleece
8. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" - Frank Sinatra
9. "White Christmas" - Dean Martin
10. "Snowflakes" - Erica Driscoll and Boots Ottestad
11. "The Krampus Song" - Jordan Dobbs Rosa
12. "Hanu-calypso" - Kenny Ellis
13. "Mambo Santa Mambo" - The Enchanters
14. "A Great Big Sled" - The Killers with Toni Halliday
15. "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" - Twisted Sister
16. "Zombie Christmas" - Emmy the Great and Tim Wheeler
17. "Lonesome Anti-Christmas Blues" - The Fratellis
18. "Cheap Gold" - Frightened Rabbit
19. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" - Built for the Sea
20. "Christmas Must Be Tonight" - My Morning Jacket
21. "Christmas Eve With You" - Lindi Ortega
22. "If We Make It Through December" - Merle Haggard
23. "This Good Night Is Still Everywhere" - Dustin Kensrue
24. "Auld Lang Syne" - Andrew Bird
25. surprise!

You can grab them all right here. Enjoy!

Mmmmm...edible dwelling.

Best. Gingerbread house. Ever.

Hava nagila, baby.

The first time I ever heard "The Dreidel Song" sung was in this episode of The Critic. Therefore, I will always associate it with an Arnold Schwarzenegger impression.

Happy last night of Hanukkah!

This is the funniest picture I've seen so far this season

A Krampus Story

This is today's t-shirt design over at Woot. What I wouldn't give to see this alternate version of A Christmas Story.

FUN FACT: my current text message notification ringtone is "Sons of bitches! Bumpases!"

Yippee kay yay, Santa.

Truth: Die Hard is one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time.

Everything but the gift

I just heard Tracey Thorn's "Joy" for the first time yesterday and it hit me like an emotional slug to the guy. For some reason, it really resonated with me:

You loved it as a kid
And now you need it more than you ever did
It's because of the dark
We see the beauty in the spark
That's why, that's why
The carols make you cry
Joy

I wish that I heard it in time for inclusion on my Christmas mix for this year (coming soon!), but it has definitely earned a spot on next year's edition.

Today in tree ornament news...

My brother found this Krampus ornament and now I MUST HAVE IT.

Happy Hanukkah!

The Maccabees shot first. Actually, I don't know if that's true. I'm pretty ignorant about such things. Regardless, Happy Hanukkah!

Merry Krampus!

It's December 5th and you know what that means: Krampus! I hope that you've been good.

Not in the know? Find out all about Krampus here and here.