Today’s Film: The Muppet Christmas Carol
No list of Christmas movies would be complete without this film and I think we have saved the very best for last. This 1992 film encompasses everything that is special and magical about the Christmas season. The songs are delightful, the sets spectacular, and Michael Caine is a pitch perfect Scrooge. Even though he is performing opposite Muppets he manages to give the role the gravity it deserves. According to interviews, he managed this by treating the Muppets as fellow actors rather than puppets. This is a re-watch every year for a lot of people and events spring up each holiday season for people to get together, maybe share a meal, and watch the classic together, almost just as Charles Dickens’ intended.
Today’s Tradition: Ligligan Parul San Fernando, Philippines
Ligligan Parul (the Giant Lantern Festival) takes place every mid-December, specifically on the Saturday before Christmas Eve. It features a vibrant competition where local barangays (neighbourhoods) create and display giant lanterns, or paruls, that can reach up to 20 feet in diameter. These lanterns are adorned with thousands of light bulbs, creating dazzling light shows that mesmerize spectators.
The festival has its roots in 1904, originating from a simpler lantern-making tradition in Bacolor, Pampanga. As the provincial capital moved to San Fernando, the festival evolved into the grand event it is today.
The Giant Lantern Festival is not just a visual spectacle; it embodies the community spirit and creativity of the people of Pampanga. Each lantern is a collaborative effort, with residents contributing to its design and construction. The festival symbolizes hope and unity, making it a significant part of Filipino Christmas traditions.
That concludes our holiday movie picks and traditions for this year; I hope you found some new favourites and learned something interesting. There is nothing left to say except “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
