Not Christmas related, but it's pretty awesome nevertheless: 32 best Firefly quotes...

I know I've posted this a couple of previous Christmases, but it just doesn't get old...Sweetafton, It's Christmastime.

Can a mildly creepy song still come off as heartfelt and endearing? It certainly can, as this haunting version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas shows.

I like how the singer has a young John Lennon thing going on...

You gotta get up! It's Christmas Morning!

A delightful role-reversal with the Not My Fault daughter this morning; for all these years she's been waking me up early...today I got to return the favor!

Headline of the week? Yes. Yes it is...it's the headline of the week. And the first sentence makes it even better.

Before the weekend kicks in and I get busy with some Christmas posts, let's first pay homage to the most spectacular and epic fails of 2011...

Tip #3: Do yoga.

Good advise. I've done yoga about 20 times in the last 4 months, and even though I can't say what or why exactly, I can say unequivocally that I feel better and that it's improved my life...

Only six? Granted, they're pretty big categories ("science", "websites"), so maybe six is the right number...

Great question over at Splitsider: What is the single best sitcom episode of all time?

I'm not enough of a television viewer to have a strong opinion on this. There are many, many great offerings in the comments, and there are many shows I'm not familiar with. And in several instances where I am familiar with the show, I'm not familiar with the episode.

Actually, I could probably do a top ten list with just Seinfeld and Simpsons episodes. Well, make that a top nine; my 10th would be the WKRP Turkey Drop episode...

Headline of the week? It's in the finals, easily...note the subtle use of the scare quote.

And here's some practical news you can use...

Tom is in with his Christmas wish list...and keeping with his new winemaking hobby, would like various supplies and items:
There are two area wine making shops where his secret Santa can browse for items...
Beer and Winemakers Warehouse in Hartfordand the Brew & Wine hobby shop in East Hartford.

(He suggests the Hartford shop is a little more organized so that may be best.)

Some needed items are:

Corks
Shrink Wrap Caps
1 Piece Air Lock
Potassium Metabisulfate

Also, he'd enjoy the book "The Wine Maker's Answer Book".

To round out the wish list, bottles of nice Red Wine to offer inspiration are always appreciated! And as I've previously mentioned, they are a potential fine investment!

And the brilliant pop duo Belle & Sebastian perform a beautifully restyled version of "O Little Town of Bethleham".

Gerry makes his arrival, and he would like a safety helmet for those ever increasing occassions when he has a need to use his chainsaw...gotta be careful out in the wildnerness!

I'm sure his secret Santa can be creative with an additional item to compliment Gerry's outdoor activities...

And here's Julian Casablancas with the stylish and kickin' I Wish It Was Christmas Today...(he's the guy from the Strokes).

We haven't seen this in a while: over at the Next Big Future it's the Carnival of Space...

Preparing for the imminent collapse of the Euro, and with it the Eurozone...

And by the way, what happened?

Just finished watching the Arsenal v Everton match...there's really only one reason to watch Arsenal these days: Robin van Persie. And jumping Buddha on a pogo stick did he deliver today...

Video here...Not sure if it's the goal of the year, but it's the best goal I've seen this year...

Eric appears with his list, offering his secret Santa a wide range of options. He'd be content with any combination of the following:

Leather Gloves (Men’s large)

Golf (large) Umbrella

Ski (specific) Socks

Calloway Tour i(z) golf balls

Bottle of Cabernet...always a wise investment.

And here's the Ramones! With their classic Christmas song! Merry Christmas! (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight!)...Johnny Joey DeeDee Marky! Good times!

Kim provides her list!

She'd like a pair of black flat boots...specifically Bare Traps Jaline, in black, size 7. Right here, as a matter of fact...can also be found here with free shipping. Bonus!

She also very much enjoys shower gel from Bath and Body works.

She'd also like a WHITE down vest (not ivory!). They are evidently hard to find, but you might start here Also here? Good luck!

UPDATE: never mind the aforementioned white vest...Eric found one

And here's the talented Meaghan Smith with her charming rendition of Silver Bells...

Kerri is up next with a nice list for her secret Santa...

She's like a pair of LL Bean Hearthside slippers in Chocolate, size 9...these, to be clear, in chocolate.

She'd also like Josie Maran Argan Oil from Sephora.

She also has a need for a stadium chair for UConn games...here's a handy list.

Additionally, she has a need for a cover for her Nook Simple Touch...

And finally she would enjoy dry, full-bodied red wine...a sound investment!

The Saw Doctors make an appearance with Merry Christmas Tuam...

UPDATE: Kerri no longer needs stadium seat...

Ryan checks in with his Christmas wishes...

Recognizing the need for an ever greater need on self reliance, he is asking his secret Santa for a hand crank radio. And really, who among us couldn't use one of those?

Additionally - and again, who among couldn't use one of these - he'd like the Zombie Combat Manual. Indispensable! Why do I think we'll all be hiding at Ryan's house when this finally happens...

And why not! It's a Very Zombie Christmas!

The lists are coming in early this year! We like it.

Ashley is up next, and she'd wishing for some of the fine products from The Body Shop: (note the discount code!)

Tea Tree Foaming Cleanser;
Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream;
Shea Body Butter;
Camomile Eye Makeup Remover.

And here's terrific new indie band The Late Greats with their catchy version of Sleigh Ride...

Next in with her Christmas wish list is Ellen...

She needs a stainless colander with open handles so it can be hung from a rack. And for the Cape house she also needs a nice collapsible one.
She's also looking to add to her cookbook collection, in particular from cuisineathomestore.com...she would like:

Slow Cooker menus Vol 1 and Vol 2,
Quick & Easy Italian,
Cuisine Light Vol 2.

And here's a clip from The Nightmare Before Christmas featuring the lovely Cure song, A Thousand Hours...