MOVE OVER, RUDOLPH! THE 4 MOST UNDERRATED HOLIDAY SPECIALS
Holiday party season is here, and, while no one should be discouraged from celebrating this season of peace and good will, we should still try to stay safe — especially when it comes to drinking. New Year’s Eve is one of the most dangerous evenings to be out on the road, and thousands of people get involved in drunk driving incidents every year. If you’re hosting a party, or going to a party with some friends, here are some ways to make sure everyone stays safe. OFFER TO BE A DESIGNATED DRIVER If you’re not planning on drinking, let your friends know you can give them a ride to the party so they don’t drive themselves. Or, if one of your friends who did drive to the party tries to drive themselves home, offer to give them a ride home instead. If they protest that they don’t want to leave their car at the party, tell them you can drive their car home after you drop them off. OFFER TO PAY FOR A RIDE If you’re drinking at the party as well, and you’re trying to stop your friend from driving drunk, offer to call a rideshare service and pay for their ride home. You could even take a rideshare service to the party with your friends to eliminate the possibility of drunk driving altogether. If you don’t want to pay for a rideshare service, you can also look into cheaper forms of public transportation, like buses if stops are close by. OFFER TO LET THEM SLEEP ON THE COUCH If the party is at your house and you have a spare guest room, mattress, or couch, offer to let inebriated party guests with no other options sleep it off at your house. That way, any guests who are insistent about driving KEEPING THE ROADS SAFE ONE FORGONE DRIVE AT A TIME
When the weather outside is frightful — or your family is on your last nerve — there’s nothing like settling in to watch a classic holiday special. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” hold top spots on the TV guide, but there are plenty of overlooked specials that are sure to delight. Here are a few seasonal suggestions that might become your new family favorites. ‘A MUPPET FAMILY CHRISTMAS’ In this musical masterpiece, Kermit and friends prepare to celebrate the holiday season. What makes this special truly unique are the appearances by characters from “Sesame Street,” “Fraggle Rock,” and “Muppet Babies.” There’s even a cameo from the Muppet creator, Jim Henson, himself. If you can find this holiday special, consider yourself lucky. Complicated copyright laws can make it hard to track the movie down. ‘THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS’ The stop-motion film “The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus” is one of Rankin/Bass Production’s lesser-known works. Based on a story by L. Frank Baum, the author of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” this fantasy epic introduces a new Santa Claus story, one with light elves, wood nymphs, and benevolent immortals. It’s an unusual tale, but the strange elements are what make the story worthwhile. ‘A RUGRATS CHANUKAH’ Praised by critics and audiences alike, “A Rugrats Chanukah” covers the story of Chanukah through the eyes of Nickelodeon’s beloved animated babies. In addition to putting a “Rugrats” spin on the Chanukah story, this special episode also features themes of family and forgiveness. “A Rugrats Chanukah” is a delightful experience for audiences who celebrate Chanukah and those who would like to learn more about the holiday. ‘DOCTOR WHO: A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ Here’s one for your nerdy family members. In this episode of the British sci-fi classic, the titular Doctor, an alien who travels through time and space, must save his friends by teaching a bitter old man the true meaning of Christmas. Time travel shenanigans ensue as the Doctor reminds us of the importance of kindness, the value of loss, and the magic of spending the holidays with those we love. This special puts a unique spin on the Christmas Carol formula and is even accessible to audiences who have never seen “Doctor Who” before.
themselves home can still do so, but they’ll be able to wait until morning, when they’re sober, to do so. The dangers of driving drunk are well known, but accidents involving alcohol still happen every year. If you or a loved one have been involved in an auto accident involving drunk driving, give Shuttlesworth Law Firm a call using the number on our website to see what we can do for you.
May these specials bring you some much-needed cheer and a moment of relaxation this holiday season.
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