christmas nightmare

In Octobers past, I would journey through the swirling leaves to my local movie shops in search of a copy of The Nightmare Before Christmas. The perfect choice for Halloween movie viewing. Or so I believed. I searched the aisles and walls of DVD's in Blockbuster, in Video Difference, in HMV, in Music World, even in Wal-Mart, only to be greeted with the same resounding: "No". "No, we don't stock that movie until a little closer to Christmas. It's actually a Christmas movie. Sorry." Christmas movie? But it's The Nightmare Before Christmas, I reasoned. Unsuccessfully. Bewildered, I would return home empty-handed to console myself with the Treehouse of Horror and the Great Pumpkin.

Until this year . . .

Yes, this year a new DVD version of said movie was released. And released, no less, in October, putting a merciful end to my futile quests and, once and for all, answering that age-old question: is it a Halloween movie or is it a Christmas Movie? Happily the answer is: Yes! Yes, the classic tale of Jack and his identity crisis is a Halloween movie. Of course it is. But, if, like some of us, your Halloween movie-viewing was dominated by classic Universal monster movies and you simply weren't able to fit it in before October 31st, no problem. It doesn't have to remain on the DVD shelf until next autumn. No. Because this tale of goodwill is also a Christmas movie. Equally enjoyable with a glass of eggnog as with miniature chocolate bars. Halloween or Christmas. Halloween and Christmas. You simply can't watch it too many times. And you'll want to save some eggnog for (arguably) the best scene in the movie in which one of Jack's well-intentioned but miguided Christmas presents, a giant snake, devours a silver aluminum Christmas tree. Classic.

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it's beginning to look a lot like . . . halloween?

I love Christmas. I love Christmas just as much as I love Halloween - although for very different reasons. Now there are those who adhere to strict rules about holiday decorating: the segregationists. When Halloween is over, it's over. The orange and black decorations immediately come down to be replaced soon after by the red and green of Christmas. Pumpkins and witches and their ilk will not be seen, nor heard, nor spoken of until the leaves begin to fall again months into the future.

I, however, do not adhere to this belief. No, nothing makes me happier than when my two favourite holidays collide and co-exist in the same space and time, as is happening right now on the branches of my Christmas tree. These three - the witch, the owl and the dapper little pumpkinhead - returned home with me from my last October excursions to Salem. It was difficult to select just three of them from the crowd, but sufficient funds were necessary for the journey back home. I think these three look very much at home on the branches, not at all self-conscious about being outnumbered by reindeer and snowmen. And, in keeping with this season of goodwill, the snowmen, reindeer and assorted santas have been generous and welcoming, providing the new arrivals with a warm home amongst the ribbon and glowing lights. Yes, even the venerable Christmas Chicken, who sits atop the tree, seems to be smiling down kindly. Proof that two wonderful holidays can indeed come together in the spirit of celebration. True, pumpkinhead appears to be missing a few teeth, but I'm sure it's nothing to worry about . . .

'Tis the season.