Merry Jannuerrymas!

It's January 25th. One month down, only 11 more to go!

People always ask me what we do when Christmas is over.

Christmas is NEVER over in the North Pole. But we do lay low in the first month after Christmas. Santa goes into hiding to avoid all the complaints from boys and girls who were naughtier than they realized and didn't get everything they wanted for Christmas.

Like the Google+ team, who sent me this mean letter when I created my profile...

So they're basically saying Google doesn't believe Santa Claus is real, and therefore I am not real. Well! I hope they enjoyed their COAL! Ho Ho Ho!

And speaking of Grinches, look who's coming back....

Universal Pictures has announced they are releasing a new CG-animated feature version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! on November 17, 2017. Wait a minute, that's like four years away! I can't wait that long. I'll be like a hundred by then!

I know another classic Christmas book that might make a good movie. In fact, Nick Abdo, the producer of one of my mom's favorite movies, Beaches, gave my book a 5-star review on Amazon last month!

"Cool characters and a story that will appeal to older kids and adults alike," said the Big-Time Hollywood Producer! I'm so flattered. :) 

And here's some more Christmas movie news: A movie called Happy Christmas premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this month. The holiday film stars Lena Dunham of HBO's Girls and Anna Kendrick of Twilight.

A review in The Guardian said, "Christmas plays little part in the narrative other than as an excuse to bring everyone together," but called it "undeniably charming." I'm just glad to know that some people can still appreciate the undeniable charm of Christmas even in January. :)

Until Christmas, stay on the Nice List. You can do it. It's only eleven months! xoxo

It's Christmas!

We did it! All our hard work this year has paid off. Daddy and the reindeer have left the North Pole to deliver Christmas cheer to EVERYONE!

Thank you to all the beautiful elves who made this Christmas joyous for millions!

We're partying like mad here at the N.P. And of course we'll be bringing the fun to Twitter for one last #SantaChat Christmas wrap party at 6:00 pm ET on Christmas Day (3:00pm PT, 11:00pm London). Hope you can join us. I can't wait to hear what my dad left under your tree!

#HoHoHo

Top 10 Christmas Movies

A while back, I surveyed my readers on their favorite Christmas movies. Many of you said how much you'd love to see NORTH POLE HIGH turned into a movie (thank you!). But here are your top ten picks of Christmas movies that have already been made:

1. A CHRISTMAS STORY

Based on the book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd, this Christmas classic from the director of Black Christmas and Porky's runs continuously all Christmas Day on TBS and is also a Broadway musical!

2. MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

Santa Claus won an Oscar for his appearance in this 1947 classic in which he goes to court to prove, once and for all, that he's real.

3. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

Based on a self-published short story, The Greatest Gift, by Philip Van Doren Stern. The author printed 200 copies and sent them out as Christmas cards. One of those landed at RKO and the rest is history.

4. ELF

A baby accidentally stows away in Santa's sleigh and is raised in the North Pole as an elf. As an adult, he realizes he's human and sets off to find his father in New York City. Based on a true story. Really.

5. SCROOGED

Bill Murray is a cynical TV executive in charge of a live Christmas Eve broadcast of A Christmas Carol when he is visited by three ghosts who convince him he should have done The Sound of Music instead.

6. NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION

The Griswolds have kind of had it with traveling. Perhaps if they stay home for a quiet family Christmas dinner their luck will change?

7. THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

This one scares the chocolate out of me because Jack Skellington kidnaps my dad. Skellingtonnnnnn! If you must watch this one, please don't get any ideas.

8. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: THE ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS

Belle shows the Beast the beauty in Christmas!

9. THE POLAR EXPRESS

Tom Hanks plays Santa Claus, a train conductor, a hobo, a young boy, and the boy's father, and narrates this young boy's magical adventures in the North Pole. Based on the 1985 book by Chris Van Allsburg.

10. EMMET OTTER'S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS

The Muppets bring to life Russell Hoban's Gift-of-the-Magi-esque 1971 story with songs by Paul Williams, a former elf who later wrote "The Rainbow Connection" for The Muppet Movie and all the songs for The Muppet Christmas Carol.

'Tis the season to enjoy your favorite Christmas movies all over again. With crushed candy canes sprinkled in your popcorn.

Pictures from My Visit to Hollywood

I was so lucky to find the time during the Season to get away from the Pole and visit Jenna Edwards to chat with her about my book on her UBN Radio show, Create Your Life with Jenna Edwards!

I got Jenna to wear reindeer antlers for the show...

...and she made me this beautiful Christmas Tree...

...inspired by the school Christmas tree project I worked on with Rudy in my book, North Pole High: A Rebel Without a Claus. And there are CANDY CANES on it! Find out how Jenna made this tree over at her blog, Create with Jenna!

And a very merry thank you to my "little helper," Mr. Dan, for appearing on the show with me (I was nervous--did it show?), publishing my book, and being a super reliable friend and my link to the lands between the Poles.

Now it's time to put on your jingle bells and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Meaning of Christmas Trees (excerpt)

“Rudy, a Christmas tree by itself is just a tree.”

I set down my colored pencils and imagined the biggest, brightest tree imaginable.

“Each soul who hangs a bauble from its bough, or threads a string of lights through its needles, or tops it with a shining star, is teaching it to sing its own unique song of joy. A Christmas tree, when it’s finished and all lit up, with lots of presents cuddled underneath, reflects the magic inside each person who trimmed it.”

I waited for a scoff while his unblinking gaze confronted me, urging me to go on, to enlighten him.

“The tree that you and I create together will expose our very hearts to the world. No one else will ever be able to duplicate that.” I leaned forward, tempted to reach for his hand. “Close your eyes, Rudy. Picture it.”

He folded his arms and did as I said.

“You have to really think. See it in your mind’s eye.” I waited again, giving him space for his tree to flourish. “Now tell me, what’s in your heart. What does Christmas mean to you?”

He was quiet. I held my breath, ready for something special, something magical, to bubble out of him. Goosebumps sprouted up and down my arms.

Then he spoke. “I see our grades. They’re threatening to jump off a tall building if they depend on me buying into all this ’Tis-the-season jazz.” He opened his eyes and grinned.

I knew he’d never take this seriously.

“You’re a poo-head! I’m not talking to you anymore.” I swiveled my chair, only pretending to be angry, when my eyes landed on the picture on his dresser. I went over and picked it up for a closer look. I half-waited for him to stop me, but he didn’t. The woman’s eyes were so much like Rudy’s, I had to ask, “Is this your mother?”

“Uh huh,” he answered quietly.

“She’s very pretty.”

“She was.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Cancer. When I was ten.”

Hearing Rudy’s mother was in heaven made me appreciate never having to worry about that, since my parents would live forever. But the sadness overwhelmed me. “What kind of Christmas tree would she want to see?”

“She’s in the ground.” His words took on a terseness that made me shudder. “She’s not watching us from anywhere and there are no such things as Christmas miracles.”

I’d obviously opened a door I shouldn’t have. Not knowing how to go back and close it, I quietly stood his mother’s picture back up on his dresser. “Maybe we should take that milk-and-cookies break now,” I said.

“I was kidding about the milk and cookies.” He got up and tucked his mother’s picture into a drawer. “Maybe we should call it a night.”

“If you say so.” I went back to the desk and carefully slipped my drawings into their portfolio. “Rudy?”

“What?”

“I don’t care what you think of me, or my friends, or my family, or my town. But what exactly do you have against Christmas?”

“It’s getting late. Why don’t we save this for later.”

My heart beat faster. I should have gotten out of there. I should have run. But I couldn’t let it go. “I think you’re here—you and your father—for a reason. One that you’re not even aware of.”

“Go home, Candy.”

I almost melted when I heard him say my name, so softly, so at odds with the way he said almost everything else. “At least tell me you’re not one of those people who doesn’t believe in Santa Claus.”

“I had dinner with him. Remember?”

We both smiled. He wasn’t a heretic.

Relieved, I started packing the rest of my stuff into my backpack.

“I just happen to think your father’s ideas are ridiculous,” he added.

Our game went into pause mode.

“What ideas? Spreading joy to the world?”

“What do you know about the world?” he snapped. “You live up here in a fantasy land, and once a year, your old man flies around the globe handing out toys—‘One for you, and one for you, and one for you.’—as if an electric train set could make up for all the wars and death and misery people suffer in the real world.” He hovered over me, his words so forceful. His hot breath hit me like a right hook with every disgruntled thought he threw at me. “I have news for you, princess. The world doesn’t work that way.”

He made me scared and confused and curious all at once. “What do electric trains have to do with suffering and death?”

He didn’t answer. Whatever he’d been ranting about, clearly he hadn’t meant to direct his anger at me. For in another five seconds, he was almost certain to make a pass.

If you want to find out what happened next, you'll have to read my book, North Pole High: A Rebel Without a Claus.

Merry Christmas!

Related content: See the tree Jenna Edwards made for me, inspired by this chapter!