Christmas Culture Collection

Rover masthead shares favorite Christmas media

Lucy Spence, Editor-in-Chief: Christmas in Connecticut

If you’re tired of It’s a Wonderful Life (is this even possible?) and want a new Christmas movie, this is the perfect choice. Featuring the classic cast of 1940s American cinema, the film follows the holiday season of an unmarried city magazine writer who has pretended for years—to her boss and the rest of the country—that she is a wife and mother and lives on a farm in Connecticut. Things get difficult when she is forced to host a returning WWII hero, whom she promptly falls in love with. Hilarity and confusion ensue, borrowed babies appear and disappear, and all eventually ends well after an hour and a half of much laughter.

Kephas Olsson, Executive Editor: O Magnum Mysterium – Morten Lauridsen

The O Magnum Mysterium is a chant text from the Christmas Matins that dates back to the medieval period, and has been set by notable composers like Francis Poulenc, William Byrd, and most recently, Morten Lauridsen. Lauridsen’s a capella setting of the text is particularly striking, and there is no better Christmas listening than the piece. 

Haley Garecht, Managing Editor: A Miser Brother’s Christmas

The presents are unwrapped, gift paper is strewn across the floor, bellies are full from a hearty Christmas breakfast—what better way to celebrate than with a silly Christmas movie? If you are looking for a cheerful and upbeat family film (that you won’t mind falling asleep during), A Miser Brother’s Christmas is the perfect watch. Featuring Mickey Rooney and George Irving as two quarreling brothers, the movie explores sibling relationships and the importance of family during Christmas time. The film’s stop-motion animation style makes it a calming addition to any Christmas morning (and the songs are pretty catchy, too). 

Clare DiFranco, Campus Editor: A Charlie Brown Christmas – The Cartoon Special

Another editor already chose my first Christmas culture pick (A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack), so I chose the cartoon that the soundtrack accompanies for my recommendation. A Christmas does not pass where I do not watch A Charlie Brown Christmas with my family. This brief Christmas special is not only nostalgic, festive, and paired with an incredible soundtrack, but it also presents Christ as the reason behind the Peanut characters’ celebrations with small nods to the Incarnation, like when Linus wraps the tree with his blanket, mirroring the image of Christ being wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Caleb Vaughan, Campus Editor: Carols – The Hillbilly Thomists

An eclectic group of Dominican friars recently released their first Christmas album. The album puts a spin on Christmas classics with the Hillbilly Thomists’ characteristic bluegrass flavor.

Shri Thakur, Politics Editor: “Last Christmas” – Taylor Swift

I strongly recommend the Taylor Swift rendition of “Last Christmas.” Swift’s voice, brimming with an innocuous, authentically youthful energy, elevates the original version of this holiday classic to near-perfection. This is a must-add for any tasteful playlist this Christmas season. 

Darius Colangelo, Culture Editor: A Charlie Brown Christmas – Soundtrack

I have a complicated relationship with Christmas music. For one, I am a post-Thanksgiving absolutist: Christmas belongs squarely in December. Even then, I generally don’t like Christmas music. Yet even the resident Rover Grinch has a Christmas album lodged in his shriveled heart: the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas. Vince Guaraldi composed the soundtrack, and his jazz piano is the most distinctive part of the soundtrack. It is playful yet a bit melancholic, which makes it feel dynamic but restful. Growing up, my mom also played it on repeat all year round which both contributes to my nostalgia for it and my frustration with off-season celebrations. All-in-all, it is a pleasant throwback for the Christmas season.

Elizabeth Mitchell, Religion Editor: O Magnum Mysterium – Tomas Luis de Victoria 

As a chorister for over 10 years, I couldn’t help but put one of my favorite pieces of Renaissance polyphony on the list. It’s a great aid to meditative prayer, and even more fun to sing!  

James Whitaker, Humor Editor: Seth MacFarlane’s Holiday for Swing! Album

From the man who created Family Guy (don’t worry, this has nothing to do with Family Guy), Seth MacFarlane’s Christmas album showcases the fantastic big-band arrangements of Joel McNeely and the fantastic bass voice of MacFarlane. MacFarlane received extensive vocal training from Lee and Sally Sweetland, who trained Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand. The whole album perfects the swing band sound of Sinatra, Crosby, and Cole, some sixty years after the fact.

Eddie Giuntini, Publisher: O Holy Night – Carrie Underwood

Among the countless artists who have sung O Holy Night, no one compares to Carrie Underwood’s rendition. If you have already heard this song, then you agree with me that it is the greatest Christmas song ever. If you have not, then I implore you to give it a listen and be convinced.

Gianna Castillo, Layout Manager: The Star

This animated film, which tells the story of the Nativity through the eyes of a young donkey, is a short and fun Christmas watch.

Matthew McBride, Webmaster: Christmas in Killarney – Bing Crosby

This song has been a longtime favorite in my Christmas playlist. Christmas in Killarney is effective at radiating Christmas spirit. It instantly transports me to a wholesome, cheerful Christmas morning with my family and friends around me, perfectly capturing the glad tidings of the season.

Sofia Fair, Social Media Coordinator: Little Women – Louisa May Alcott

At first blush, this Christmas classic may seem fit for more elementary readers. However, I offer my review as a reminder of its central themes of family, charity, and a little bit of mistletoe. A perfectly cozy read, I offer you the March sisters for your next fireside book binge.

Bridgette Rodgers, Photography Director: “Drummer Boy” – Justin Bieber 

If you listen to this song, you must be ready for a good time. A great spin on a classic. ‘Nuff said. 

Michael Canady, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus: “All I Want For Christmas is You, Trap Remix”

Forget O Magnum Mysterium and these other cringe songs. Mariah Carey’s 1994 masterpiece should be at the top of any Christmas song list in recent history. And a universally applicable principle of Christmas music is that the “trap remix” of any song is always better than the original. Which version should you listen to? All of them. 

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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