Black Friday Beatdown

A COLLARxELBOW Christmas Story
Use promo code: MY123CENTS

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Soon many of us will sit down to Thanksgiving dinner. After that meal, some of you will head to the store in search of Black Friday bargains. But there's no need to leave the house (unless you're trying to get away from family members) this year. My friends at COLLARxELBOW brand is offering up a great deal for online shoppers.

Promo code: MY123CENTS

Earlier this year I became a sponsored athlete for the brand created by former WWE Superstar Al Snow. Anytime you shop and use the code MY123CENTS you'll save 10 percent. But on Black Friday from 6 a.m. until Midnight (EST) you'll save 25 percent with that code. And anyone who spends $75 or more gets that CxE Ugly Christmas t-shirt. I personally wish those shirts were available for purchase too. 

The first 100 people to place an order will get a free CxE towel as well. Ordering is easy, use this link and it'll take you to the online store. There are a variety of shirts (both t-shirts and baseball shirts), ball caps and stickers. Remember, use the code MY123CENTS and you'll save 25 percent on your order this Friday (Nov. 24). Beyond that time you'll get a 10 percent discount. Thanks for the support.

Why Elf on the Shelf still appears in our house

Nick and the leg lamp

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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It seems this time of year there are two types of people. Those who hate Elf on the Shelf and those who love Elf on the Shelf. I am in the category of love. While I don't understand the hate, I certainly respect those of you who do not enjoy this Christmas-time tradition.

Player!

Our family was introduced to the Elf in 2007. St. Nick brought the book and my three kids voted and named our elf Nick. By now you probably know how it works, but just in case you don't... the Elf magically transports to the North Pole each night while everyone is sleeping to report to Santa Claus. The original idea was to encourage kids to behave this time of year. Yes, there are memes of belts saying that's how they were made to behave back in the day, but I digress.

Nick likes craft beer (2016)

For our family, Nick was never meant to be something to "make them be good." Let's face it, I've heard plenty of parents threaten their kids long before the Elf on the Shelf craze that Santa Claus wasn't coming if they didn't straighten up. But I've never once seen a parent follow through on that threat. No kid that I know of has never awoken on Christmas morning to a stocking full of coal or no presents under the tree because of how they behaved.

Minonizing the bananas (2015)

The last few years it's become more fun for me to see what exactly Nick is going to do each night. There are plenty of websites with good ideas. Last year after Christmas when our youngest daughter wanted to know the truth about Santa, I decided the Elf tradition was going to stay. 

Nick battles Harry Potter

So here we are in a house of non-believers in Santa or the Elf, but Nick still makes his evening trek to the North Pole. It's fun. The kids still like seeing what silliness will ensue. No one is getting hurt in the process and it's created a tradition for our family. If you don't like it, go elf yourself. :) 

"Stone Cold" Stunner

Sure the Elf industry is booming and I applaud the authors Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell. Every time I see the display in the story with all the new accessories for the Elf, I wonder "why didn't I think of that." Merry Christmas and take a minute to enjoy the Elf. 

Way Back WhensDay: Christmas Movies

Christmas Vacation

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I love Christmas.  I always have.  One of my favorite things about this time of year is all the classic movies that make up the season.  I'll talk about a few of my personal favorites.  While I like just about every Christmas film I've watched, these are three that I watch at least once during the season.

I first saw National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation when it opened in theaters back in December 1989.  I was a junior in high school, and was already a fan of the original Vacation film and the followup European Vacation.  It was a Friday night, and a friend of mine from work asked me if I wanted to go see it with her.  Despite this being a "friends only" outing and her having a boyfriend, I was more than eager to go out and watch the movie.

My words will not do the film justice.  I don't really do reviews, but I can tell you if you've never seen this Chevy Chase classic, watch it after you finish reading this blog.  It's on Netflix right now, so you don't have to go buy it or try to rent it somewhere.  Not only is it my favorite Christmas movie, but it's among my top picks for favorite movie EVER.

Sh!tter was full!

Clark Griswald outdoes himself with his goofy attempts to decorate the family home.  His love of Christmas reminds me of mine, but amplified to the max.  I also love the fact that this time the kids, Rusty and Audrey are played by different actors and are different ages too.  Of course Cousin Eddie, played by Dennis Quaid, is hilarious with lines like "Sh!tter was full!" as he's emptying his RV's septic system into the neighborhood sewer.  Aunt Bethany and Uncle Lewis truly crack me up too.  When Bethany hears the squirrel in the Christmas tree, claiming to hear a funny, squeaky sound, Lewis responds with one of my favorite lines from the film, "You couldn't hear a dump truck driving through a nitroglycerin plant."

These are just a few of the reasons I love this film.  And who can forget "Tis the season to be Merry." "Mary? That's my name." "No sh!t."

Red Ryder!

A Christmas Story is a close second in terms of my favorite Christmas movies.  It too ranks high on my regular movie list.  I love the fact that TNT or TBS (I forget which one) airs it for 24 hours start starting on Christmas Eve.  I don't recall my first viewing of Christmas Story, but it was sometime in my tween years.  I remember getting my own BB Gun for Christmas around the same time young Ralphie pined for one of his own.  I'm proud to say I never shot my eye out.

We love the movie so much, we've done two family Christmas cards based on the film.  I'll actually be doing a blog on that Thursday, so look out for it (please)  Last year for Christmas, I got a pair of Ralphie pajamas.  But don't get excited, they're not the pink bunny kind.

Double Dog Dare!

I like the movie so much because it reminds me of simpler times.  I love that the family loves each other, despite the shortcomings of all the characters.  I love that leg lamp too, and one of these days one will proudly sit on the Hunsperger living window sill.  I also think it's safe to say I don't view the phrase "double dog dare you" the same after watching it.  Same goes for things like Ovaltine, the song "Deck the Halls", and of course "Fuuudge!"

The Grinch!

Finally, I can't let Christmas go by without watching the animated version of How The Grinch Stole Christmas at least once.  I love this story and the fact that it's a film makes the holidays even more enjoyable.  I like the Jim Carey version too, but there's something about the cartoon that just puts me in the Christmas spirit.  I like the mean, nasty Grinch, but I know the large hearted good guy is the one we're all supposed to embrace.

My honorable mention go to Elf as it is one of the newer "classics" I enjoy watching.  I still need to watch Christmas films like Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life, and Santa With Muscles.  Yes, I said that in the same sentence, and I'm serious.  Merry Christmas.