Parentcenter.com
Smoke alarms with mom's voice wake kids faster
MONDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) — "Johnny! Johnny! Wake up! Get out of bed! Leave the room!"
Smoke alarms equipped with this personalized recording of a worried mother's voice were significantly better at waking up children in a deep sleep and enabling them to perform a simulated escape procedure than standard residential tone alarms, a new study found.
"The bad news is that the study confirms early reports that children do not respond adequately to conventional residential smoke alarms," said study author Dr. Gary A. Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Children's Hospital, in Columbus, Ohio.
"The good news is that the study showed children do respond to their parent's voice smoke alarm," he added.
The study findings were published in the October issue of the journal Pediatrics.
For the study, the researchers attempted to wake 24 children, 6 to 12 years of age, from stage 4 (deep) sleep with two different smoke alarms. Only mothers' voices were recorded, and the tone of voice was urgent, Smith said. The voice recording was repeated over and over.
Twenty-three (96 percent) of the 24 children awoke to the parent voice alarm, compared with 14 (58 percent) of the children to the tone alarm. One child did not awaken to either alarm. Nine children awoke to their parent's voice but not to the tone, while none awakened to only the tone and not the voice. Twenty (83 percent) of the children in the parent voice alarm group successfully performed the escape procedure within five minutes of the alarm's first warning, compared with nine (38 percent) in the tone alarm group. The median time to awaken was 20 seconds in the voice alarm group, and three minutes in the tone alarm group, the study found.
"I was relieved to see this," Smith said, "because I expected biological variation and didn't expect [voice alarms] to work 100 percent of the time." The study also showed an age-dependent response that is "very apparent at six and seven. We purposely didn't go younger, because it's widely considered that kids 5 years and younger are considered too young to perform self-rescue."
The researchers also knew the children wouldn't awaken to traditional alarms, so "we bumped up the intensity of both alarms hoping that would give us a good comparison," Smith explained. Sure enough, some children slept through five minutes of the 100-decibel tone alarm, roughly four times the intensity of standard smoke alarms. "We stopped the tonal alarm after five minutes, but within seconds of hearing their mother's voice, the same children would bolt upright in bed."
What's important is that the researchers accounted for sleep stage and found there are still children who will not wake up to either signal, even at the 100-decibel level, said Judy Comoletti, assistant vice president of public education for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Since the recordings were all performed by mothers, "we don't know if this has to be a mother's voice and if they have to use the child's first name," Smith said. "Going in, we did not expect to see a large response to either of the smoke alarms but were surprised and pleased to see such a dramatic response to the parent's voice."
Comoletti said the study confirms previous research that voice alarms are more effective than conventional alarms for some children. However, she added, "Recent research has shown that voice alarms are less effective for older adults. There needs to be more research to identify an alternative signal that could offer better waking effectiveness across the general population. In the meantime, NFPA strongly encourages families to have working smoke alarms and to develop and practice escape planning."
In June, the National Fire Protection Association revised the National Fire Alarm Code, and, for the first time, smoke alarms that use voice notification will meet code and can be used in homes, Comoletti said.
There's a caution, though. There is nothing on the market that compares to the alarms used in the study. "We can't make any statement about the effectiveness of any alarm currently sold. We think this research says we have a clear direction for more research and clearly identifies that we need to focus on unique developmental needs of children when designing smoke alarms," Comoletti said.
More information
To learn more about fire safety, visit the National Fire Protection Association.
-- Leslie Sabbagh, HealthDay News
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
First aid for chocking and CPR
http://www.babycenter.com/bc/
First-Aid for Choking and CPR:
Reviewed by emergency services experts at the American Red Cross, July 2006.
We'd all like to think that we'll never be put in the position of having to save our child's life, but it could happen. Children choke on toys, fall off bikes and play equipment, and wade into deceptively deep water. If your preschooler is ever choking or suddenly lifeless, you'll want to know what to do.
We've compiled this step-by-step guide to explain the basics of first aid for choking and CPR, but please don't rely on it as your sole source of information.
Set aside a few hours to take a child CPR course to learn and practice the proper techniques. These techniques differ depending on the age of the child, and doing them improperly can be harmful.
Find a class in your area by contacting your local chapter of the American Red Cross. (You can find the phone number in the white pages.)
The following instructions are for children age 1 and older. To find out what to do when a baby under age 1 is choking or needs CPR, see our illustrated guide to infant CPR.
Choking
• Step 1: Assess the situation quickly
If your preschooler is suddenly unable to cry, cough, or speak, something is probably blocking her airway, and you'll need to help her get it out. She may make odd noises or no sound at all while opening her mouth, and her skin may turn bright red or blue.
If she's coughing or gagging, her airway is only partially blocked. In this case, encourage her to cough. Coughing is the most effective way to dislodge a blockage.
If your child cannot clear her airway by coughing up the object, ask someone to call 911 or the local emergency number and begin back blows and chest thrusts (see step 2, below).
If you're alone with your preschooler, give two minutes of care, then call 911.
On the other hand, if you suspect that your child's airway is closed off because her throat has swollen shut, call 911 immediately. Your child may be having an allergic reaction to something she ate or to an insect bite, for example, or she may have an infection, like croup.
Also call right away if your preschooler is at high risk for heart problems.
• Step 2: Try to dislodge the object with back blows and abdominal thrusts.
If your child is conscious but can't cough, talk, or breathe, or she's beginning to turn blue, stand or kneel behind her. Provide support by placing one arm diagonally across her chest and lean her forward.
Firmly strike your preschooler between the shoulder blades with the heel of your other hand. Give five of these back blows.
Then wrap your arms around your child's waist. Make a fist with one hand and place the thumb side against the middle of your child's abdomen, just above the navel and well below the lower tip of her breastbone.
Grab your fist with your other hand and give five quick, inward thrusts into the abdomen. (Each back blow and abdominal thrust should be a separate and distinct attempt to dislodge the obstruction.)
Continue alternating five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged, your preschooler can breathe or cough forcefully, or she becomes unconscious.
If your child becomes unconscious, she'll need CPR (see full instructions below).
Place your child on her back. Place the heel of one hand on her sternum (breastbone) at the center of her chest. Place your other hand directly on top of the first hand. Try to keep your fingers off her chest by interlacing them or holding them upward.
Give 30 compressions by pushing your child's sternum down a third to half the depth of her chest. Allow the chest to return to its normal position before starting the next compression.
Open your child's mouth and look for an object. If you see something, remove it with your fingers.
Next give her two rescue breaths. If the breaths don't go in (you don't see her chest rise), repeat the cycle of giving 30 compressions, checking for the object, and trying to give two rescue breaths until the object is removed, your child starts to breathe on her own, or emergency medical personnel arrive and take over.
If you're alone, give your child two minutes of care before stopping to call for help.
How to Give CPR
What is CPR?
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This is the lifesaving measure you can take to save your preschooler's life if she shows no signs of life (breathing or movement).
CPR uses chest compressions and breaths to circulate blood that contains oxygen to the brain and other vital organs until emergency medical personnel arrive. Keeping oxygenated blood circulating can help prevent brain damage, which can occur within a few minutes, and death.
Giving CPR isn't hard to do. Follow these steps:
• Step 1: Check your child's condition.
Gently tap on your preschooler's shoulder and call out. If she doesn't respond, have someone call 911 or the local emergency number. Swiftly but gently place your child on her back on a firm surface.
Make sure she isn't bleeding severely. If she is, take measures to stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the area. Don't administer CPR until the bleeding is under control.
• Step 2: Open your child's airway.
Tilt your preschooler's head back with one hand and lift her chin up slightly with the other. This will open her airway.
Check for signs of life (movement and breathing) for no more than ten seconds. To check her breathing, put your head down close to your child's mouth, facing her feet.
Look to see whether her chest is rising, and listen for breathing sounds. If she's breathing, you should be able to feel her breath on your cheek.
• Step 3: Give her two gentle breaths.
If your child isn't breathing, give her two breaths, each lasting just one second. Pinch your child's nose shut, place your mouth over hers, and exhale into her lungs until you see her chest rise.
If her chest doesn't rise, her airway is blocked. Give her first aid for choking, above.
If the breaths go in, give your preschooler two breaths in a row, pausing between rescue breaths to let the air flow back out.
• Step 4: Give her 30 chest compressions.
Place the heel of one of your hands on your preschooler's sternum (breastbone) at the center of her chest. Place your other hand directly on top of the first hand. Try to keep your fingers off her chest by interlacing them or holding them upward.
To give a chest compression, push your child's sternum down a third to half the depth of her chest. Allow the chest to return to its normal position before starting the next compression.
Give your child 30 chest compressions at the rate of 100 per minute. Then give her two rescue breaths (step 3, above).
• Step 5: Repeat compressions and breaths.
Repeat the sequence of 30 chest compressions and two breaths. If you're alone with your preschooler, call 911 or the local emergency number after you've given care for two minutes. Continue the cycle of chest compressions and rescue breaths until you find signs of life or help arrives.
Even if your preschooler resumes breathing before medical assistance arrives, she'll need to be checked by a doctor to make sure that her airway is completely clear and that she hasn't sustained any internal injuries.
First-Aid for Choking and CPR:
Reviewed by emergency services experts at the American Red Cross, July 2006.
We'd all like to think that we'll never be put in the position of having to save our child's life, but it could happen. Children choke on toys, fall off bikes and play equipment, and wade into deceptively deep water. If your preschooler is ever choking or suddenly lifeless, you'll want to know what to do.
We've compiled this step-by-step guide to explain the basics of first aid for choking and CPR, but please don't rely on it as your sole source of information.
Set aside a few hours to take a child CPR course to learn and practice the proper techniques. These techniques differ depending on the age of the child, and doing them improperly can be harmful.
Find a class in your area by contacting your local chapter of the American Red Cross. (You can find the phone number in the white pages.)
The following instructions are for children age 1 and older. To find out what to do when a baby under age 1 is choking or needs CPR, see our illustrated guide to infant CPR.
Choking
• Step 1: Assess the situation quickly
If your preschooler is suddenly unable to cry, cough, or speak, something is probably blocking her airway, and you'll need to help her get it out. She may make odd noises or no sound at all while opening her mouth, and her skin may turn bright red or blue.
If she's coughing or gagging, her airway is only partially blocked. In this case, encourage her to cough. Coughing is the most effective way to dislodge a blockage.
If your child cannot clear her airway by coughing up the object, ask someone to call 911 or the local emergency number and begin back blows and chest thrusts (see step 2, below).
If you're alone with your preschooler, give two minutes of care, then call 911.
On the other hand, if you suspect that your child's airway is closed off because her throat has swollen shut, call 911 immediately. Your child may be having an allergic reaction to something she ate or to an insect bite, for example, or she may have an infection, like croup.
Also call right away if your preschooler is at high risk for heart problems.
• Step 2: Try to dislodge the object with back blows and abdominal thrusts.
If your child is conscious but can't cough, talk, or breathe, or she's beginning to turn blue, stand or kneel behind her. Provide support by placing one arm diagonally across her chest and lean her forward.
Firmly strike your preschooler between the shoulder blades with the heel of your other hand. Give five of these back blows.
Then wrap your arms around your child's waist. Make a fist with one hand and place the thumb side against the middle of your child's abdomen, just above the navel and well below the lower tip of her breastbone.
Grab your fist with your other hand and give five quick, inward thrusts into the abdomen. (Each back blow and abdominal thrust should be a separate and distinct attempt to dislodge the obstruction.)
Continue alternating five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged, your preschooler can breathe or cough forcefully, or she becomes unconscious.
If your child becomes unconscious, she'll need CPR (see full instructions below).
Place your child on her back. Place the heel of one hand on her sternum (breastbone) at the center of her chest. Place your other hand directly on top of the first hand. Try to keep your fingers off her chest by interlacing them or holding them upward.
Give 30 compressions by pushing your child's sternum down a third to half the depth of her chest. Allow the chest to return to its normal position before starting the next compression.
Open your child's mouth and look for an object. If you see something, remove it with your fingers.
Next give her two rescue breaths. If the breaths don't go in (you don't see her chest rise), repeat the cycle of giving 30 compressions, checking for the object, and trying to give two rescue breaths until the object is removed, your child starts to breathe on her own, or emergency medical personnel arrive and take over.
If you're alone, give your child two minutes of care before stopping to call for help.
How to Give CPR
What is CPR?
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This is the lifesaving measure you can take to save your preschooler's life if she shows no signs of life (breathing or movement).
CPR uses chest compressions and breaths to circulate blood that contains oxygen to the brain and other vital organs until emergency medical personnel arrive. Keeping oxygenated blood circulating can help prevent brain damage, which can occur within a few minutes, and death.
Giving CPR isn't hard to do. Follow these steps:
• Step 1: Check your child's condition.
Gently tap on your preschooler's shoulder and call out. If she doesn't respond, have someone call 911 or the local emergency number. Swiftly but gently place your child on her back on a firm surface.
Make sure she isn't bleeding severely. If she is, take measures to stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the area. Don't administer CPR until the bleeding is under control.
• Step 2: Open your child's airway.
Tilt your preschooler's head back with one hand and lift her chin up slightly with the other. This will open her airway.
Check for signs of life (movement and breathing) for no more than ten seconds. To check her breathing, put your head down close to your child's mouth, facing her feet.
Look to see whether her chest is rising, and listen for breathing sounds. If she's breathing, you should be able to feel her breath on your cheek.
• Step 3: Give her two gentle breaths.
If your child isn't breathing, give her two breaths, each lasting just one second. Pinch your child's nose shut, place your mouth over hers, and exhale into her lungs until you see her chest rise.
If her chest doesn't rise, her airway is blocked. Give her first aid for choking, above.
If the breaths go in, give your preschooler two breaths in a row, pausing between rescue breaths to let the air flow back out.
• Step 4: Give her 30 chest compressions.
Place the heel of one of your hands on your preschooler's sternum (breastbone) at the center of her chest. Place your other hand directly on top of the first hand. Try to keep your fingers off her chest by interlacing them or holding them upward.
To give a chest compression, push your child's sternum down a third to half the depth of her chest. Allow the chest to return to its normal position before starting the next compression.
Give your child 30 chest compressions at the rate of 100 per minute. Then give her two rescue breaths (step 3, above).
• Step 5: Repeat compressions and breaths.
Repeat the sequence of 30 chest compressions and two breaths. If you're alone with your preschooler, call 911 or the local emergency number after you've given care for two minutes. Continue the cycle of chest compressions and rescue breaths until you find signs of life or help arrives.
Even if your preschooler resumes breathing before medical assistance arrives, she'll need to be checked by a doctor to make sure that her airway is completely clear and that she hasn't sustained any internal injuries.
Reversible sling
http://www.bellydancematernity.com/
detailed_view.php?productid=2294
peanut shell retro dot reversible sling
Peanut Shell is a pouch style sling for hip parents. A great way to free your hands and comfort your baby. The reason we love Peanut Shell is that there are no adjustments, no buckles, and no metal rings. They are sized small, medium, and large and have padding at baby's legs. And these slings are reversible with dot pattern on one side and solid on the other, which makes them great for any outfit, as well as for mom and dad.
There are multiple ways to carry a baby or toddler up to 36 lbs.
Available in blue/chocolate dot with chocolate, pink/chocolate dot with chocolate, black/white chocolate dot with black.
100% cotton.
Small=fits tshirt size xs-small, Medium=fits tshirt size med-large, Large=fits tshirt size large-xl
Blanket & Poncho for baby
Supernaturalbaby.com
http://supernaturalbaby.com/Product/main/poncho_funky_main.jpg
Super soft and dual-purposed, this item is sure to be the envy of all babies. Keep the center opening tied together and use it as a blanket for the car, stroller or the ground. Rolls up for convenient packing and carrying!
If this becomes your child’s favorite blanket, you’re in luck! Just loosen the ties and it transforms into a warm and cozy poncho.
Size: 37" x 29.5"
Color: orange, brown ties
Description: 100% polyester fleece
with 100% cotton trim
Made in USA
http://supernaturalbaby.com/Product/main/poncho_funky_main.jpg
Super soft and dual-purposed, this item is sure to be the envy of all babies. Keep the center opening tied together and use it as a blanket for the car, stroller or the ground. Rolls up for convenient packing and carrying!
If this becomes your child’s favorite blanket, you’re in luck! Just loosen the ties and it transforms into a warm and cozy poncho.
Size: 37" x 29.5"
Color: orange, brown ties
Description: 100% polyester fleece
with 100% cotton trim
Made in USA
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Gingerbread-man costume
Redenvelope.com
baby gingerbread-man costume (3-12 months)
Santa suits and reindeer antlers are time-tested traditions, but the classic holiday get-up could use an update. Our gingerbread-man costume has the requisite red and green fabric "buttons" and rickrack trim. Exclusively from RedEnvelope.
* made of super-plush, washable fabric
* features hook-and-loop fasteners for easy on-and-off
* matching caps keep heads warm
* offered in size 3-6 months or 6-12 months. see below for available styles
* imported
http://images.redenvelope.com/zoomtar/java_zoom.jsp?company=production&skuOrPath=H06_180847_W&name=baby%20gingerbread-man%20costume%20(3-12%20months)&env=PROD&prodID=C1%2001%20185191&categoryID=%2frecipient%2ffor%20baby%2fentire%20collection
Brother's vow to save Christmas
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/10258613/detail.html
Brothers Vow To Save Christmas
Lynnfield Men To Boycott Some Stores
LYNNFIELD, Mass. -- Two local men are launching an effort to save Christmas.
NewsCenter 5's Gail Huff reported that Robert and Kevin Marley plan to picket in front of malls and any other store that refuses to use the words "Merry Christmas" for fear of offending non-Christian shoppers.
The Marleys said they don't care if stores say "Happy Kwanzaa" or hang the Star of David -- they just don't want "Merry Christmas" taken down.
"There's an attack on Christmas, and we want to stop it," Robert Marley said.
The Marleys started the Coalition to Save Christmas in Massachusetts -- and they're recruiting volunteers to help protest.
"We're going to ask that Christians boycott any store or mall that does not display the words Merry Christmas," Robert Marley said.
The brothers plan to picket at the Square One Mall on the day after Thanksgiving -- one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
"I think if you hit the malls in the pocket, that's when they'll change their tune a little bit," volunteer Steve Ciambelli said.
The Marleys said their phone has been ringing nonstop since they started the coalition. They are also recruiting volunteers via the Internet.
"It did start with Christ -- Christmas. And that's what it's about," said Kevin Marley.
The Marleys said the are picking up where the Rev. Jerry Falwell left off last year when he threatened to sue after Boston's Christmas tree was renamed the "holiday" tree.
"We want things like they were four years ago. Within five years, there will be no Christmas," said Robert Marley.
The owner of the Square One Mall, Simon Malls, told NewsCenter 5 that their goal is to offer a place for all members of the community to experience this special time of year -- including traditions like visiting Santa and looking for the perfect gift for family and friends.
Copyright 2006 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Brothers Vow To Save Christmas
Lynnfield Men To Boycott Some Stores
LYNNFIELD, Mass. -- Two local men are launching an effort to save Christmas.
NewsCenter 5's Gail Huff reported that Robert and Kevin Marley plan to picket in front of malls and any other store that refuses to use the words "Merry Christmas" for fear of offending non-Christian shoppers.
The Marleys said they don't care if stores say "Happy Kwanzaa" or hang the Star of David -- they just don't want "Merry Christmas" taken down.
"There's an attack on Christmas, and we want to stop it," Robert Marley said.
The Marleys started the Coalition to Save Christmas in Massachusetts -- and they're recruiting volunteers to help protest.
"We're going to ask that Christians boycott any store or mall that does not display the words Merry Christmas," Robert Marley said.
The brothers plan to picket at the Square One Mall on the day after Thanksgiving -- one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
"I think if you hit the malls in the pocket, that's when they'll change their tune a little bit," volunteer Steve Ciambelli said.
The Marleys said their phone has been ringing nonstop since they started the coalition. They are also recruiting volunteers via the Internet.
"It did start with Christ -- Christmas. And that's what it's about," said Kevin Marley.
The Marleys said the are picking up where the Rev. Jerry Falwell left off last year when he threatened to sue after Boston's Christmas tree was renamed the "holiday" tree.
"We want things like they were four years ago. Within five years, there will be no Christmas," said Robert Marley.
The owner of the Square One Mall, Simon Malls, told NewsCenter 5 that their goal is to offer a place for all members of the community to experience this special time of year -- including traditions like visiting Santa and looking for the perfect gift for family and friends.
Copyright 2006 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Top 10 Christmas movies for kids
http://kidstvmovies.about.com/od/christmas
/tp/topchristmas.htm
Top 10 Christmas Movies for Kids
From Carey Bryson,
Your Guide to Kids Movies / TV.
The Top Ten Christmas Movies for Kids is a hard list to come up with. Many wonderful family and children's movies have been made about the most wonderful time of the year, but here are ten classics that capture the fun and magic of Christmas.
1) Mickey's Christmas Carol
"Mickey's Christmas Carol" is a children's classic beyond compare, and can be found on "Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed In at the House of Mouse" (2001). This DVD features several Disney Christmas cartoons, culminating in the wonderful rendition of the Dickens classic. No rendition of Scrooge will ever top that of "Scrooge McDuck." Rated G.
2) The Polar Express (2004)
When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. Based on the beloved children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. Rated G.
3) Miracle on 34th Street (DVD) (1947)
Kris Kringle--unbeknownst to cynical, market-minded adults, the real Santa Claus--is hired to play himself at Macy's Department Store, New York City. He finds himself in a situation where he must convince an unbelieving little girl, and others, that he is the real Santa. NR
4) A Christmas Story (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition) (1983)
Ralphie, a young boy growing up in the '40's, has his little heart set on getting a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas. All he hears from adults everywhere is "You'll shoot your eye out." The story portrays hilarious examples of the era's version of an all-American Christmas. Rated PG.
5) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is an old classic with Burl Ives as narrator, and it has made a recent come-back. The show uses innovative puppetry and stop-motion animation to tell the story of an outcast reindeer, an aspiring-dentist elf, and an island of misfit toys who help Santa save Christmas.
6) Frosty the Snowman (1969)
An animated cartoon about Frosty the snowman, who springs to life when the children place a magic hat upon his head.
7) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (DVD) (1966)
The animation talent of Chuck Jones combined with the delightful prose of the great Dr. Seuss results in a Christmas cartoon classic that will make even the most resolute cynic warm to its sneaky holiday message. Horror icon Boris Karloff supplies the voice of the Grinch, who plans on spitefully ruining Christmas for the town of Whoville by stealing all the presents.
8) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (DVD) (2000)
Director Ron Howard casts comedian Jim Carrey in the title role in this live-action adaptation of the famous Christmas tale by Dr. Seuss. Colorful and fun, this rendition is sure to be a classic, and the best thing about it is the Whos' hairdos. This film is a treat for the whole family. Rated PG for some crude humor.
9) Home Alone (1990)
Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister is accidentally left home alone by his family while they fly off to France for Christmas vacation. Kevin loves his freedom, delightedly gorging himself on sweets and staying up late -- until he is forced to defend his home from a team of burglers. But Kevin learns that self-defense can be fun too, as he goes about flying to defeat the bumbling thieves. Rated PG.
10) A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
One of the most endearing of all Peanuts' specials finds Charlie Brown nurturing the thinnest, scraggliest Christmas tree ever. At first the gang makes fun of Charlie for choosing such an ugly tree for the holiday but a timely assist from Linus makes the true message of the season come shining through. Everyone realizes in the end that a little affection can make all the difference in the world... even to a tree. NR
/tp/topchristmas.htm
Top 10 Christmas Movies for Kids
From Carey Bryson,
Your Guide to Kids Movies / TV.
The Top Ten Christmas Movies for Kids is a hard list to come up with. Many wonderful family and children's movies have been made about the most wonderful time of the year, but here are ten classics that capture the fun and magic of Christmas.
1) Mickey's Christmas Carol
"Mickey's Christmas Carol" is a children's classic beyond compare, and can be found on "Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed In at the House of Mouse" (2001). This DVD features several Disney Christmas cartoons, culminating in the wonderful rendition of the Dickens classic. No rendition of Scrooge will ever top that of "Scrooge McDuck." Rated G.
2) The Polar Express (2004)
When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. Based on the beloved children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. Rated G.
3) Miracle on 34th Street (DVD) (1947)
Kris Kringle--unbeknownst to cynical, market-minded adults, the real Santa Claus--is hired to play himself at Macy's Department Store, New York City. He finds himself in a situation where he must convince an unbelieving little girl, and others, that he is the real Santa. NR
4) A Christmas Story (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition) (1983)
Ralphie, a young boy growing up in the '40's, has his little heart set on getting a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas. All he hears from adults everywhere is "You'll shoot your eye out." The story portrays hilarious examples of the era's version of an all-American Christmas. Rated PG.
5) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is an old classic with Burl Ives as narrator, and it has made a recent come-back. The show uses innovative puppetry and stop-motion animation to tell the story of an outcast reindeer, an aspiring-dentist elf, and an island of misfit toys who help Santa save Christmas.
6) Frosty the Snowman (1969)
An animated cartoon about Frosty the snowman, who springs to life when the children place a magic hat upon his head.
7) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (DVD) (1966)
The animation talent of Chuck Jones combined with the delightful prose of the great Dr. Seuss results in a Christmas cartoon classic that will make even the most resolute cynic warm to its sneaky holiday message. Horror icon Boris Karloff supplies the voice of the Grinch, who plans on spitefully ruining Christmas for the town of Whoville by stealing all the presents.
8) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (DVD) (2000)
Director Ron Howard casts comedian Jim Carrey in the title role in this live-action adaptation of the famous Christmas tale by Dr. Seuss. Colorful and fun, this rendition is sure to be a classic, and the best thing about it is the Whos' hairdos. This film is a treat for the whole family. Rated PG for some crude humor.
9) Home Alone (1990)
Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister is accidentally left home alone by his family while they fly off to France for Christmas vacation. Kevin loves his freedom, delightedly gorging himself on sweets and staying up late -- until he is forced to defend his home from a team of burglers. But Kevin learns that self-defense can be fun too, as he goes about flying to defeat the bumbling thieves. Rated PG.
10) A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
One of the most endearing of all Peanuts' specials finds Charlie Brown nurturing the thinnest, scraggliest Christmas tree ever. At first the gang makes fun of Charlie for choosing such an ugly tree for the holiday but a timely assist from Linus makes the true message of the season come shining through. Everyone realizes in the end that a little affection can make all the difference in the world... even to a tree. NR
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