The Cherry best of Christmas
It is the list you never knew you needed! We delve deep into the minds of the Cherries to find out their favourite Christmas songs and films, as well as their essential Christmas dinner must haves. Which Cherry is your Christmas Spirit?
First up: Christmas Tunes!
Russell- ‘Christmas Greeting’ from Perry Como is the staple album that Russell has to listen to every year, and not just any old version, it has to be the original. On vinyl, complete with all the jumps and scratches in the right place. If he had to choose a slightly more contemporary record, Russell says you can’t go wrong with ‘Low – Christmas EP’, no modern Christmas song is as good as ‘Just like Christmas’! (Mariah Carey fans, do not come at me!)
Ali – Does the Die Hard soundtrack count…? He was asking for a friend.
Wiktoria – Ever wondered what the best Polish Christmas tune is? Well, wonder no more! ‘Przybiezeli Do Betlejem’ by Golec uOrkiestra, is a cover of a traditional Polish carol. Wiktoria has wonderful memories of watching this on the annual Christmas concert, full of covers by famous Polish singers, while eating Christmas dinner and feeling all the magical feels of Christmas.
Jason – ‘Christmas in June’ by AJR, a bittersweet reflection on balancing work and relationships, telling the story of finally being able to follow your passions but not wanting to miss out on important moments. Sweet and upbeat with some sadder tones chucked in, being the perfect recipe for a Christmas song. However, you can’t beat the silliness of ‘I don’t know what Christmas is’ from Guardians of the Galaxy Christmas Special to make Jason laugh.
Amy – Not content with a favourite song, Amy has a favourite album… drum roll please… it’s Michael Bublé’s ‘Christmas’ of course!
Louise – She might be on maternity leave, but Louise still had time to step into the Christmas spirit by announcing Elton John as the winner of the best Christmas song. That’s right… it’s ‘Step into Christmas’! I have to agree with Louise here… it is THE number one Christmas tune!
Sarah – Taken from her favourite Christmas movie (can you guess what it is?…) it is John Williams ‘Somewhere in my Memory’, the lyrics tug on the heart strings, so you might not want to be home alone to listen to this one…
Up next, Christmas Movies!
Russell – An alternative list from our Russell, a classic, ‘Ebenezer Scrooge’, is his top film. And there is no better telling of the story than the 1971 animated version by Richard Williams. It scared the life out of Russell as a child with the creepy victorian etched illustration styling. If he is feeling in the mood for a more lighthearted film, then ‘AD/BC: A Rock Opera’ is on the list. A loving homage to Jesus Christ Superstar, telling the story of the nativity from the point of view of the innkeeper, and a great parody of 70s British TV production values. Plus, if the soundtrack had been available to buy, then his Christmas song list would have been a little different!
Ali – Our newly wed developer is very much of the opinion that not only is ‘Die Hard’ a Christmas film, it is THE best Christmas film ever.
Wiktoria – A popular answer and not exactly a Polish tradition, it is of course, ‘Home Alone’! Wiktoria loved watching this movie and still brings back memories of good times with her family.
Jason – ‘Klaus’ is Jason’s choice. A genuinely sweet animation with memorable and brilliant character development, and it still has the ability to amaze Jason that it is a 2D film and not the 3D film that it appears to be! Jason also can’t go a festive period without watching Terry Pratchett’s ‘The Hogfather’. There is nothing like the wacky and unique world of Terry.
Amy – Our Marketing Assistant struggled to choose just one, The Holiday, Scrooge, Home Alone and Polar Express, all being at the top spot. For a local touch, Amy highly recommends ‘Lost at Christmas’, which was filmed right here in the Highlands. And if films aren’t your thing, why not try making it to a ballet performance?
Louise – Another vote for ‘Home Alone’. No explanation required.
Sarah – I think you know already. It’s ‘Home Alone’, of course.
Christmas dinner essentials…
Russell – Brussell sprouts fried with chestnuts and bacon… best way to use up the leftovers!
Ali – The roasters and plenty of ’em!
Wiktoria – Barszcz (Borscht), a sour beet soup, an absolute must-have Christmas delight! Bonus points if dumplings are added to it. Sounds delicious (*books flights straight to Poland*).
Jason – All the Christmas food is essential for our Jase – except parsnips. Jason absolutely hates parsnips thanks to his dad giving him trust issues, assuring Jason that they were actually chips. I can only imagine the disappointment. His dad still laughs about it every Christmas when he sets the parsnips down on the table.
Amy – Coming from a family that often deviates from the norm, Amy tells us that the one consistent, and firm favourite, is clootie dumpling and custard. Well, that and mince pies, naturally. Once Amy has full reigns (get it?!) of cooking the Christmas dinner, there will be definitely be a bit of an Asian fusion going on!
Louise – She doesn’t just have a favourite food (she does really…it’s team bread sauce!) Louise has a whole favourite course.. the cheese board. A brie-lliant choice.
Sarah – Sarah’s Christmas dinner essential is wine. Wine and red cabbage. Wine and crackers. Wine and family. You get the pitcher, sorry, picture.
And as for me. Well I agree with Louise on Step into Christmas. Elton has me still standing on the dance floor to that one. Movie wise, ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ and ‘Elf’ are my clear winners, no other films are just so darn quotable.
When it comes to Christmas dinner essentials, it has to be bread sauce. It just isn’t Christmas without my brother and I fighting over it (and yes, we are both very much adults). That and the leftover Boxing Day sarnie. I do draw the line at Christmas pudding, brussell sprouts (sorry Russell), chocolate liquors, mince pies and eggnog. ‘Hate, hate, hate, double hate, loathe entirely…’
If you disagree, get in touch, see if you can change our minds!