The holiday season is in full swing! Here are some of Scene’s reflections and suggestions to begin this holiday season.
“Home Alone 2: Lost in New York”
Rose Androwich, Scene Writer
I’ve always loved the movie “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.”Every season brings the essential films and TV episodes that you have to watch. Eventually, I wear down my Mom and my four siblings into watching that movie every year. Last year, my roommate Ari’s parents went out of town. Since she lives 30 minutes away, we decided to have a sleepover at her house. Everyone got to pick a movie, and it’s no surprise which one I picked. I loved the feeling of getting to share one of my favorite holiday traditions with my current roommates and my best friend Kayla. Bringing your traditions to college is pretty great, and “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” is the best “Home Alone” movie for me.
Moral Utilitarianism and Disney’s The Santa Clause
Andy Ottone, Scene Writer
If you kill Santa, you become Santa. This simple rule was established in Disney’s “The Santa Clause.” But, murder is wrong. This simple rule was established by society and logic. However, in comes moral utilitarianism: morality is defined by how much good and positivity your actions bring into the world. I’ve never studied ethics. What does this have to do with Santa? Killing is bad. Killing Santa? Even worse. That’s depriving people of joy and happiness and Christmas magic. From a utilitarian standpoint, that’s an incredibly bad action. However, since you replace Santa Claus, you are maintaining an equal amount of good in the world as you are now tasked with his duties. Therefore, not only do your actions cancel out, you yourself are bringing more joy into the world, creating a net moral positive in your individual case. This is why, if given the opportunity, you should kill Santa Claus.
Hot chocolate
Sophia Michetti, Scene Writer
As we come into the full swing of the festive season, it’s time to break out the quintessential holiday drink: hot chocolate. Hot chocolate is the perfect accessory for your gloved hands in all settings, creating the perfect mood and keeping you warm as you look in awe at the Christmas lights set against the perma-cloud sky. Everyone’s favorite winter drink is also the perfect way to get that much-needed sugar rush as you prepare for finals in the library. If you’re feeling extra spirited, you can even start listening to Tom Hanks’ classic bop “Hot Chocolate” from “The Polar Express” to maximize the joy hot chocolate brings. Although South Bend’s unpredictable weather may not give us a white Christmas this year, we can always rely on 20-minute GrubHub lines to provide us with those warm, chocolatey feels.
Pop Christmas music
Alysa Guffey, Editor-in-Chief
It’s finally after Thanksgiving, which means it’s acceptable to blast Christmas music from early in the morning to late at night. Let’s all agree – holiday classics like “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” always hit. But, what about when you want something a little fresh, a little different to jam to? Enter, the ultimate short list of modern Christmas pop songs:
- “Like It’s Christmas” by the Jonas Brothers
- “Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande
- “Officially Christmas” by Dan + Shay
- “Christmas Time” by Bryan Adams
- “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Michael Buble
- “Christmas Isn’t Canceled (Just You)” by Kelly Clarkson
“Once Upon a December”
Maggie Eastland, Assistant ManagingEditor
Do yourself a favor and go listen to “Once Upon a December” by Christy Altomare right now. This is a slept-on song (and movie if you like watching those) that deserves to be relevant. Seriously, why aren’t we talking about Rasputin and the Romanov family more? But I digress. This wintry fairytale melds elements of your favorite princess movie with the history of Russian monarchs and a mysterious fantasy quest. Personally, I like to see a princess movie done well. Sorry Disney, but over-dramatic snow queens will never beat this 20th Century Fox masterpiece. It’s the perfect background music or movie that gives you all the elegance and magic of Christmas without the in-your-face Santa Clause.
