Each year at this time, I offer a column full of "stocking stuffers": little quotes, quips, anecdotes for the holidays. I don't expect you to eat them all. Take what you like, leave the rest:
A WONDERFUL LIFE, BY GEORGE: If one movie could be called the Christmas movie, it would be "It's a Wonderful Life," the Frank Capra classic starring Jimmy Stewart as the mild-mannered banker, George Bailey, who links up with his guardian angel.The Salt Lake area phone book has one George Bailey in it. He lives in Centerville. I gave him a call to see what he thought of the film.
"Yes, I have watched the movie two or three times," he told me. "And it's been brought to my attention a couple of times that I have the same name as the main character."
It's interesting, too, that both men live in small towns and both have an interest in public service (Utah's George Bailey works for Utah Power).
The most striking similarity, however, may be in attitude.
"And I suppose I'd agree with him," says our George Bailey. "It is a wonderful life."\ SEASONAL BEST SELLERS:
As the book editor for the paper, I get a lot of volumes at this time of year geared to Christmas shoppers. Following are three titles I'd like to receive, but never have:
"The Sum Also Rises" (Christmas shopping through the years).
"Up on the House Top - Laraine, Dear - Pause" (Getting your wife to put that cut-out Santa on the roof this year).
"Deck the Halls" (Taking your Christmas frustrations out on your neighbors - in this case, the Hall family next door.)\ POUND FOR POUND CAKE:
If you wonder why you feel especially full after eating a slice of Christmas fruitcake, "The Handbook of Chemistry and Physics" has the answer: A pound of fruitcake has the same density as a pound of mahogany. Fruitcakes, however, last much longer.\ WEIGHT WATCHER:
Don't blame Santa for being fat. According to Harper's Magazine, 84 million cookies will be set out for him this Christmas Eve. You eat 84 million and try to keep that boyish figure.
A QUOTE FROM C.S. LEWIS: I feel exactly as you do about the horrid commercial racket they have made out of Christmas. I do not send cards, and I give no pres-ents except to children.
A QUOTE FROM ROBERT COLLYER: The things we do at Christmas are touched with a certain extravagance, as beautiful - in some of its aspects - as the extravagance of Nature in June.
A QUOTE FROM JERRY JOHNSTON: I know why we stop singing Christmas songs on Dec. 26, but why must we also stop singing those fine old "winter songs," songs like "Winter Wonderland," "Jingle Bells" and "Sleigh Ride"?