Christmas is a bright holiday for myriad reasons: the twinkle in Santa’s eyes, the exuberance in a child’s face, the laughter that rings out in families’ living rooms, and the plugged-in bulbs that sparkle and shine on trees, mantelpieces, and every available piece of décor. Yes, Christmas is all about lightening one’s mood and elevating one’s spirit, but it’s also about running up the electric bill while you create a mini Disney Theme Park in your neighborhood.
Zwergnase is primarily known as a doll company, but its founder Nicole Marschollek-Menzner has always had a soft spot in her heart for bears. Many of her dolls are created with critter companions. Her well-dressed dolls are accompanied by tiny bears, bunnies, kitties, or pups. The presence of a bear or another plush pet makes the dolls seem less lonely, more childlike somehow. We certainly don’t want our dolls and bears to be lonely — look at the sad life of children’s author Dare Wright, who penned the classic “Edith the Lonely Doll” book franchise. We want our dolls and our bears to be glad. If they can become each other’s best friends, cheers all around!
Even though it was released in 2003, only 15 years ago, “Elf” has become one of America’s most cherished Christmas films. (Remember, this is a very crowded, stocking-stuffed field, with flicks like 1947’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” and 1954’s “White Christmas.”) Last year, Fandango held a poll where its users deemed the Will Ferrell comedy to be the best Christmas movie of the 21st century. Equally surprising, Entertainment Weekly magazine dubbed it the fourth greatest holiday movie of all time!