|
|
 The SD-PF
S*Ticker
|
|
|
|
Happy Holidays!
The photos above were taken at this year's firm holiday party in Pittsburgh on December 3rd. Don't we look like a fun bunch?
As we find ourselves at the end of another year, we hope this one has been full of happy memories of friends and loved ones. And while it can be a busy and stressful time, we encourage you to take a break and watch an old favorite holiday movie. It's a great way to take some time for yourself, have some popcorn, and be reminded that it's not all about that last-minute trip to the mall for one more gift. To give you some ideas, a few of our team members have shared
their
favorite holiday movies here. Maybe one of them is
your
favorite, too!
We hope you enjoy this holiday greeting from our team.
|
Nancy Skeans:
"The Polar Express" is about a young boy who embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express. During his adventure he learns about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas. When given the opportunity to receive the first gift of Christmas, he opts instead for a simple sleigh bell that had fallen from Santa's sleigh. This movie is magical, and always fun to watch. (Right now you can see this movie at The Rangos Omnimax Theater at The Carnegie Science Center.) My favorite scene is the serving of hot chocolate to the children on the trip to the North Pole. Next in line is the stomach-dropping feeling you get when the train roars down a viciously steep hill. Yes, it still feels like you are on a roller coaster even when you are watching at home on your television. This movie is great for children of all ages, and adults of all ages, too!
Beth Lynch: My favorite Christmas movie is "Love Actually." It's
 a story about eight different couples that are dealing with their crazy love lives during the month of December, leading up to Christmas. Each relationship faces its own obstacles, and each deals with them differently. Some of the characters are falling in love, others are falling out of love, some are with the right person, and others with the wrong one. This story will make you laugh, cry, laugh again and yes, cry again -- or maybe just me. It stars Hugh Grant, Martine McCutheon, Liam Neeson, Laura Liney and many more great actors. I love the story (and the British accents). As Christmas approaches and I listen to holiday music on the radio, there are a few songs that remind me of this movie and make me smile, one being "All I Want for Christmas is You."
Derek Eichelberger:
The holidays don't feel complete unless I've watched "A Christmas Story." It's the story of nine-year old Ralphie Parker who only wants one thing for Christmas -- a Red Rider Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle (BB gun). The movie reminds me of what Christmas felt like as a kid, and it has so many wonderful scenes that still make me laugh
. Watching this movie with my kids is something that I look forward to every year.
David Brinkman:
My favorite holiday movie is "It's a Wonderful  Life." We all know the story about George Bailey getting into some f
inancial trouble, and believe that everyone would be better off if he had never been born. An angel named Clarence is able to show George the tremendous impact his life has had on so many others. Once George sees all the good his life has brought, he is able to appreciate his wife and children, friends and family, along with every detail of his life. I enjoy watching this movie every year around the holidays because it provides perspective and a reminder to enjoy this life because it's the only one we have.
 |
|
Jason Staley:
My favorite Christmas movie is the Bruce Willis classic, "Die Hard." Many people, including some of my coworkers, do not believe this qualified as a Christmas movie. However, it has all the ingredients of a Christmas classic. John McClane (Willis) is flying from New York to Los Angeles to celebrate Christmas with his wife and two children after having been separated from them for many months. Mr. McClane heads over to his wife's corporate headquarters, where a holiday party is taking place. Unbeknownst to John, a holiday scrooge/villain of epic proportions are taking everyone at the party hostage. The spirit of Christmas permeates throughout the movie, as Mr. McClane fights through a series of challenging obstacles in order to be reunited with his wife and children (and that's what Christmas is all about; sacrificing for community and spending precious time with your loved ones.) While John struggles against the long odds, Christmas music is scored throughout the film, along with several Christmas phrases and a scene where he is stuck in a "chimney" of sorts evading the bad guys. Fittingly, most people wonder whether they will have a white Christmas, and after saving the hostages and besting the villains, snow falls down in LA as John is reunited with his family. The perfect ending to one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time.
Nick Mastrian:
Each year I look forward to watching "National  La
mpoon's
Christmas Vacation." The tale of Clark Griswold striving for the perfect family
Christmas. Coming from a very large extended family, which holds traditions dear, I can relate to the joy and hilarity of the consequences of bringing everyone together. Also, it owns some of the best one-liners of any comedy!
Karen Werley:
It wouldn't be Christmas Eve without a family watch party of "Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas." This story of Emmet, his friends, and his Ma, each trying to win a local talent competition in order to have a little money to spend on Christmas gifts for each other, always gets everybody singing along to every song. It was always my younger sister's favorite holiday movie, and she continues the tradition by inviting all of her nieces and nephews over each year to watch with her. I wish you all a happy, healthy holiday full of love and music you can sing along to!
Theresa Sekely:
One of my family's favorite holiday movies is "Elf,"  which was released in 2003. Elf is about one of Santa's elves wh
o learns of his true identity as a human, and goes to New York City to meet his biological father. Will Ferrell's comic flare makes my kids smile from start to finish. Although I won't let them try it, their favorite part is when he puts maple syrup on spaghetti and drinks syrup through a straw, but who wouldn't love that!
I have a confession to make. I have an addiction to "Miracle on 34th Street." As a child, the story about a little girl and her mother discovering the true meaning of Christmas, and learning to believe in Santa Claus, truly resonated with me. I remember lying awake on Christmas Eve listening for the sleigh bells, which I always heard before I happily drifted off to sleep. My husband learned to live with my addiction, Although, truth be told, he leaves the room while I'm watching it. I love the original with Maureen O'Hara and Edmund Gwenn, but also learned to appreciate both later versions. Still, the 1947 black and white charmer has my heart. My kids know of my love for this movie and are confused by it. They've never understood my fascination with this old move. When it's on, no matter what I'm doing, I always stop and watch the end when Susan gets her dream home and a happy ending, courtesy of Kris. I am, and hope to always be, a Christmas romantic. This season, may all your holiday dreams and wishes come true.
|
|
| Schneider Downs Wealth Management Holiday Hours
Just a reminder that our office will be closed for the holidays on Friday, December 23, Monday, December 26, Friday, December 30, and Monday, January 2.
|
| The Schneider Downs Wealth Management Team
Don, Nancy, Beth, Derek, David, Jason, Nick, Karen, Theresa and Vicky.
Links within this newsletter are for informational purposes only.
Material does not necessarily represent the views of SDWMA, and all information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representations as to their completeness or accuracy.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
