Violent Night – A Holiday Movie That’s Not Your Average Santa Story

Well, somehow the Thanksgiving Holiday has passed.  And while it’s still a little too early for me to enjoy all the awesome things the Christmas season has to offer, one thing I’m not opposed to is awesome holiday movies! Now, I love the classics and even some newer cheese-filled films with holiday cheer, but I don’t want to talk to you about Miracle on 34^Th Street or National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.  Today, it’s about a movie starring Hopper from Stranger Things – “Violent Night” and man is it not your traditional Christmas movie.  This one is an action-packed, blood-filled, kick-ass, holiday movie, that somehow still manages to spread the cheer throughout it’s violent tendencies.  Violent Night is a holiday movie that's not your average Santa story.

David Harbour plays Santa.  I’m not giving anything away.  That’s in the trailer!  He’s been doing the whole delivering presents thing for hundreds of years.  He’s gotten so down lately though.  Society as a whole doesn’t believe in Christmas Magic the way it used to and it’s causing Santa to become disillusioned about the whole thing.

But this movie takes place on a Christmas Eve where Santa happens to stumble into one family’s home and realizes that they are in serious danger.  John Leguizamo plays the leader of a gang of bad guys who break into a family’s home ready to hold them hostage in order to get exactly what he wants.  I think Leguizamo’s so underrated at playing it creepy and cunning.  He’s a very versatile actor.

Without giving too much of the twists and turns away, let’s just say that John’s character winds up having to take on someone who has been trained in combat long before delivering Christmas gifts to nice boys and girls.  That’s right – Santa!

It’s a pretty wild concept and isn’t for everyone.  But it’s filled with cheesy action-movie one-liners that are top notch and somehow despite the violent action scenes really does give you an overall good feeling when the movies over.  Or at least I had one……and maybe I’m just a little out there.  LOL! I highly recommend checking it out and right now at almost every outlet, online and brick and mortar it is on sale at a very low price.  So maybe pick it up and give your Christmas collection a little something different!  Violent Night is a holiday movie that's not your average Santa story.

Physical gifts can be cool for a moment, but the memories they create are what truly last a lifetime. This holiday season, why not do your friends and family a favor by skipping the usual physical presents? Maybe consider giving a unique Christmas experience instead?

An experiential gift is just as thoughtful as something you can hold in your hand. The difference is that it won't end up gathering dust, getting re-gifted, or donated. That's because experiences, whether it's a subscription, an activity, or a class, let people give people memories. Whether the giftee does it on their own, with their family, or even with you, it offers opportunities for learning and exploration.

If you're searching for an exciting experience for adults or children, ther are lots of choices. You could start with something as simple as covering the dinner tab for a couple. Another option is going big by planning a fantastic trip as the ultimate gift for your spouse. For kids and teens, they can dive into fun activities. These can be learning to play an instrument or mastering the art of making their favorite dessert.

Another advantage of opting for experiential gifts is that they make ideal last-minute presents. They can be conveniently purchased online. And if all else fails, a gift card is always an option.

Let's face it: most of the stuff we buy just because we like it or think we need it tends to fade into the background pretty quickly. This is especially true when they're given as gifts. We've all had those times when we eagerly tore into a physical gift at Christmas or a birthday, only to realize it didn't quite live up to the hype. It's even worse when you know that time and money were spent on something you're not too thrilled about.

Experiences can enrich our lives, contributing to personal growth and opening our minds to new horizons. Meanwhile, dust collectors, especially the ones from distant relatives, don't quite measure up. You know that feeling, right? It's like saying, "Thanks, Aunt Rose, but I could've done without that Christmas scarf and hand lotion from the buy-one-get-one special at the mall."

So, when the holiday season or other celebrations roll around, and you're stuck with gift-buying, consider giving experiences instead of physical items. To help you get started, here are some experiential gifts that would make great Christmas gifts.

Gifting an annual membership to a zoo, museum, aquarium, or perhaps, for those aged 21 and above, a wine club or mug club membership can make for a wonderful holiday gift. It's a simple and thoughtful gesture that can benefit almost everyone this season. Offering your friends or family several months or a full year at a location they cherish is an excellent method to provide them with extra savings and a valuable present they can enjoy throughout the year.

Offer the gift of a year-long adventure with the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. This pass grants free entry to all 115 National Parks with entrance fees, along with over 3,000 other federal lands. The pass includes the pass holder and up to three accompanying adults (aged 16 and above), with free admission for children under 15. Similar passes are available at various state parks, city and county parks, as well as botanical gardens nationwide, either for online purchase or directly on-site. It's a thoughtful present for anyone who enjoys the outdoors.

Imagine the excitement of receiving a personalized video message from your beloved celebrity, something you can hold onto for a lifetime. Cameo provides a platform where you can hire celebrities and athletes to create personalized videos, making them memorable gifts. The pricing for Cameo videos is set individually by thousands of actors, artists, and influencers and can range from as low as $1 to as high as $15,000 for personal videos, depending on the celebrity's status and demand.

It's reassuring to know that you're offering your loved ones something they can personally choose and appreciate. Movie gift cards are a great option as they usually have no expiration date and can be used to buy movie tickets and concessions at the specific theater or theaters from which they are purchased. The recipient can use it for any movie they desire, without having to dip into their own funds.

Consider giving tickets to a theme park amusement park as one of the most enjoyable experiential gifts. When presenting tickets as a gift, there's room for creativity in how you package the gift, whether in a sizable wrapped box or as part of a unique scavenger hunt.

There are plenty of enjoyable indoor activities to explore, including options like indoor rock climbing, trampoline centers, indoor skydiving, game centers, arcades, and escape rooms. A gift of this kind can be especially convenient for those times when you're looking for indoor entertainment, especially during bad weather.

Concert or show tickets are a great gift choice. They provide a one-of-a-kind experience and make for a thoughtful way to celebrate your best friend and their interests. Even if they've seen the band before, each performance is unique and memorable.

If you have a sports enthusiast in your circle, giving them tickets to a baseball game is a thoughtful gesture to express your care. It's also an excellent means of enjoying quality time together while rooting for your favorite team. To make the experience even better, you can go the extra mile by including a food voucher along with the tickets.

Offer the perfect gift of relaxation and beauty, whether it's a spa day, a massage, a facial, or a visit to the salon for hair styling, a wash, or a manicure and pedicure. Depending on the recipient, this could be something you can enjoy together. It's an opportunity to unwind and connect, spending quality time together, catching up on life, sharing some laughter, and reminiscing about the past.

Lessons in various experiences, such as cooking classes, dance lessons, or sewing lessons, can be beneficial to many. This kind of gift is well-suited for people who enjoy learning and trying out new experiences. By gifting classes or lessons, you provide someone with an additional means of self-expression.