5 Quick Things #348 🎄

coffee, coffee shops, bookshops, & small towns

Hey there,

We had a late evening watching a local stage production of It’s a Wonderful Life — and it was indeed wonderful. It’s a movie I know backwards and forwards (it’s in my top ten of all-time films, not just Christmas ones), and it was delightful to go do something festive out in the community with others. All five of us met my parents, and we had a lovely evening.

And now... This morning I'm a bit on the sick side. Womp-womp. This tends to happen right after a semester of teaching, so alas, I’m going to keep this letter short and sweet. After I send this, I’m recording a podcast for the new year, and then I’m off to studying the back of my eyelids with the express goal of defeating this bug before the start of Christmas and the start of the best week of the year: the ‘unweek’¹, when time has no meaning and you’re not expected to do anything but wear cozy clothes, read books, and eat delicious things.

Onward!

Merry Christmas, Grandma! by Norman Rockwell (1949) #

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5 Quick Things ☕️

1. In case you missed it, I shared a short story this week. I was going to record it audibly for you today for a final podcast episode of the season, but well — sick. Alas. Hopefully reading it visually is just as enjoyable for you.

2. Two nights ago we went to trivia night at our local coffee shop, and it was, of course, Christmas-themed. Did you know that Thomas Edison invented Christmas lights? That the annoying elf who wants to be a dentist in Rudolph is named Hermie? That Die Hard came out two years before Home Alone? Well, now I do, and you do too. Also, the host of our evening wore a sweater emblazoned with “I Don't Know, Margot” across the front, and later that evening I saw his wife with a sweater that said, “Why Is The Carpet All Wet, Todd?” If you know, you know.

3. I recognize myself in this essay, as a fellow coffee connoisseur slash caffeine appreciator: “Perhaps, instead of offering an illusion of power and the ability to overcome my body’s need for rest, though, my dependence on caffeine now makes me realize how weak I am, how ordinary.” Though I’ll admit that more and more I’m weaning off the stimulant and switching to decaf by late morning, and that I have a sneaky suspicion already that Jesus may want me to fast from caffeine for Lent. (But that's a future-me problem.)

4. Speaking of coffee, and back to our local coffee shop — a few days ago we actually got a Christmas card from them — signed by the baristas and managers and everything — to thank us for being loyal regulars. That was super cool. ...And after the barista dropped off the card at my table where I was working, I saw her drop off a card to Jodi, Chris, Jules, and Barbara and Peter, all doing their things at their tables. It’s just that kind of place.

5. And finally, I’m happy to report that the best storyteller on Substack has finally published again. I read every one of her installments. So good.

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Currently Reading, Watching, Listening 📺

Re-watching The Chosen — because why not? It’s lovely this time of year.

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Quotable 💬

“The world might have expected the Son of God to be born—if He was to be born at all—in an inn. A stable would be the last place in the world where one would have looked for Him. Divinity is always where one least expects to find it.”

― Ven. Fulton Sheen

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It doesn't feel like the holiday season until I watch… 🍿

I purposely worded it like this and not “What's the best Christmas movie?” because I find it fascinating how we all have our different little rhythms and traditions that make total sense to us and our household. For instance, as I mentioned above, It’s a Wonderful Life is, in my opinion, easily the best Christmas movie because it’s also one of the best movies overall — but we don’t watch that until Christmas Eve around here.

I’m team Christmas Carol over here. Specifically the Muppets version (good for simultaneous tree decorating), though I’m a fan of the George C. Scott version as well.

• A Charlie Brown Christmas: 19%

• It’s a Wonderful Life: 18%

• White Christmas: 15.60%

• A Christmas Carol: 12%

• Home Alone: 11%

• Elf: 10%

• The Grinch: 8.3%

• A Christmas Story: 4.8%

• Die Hard: 2%

Find next week’s poll here.

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Quick Links 🔗

• 📐Create your own Rule of Life

• 🎧 Listen to A Drink With a Friend

• 📖 Read my books

• 🛶 Join me along the Rhine River: Summer 2025!

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Question(s) For You to Ponder… 🤔

How could you spend your ‘unweek’ well (no matter how long it lasts for you)?

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Heads up that there’s no 5QT next week so that I can enjoy a screen-free unweek myself… Paying subscribers, look for a fun treat from me sometime early next week; otherwise — I’ll see you all the following week, where I’ll publish your annual End of the Year Reflection Questions before I delightedly close my screen again to keep the time of year going. I’m grateful for you all!

Have a great holiday season,

- Tsh

p.s. - Getting Hallmarked… A legitimate concern this time of year (especially if you’re a Big Shot in the Big City).

1. My son’s name (and therefore our family’s name) for the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, when it seems like time functions differently and life moves more peaceably. No one expects you to answer emails, it’s during a feasting season, and it’s generally acceptable to wear pajama pants long after you’ve woken. It’s arguably the best week of the year.