Can I Take Something Out For You?

*sits down for a very quick cup of coffee before the present onslaught begins including the packages I got*

*takes a sip*

Today is the day! The day we all have been waiting for....IT'S Christmas!

When trying to come up with a Christmas post, I always try to make it short and sweet but also show something cool off I haven't before.

This year, I am fortunate to be able to show off a really cool piece to my Christmas Vacation collection thanks to my buddy Wes, who sent this in his Christmas package last year.

 

One of the most iconic scenes in the movie with the most memorable lines when Clark Griswold is at the mall and meets Mary one of the mall merchants who was selling a lot of revealing clothing. Clark claimed to just be blousing...browsing but I think there was more to it. Especially because of the pool scene later in the movie.

Mary is played by Nicolette Scorsese who signed some photos and included the iconic inscription that led to all of Clark's ramblings.

This is probably one of the coolest pieces I have in my Vacation collection because it relates directly to the movie.

Thanks again to Wes for this major surprise last year.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas! Remember that Jesus is the reason for the season, and we wouldn't be here without Him. Hope God blesses you all!

In comments, let me know what you hope to find under the tree or what you did find depending on when you read this.

I will let you know if I find any coffee....or cards.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Drumroll Please

*hot coffee, bagel with jalepeno cream cheese, and a box of kleenex and a card and now ready for a new post on cards over coffee*

*starts to type, wipes nose as little under the weather, takes a sip, now keeps typing*

Snow sums up how yesterday went. The weather reports told us possibly 1-3 inches total and didn't even have us in the "watch" section of the state for bigger amounts.

 

Well roughly 6-8 inches later, the roads were slick, schools were closed, and my wife hitched a ride to work.

It was a fun one cleaning off the cars, sidewalk and deck with the heavy wet white stuff.
 

Once again, the only great thing about snow other than having a white Christmas, is the scenery.

Drumroll please......

*takes a sip to soothe the throat*

With the weather being like this, it just furthers my holiday spirit for this time of year. If the snow comes down heavy after Christmas, that's a different feeling. One that can't be typed into words or you may have to hide the children from reading this blog.

With that being said, I recently had a custom card mailed to me for my Chevy Chase collection from @Clarkes1_1Cards.

Drumroll Please!!

 

This one fits perfectly in my Chevy Chase and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation collection. I tried to capture the shine of this card the best I could with my lightbox. But, it's much better looking in person.

I will have to set this up with the rest of my collection and maybe do a post on all of it at some point during my holiday card season.

*takes a sip, covers cough, takes a bite of bagel then another sip before finishing up today's post*

If you liked my custom card, @Clarkes1_1Cards does others as well for sports and non-sports or even ones for yourself. If you are interested, just contact him via Twitter or as you newbies call it, X.

Thanks again @Clarkes1_1Cards for the card!

I hope everyone has a great Tuesday. I am going to take a nap to feel better.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

It's November, Time For Christmas!

*gets ready with cup of coffee in hand for a new post on #CardsOverCoffee. Sits down, let's do this*

Just like with Cinderella, my pumpkin on October 31st at midnight turns into a Christmas tree.

As many know, I love Christmas. It's my favorite time of year. The music, the lights, the food, the family, the joy, the birth of Jesus, the giving, it's a pretty special time of the year. My celebration of the holiday always begins early as I slowly take down my fall decorations and replace them with Christmas ones. It's a month long lead up to December.

My wife and I are all done Christmas shopping as well, got done a few weeks ago actually, and we have begun to think about wrapping some of it up. But, for that to happen, it needs to have the right feeling.

 

You know...snow and Christmas music....and as you can see.....we got a little done. The snow didn't stay too long though, but it was fun to see. (remind me I said this in January when I am suffering with winter depression)

My wife also gave me an early Christmas present when we were getting gifts sorted out.

A new treasured shirt from my favorite all-time movie National Lampoon Christmas Vacation. One of the greatest lines from the movie. I am always up to adding new memorabilia from the movie whether it's cards, photos, shirts or Hallmark Ornaments.

*takes a sip, begins to show off some new Holiday Card additions*

Last year was the first time I took my passion for Christmas and combined it with cardboard. I aim for anything that is Christmas related such as the old Pro Set Santa's, Topps and Bowman Holiday Santa/Elf/etc bonus cards along with the Sp's (candy cane bats kinda thing) snowflake parallels and especially Santa Hat cards which are my favorite.

I had only ever seen Upper Deck and Panini produce Santa Hat relic cards up until today when I recently discovered that Playoff created a few.

Upon doing some research, I can't figure out how these cards got out to collectors hands. Maybe they were given to employees, maybe a hobby shop give away, not sure. But, I will say they are pretty cool and limited.

They are also huge. These are not normal card size, more like the size of a literal Christmas card.

So it filled up my lightbox. I like the the relics swatches on this one as it's the "fluffy" part of the Santa hat.

The dual relic only has 50 made of them. 

This one is a quad relic with the usual red relics of the hat.

I found it odd that the quad is /100 but dual is /50. Unless the duals are considered to have "prime" relics. Who knows.

If you have any information on these cards, let me know in comments. Also, have any Christmas cards I may be interested in? Drop me an email!

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I haven't decorated much yet this year, but I think this weekend may change things. I am still a little sick so that may put a damper on things. I also may try to push through as I need to get my lights in the ground before it freezes.

Hope everyone has a great Saturday.

In comments, are you a big Christmas fan? Put up decorations early? What's your favorite part about Christmas?

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

You Serious Clark?

*it's Christmas morning, time for a quick cup of coffee and a post before the day fully begins*

I cannot say enough how much I love Christmas. The traditions, scents, tastes, lights and most importantly family brings this holiday into full force like no other holiday.

Christmas also means multiple viewings of my favorite ALL TIME MOVIE, notice how I didn't say the word ALL TIME CHRISTMAS MOVIE, in National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.

Christmas Vacation is by far the best movie out of the Vacation Series and is probably Chevy's best film as well. Though he is my favorite actor and there are other films of his I do enjoy.

The past few years I have been adding items to my Christmas Vacation collection. Last year was a huge year when I was able to land Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid Leaf autograph cards through trades. I also added a popcorn tin that featured the movie as well.

This year I would have to add more to keep the collection growing though there was no way of adding any autographs. But some form of shopping would have to take place even if it was just a small item or two.

"Wouldn't be the holiday shopping season if the stores weren't hooter than they—hotter than they are." — Clark

*takes a sip before showing off the goods*

 

"You Serious Clark?"-Cousin Eddie

I can't remember if I showed off this shirt yet or not, but it's one of two I own and wear. It goes well with the Christmas Vacation pajama bottoms I have as well.

"I hope nobody I know drives by and sees me standing in the yard staring at the house in my pajamas." — Audrey

The first item I added this year was something that actually released last year. I found this bobble head for $5 at Dollar General. Glad I grabbed it when I did before they sold out.

I don't own a lot of Funko's, though I would love to, but my wife found both Clark Griswold and

Cousin Eddie. The saying goes that every family has a Cousin Eddie, if you don't know one, its you. Glad I know one because nobody wants to be the Cousin Eddie.

"Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?" — Clark

There are still a few other Funkos I hope to add to this at some point.

My wife then gave me a couple of early Christmas presents, who doesn't do that? It turned out she was helping me search for new pieces as well.

I didn't know how many ornaments that Hallmark made of the movie. IT IS AWESOME. This one features one of my favorite lines and scenes from the movie. It actually says it but I am not sure if I will open up the box to give it a try or not yet. You know, a collectible kinda thing.

Todd: Hey Griswold. Where do you think you're gonna put a tree that big?
Clark: Bend over and I'll show you.
Todd: You've got a lot of nerve talking to me like that Griswold.
Clark: I wasn't talking to you.

 

The other she got me was the movie cover ornament of a fun, old-fashioned family Christmas.

"Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here." — Clark

Still a lot more ornaments I need to add. Some are not very cheap and are tougher to get.

And that does it for this years adds. Hopefully I can find some more next year!

*takes a sip before closing*

When today ends, I usually pull down my decorations the next day and start a countdown to summer and warm weather again. But I wouldn't be honest if in the back of my mind there wasn't also a countdown to next year's Christmas.

Before the decorations go down tomorrow, I will probably spend a couple more hours in my favorite decorated spot in the house. Just so bright and colorful. Just makes you smile and also looks better in-person.

"Dad, you taught me everything I know about exterior illumination." — Clark

Though for me it's interior though I do decorate some outside but not to Griswold extent...yet. My wife sees its coming.

I actually look forward to having a good Old-Fashioned family Christmas some day when I am older. I would love to have the family all under one roof, well maybe, and just enjoy whatever it brings for a week or so with all of the mixed personalities in one spot.

*takes a sip before finally closing out the post*

I hope everyone who is reading this will have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday!