Yo Yo Yo! Don't look now, but it's that time of the year again. Grab the hot chocolate and your favorite holiday snack as we jump into the Wishmas Guide for 2024! This year we're serving things up a little different folks (just a teensy weensy bit). So... this is what we'll call the Wishmas Guide... Hub! A portion of individuals we've met around Orlando this year, actually contributed to these guides in a round about way... just based on their collective needs + wants + frustrations.

This hub post will represent items good for any member of the family regardless of age or gender for the most part. For the other guide's related to Younglings, the Ladies, Gents, and the... Office will be in separate posts (as usual) that are accessible through this... hub! Stay tuned!

 Elevate Your Family TV Time with Surround Sound 

This year, in the name of family time, whether you're playing games or watching a movie together, consider upgrading from your TV's built-in speakers. A true 5.1 channel surround sound system with Dolby Atmos and/or DTS:X is the perfect addition to your living room. Audio is one of those features that's always appreciated, especially when it comes to headphones, but I've noticed that many living room setups are missing that extra oomph. It's a personal choice, but investing in a quality sound system can take your entertainment to the next level. It's not about having a louder entertainment experience... it's all about the depth of the experience, and if you find yourself watching the latest movies at home don't leave an ounce of enjoyment on the table. 

By the way, before I go into this... (maybe it's just me but) I've always felt weird about placing a subwoofer off to the side rather than front and center. If you have the ability to place it under your livingroom table or under a high enough entertainment center... I think the placement works better. If you have space behind the couch in the center, that works as well and... some newer options can be controlled by your phone if you.

Two options under the $200 mark are the 2024 models of the Vizio & Ultimea model seen below:

Vizio 5.1 Soundbar SE

Soundbar

Right & Left Surround Speakers

Compact Wireless Subwoofer

Dolby Atmos + DTS:X

Bluetooth

HDMI eARC

Optical Output

Ultimea True 5.1 Soundbar Poseidon D60

Soundbar

Right & Left Surround Speakers

Wireless Subwoofer

Dolby Atmos + DTS:X

Bluetooth

HDMI eARC

Auxiliary

Optical

The placement of a subwoofer can significantly impact the quality of sound in your home theater or living room setup. While it doesn't necessarily have to be placed in the center of the viewing area, there are some guidelines to follow for optimal sound:

1. Corner Placement: Placing the subwoofer in a corner can enhance the bass response by utilizing the walls to amplify the sound.

2. Front of the Room: Positioning the subwoofer at the front of the room, near the main speakers, can create a more cohesive soundstage.

3. Experimentation: The best placement can vary depending on the room's acoustics. It's often recommended to experiment with different locations to find the spot that provides the best bass response.

Ultimately, the goal is to achieve a balanced and immersive sound experience, so feel free to move the subwoofer around and test different positions to see what works best for your space.

See More Options

 Family Fun with Nintendo Switch Games 

While it might be tempting to say wait for the new Nintendo Switch 2, expected to announced during the first half of... 2025, not everyone wants to put family game time on pause. Many parents I've spoken to in Orlando would love to see cellphones set aside for more family fun. Luckily, there are plenty of options to make that happen with multiplayer action. Here are multiple Nintendo Switch games with 4-player fun:

Story: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever is a film about Greg Heffley's holiday adventure involving him and his best friend Rowley doing a bad bad thing and fearing that this will bring Christmas crashing down on him as others get closer and closer to the truth of finding out who the actual culprits were who damaged a snow plowing truck. This set off a crazy chain of events as Greg went on a mission to cover up what he did and still walk away with a win on Christmas. What's the win? Well, it's a new game system, unless he's exposed for being naughty. This film is rated PG, so basically if you're familiar with the franchise and you let your children watch Home Alone films, you might not find an issue with this installment either.

Visuals: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever is visually appealing, and I enjoyed the animated action from beginning to end. They took the traditional diary of a wimpy kid art style and maintained it in 3D without making the characters look weird. You're going to see various angles in this 4K Ultra HD film, from the worm's eye view looking up at the top of the basement stairs, to the bird's eye view of Rowley looking down at Greg wondering what the heck he was doing outside of his window. There were some pretty cool angles mixed in during this adventure.

Audio: Audio-wise, this film features Dolby Atmos in 5.1... so crank up the surround sound to a tolerable level to immerse yourself and enjoy this family-focused Christmas comedy. The sound is clean, and they deliver the music and sound effects at the right times to boost the immersive experience. Revealing Alfrendo is a great example. There was background music, but it amps up a bit for effect.

Price: Pricewise, you aren't paying a thing for this film outside of your Disney Plus subscription. That includes this movie + other shows and movies, so that's a win-win.

Overall, Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good holiday adventure. It's a heartwarming film that will leave you feeling happy and satisfied. So, grab a bowl of popcorn, snuggle up on the couch, and get ready for a fun-filled ride!

Story 5

Visuals 5

Audio 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

This film has been provided for our review and my opinions are my own.

Story: As someone who isn't particularly fond of musicals, Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas is a fun made-for-tv film that captures the essence of the holiday season. The movie offers a modern twist on a traditional musical, taking place backstage during the production of a network TV special. That's the focus. It's a heartwarming story that features Dolly Parton as the lead actress, showcasing her talent as both a singer and an actress.

What I particularly enjoyed about the film was the balance between the frenetic scenes backstage and the performances showcased in front of the camera. The contrast between the two served to highlight the hard work and dedication that goes into creating a successful production. Dolly Parton's performance was exceptional, and she was able to hold her own alongside the special guests. Dolly Parton's sisters are also featured in the film. I'm not as familiar with Dolly Parton's work, I know of her but I like her personality. She delivers humor in an unconscious way, in my opinion.

I must admit that I was skeptical when I saw that Miley Cyrus was part of the cast, but I was pleasantly surprised by her performance. She played her role well, and I found myself digesting her scenes easily. I feel like she became Madonna Jr. without the catalog to match, so this is where the skepticism comes form.

I think this film would've been great with Amanda Bynes in her prime as one of the more comedic additions to the film. Where is Amanda Bynes? I must say that I miss seeing her on TV and in Films.

Anyway, one of the things that I appreciated most about Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas was the message it conveyed. The film takes viewers on a somewhat familiar journey with Dolly Parton and the Three Wise Men, showcasing her past, present, and future. Through her experiences, Dolly is able to help others understand the true magic of Christmas and to rediscover their inner child.

I think that the film's underlying message is especially important in today's fast-paced world. Many of us are so busy with work and responsibilities that we forget to take a step back and appreciate the simple joys of life. Children, on the other hand, are able to connect with the magic of the holidays in a way that adults often can't. By tapping into our own memories and experiences, we can rediscover that sense of wonder and joy that we often lose as we grow older. It sounds cheesy, I know, but I really do believe this.

Fun Fact: Dolly Parton also has a film titled "A Smoky Mountain Christmas".

Visuals: Cinematography and production design work in harmony to create this warm holiday film. The picturesque landscapes, adorned with cozy holiday decorations, transport viewers to a world of winter wonder. The attention to detail in the set design and costumes adds an extra layer of cheer, making the scenes visually cohesive.

While the special effects are not the film's primary focus, they are utilized effectively to magnify the movie's magical elements. The editing is seamless, allowing us to transition effortlessly between the magical moments, heigtening the overall experience.

Audio: When it comes to the sound effects, they work well for the film. This isn't an area that I focus greatly on, but the film features Dolby Digital 5.1. The music is amusing for fans of musicals of different age groups, but as someone who doesn't watch a lot of musicals, I think I did well. There were some songs that I found to be fun and enjoyable.

Price: Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas is available for $14.42 on DVD, and $6.99 on Digital. Digital will make this available for immediate enjoyment the closer we get to Christmas!

Dollywood fans will enjoy the bonus feature: A Holiday with Dolly! The Making of Mountain Magic Christmas. It's like a behind the scenes feature showing the making of a film about the behind the scenes world of making the show... in this film. I had to add that in here. -  Blu 

Overall, I would highly recommend Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas to anyone looking for a heartwarming and uplifting film to enjoy during the holiday season. The film's lively cast, catchy music, and cheerful message make it a must-see movie for those looking to amp up their Christmas spirit. This film is recommended for audiences 13+.

Story 4

Visuals 4

Audio 4

Price 5

4.25 out of 5 Cool Points

To make sugar cookies, follow these simple steps. All links are for reasonably priced ingredients:

Ingredients:

- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

- 1 teaspoon baking soda

- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

- 1 1/2 cups pure cane sugar

- 1 egg

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 1 teaspoon lemon extract

- Optional: crush up fruity pebbles cereal and roll your cookies over them for festive sides

- Optional: colored sprinkles, icing, or additional toppings for decoration

If you don't want to bake fresh cookies from scratch, you can always save 23% on Pillsbury Ready To Bake Sugar Cookies!

Baking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.

4. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing well after each addition. You can do this step by hand or using an electric mixer at low speed.

6. Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between them as they will spread while baking.

7. If desired, gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass or the palm of your hand. You can also leave them as balls for a thicker cookie.

8. Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden. Play a fun card game while they bake... Something Wild! The center of the cookies will still be slightly soft. Be careful not to over bake, as they will continue to firm up as they cool.

9. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Once cooled, you can decorate the cookies with icing, colored sprinkles, or any other toppings of your choice. Allow the icing to set before storing the cookies in an airtight container.

Enjoy your homemade sugar cookies, and please consider serving with slightly melted ice cream as a deliciously cool dip! SUGAR RUSH!!!!