Month: December 2025

Posted in Moments and Musings

Top Five Favorite Christmas Movies

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

Christmas movies are my absolute favorite. They’re filled with hope, redemption, love, comfort, and joy—everything that makes this season feel magical. There’s nothing I treasure more than curling up with a crochet project, a mug of hot chocolate, my warmest blanket, and my dog by my side, getting completely lost in the nostalgia of childhood Christmases.

And yes… I’m a Hallmark movie junkie to my very core.

So today, I wanted to share my top favorite Christmas movies—the ones I return to year after year, the ones that make the season feel whole, and the ones that never fail to bring a smile (or a few happy tears).

1.      A Christmas Carol – The theme of redemption runs strong through this story. I’ve always loved both the book and the movie. There’s something powerful about watching the buildup—seeing all the moments that shaped Scrooge into who he is. I love how the story forces us to confront the future and consider how different things could be if we made positive changes in our own lives (I think many of us could use a dose of that!). But my favorite part will always be the transformation itself—watching Scrooge rediscover joy and seeing how that joy spreads to everyone around him.

By the way, I love the Reginald Owen version, the Patrick Stewart version and the Disney version.

2.      The Man Who Invented Christmas – This film tells the story of Charles Dickens during the creation of A Christmas Carol. As a writer, I love watching how he absorbs everything around him—every interaction, every emotion—and transforms it into such a timeless masterpiece. One of the most powerful moments is his reunion with his deeply flawed father, which helps him confront and accept his own imperfections. This movie has become an annual must-watch for me.

3.      The Christmas Candle – This movie, based on Max Lucado’s story, is pure magic for me. It follows a preacher who is asked to serve as minister in the small town of Gladbury, a town with a unique tradition: every 25 years, an angel is believed to visit the town’s candlemaker and bless a single candle. Whoever receives this candle will be granted a miracle in the form of answered prayer. Faith is the central theme, as we watch the minister struggle to reconcile his skepticism with this cherished town fable. As the story unfolds, God’s faithfulness becomes evident through the answered prayers, ultimately restoring the minister’s faith in both God and humanity. This heartwarming tale is sure to leave you with happy tears. Adding to the magic, there’s a recurring song throughout the movie, beautifully performed by Susan Boyle.

4.      It’s a Wonderful Life – No holiday movie list would be complete without this classic. I have fond memories of watching it with my mom, and the final scenes never fail to bring tears as George Bailey is recognized as the “richest man in town” because of his friends. I love the theme of selflessness embodied in George—he gives everything he has to others, often at the expense of his own dreams, so that those around him can succeed. Yet, in his moment of greatest need, the very people he helped rally around him, providing support and care beyond his expectations. It’s a beautiful reminder that giving to others often comes back to us in the most meaningful ways.

5.      A Christmas Story – Another must-watch movie makes the list. Years ago, TNT would run this movie on repeat every Christmas Day. After my mom passed, we cut the cable cord and moved to streaming services. My girls and I then started a new tradition: watching this movie each Christmas morning while enjoying cinnamon rolls and unwrapping gifts. It’s a silly, nostalgic, and hilarious film—definitely worth watching at least once during the season.

I’ve shared my top five Christmas movies…now it’s your turn! 🎄🍿 Spill your favorites in the comments—I need more for my holiday watchlist!

Posted in Moments and Musings

Christmas Gifts Your Kids Will Remember

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

These days, all I have to do is open my phone, and I’m bombarded with gift ideas for children. From toys to electronics, the market is flooded with images of happy kids unwrapping their latest gadget with sheer bliss on their faces.

I hear it everywhere—coworkers and friends lamenting over finding the “perfect” gift, trying to fulfill every item on their child’s wish list. People often go into debt (toys are expensive these days) to give children the latest technology—only to have those same requests resurrected and made even more expensive the following year.

A few years ago, my dad gave me my favorite Christmas gift ever. He took all our family photos—years’ worth that had only existed on projector slides—and put them on a disk. My whole childhood, my family history, and my parents’ story were wrapped up and placed under the tree. Best gift ever!

So here’s my list of the top five gifts for kids they won’t easily forget:

1. Time – I don’t remember many of the gifts I received as a child. But I do remember the time spent with family: huge Christmas Eve gatherings at my aunt’s house with her famous cookies, midnight mass with my mom holding my hand while we sang Silent Night, and the chaos and laughter at my dad and stepmom’s house, often ending with Brandy Alexanders. No gift is more valuable than time together.

2. Handmade gifts – My daughter bakes treats each year to give as gifts. I treasure those, especially paired with a cup of coffee. I’ve made blankets for friends that I still see in their homes today. My sister makes jewelry. Even if it’s a small ornament for a child’s tree, handmade gifts are inexpensive, meaningful, and long-lasting.

3. Tickets to an event – Some of my fondest memories are trips my dad took us on, like seeing the Christmas lights on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. I’ve recreated that tradition with my daughters at Zoolights at Brookfield Zoo, and I’ve shared The Nutcracker with Emilie at the local college—just as my dad shared it with me years ago. These experiences become lasting memories.

4. Books – Reading to your children or giving them books is a gift that lasts. A library card costs nothing, and libraries often host free events for kids around the holidays. The memories formed through shared stories are priceless.

5. Hobbies – Sharing your hobbies with a child can be one of the most meaningful gifts. When my older daughter expressed interest in crochet, I got her a crochet hook set with a case. I had started crocheting myself after receiving a set that belonged to my stepmom’s mother. Gifts that foster hobbies create ongoing joy and shared experiences.

The main idea is simple: don’t go broke or go into debt on gifts your kids won’t remember a year from now. Time, experiences, creativity, books, and shared hobbies are gifts that truly last.

Photo by Eugene Zhyvchik on Unsplash
Posted in Who Am I

Introducing Myself

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

Hi, I’m Vikki Lynn, and I’m genuinely grateful you’ve found your way here to my little corner of the internet.

A bit about me: I’m a single mom to two amazing adult daughters who continue to teach me more about love, patience, and resilience than I ever expected to learn. Recently, I stepped into one of the sweetest roles of my life—becoming a grandmother. My granddaughter has already brought so much joy into my world, and she’s a big part of why I reflect so often on family, purpose, and the legacy we leave behind.

I share a home with my sisters and my eldest daughter, which means there is always someone to laugh with, talk things through with, or split a late-night cup of coffee with. (If there’s one thing you’ll learn about me quickly, it’s that coffee is basically a personality trait at this point.)

Faith is another big part of who I am. I’m a Christian, and while I’m far from perfect, I try to live each day with grace, gratitude, and a desire to grow. You’ll see glimpses of that woven through the things I write—whether I’m reflecting on life, sharing lessons learned, or simply talking about the little blessings that show up unexpectedly.

I’m also someone who finds comfort in creativity. Put a crochet hook or an embroidery hoop in my hands and I’m instantly at peace. Whether it’s making something warm and cozy or stitching something meaningful for someone I love, those quiet, creative moments are where I recharge. And when I’m not crafting, you’ll often find me tucked away with a good book, a soft blanket, and (of course) a freshly brewed cup of coffee.

This blog is a space where all of those pieces of my life come together—my family, my faith, my creativity, my reflections, and my desire to grow through every season. My hope is that something you read here makes you feel seen, encouraged, inspired, or simply a little less alone in your own journey.

Thank you for being here. Truly. I’m excited to share this space with you and see where it leads.

From the left to the right: My older daughter Shelby, my younger daughter Emilie and me!