RATE IT! Hallelujah Flash Mob

25 MILLION YouTube views!! That's the amazing count -- so far -- of plays for this glorious 'flash mob' rendition of Hallelujah performed in a Canadian food court.


It's festive, it's enchanting... it makes the holiday season all the more brighter. 


I know the wonderfully talented woman behind this video event (yep, talking about you, Ms. Vickie Fagan!) and it just does my heart good to see such a great person get so much press and attention for her work. 


If you haven't seen the Hallelujah Chorus video, sit back, enjoy and feel all the joy and love of Christmas time. And if you are already a fan, take a break from all the seasonal hustle and bustle, and treat yourself to a repeat viewing. Only a Grinch will find fault with this little piece of heaven.


Merry Christmas! And thanks, Vickie!

RATE IT!/HATE IT! A Rug with a Stamp of Approval

It was bound to happen! The iconic image of the Queen on the British stamp has now been given the interior design treatment. 


This 100% New Zealand wool rug comes in an assortment of colours, and is guaranteed to spruce up your home lickety split. 


I'd order one for my home in a second... what's not to like? Uh, well... there IS one stumbling block - the price. At just shy of 700 pounds ($1,400+ Canadian), this rug is just a bit too dear for my floors and my bank balance!

RATE IT! New Duran Duran TODAY!

Christmas comes early! Duran Duran's latest album is out NOW on iTunes.


Boasting the same name as the recently released free single, 'All You Need is Now' has already climbed atop of the iTunes charts around the globe. Never under estimate the power of Durannies - even us grown up ones!


The album is really catchy despite the somewhat unattractive album art. What's up with that? Duran typically score major points on their excellent album covers. Anyway...


John Taylor has mentioned that tour dates are forthcoming so best to watch the press for the latest news on that score!

RATE IT! Tiny Tree

Yep, I'm a sucker for the Target holiday commercials and here's the other one that tops my list of great Christmas shilling moments. 


And don't forget... if you like the tunes featured in these ads, you can download them for free from Target's website. Merry Christmas, indeed!

RATE IT! Etch A Sketch iPad Case

Aw, it's the perfect marriage of geeky technology and childhood whimsey.


Meet the Etch A Sketch iPad Case -- the officially licenced Etch A Sketch case, don'tcha know. Someone at Etch A HQ was definitely on the ball with this invention! Why cover your Apple tablet with a boring, grown up casing, when you can have this attention grabber instead. 


Shame it doesn't come with the capability to make those gray sludge-coloured drawings of times gone by. 

RATE IT! This Is the End...

The holiday season doesn't only usher in the annual shopping frenzy and terrible weather, it also brings forth all the delicious end of the year magazine review issues. The best on the block (and the least tabloidy) is Entertainment Weekly. 


Once again, they've gone for the cover collage of the year's most notorious celebs. Yay, to Don Draper! Yay, to Jimmy Fallon! And is that a zombie in the upper right corner? Hope so! The world needs more 'Walking Dead', pronto!

RATE IT! Find My Christmas

Target is one of the few American retailers that hasn't invaded the Great White North despite the fact that most Canadians would LOVE to have this dollar-friendly chain entrenched up here. Oh, how you tease us so, you Target execs!


To make our cravings for their cool, well-priced products even more rabid, we DO get to see their fantastic commercials on TV when we tune in to an American channel. Their latest batch of Christmas ads have raised the bar once again. Such lovely holiday vignettes each with a killer soundtrack. My favourite is this clip of a happy couple trying to hide their presents from one another. And the best part of all this Target love, you can download the songs from these ads directly from the Target website. Click here and add a whole lotta Christmas joy to your iPod today!

RATE IT! Bing & Bowie Redux

You knew that it was bound to happen! A remake of the Bing Crosby/David Bowie 'Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth' classic.


Leave it to Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly to have a go! From the jokesters at Funny or Die. 

Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy with Will Ferrell & John C. Reilly from Will Ferrell

RATE IT! Punk Rock Tea

Who doesn't like to kick back on the sofa with some cozy slippers and a steaming cup of tea at this time of year? 

If you have a Sex Pistol (or one of their fans) on your Christmas shopping list, you might find this punk themed mug to be just the treat. Complete with safety pin and 'Pretty Vacant' stamped on the side, you could say that this mug rocks! 

RATE IT! Jesus! Holiday Nesting Dolls

If you're looking to add a little levity to your Christmas decor, this timely set of nativity matryoshkas -- or, nesting dolls -- might be perfect for you.

Stack up Joseph, Mary, the three wise men and the baby Jesus. A more clutter free decoration you'll be hard pressed to find!

RATE IT! Paul Rudd on SNL

With his new movie, "How Do You Know" waiting in the wings for a December release, Paul Rudd will be taking to the stage as Saturday Night Live's host this coming weekend. 


A buddy to fellow SNL fave, Jon Hamm, Paul is a guaranteed laugh riot. Remember his last appearance with the Beyonce 'Single Ladies' video? One of the best skits EVER! Oh, and some dude named Paul McCartney is the musical guest too. No pressure!

RATE IT! New Duran Duran Single

Three years after the release of 'Red Carpet Massacre', Duran Duran are back with an early Christmas gift that won't damage your holiday shopping budget - a new single -- FOR FREE!


'All You Need is Now' is available as of today on iTunes worldwide.


The only problem, iTunes hasn't made it easy to find. A simple search by title doesn't pull up the song. Have no fear! I have the solution! Duran posted a link on their Facebook page and if you click here, you will be transported to that link directly. Once there, select the 'view in iTunes' button underneath the logo for the single and you should be magically re-directed to the iTunes download page. You can thank me later!


Duran's new album will be released on December 21 exclusively on iTunes. For purists who prefer a CD or vinyl, such releases will be available in February.


Enjoy!

RATE IT! Reindeer Bites Blizzard

Ho Ho Holiday season treats are coming at us fast and furious! The most welcome of indulgences...the queen of Christmas diet splurges has to be DQ's Reindeer Bites Blizzard.

Um, wait a second... Reindeer Bites? Kinda an odd name! I mean it's not Reindeer 'Bites' as in... bites = terrible... or (perish the thought) as in little pieces of reindeer. Ugh, that's just too ghoulish for contemplation. No, it's Reindeer Bites meaning delicious chunks of caramel, chocolate, coconut and cookie -- all good, all yummy!

No reindeers were harmed in the making of this seasonal Blizzard treat!

Once again, Dairy Queen serves up a delectable early Christmas present! When you're out and about playing Santa for your nearest and dearest, be sure to give yourself the gift of a quiet moment with your very own Reindeer Bites Blizzard.

RATE IT!/HATE IT! Crystalized Katy

With the holiday season upon us, everything is getting the bedazzled treatment - including Katy Perry's lips.


Check out the cover for December's limited edition of 'Harper's Bazaar.' The fashion tome typically issues two covers: one for newsstands, the other for subscribers - so I'm guessing the Swarovski pout is lighting up the mailboxes of loyal subscribers around the globe. 


The photo is quite interesting and certainly unique... but overall, it makes me think of sore, chapped lips. Sorry! 

HATE IT! Dancing Pet Speaker

Remember those plastic dancing flowers from the '90s that would sway to the beat of your radio? Looks like someone thought that idea was the cat's meow and has taken it to a whole new (creepy!) level.


Channel your iTunes playlists through this cat toy. Not only will he amplify your music, but he'll do a little jig too (and most likely give you nightmares for months...). Not a cat lady? There's a dog option too.


Kinda has a possession-meets-taxidermy feel to it so I think that I'll pass.

RATE IT! Oh.... Fuuudge!

Film favourite Ralphie is back on the holiday scene causing trouble as only he can. This homemade fffffuudge company has taken this hilarious moment from 'A Christmas Story' and turned it into a welcome seasonal treat.


Being bad was never so delicious!


From Perpetual Kid.

RATE IT! Holiday Mix

Music geeks and 'High Fidelity' fans unite! Here's the ultimate Christmas greeting card for you!

Don't just send the atypical glad tidings this year - include your top holiday music choices on CD. Slip in your chosen Christmas mix along with the card and give your nearest and dearest the most groovy of holiday greetings.