Mariah Carey Switches on Christmas Lights at Westfield Shopping Center
Mariah Carey switched on the Christmas lights at the Westfield Shopping Center in London. Mariah's publicist said that Mariah Carey's rumored requests for items including 20 kittens and 100 white doves was a "load of rubbish." Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" played in the background as Mariah waved a wand and turned on the lights. Take a look:
John Cusack and Roland Emmerich's mega disaster movie, 2012, easily won the weekend box office taking in $65 million. The film has made a very impressive $225 million worldwide over the past five days. Roland Emmerich likes big projects and this time it really paid off for him - Deadline Hollywood Dailysays Emmerich's deal gives him 25% off the film's gross profits. Jim Carrey's A Christmas Carol had a very strong second week adding another $22 million to its total. This should silence critics who said the film wouldn't make much money. A Christmas Carol should linger in theatres with Christmas still weeks away.
The Men Who Stare at Goats came in third and made $6.2 million. Precious performed incredibly well considering it was in under 200 theaters. The film made over $6 million at an average rate of $35,000 per theatre. The box office strength should only help the film's Oscar buzz. The other major release this weekend, Pirate Radio, did not fare well. It only made $2.8 million despite opening in nearly 900 theatres.
2012 will need to savor its big box office victory while it lasts because New Moon will be next weekend's number one film. The only remaining question is just how big the box office will be.
Harrods has announced Maxwell, the Harrods Christmas Bear for 2009. Maxwell has a soft caramel coat and comes wearing a cheery red hooded jumper. Maxwell also has "Harrods 2009" embroidered in gold on his left foot. Maxwell has a smaller friend named Rufus. Rufus wears a cable knit scarf with an appliqued Christmas pudding and the Harrods signature. Maxwell costs about $33 and Rufus costs about $25.
76-Foot Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Hoisted Into Place
New York City's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was hoisted into place Thursday morning. The 76-foot Norway spruce tree was set in place morning near the Rockefeller skating rink. The lighting ceremony will take place on December 2nd. They still have a couple weeks to get the tree decorated before then.
Selena Gomez got into the holiday spirit Saturday at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Selena was taping a a segment for the 2009 Christmas Day Parade. In this photo she's hanging out and having some fun with Stitch.
Word from London is that Claridge's, the city's most storied hotel, has asked the Christian Dior designer to decorate the Christmas tree that greets the guests in its Art Deco lobby. (Trimming duties were previously handled by an in-house team.) Galliano may be based in Paris, but he is, after all, a Commander of the British Empire.
The tree will be unveiled on December 1st. We look forward to seeing photos of the Claridge's tree when they become available.
Hallmark Jewelers Debuts World's Most Expensive Christmas Bauble
Hallmark Jewellers has launched the world's most expensive Christmas bauble. The bauble which retails for £82,000 ($136,000) was designed by Mark Hussey and made in Hallmark Jewellers' workshop. Every millimeter of the 18 carat white gold sphere is covered. Over one and half thousand diamonds were used to cover the sphere. Three one carat diamonds adorn the center band of the 18 carat gold Christmas decoration. Two ruby encrusted rings orbit the bauble. You can find out more about the bauble here.
Jim Carrey and Colin Firth Turn on the Lights in London
Jim Carrey, Bob Hoskins and Colin Firth all had important jobs for the London premiere of A Christmas Carol. Each star was responsible for turning on the Christmas lights at a huge lighting ceremony in central London. Free shows at Saint Paul's Cathedral, Regent Street and Oxford Circus, helped build up the atmosphere before the big moment of the lights' illumination at each site.
Producers called it the biggest co-ordinated Christmas lights switch-on and celebration London has ever seen, and are hoping to get into the Guinness World Record book for the largest simultaneous 3D Film premieres. There were 13 premieres taking place at the same time. This film has a huge marketing budget, that's for sure. Take a look:
Jim Carrey and Colin Firth talked about their upcoming Disney movie A Christmas Carol. Jim talked about the challenge of making the story new for those who have heard it so many times before. Jim said it wouldn't be any scarier for children than Pirates of the Caribbean, which had some creepy ghosts. Colin said it's ok to just tell the kids that it has a happy ending if that helps allay fears. Jim is sporting a full beard and about thirty extra pounds these days. The rumor is that he's going to play Curly in The Three Stooges remake. But Curly didn't have a beard, so it's a bit puzzling. Take a look:
Deloitte Report: Consumers Suffering From Frugal Fatigue
Consulting firm Deloitte, LLP released a report today that says that consumers will be spending less on gifts this holiday season, but they will be spending more on clothing, entertainment and home furnishings. The report said that consumers are really tired of having to be so frugal.
Consumers who have deferred spending on home goods and clothing for themselves will come out to seek bargains, said Stacy Janiak, vice chairman and head of U.S. retail at New York- based Deloitte.
"It is a comeback, somewhat," Janiak said in a telephone interview yesterday. "There is a replenishment need that’s out there. Everyone pulled back last year and kind of made do with home furnishings and decorations" from previous years.
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Consumers like to spend during the holidays and are suffering from "frugal fatigue," said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst for NPD Group, a market-research firm in Port Washington, New York.
"The consumer's clearly telling us that they're beginning to get a bit tired of having to save money," Cohen said on a conference call hosted by Dow Jones Indexes and STOXX Ltd. yesterday.
54% of those surveyed said that they expect the economy to improve next year, which is a better result than last year's survey. 51% of those surveyed said that they hope to spend as much this holiday as they did last year, but the spending won't be on presents so much as on items for themselves.
Sting talks to Chris Farley of The Wall Street Journal about his new album "If On A Winter's Night." It's a Christmas album, but not a traditional Christmas album. It has a dark side, as Sting says that the holidays are actually very difficult for some people -- for those that can't go home, for example. But there is also the joy of the season. He has some Christian music and some pre-Christian music on the album, which sounds most interesting. Take a look:
Sting, whose music explores some dark themes, says he attempts to strike a balance between what can be a joyous as well as difficult season.
We would feel much more joyous if he would lose that awful beard. Take a look:
Trade In Christmas Lights, Power Drills For Eco Friendly Upgrades at Home Depot
Home Depot is running its second annual Eco Options Christmas Light Trade In event this holiday season and its first ever Power Drill Trade In, Trade Up event.
The Home Depot Power Drill Trade In, Trade Up event begins Sunday, October 25 and runs through Sunday, November 8. It offers customers the chance to bring in their used or broken power drills and get 15 percent off a new lithium-ion drill. Lithium-ion is a cordless tools that offers more power and less weight. Home Depot says, "Lithium-ion chemistry is not harmful to the environment and it outperforms NiCad by as much as 50 percent, requiring less charging time and saving energy." Home Depot will also recycle your old drill if you upgrade.
The Eco Options Christmas Light Trade In event begins November 5th and ends November 15th. Customers can bring in their old working or non-working holiday light strings to be recycled and receive a $3 off coupon towards the purchase of energy efficient seasonal light-emitting diodes (LED) string lights. Customers must purchase their new LED lights between November 5 and November 15 and are limited to five redemptions. This event will also be valid at all The Home Depot U.S. stores.
A new survey of 1,050 Americans, conducted by Goodmind Market Research on behalf of GE Consumer & Industrial, found that over 82% plan to celebrate and decorate for the holidays. The survey also queried consumers on holiday decorating stressors and found untangling and stringing lights to be the biggest holiday hastles. Here are some of the responses related to holiday decorating stresses:
Untangling last year's lights was mentioned by 56%
Stringing lights on the house or in the yard was mentioned as the biggest hassle by 47%
Stringing lights on the tree was the choice of 39%.
Hanging ornaments and decorations (23%)
Getting the tree to stand up in the tree stand (19%)
The study also found a growing green trend. 24% plan on decorating with LED holiday lights this year. The green LED trend is strongest in the West with 31% planning to decorate with LED lights than people living in the Northeast (23%) or South (21%).
Neiman Marcus has unveiled its 2009 Christmas Book. The 83rd edition includes some unusual, lavish gifts as it does each year. Last year, one of the unusual gifts were lift-sized His and Hers Lego Sculptures. One of the most unusual gifts this year is the Cupcake Car (pictured above), which costs $25,000. Some of the other unique items available this year include a His and Hers Icon A5 Sports Aircraft, a sustainable design art chandelier, the Algonquin Round Table Experience and Mission One, the world's fastest electric sport bike. You can see photos of all the gifts here. This year's featured car is the 2010 Jaguar XJL Supercharged Neiman Marcus Edition.
"Our annual tradition of fantasy gifts allows our devoted customers to give a gift or gift experience that will create wonderful memories to last both the giver and recipients a lifetime," said Gerald Barnes, President and CEO of Neiman Marcus Direct. "This year's array of gifts has raised the bar to new heights, featuring items at the highest levels of quality and technology."
You can see more of the unusual items in the 2009 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book here.
Wal-Mart Sees Late Christmas, Won't Put Decorations Up Before October
Chain Store Age reports that Wal-Mart CEO Mike Duke is expecting a late Christmas. He expect customers to carefully monitor spending. You also won't see Wal-Mart setting up Christmas holiday displays early.
"You won't see us putting up Christmas decorations in September," he said.
Wal-Mart's chief executive noted that shoppers are keeping a watchful eye on prices and are less likely than before to stock up on items or to purchase lower-quality "throw-away" items.
"This is the new normal. This is not something that is going to change," Duke said.
The deals and bargains are generally better if you buy ahead of the holiday rush. If consumers are on a very tight budget they may not have much choice but to wait until the last minute to buy gifts.
Chain Store Age reports that Wal-Mart CEO Mike Duke is expecting a late Christmas. He expect customers to carefully monitor spending. You also won't see Wal-Mart setting up Christmas holiday displays early.
