The SWU's Holiday Countdown: December 12th

By: Dominic Jones

Well we've reached the 12th day in the countdown and my final installment (I'll be passing the torch to Irish Chris for the remainder of the month) and what better way to end then the way we started, with Master Yoda.  Below you see the 2002 Lucasfilm Christmas Card.  It features a drawing of Yoda holding a candle, by Gus Dizon.  The image to me feels really serene and peaceful and really represents what the holiday season is all about.  Check it out below:

Thank you to everyone who has been following the series, and don't forget to tune in tomorrow to see what Irish Chris has in store, it truly is amazing!  Happy Holidays and May The Force Be With You!

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The SWU's Holiday Countdown: December 11th

By: Dominic Jones

Today we take a look at another Yoda as Santa interpretation.  In 2003, Hasbro released an action figure based on the painting by Ralph McQuarrie we featured in Day One of the Countdown.  Check it out below:

Images courtesy of Jedi Business

The Countdown:
December 1st
December 2nd
December 3rd
December 4th
December 5th
December 6th 
December 7th 
December 8th
December 9th 
December 10th

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The SWU's Holiday Countdown: December 10th

By: Dominic Jones

We featured a couple of fan made Star Wars/Christmas music pieces, now how about some official ones!  That's right, in 1980 Lucasfilm released the Christmas album Christmas in the Stars.  The album featured Anthony Daniels reprising his role as C-3PO in many of the songs and Ben Burtt providing the sound effects for R2-D2 and Chewbacca.  The album is also famous for featuring the professional singing debut of John Bon Jovi(!) in the song R2-D2 We Wish you a Merry Christmas.  The album was subsequently re-released in 1994 on CD.  You can find the complete track listing  (including links to where you can listen to the songs) below:

1. Christmas in the Stars
2. Bells, Bells, Bells
3. The Odds Against Christmas
4. What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb)?
5. R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas
6. Sleigh Ride
7. Merry, Merry Christmas
8. A Christmas Sighting ('Twas the Night Before...)
9. The Meaning of Christmas

The Countdown:
December 1st
December 2nd
December 3rd
December 4th
December 5th
December 6th 
December 7th 
December 8th
December 9th

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The SWU's Holiday Countdown: December 9th

By: Dominic Jones

It's sign of the season when the radio starts playing nothing but holiday music!  Infuse a little Star Wars into that and it would be perfect.  We've already featured a song by the band Sci-Fried earlier in the countdown and now we'll hear from singer John Anelio with his song "The Millenium Falcon for Christmas".  Based on a true story, the song follows John (and his mother) and his desire to receive the Millennium Falcon for Christmas.  Take a listen below:

Or if you prefer a live version:



The Countdown:
December 1st
December 2nd
December 3rd
December 4th
December 5th
December 6th 
December 7th 
December 8th

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The SWU's Holiday Countdown: December 8th

By: Dominic Jones

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care," but how much cooler would they be if they were Star Wars stockings???  Infinitely cooler, I think!  And, if you're willing to throw down $79.99 on Amazon, they can be yours!  These awesome stockings are 22" inches long and feature sound effects!  And, depending on whether you were naughty or nice, you can get either a Darth Vader stocking or a Yoda stocking!  

Check 'em out below:

The Countdown:
December 1st
December 2nd
December 3rd
December 4th
December 5th
December 6th 
December 7th

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The SWU's Holiday Countdown: December 7th

By: Dominic Jones

The countdown continues today with a Luacasfilm Christmas card from 1999.  The card was sent out by Lucas Digital and features everybody's favourite gungan Jar Jar Binks, recreating the classic scene from A Christmas Story, with his tongue frozen to a pole.  Enjoy!

The Countdown:
December 1st
December 2nd
December 3rd
December 4th
December 5th
December 6th

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The SWU's Holiday Countdown: December 6th

By: Dominic Jones

This is one of my all time favourite Star Wars/Holiday cross-overs.  The statue was made by Kurt S. Adler and features Boba Fett bringing his Christmas gift to Jabba: Han Solo frozen in carbonite.  The statue also has Boba holding a Candy Cane, rather than a blaster, as well as a ribbon around Han's carbonite block and a tag that says "To Jabba".   Check it out below:

The Countdown:
December 1st
December 2nd
December 3rd
December 4th
December 5th

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The SWU's Holiday Countdown: December 4th

By: Dominic Jones

Every Star Wars fan can remember at least one "Star Wars" Christmas in their life!  Personally, I feel this comic strip captures that love Star Wars fans have for the holidays!

Special thanks to Clone Wars voice actor Stephen Stanton for sharing this comic on Facebook!  Without him, I likely would have never found it!  Be sure to "Like" his page!

The Countdown:
December 1st
December 2nd
December 3rd

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The SWU's Holiday Countdown: Decemeber 3rd

By: Dominic Jones

Love it or hate it, one of the tell tale signs that it's the holiday season is the music! If you love Christmas music, then what could possibly be better then a Star Wars themed holiday song!  And, if you can't stand it holiday music then maybe this might change your tune.  Below you'll find the music video for the song "Star Wars Christmas" by the band Sci-Fried!  Give it a listen and I'm sure you'll agree, it's an instant holiday classic!


If you like what you hear, check out Sci-Fried's official website at www.sci-friedband.com for more great Star Wars and Sci-Fi themed music!

Catch up on the Countdown:
December 2nd
December 1st

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The SWU's Holiday Countdown: December 2nd

By: Dominic Jones

Today's featured item on the countdown is this year's edition of something that seems to becoming an annual release (a holiday tradition, if you will) for Lego: the 2012 Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar!  It works like every other advent calendar where every day you open up a little section of the box, however instead of getting a spiritual message or some chocolate, you get a mini Lego Star Wars set to build.  This year's calendar features two exclusive, holiday themed, mini figures: a snowman astromech droid and a "Santa Maul".  That's right!  Darth Maul as Santa Clause!  While this choice may seem odd, it is the perfect way to wrap up a year that has, between his rebirth on The Clone Wars, The Phantom Menace 3D re-release and his face being on all the Star Wars packaging, seen more of Darth Maul then ever before!  If you don't have yours yet, you can still pick one up for $49.99!  It's better late then never!

Catch up on the countdown:
December 1st

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The SWU's Holiday Countdown: December 1st

By: Dominic Jones

Here at The SWU we love the holidays!   Last year we had a Holiday themed logo contest on our Facebook page, and we're having another one this year, so be sure to get your entry in before December 14th!  On top of that, this year, we've decided to do something fun and have our own Star Wars themed Holiday countdown, where everyday in the month of December, leading up to the 25th, we'll have a Holiday themed post.  Over the first 12 days I'll be shinning the spotlight on some Holiday themed Star Wars art, merchandise, music, etc.  And then for the final 12 days, my friend and colleague, Irish Chris has something very cool in store for you guys!  So with out further ado, let's get the holiday fun started!

This first piece is a classic.  A painting by the late Ralph McQuarrie of Yoda dressed as Santa Clause!  This piece began as the 1981 Lucasfilm Christmas Card and, over the years, has become the basis for many more art pieces and merchandise (some of it may very be featured in this countdown).

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