What qualifies as Christmas music? What qualifies as a Christmas movie?

I hear these questions on the wind every year, and I think it’s time to set the record straight.

There has been talk that the mere mention of “Christmas” in a song or the plot of a movie taking place during the holiday season is not enough qualification. Films such as “Die Hard” are debated for these reasons.

While I understand both arguments, I tend to take a different approach to the subject. Yes, some songs and films don’t give off extreme Christmas energy of “Jingle Bells” or Bing Crosby’s musical “White Christmas,” but that doesn’t mean they should be completely disregarded. It is my belief that neither songs nor movies have to be dripping with Christmas references to accurately portray the core themes of the season: reflection, thankfulness, nostalgia and celebration.

In light of that, I’m going to share lists of nontraditional Christmas songs on my playlist and nontraditional holiday movies on my watchlist. I hope you enjoy!

Songs:

√ “Same Auld Lang Syne” by Dan Fogelberg

√ “St. Patrick’s Day” by John Mayer

√ “Celebrate Me Home” by Kenny Loggins

√ “Twelve Days to Christmas” by The Broadway cast of “She Loves Me”

Movies:

√ “While You Were Sleeping”

√ “Little Women” (Either the 1994 or 2019 versions)

√ “When Harry Met Sally”

√ “Die Hard”

If you find yourself flying through these lists before the weekend hits, don’t worry. There is plenty to do (as always) in and around Butler County to put you in the holiday spirit.

You have until Friday to submit an audition to be in Musical Theatre Guild’s “Butler’s Got Talent” competition. The event is being held as a fundraiser for the organization and will require finalists to participate in a live performance in February. Submissions can be sent to mtgsponsorship@gmail.com. For more information, visit mtgbutler.org.

Register your family to enjoy Cookies and Cocoa with Santa himself between 6:30 and 8 p.m. Friday at Dutilh Church, 1270 Dutilh Road, Cranberry Township. There will be plenty of family-friendly activities and an opportunity for pictures at the cost of $5 per family. Visit dutilh.churchcenter.com for more information.

See “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” an original musical noir written and directed by members of Hobnob Theatre Company, this weekend at the Succop Theater on Butler County Community College’s campus. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets can be purchased by visiting hobnobtheatre.com.

Run the Reindeer Race in Zelienople on Saturday at the Masonic Building Association, 314 E. Beaver St. The 5K starts at 9:30 a.m., the mile race starts at 10:30 a.m. and the youth race starts at 10:50 a.m. Saturday. To sign up or for more information, visit getfitfamilies.com.

Support Seneca Valley School District’s orchestra program by attending a cookie walk from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Cranberry Township Municipal Building, 2525 Rochester Road. Boxes of baked goods will be available at varying prices. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.

Wear your best festive outfit or ugly sweater to the next line dance night at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Saxonburg Fireman’s Club, 155 Pittsburgh St. The dance is for people age 21 and older, and there is a $5 admission for all nonmembers.

If you are interested in your event being featured in Miller Minutes, please email information to news@butlereagle.com.

Molly Miller is an Eagle correspondent.