The clinical term for my mental condition since December 20 or thereabouts, is holidazed. Bellas and fellas, I’ve been caught up in the season and the workload that goes with it. So sorry I’ve disappeared. Every week brings new things-to-do that have been keeping me away from this here blog.

The holidays are a time to spend with family and friends, bonding, enjoying each others company, and making beautiful memories together.

That’s what my friend Onami and her sister Keiko did in Canada, where they made this remarkable snow person. Isn’t she gorgeous? Onami described her as “a colonial-times African lady with some traditional Mexican additions, like the flaming sacred heart on her chest.”

I don’t know about y’all, but my previous efforts at snow people wind up looking a lot more like Frosty the Bedraggled Snowman. Hats off to Onami and her sister Keiko for their ingenuity! I went to high school with both of these ladies, and they’ve always been so artistic and talented.

I spent the holidays in the company of my husband, our cat Max, and thanks to Skype and the magic of modern-day technology, we got to see our family members in Chicago, Las Vegas, and even in Trinidad, just for a moment. Next year we’ll be spending the holidays with some of them in person, but for this year, Skype really came through in terms of delivering that feeling of family bonding. Just to see my mom and dad and my two little nieces, was incredible.

In terms of gifts I got some great ones, including a Garmin GPS for my car (now hopefully I won’t have to call my husband wailing “baby, I’m lost!” anymore, when I venture into Broward County). I wanted The Slanket, but my husband went one better and got me the Brookstone Dream Blanket, which is the softest blanket ever. I’m in love with it!

My in-laws got me a bottle of shrub from Tait Farms, which some of you may recall, I mentioned a while back. And adore. And they got us an awesome vacuum cleaner robot that the cat is both terrified of and fascinated by.

The biggest gift I got for my husband was Rock Band 2 for the Wii, and every night ever since we’ve been getting in some musical therapy. We’ve been rocking out on songs like White Wedding and Give It Away (which I must say, I own. “What I got you gotta give it to your ma-ma!”).

And now Christmas has passed, the wrapping paper and boxes are all thrown away, and our once thriving tree now is getting that Charlie Brown lean. Another holiday season, another year, almost over and gone.

How did you spend your holiday? Did you get any gifts you especially love? Did you give any gifts you especially loved? Tell me!

Man. I planned to do a special Afrobella Christmas post, and the day got swept away in a whirlwind of gifts and family phone calls. But I read this news and it knocked the wind out of my sails. The legendary Eartha Kitt has passed away at the age of 81, succumbing to a long battle with colon cancer.

In her heyday, Eartha Kitt was a force of nature, a unique musical presence, the ultimate sex kitten. And behind the slinky, cartoonish persona and the unique voice, she was a human rights activist who was unafraid of speaking truth to power. The Washington Post has a phenomenal obit that tells of an expensive lunch with Kitt that must have been one of the most magnificent and surreal moments in that reporter’s life.

I wrote a tribute to Eartha in 2006, as part of my Beautifully Aging Bellas series. I said then, “It’s easy to get caught up in the fantastic cartoonishness of Eartha, and forget how ridiculously talented she is.” Eartha Kitt embraced her image. She owned her image. But I hope this clip of her performing the definitive version of Santa, Baby, shines a brighter light on her talent. She was a unique and amazing singer with a delivery that’s hard to match.

Eartha’s version of C’est Si Bon was both a send-up and a celebration of her sex kitten image. I absolutely love it. Check out how effortlessly fly and self-possessed she is.

True story – I’ve been trying to perfect that purr for years. I can’t even roll my r’s. Pathetic. But Eartha made it look so easy.

This clip of her performing I Want To Be Evil is one of my very favorites, for its sheer intensity. Eartha gave raw emotion in every performance. She was of that era of performers who gave good face, as they say — strong actresses like Gloria Swanson, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford. Eartha proves she could stand toe to toe with the best of them in just the performance of this song.

Beautiful, brave, funny, and fierce — Eartha Kitt was an inspiration to me and many an afrobella. To say she’ll be missed is an understatement. And to lose a legend like her on Christmas Day makes for a bittersweet holiday indeed.

Batman? Boomerang? Or one of her memorable songs – share your favorite Eartha Kitt moment with me!

In a perfect world, I would have posted this roundup of fabulous by bellas, for bellas items over a week ago. But as many of you know, the holidays can be insanely hectic. I feel like the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. I’m late! I’m late!

I don’t know if you can still put in an order with these companies in time for December 25. But hey — tis the SEASON, right? Here’s some last minute, unique gift ideas from indie businesses that I hope aren’t too late for you to enjoy and support.

Whimsicard — Party Stuff for People of Color specializes in inspiring images just because, for weddings and now, for the holidays! Their Christmas card line features a happy bella sporting a natural hairstyle. $15 for a box of 10, and Whimsicard will include your name in it for two extra dollars.

With a name like DeadSexy Cosmetics, you already know what you’re in for. Intense pigments, stunning colors, and looks that kill. Makeup artist Thea Mitchell delivers all that and then some. I reviewed the line once before, but it bears repeating for those of you preparing for holiday parties and New Year’s Eve. She’s got amazing makeup tutorial videos on YouTube!

OMG, her Harlem Renaissance demo is so up my alley.

You can buy ALL of that makeup at DeadsexyCosmetics.com. My absolute favorite product from the line is the Two Cheeky blush — those shades look bright, but TRUST me, they blend beautifully into a warm brown skin tone. $19.98 and SO worth it. Her eyeshadows are amazing as well!

If you’re looking for more than makeup, Etsy Artists of Color is a tremendous resource. Especially if you’re into supporting wearable art, bath products, and other such creative endeavors. Through the EAOC, I discovered Amanda Jones and her amazing sounding soaps, Cece St. Croix and these oversized hammered petal earrings I adore, and the super fly woven hats of Dahlia Soleil. And don’t forget Tomoka’s Twists! All are still open for the holidays, so get your shop on!

Last week, a longtime reader added a holiday special to the comments of my Bargains for my Bellas post. When I checked out the link, I was blown away. The bath and beauty products of Darcy’s Botanicals sound amazing! The Madagascar Vanilla Styling Creme sounds especially divine — my hair loves a creamy, curly hair styling butter, and I adore the heady scent of vanilla. And it’s $12! Sounds like a sweet deal.

Have you finished your holiday shopping yet? Tell me how it’s going, bellas!

Bellas, I hope all of you get what you want for Christmas. But I only have 5 CD sets to give away. And so without further ado, the winners are…

Nolagirl

Fleurzty

Marcia

Janet

and T.O

Congratulations, bellas!! If you read this, e mail me ASAP at bella@afrobella.com. I’ll be writing you myself, but either way, I need to hear from you ASAP with your real names and addresses so we can get your holiday music out before December 25!

And in the spirit, here’s yet another sampler of Ledisi’s Christmas album.

Her album has such a warm and bubbly vibe to it. I see big and beautiful things coming for Ledisi in 2009.

And if you didn’t win this giveaway, no worries – there’s more in store for the new year!

I hosted some truly remarkable giveaways this year, but the Cantu giveaway might be the best one yet.

Your answers were so inspiring and heartwarming — from those of you who work for or have started your own charity orgnizations to those of you who donate clothes, food, and time to those in your community, I gotta say thank you to all of you for making a difference in your own special way.

One of you bellas called it — this was a hard one to judge. But here are my 5 picks:

Carolyn

BK

Browntastic

Jennifer

and Bridgette

Congratulations, bellas! E mail me ASAP at bella@afrobella.com. I’ll write you myself, but either way, I need to get your real names and addresses ASAP so we can get your fabulous hair care packages out before December 25!

Thank you all so much for sharing your charitable acts. You introduced me and other Afrobella readers to some great charity groups. Your stories inspired others, and if you believe in karma like I do, you know your kind acts won’t go unrewarded. Happy Holidays, everybody!!

Christmas is here, and a whole new passel of singers are taking on the holiday classics we grew up listening to. Because who needs Donny Hathaway’s This Christmas when we’ve got… Chris Brown! I say SACRILEGE.

Some Christmas classics need to stay classic. Still, there are some great updates on the Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole standards, and every year new artists add to the list. I reached out to my Twitter friends to ask what their fave Christmas covers were, and got some great responses. Pisces in Purple loves John Cougar Mellencamp’s I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. DJ Diva loves Destiny’s Child singing Carol of the Bells. Jawnita, self-described HBIC of my favorite music magazine The Fader, shouted out Mariah’s So So Def remix of All I Want for Christmas is You.

My top 5 is a little more traditional, but hey – it ends with a giveaway! The last for the season!! So without further ado, here are my favorite Christmas cover songs.

1. Aretha Franklin’s Silent Night.

The Queen of Soul released her very first holiday album this year, This Christmas, exclusively for sale at Borders. It’s all about Christmas classics, sang as only Aretha could — big and majestic and soaring. If you like your holidays traditional, you’ll love Aretha’s album. Her voice can fill a cathedral. And this song brings the reason for the season to mind immediately.

2. Whitney. Do You Hear What I Hear?

On a personal note — Whitney Houston, I miss you and that magnificent voice. Come back soon!

Goodness gracious, her voice is so big and so beautiful. I’ve always loved this particular song, written as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missle Crisis in 1962. Bing Crosby’s was the first popular version, but Whitney’s is absolutely my favorite. And don’t get me started on her version of Joy to the World!

3. What Child Is This, by Vanessa Williams.

I think Vanessa’s smooth, warm, jazzy version of this song — originally recorded for A Very Special Christmas, Volume 2 is the business. And she’s stunning as ever in the video. This song would fit in equally well around the fireplace, opening presents with your family, as it would at a crowded bar, sipping hot toddies with your friends. I’ve celebrated Christmas in both ways, so I know of what I speak.

4. Ledisi’s cover of Give Love on Christmas Day.

I am so late to the Ledisi party! She’s so talented, beautiful, all natural… an obvious candidate for the return of Afrobella of the Month in 2009. The songstress has recorded a brilliant holiday album, It’s Christmas, and it’s a must-have for any bella who’s feeling the holiday spirit. And AOL Black Voices reveals, she’s planning a tour! If you’re looking for a new holiday album to add to your collection, this is the one. Her voice just floats so beautifully on tracks like Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and her original songs, are sure to be classics in our holiday rotation eventually. I absolutely adore that she covered a contemporary classic, one I grew up listening to on the Jackson 5 Christmas Album.
Aww. Young Michael’s voice still touches my heart.

5. Brian McKnight’s take on The Christmas Song.

Brian McKnight’s version of The Christmas Song gives a delicious update to the holiday classic that speaks most to my Christmas memories. I almost didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I do, because Nat King Cole is so close to my heart. But Soulbounce dubbed him the heir apparent, and his version reveals why. It’s like Nat King Cole with a little Marvin Gaye flava. I love it. I think Brian McKnight’s album, I’ll Be Home For Christmas is a beautiful update for families who own Nat King Cole’s Christmas album. I am listening to it and loving it, and I’m proud to offer it as my final Christmas giveaway!

FIVE lucky winners will win a copy of Brian McKnight’s album, I’ll Be Home For Christmas AND a copy of Ledisi’s It’s Christmas.

And I’ll make this an easy one. All you have to do is tell me, what do YOU want to find underneath your Christmas tree this year?

I will close these comments on Sunday, and announce winners on Monday! I gotta get this moving in order to get these items mailed out before the holidays.

Happy Friday, bellas and fellas!! And Merry Christmas!!