In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (where I grew up) for the past 40 years, there are people who believe that the Chrismas season does not begin until the Eat’n Park Christmas Tree commercial airs.

The commercial first aired in 1982. At that time, the CEO asked for a commercial that would “last for 20 years.” You can read the whole story here. Well, the commercial has lasted more than twice that long, and I could point you to thousands of one-liners that say:

“This is my favorite commercial ever!”

This post is part of Linda G. Hill’s fun weekly series One-Liner Wednesday. If you have a one-liner, and would like to join in on the fun, you can follow this link to participate and to see the one-liners from the other participants.

All five of my current books are now available in audio book form thanks to Amazon KDP’s Virtual Voice process. The voice is AI generated, but I can honestly say, it’s pretty darn good. The audio books are reasonably priced (all below $7 US) and, if you already own the Kindle version and want to add an audio version, you can do that for $1.99. There is a five-minute sample on the book page for each book. If you’re interested, click on any of the Dreamer’s Alliance book links below the image or on the link below for my latest book.

Bridge to Nowhere

75 responses to “‘Tis the Season – 1LinerWeds”

  1. That is a wonderful Christmas Star commercial.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you like it, Frank. I try to share it every year.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Aww, I love that star and the kind Christmas tree, Dan. You got some sunny days! We haven’t seen the sun for a long time. We have a squirrel in the backyard, but the yard is in the middle of construction. It’s too muddy to go out to take photos.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The long days under cloud cover is one thing I don’t miss about living in the Pacific Northwest. But there are many benefits. I hope the construction goes well. I am looking forward to pictures of that garden.

      I’m glad you like the commercial, and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

      Like

  3. It’s the commercial the world needs, and I love the way the music narrates! Comes now the season of hunger for your four-footed friends — talk about Eat ‘n Park! That’s probably what they call your yard! Thanks for the uplift this morning!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Sometimes I think they do look at our place as a restaurant. But they’ve lost so much habitat in our neighborhood, and so many food and water sources, we feel like we need to help them.

      I’m glad you like the commercial. I think it’s the perfect message. One person said, “when I hear the flute, I go running back to the TV!” They publish a schedule of when the commercial will air. It aired first (this year) during the Macy’s Day Parade.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. What a tradition that has become! I hope it lasts forever.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Wonderful commercial. It reminds me I hope I get to see a Clydesdale commercial. I love Maureen’s comment about your yard. :-) Slide show worked, and I was able to click the x and go back. Yeah.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you like this commercial, Judy and I’m so glad the slideshow worked. Maybe the fix is in. Our little friends were out in force yesterday, after being stuck (wherever) during the rain.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Ginger Salvatore Avatar
    Ginger Salvatore

    LOVE the commercial! No wonder it has lasted so long! I would wait for this commercial to be aired every year too.

    Those little beggars get cuter and cuter. Maureen’s comment about your yard is hysterical.

    Love the cat on the bale of hay and all the frozen, or nearly frozen, puddles.

    Another sad reason for Old Glory to be at half staff. Ginger

    Sent from my iPad

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you like this commercial, Ginger. I do think it captures the spirit of the season better than most others.

      After the rain, the beggars were out in force. When I came home from my walk, I needed to pay a toll to get up our driveway.

      I think that cat misses Maddie. They used to do that silent face-off and snarl thing.

      I hope you’re having a good week.

      Like

  6. Those squirrels sure have your number!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. They do, Liz. But we don’t mind.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. I love that commercial! Thanks for including it as it doesn’t play up here.
    Poor kitty looks cold on that hay bale…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I try to share this every year at some point. That cat is welcome to go inside, but she likes being out for a while.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. That’s a really nice commercial, Dan! And the squirrel on the mailbox (?) looks like it could be on the prow of the Titanic in the famous 1990s movie. With a happier ending, of course…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He does have the King-of-the-World look. He knows how to get our attention, Dave. I’m glad you like the commercial.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. You folks in the East have been hit hard with rain. I’m not surprised your squirrel friends are a little hungry.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We didn’t see them at all on Monday, John. Same with the birds. We put lots of birdseed out on Tuesday, and the squirrel parade started early. Twiggy would go crazy if she had to look out our storm door.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. She just went nuts over the squirrel running across the back fence.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Haha – I should send her a video ;-)

          Liked by 1 person

  10. What a wonderful commercial, Dan. I remember it — maybe I saw it when I lived in New York. Or maybe it was when I traveled to Pittsburgh around Christmas time. It’s a simple but powerful reminder of how kindness can make a difference. And today the slide show worked for me. YAY!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you like that commercial, Gwen. Kindness can make a huge difference. I think that’s why it remains popular. I am glad the slideshow is working. Thanks for letting me know.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Awwww, I do love that commercial. Thanks for sharing it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m so glad you enjoy it. I try to share it every year during the season.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. That’s 100% true. It’s not Christmas until that commercial begins airing. Nice to see it featured here.

    Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas, Dan.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Staci. I figured you’d like this.

      I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy and healthy new year.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. That is a very sweet commercial. In my town, we say it isn’t Christmas until the two attorneys on the billboards have their Santa hats on.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well, I did not mean to hit “Reply” just yet! That is so wonderful how the squirrels know where the good people are. I would love coming home to this little crowd.
      The gallery is back to working again! Merry Christmas from the HE’s, I guess…

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’m glad the gallery is working again – phew. One problem down.

        The crowd collecting a toll when I get home is fun to see. I didn’t get a picture, but my wife had tossed out bird food, pumpkin seeds and peanuts this morning. The yard was covered with critters.

        Liked by 1 person

  14. I had never seen that commercial until now. So sweet!
    And love your pics. Those frozen puddles are gorgeous.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Dale. Eat’n Park is only in Western, Pennsylvania, and neighboring parts of Ohio and West Virginia. We always stop at the first one we see on our way to Pittsburgh, and we hit the one in our old home town for breakfast at least once while we’re there. I’m glad you like the pictures.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I figured it must be local. That’s great, though. Yes, your photos were lovely.

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Eat ‘N Park!! What a commercial that is. Thanks for posting. One of my first-ever jobs was at an Eat ‘N Park on Rt 51, but I wasn’t near Pgh when that commercial came about. And your wildlife captures are wonderful, especially the little beastie peering out from that knot in the tree.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I wasn’t living there when the commercial started airing, but I try to play it here each year during the time that it’s on. Was that the first Eat’N Park? I remember reading that the first one to open caused a massive traffic jam on Rt 51.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hi Dan – it may have been the first Eat ‘N Park. Route 51 and Sawmill Run are the same road, and reports are that the first was indeed on Sawmill Run. There’s a wealth of Eat ‘N Park history at this link from Historic Pittsburgh iffn you’re inclined for a deep dive: https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt%3AUS-QQS-msp491/viewer
        Thanks for another walk down Pgh memory lane! Hope you’re enjoying your break.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. I think it was. I’ll add that to my list of Pittsburgh history links. I’ve got a lot, but I expect all my books will be set there.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Thanks! I felt sheepish sending you that link because surely you must already have enough eclectic and even obscure knowledge to create a new game of Pittsburgh trivia. And it’s cool to know that I once worked in the first of their restaurants. Although I still have the occasional recurring dream that it’s Friday night after a football game and I’m the only server on the floor when a big yellow bus pulls into the parking lot. Cue music of doom.

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Haha – I can only imagine, but I’ve been part of a crowd pulling into a place.

              Liked by 1 person

  16. Dan, you first introduced me to this commercial in this space…and it is so good I have it on my phone. Every time I play it…it makes me smile. The ad company who made this hit a grand slam in my opinion, Thanks again!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That makes me smile, Bruce. I try to remember to share it every year while it’s being aired. I watch it at other times, too, and it always makes me smile.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. That’s quite the welcome committee waiting for your return! 😂
    You can rerun that Eat n Park commercial every Christmas season and I won’t complain! It makes me smile every time you share it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Deborah. I do try to include it once during the season. It always makes me smile.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. This is wonderful, Dan. They captured the Christmas spirit, and doubled it by keeping the advertisement part minimal. Lovely gallery too, particularly Ms. Squirrell snug in her knothole nest. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. They originally created this as a thank you to their customers. I think the minimal advertising has helped it endure. Ms. squirrel looks pretty comfy. If you have to spend the winter outside, it’s a good place.

      Like

  19. What a wonderful commercial! We can always use a lift up by a friend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We can! I’m glad you enjoyed this, Pam.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Such an uplifting message. I can see where you like it. Live the pics Dan. Merry Christmas my friend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Merry Christmas, Holly

      Liked by 1 person

  21. I was waiting for your favorite Christmas commercial. Thank you! It is wonderful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m late sharing it this year, Jennie. Then again, we only got our tree up on Sunday.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. It didn’t seem late to me at all. You know how much I love this. Hey, we just got our tree up on Sunday, too.

        Liked by 1 person

  22. I can see why people in your town love that commercial – it is very uplifting. The squirrels and your captions always make me smile.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. They certainly got that commercial right. To last over 40 years is amazing.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Staying power for sure!

        Liked by 1 person

  23. What a delightful advert and I have seen it before it is so cute as are your lovely photos …. Happy Thursday ☺️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Willow. I try to share it once every year.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Aww! The squirrel in the hole is adorable.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. She has a nice little home for the winter.

      Like

  25. It’s a keeper, Dan. I feel like I’ve seen this before although I’ve never lived anywhere near an Eat n Park. Hungry critters like their own little nooks too, don’t they?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I try to share this once each season while it’s on the air, Cheryl. It just doesn’t get old, and the message is certainly one we can all relate to.

      The squirrels all seem to have found homes for the winter.

      Liked by 1 person

  26. If only all commercials were that gentle and kind. Happy holidays, Dan! 🎄

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I agree – thanks, and Happy Holidays!

      Liked by 1 person

  27. The commercial seemed familiar, especially the delightful music. Thanks for bringing it back and thanks for the cute squirrels with their fluffy tails.

    Liked by 1 person

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