About Christmas TV History

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

DVD.com/Netflix Paper Dress



I have a new adventure underway! As my readers know, I've been researching and writing about everyone's favorite Christmas TV episodes, specials and movies for almost twenty years. One resource for my research is Netflix and their DVD subscription service DVD.com. I've been a subscriber since 2005 and continue to receive DVDs in the mail (I also subscribe to Netflix's streaming service). Thirteen years ago, when I received my first DVD in the mail, I noticed that the paper of the envelopes was an interesting texture. (It seems to resist moisture--which is a good idea since the envelopes go through rain and snow before reaching mailboxes). Rather than discard the envelope front that one tears off before returning the DVD in the mail, I saved the red sheets of paper and began collecting them. Here it is, 13 years later and I have more than 1500 envelope fronts saved in a box. THAT'S an awful lot of Christmas DVDs!




In 2018, DVD.com/Netflix is celebrating their 20th anniversary. A few months ago, I saw that Netflix/DVD.com was looking for interesting subscriber stories to promote their anniversary. I shared my quirky tale of saving more than 1,500 envelope fronts, and they responded! Asking a very reasonable question, they inquired why I would save them. I explained that the texture of the paper impressed me, and I dreamed that maybe one day I would make a dress for Halloween from them. DVD.com/Netflix was so impressed by my collection and the outrageous idea to make an outfit from them that they have now generously offered to sponsor the dress. After I have a designer and dressmaker, they'll share the finished outfit on their social media. Doesn't this sound like fun?

A local news station--WKYC-TV in Cleveland, OH--shared my story this week. Watch the video below:







I'm interviewing Kent State University fashion students (and recent grads) who are interested in this project. If you are a fashion designer and are interested in this unique project, please email me your resumé, a link to on-line portfolio, and send sketches. This project is moving along--Halloween 2018 will be here before you know it.

Please feel free to follow along with this project on social media. I'm on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tistheseasontv/

I'll keep you up-to-date with this fun adventure!


Myself (right) with WKYC-TV newscaster Amani Abraham (left)


Some of my collection of envelope fronts.

Joanna Wilson is a TV researcher and book author specializing in Christmas entertainment. More about the TV programs mentioned on this website can be found in her book "Tis the Season TV: the Encyclopedia of Christmas-themed Episodes, Specials, and Made-for-TV Movies." Her latest book "Triple Dog Dare: Watching--& Surviving--the 24-Hour Marathon of A Christmas Story" was released in 2016. Her books can be found at the publisher's website: 1701 press.com

*Support this website and its research by purchasing the books at 1701 press.com



7 comments:

  1. Great story! Looking forward to following along!

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  2. Such a cool story - and also very cool that you get to be part of their anniversary! Kudos and good luck, Joanna! Can't wait to see the dress!

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