Above:
Santa Support by TR Pics
-See More Below-
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Haul out the Holly 🌿
It's been a tough year for many, but more than ever, we all need a little Christmas now.🦌 Merry Christmas to all those celebrating today, and happy holidays to all those celebrating the spirit of their holidays this month! A special thank you to all the artists, models and contributors, including the asstastic J Kosmic, shown here trimming his tree!
Men of MJL Photography: Soldier Toy Boy
Every year, as the holiday's approach, I begin to think of themes. As much as love naked hotties in Santa hats, I like to create pieces that are fresh and visually unique. Last year, one of my favorite themes was a three page tribute to The Nutcracker. (HERE:) I'd been wanting to feature the Christmas classic story and ballet for awhile, but had trouble finding new and original visuals.
If only I'd had this set of images of the hot boy toy soldier Nix, shot by Men of MJL Photography. I've previously featured the work of Michael, the artist behind MJL Photography, (HERE:) and was looking to feature more of his work. It was Nix who inspired this Nutcracker theme who suggested using the cute hat, (helmet) that he owed. Michael is constantly creating exciting visuals, and seems to love holiday themed imagery as much as I do! Hopefully I'll be able to share more in the future!
New Manhattan Studios: One Night Only
One night only, one night only
Come on, big baby, come on
One night only
We only have 'til dawn
Some long time readers might recognize these two sexy elves. I first featured Jingle and Bells (Alex & Mark) in their shoot with Wes from New Manhattan Studios back in 2016. (HERE:) This year, I asked Wes if he had any edits that we didn't share before. After digging back into his archives, he sent on these new shots of the mischievous scamps during their one and only night home alone...
As you all know, elves work diligently and arduously 364 days a year. They have just one night only, when their Boss is away to let loose and enjoy a bit of puckish play. From sundown on Christmas Eve until sunrise on Christmas Day is their window for whimsy, and as you can see, Jingle and Bells make the most of their time home alone.
FH viewers have enjoyed spending time with this pixie pair before. I've been lucky to have featured Jingle, (Alex) on the site many times over the years, (HERE:) Bells, (Mark) was spreading Christmas magic previously, decorating Gordon Nebeker's Christmas tree, for a feature back in 2019. (HERE:) I'm guessing that many of the models at NMS also partake in a little flirtatious fun when their boss Wes is otherwise occupied. Unfortunately, with Wes and his camera otherwise engaged, it's difficult to find photographic evidence. I will certainly however, keep digging... I hear there's a hot red haired PA who may have some secrets to share.
North Pole Naughtiness by TR Pics
Twas the Great Day of CHRISTMAS
Words & Visuals by Tom Rubeck (TR Pics)
I often suggest crazy themes and ideas to photographers and models. Even online, I can often 'feel' the eye rolls through the fibre optics. Tom from TR Pics however, has never transmitted an eye roll, even when I asked for a hot naked male model in the massive paw of King Kong. If you're a regular reader of FH, you know that Tom is always up for a creative challenge.
This year, I wanted to do a FH twist on the classic shot of Santa with with a naughty elf. I also wanted to switch things up by using Kenny B as Santa. If you've seen my previous posts featuring Kenny, you know he's seems in charge, and more likely to be the spanker, than the spankee... As usual, Tom took the idea and not only created this series, but complete story to go along with it. Thank you Tom, Kenny and Luca for bringing your North Pole Naughtiness to life!
🎄The Cast:🎄
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Seasonal Sightings:
Given they're holding the guy in the middle upside down, they may not be that wise. There are three of them though, so there's that.
Ear Buds: Last Christmas
Last Christmas I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
Some say we should stop making new Christmas music. That there's plenty out there, and nothing really new to be said our sung. I sort of agree, yet there have been some great songs since those Christmas classics were written, including the 1985' Wham holiday song, Last Christmas. We also wouldn't have gotten George Michael's 2006 live performance at Wembley Arena.
12 Days: Heartstopper ❄️
Artwork by Alice Oseman
Charlie Spring: I hope I get good mental health.
Tori Spring: I hope I get a mum who can regulate her emotions.
Charlie: I hope I get grandparents who don't comment on my weight.
Tori: I hope Dad remembers to properly season the turkey.
Charlie: He won't.
Tori: Yeah... he won't.
There are certain television shows that seem connected with certain seasons. Gilmore Girls for many is Autumn, Bridgerton, especially with that opening, is definitely spring. There are so many shows with summer vibes, from The Summer I Turned Pretty to almost any show set on, or near the beach. When it comes to Winter shows, I think my favorite is Heartstopper.
Now if you're wondering my logic, especially with those beach scenes, let me explain my reasoning. The seasonal identifiers are more than just about episodes being set in that particular season, it's also about the vibes. For those who have watched, the pilot for Heartstopper begins in early January. School is starting up again, and there's even a scene of teachers removing Christmas decorations from the hallway. The weather, the clothing, the atmosphere throughout most of the first half of the season is winter.
One of the most romantic early scenes between Nick, (Kit Connor) and Charlie, (Joe Locke) occurs the first time Charlie visits Nick's home. While playing video games, they notice it's snowing outside, and their emotions immedeately synergize. They rise almost in unison, and without saying a word, both know they're heading outside to play. Although Nick has yet to identify his sexuality, he can't help by touch Charlie, including gently wiping snow off his new friend's bangs.
Although season 2 is set at the end of the school year, and an early summer trip to Paris, for me, that romantic wintery feel remains. The show returns again to winter in season 3, with scenes set over Christmas and New Year's Eve. It's interesting to me, that it's during this time period that we see Charlie struggling, but also starting to heal with the love of his family, his friends, and of course Nick.
The current Heated Rivalry phenomenon, (also to me a winter show) also inspired me to take another look at Heartstopper. As radically different as the two shows are, the core is also remarkably similar. Both focus on a couple, one who identifies as gay, the other as bisexual. In Heated Rivalry, it's Shane struggling with being gay. In Heartstopper, it's Nick who initially struggles with identifying as bisexual. Both feel the need to remain in the closet, and both are surrounded by a friendship group of athletes. Shane's being hockey players, Nick's being his mates on the rugby team.
For me, Locke and Connor match the stars of Heated Rivalry in the acting department as well. Not in intensity, Heartstopper is not written that way. But Locke and maybe especially Connor's Nick, share so much with their facial expressions. Even without dialogue, Nick, much like Shane in HR, shares so many conflicting emotions and tells so much of the story through his eyes and face.
Both are also shows based on books written by women. Heated Rivalry based on Rachel Reid's romance novel, and Heartstopper based on Alice Oseman's graphic novel and webcomic series. Given that, there were moments from both shows that seemed so similar and familiar..
There are several moments that come to mind, but one in particular is that both include a scene of their two main characters running up a staircase. In Heartstopper, it's Nick and Charlie running to be alone, just before their first kiss. The running makes sense as a theme, as at the point each pair is running, neither couple is officially romantically connected, and two of the characters are still running from who they actually are
If like me, you're sad about the end of Heated Rivalry, and if you haven't yet watched Heartstopper, I highly suggest giving it a go. No, it's not full of sex scenes and nudity, but it is incredibly romantic, with yearning being a central theme, especially in season 1. Both shows give their struggling male leads a good support system. In Heartstopper, Nick has his mom, played by Olivia Coleman. Charlie has a group of supportive friends led by Tao and Isaac.
Heartstopper has 24 episodes over 3 seasons, with a final movie due for release in 2026. I wish there'd been more seasons, following the characters into University. I'd love to have seen Charlie's sister Tori, head back to Truham High as a teacher, continuing the world Oseman so beautifully created. I can't complain given how special the first three seasons were. Season 1 remains my favorite, and you won't be disappointed in giving it ago.
A Vintage Vantage:
'Remembrance, like a candle, burns brightest at Christmastime.'
Charles Dickens
As is tradition at FH, each Christmas, I try to include some vintage holiday pics in my posts. This year, they don't back as far as the ones I usually post, these, all color shots, while I usually post black and whites. They're also a bit of a smorgasbord of images I've not featured in previous posts. I've identified a few, and most appear to be from the 60's, 70's and a couple from the 80's.
⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆ 🎀⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎‧*❆₊⋆
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