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 It turns out, it’s never too early. Listening to
Christmas music in October? Go ahead! Putting up lights before
Thanksgiving? You bet! And get this, experts say that watching
Christmas movies all year is actually good for your health. So, want
to watch Christmas movies in July? Do it!
Watching Christmas movies reduces stress and anxiety, promotes
positivity and inspiration, and raises levels of happiness.
A quick search on the Internet shares thousands of Christmas movie
listings and streaming channels like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime,
Hallmark channel and YouTube, among others, offer free Christmas
movies all year. For many watching Christmas movies is as important
as the decorations. Whether you enjoy Christmas classics, romance,
comedy, or cartoons, there is a Christmas movie for everyone in the
family.
Why Do We Love
Christmas Movies? - Nerd Theater - Episode 7
Classic Christmas movies span the years from 1930s to the 1970s. In
these movies’ peace, harmony and hope are promised at this time of
year. George Bailey was rescued from suicide in It’s A Wonderful
Life (1946), Scrooge was transformed from miserly to generous in A
Christmas Carol (1951), and Susan Walker was convinced in Miracle on
34th Street (1947) that you can believe in things when common sense
tells you not to. In these movies after the turmoil and conflict,
the story ends up with a focus on love, hope, charity, and
togetherness.
Miracle on
34th Street
While fewer Christmas movies have the magic most people long for
during the holidays, some movies deserve a second look as they might
just become Modern Christmas Classics.
Ralphie wants a gift that everyone thinks he is too young to have in
A Christmas Story (1983). Clark attempts to have an old-fashioned
Christmas celebration in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
(1989), but things go from bad to worse once his relatives come to
town. Kevin was pleased that he got his wish to make his family
disappear in Home Alone (1990) and spent the time apart to defend
his home from the bumbling thieves who had been casing homes for the
perfect hit during the holidays. And Buddy, the 6’3” orphan, just
wanted to reunite with his biological family in Elf (2003). Like the
classics these movies lift your spirits and put you in the holiday
mood.
National
Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - theatrical trailer
On a cold winter night, staying home and watching a Christmas
romance movie can make the whole family feel warm and fuzzy. The
movie selection might include dramatic romance or comedy romance. A
singer and a dancer struggle for the affections of a beautiful
up-and-coming performer in Holiday Inn (1942) and two World War II
vets leave the Army to become entertainers and find themselves in
love with sisters in White Christmas (1954).
White
Christmas - trailer
For a more modern twist on a Christmas romance
movie, the family might choose The Family Stone (2005), which tracks
Meredith, an uptight businesswoman from new York accompanying her
boyfriend to Christmas with his family where her uptight personality
is only highlighted against their free-spirited way of life, or The
Holiday (2006), whose characters, Iris and Amanda, change places to
live in each other’s home throughout the holidays and find local
gentlemen perfect for a romantic pick-me-up.
The Holiday
trailer
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When the weather is frightful, there is no better way
to get into the holiday spirit than with a festive movie sure to
make the whole family laugh. Howard Langston hunts down an elusive
gift for his son in Jingle All the Way (1996) even though it’s
Christmas Eve and the toy is almost sold out. The hilarity ensues as
he competes with everyone else in town looking for the same toy.
In Christmas with the Kranks (2004), Luther and Nora decide to skip
Christmas despite the neighborhood decorating contest, carolers, and
charity functions, but their daughters last minute decision to come
home sends them in a tizzy to get Christmas ready in just a few
hours.
Jingle All the
Way trailer
Christmas makes us want to connect with the excitement we felt as
children and there is no better way to do that than to sit down in
front of a Christmas cartoon. A heartwarming lesson about embracing
your imperfections is the story in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
(1964), those who have a hard time getting in the Christmas spirit
have a friend in A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) as Charlie Brown
who goes on a journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. And
a true friendship is formed between a living snowman named Frosty
and a little girl named Karen in Frosty the Snowman (1969).
A Charlie
Brown Christmas trailer
Don’t forget about the full-feature Christmas cartoons like How the
Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) where the revenge-seeking Grinch tries
to ruin Christmas for all the citizens of Whoville, or The Polar
Express (2004) where a young hero takes a magical train ride to the
North Pole and learns about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of
Christmas.
The Polar
Express - official trailer
With thousands to choose from, every family member should be able to
find a Christmas movie that helps with the holiday spirit during
December. Whether to pass the afternoon or find a movie that truly
resonates, try a new movie this year. You might find one to add to
your annual Christmas list. Remember Kris Kringle teaches, “Oh,
Christmas isn’t just a day. It’s a frame of mind,” Miracle on 34th
Street. Christmas movies almost always have a positive message, a
reminder that things do work out the way they’re meant to, that
people are essentially good, we all impact the lives of others,
you’re capable of more than you think, and happily ever after is
possible.
So, grab the blankets, cookies and hot chocolate, and gather your
loved ones to watch a Christmas movie. Viewing Christmas movies
together strengthens relationships of families and friends reminding
everyone of good times spent together and shared memories. Watch
Christmas movies all year? Absolutely.
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