I’m finally writing this post up!! I thought I would get it up earlier than this, but there is still plenty of time to squeeze these films in (at least for me haha). There are sooo many Christmas films I like to watch this time of year, especially because I’ve fallen in love with the Hallmark channel again. I do love the classic claymation films: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and The Little Drummer Boy, but that’ll make this post even longer, so I think I’ll just stick to my top 5 and leave it at that.
It’s A Wonderful Life
I. LOVE. THIS. FILM. I’ve been watching it since I was a wee lass, even when it wasn’t Christmas time, and it is just EVERYTHING. George Bailey has big dreams, and I do too. As I’ve grown up, I have been able to relate to that myself: aiming high and sometimes feeling so stuck and trapped. He doesn’t get what he thought he wanted, but he gets something better, and he learns the secret of being content. It’s something that I’m still learning myself, and it’s not the easiest lesson to absorb & apply to my life, but I’m getting there.
Love Actually
Obviously. I think it’s already a classic; at the very least, it’s a modern classic, and will be in the years to come. The crazy, beautiful, intertwining of so many lives and loves is captivating: it’s heartwarming at times and heart-wrenching at others. I still root for Sarah & Karl; I like to imagine that one day Sarah can find happiness with him with no guilt. And of course I weep right alongside Karen as she plays Joni Mitchell. As Hugh Grant states in the opening moments of the film: love actually is. It manifests itself in many different ways, but it is still here, and so long as it is, the world will be better for it.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
This, I think, is the best Christmas movie from Hallmark. It’s based around a young, single mother, her son, her hilarious uncle, and a stranger who walks into her life a few days before Christmas. Of course, it’s a tad unrealistic, but that’s what makes it a cheesy Hallmark movie right?! It’s got a lot of funny moments, something that’s not always present in these movies, and I think that’s one of the reasons why it’s so special. 11/10 recommend watching this if you can!
A Christmas Story
What would Christmas Day at my Nana’s be without some of us sitting down in front of the tree to watch this absolute CLASSIC?? (I’ve probably said the word classic one too many times in this post.) The adventures of Ralphie Parker (and his family) are comical, hilarious, and relatable. With iconic, legendary lines like “you’ll shoot your eye out, kid,” and “fa, ra, ra, ra, ra, ra, ra, ra, ra,” you seriously can’t stop laughing. If you haven’t seen this yet, what are you doing?! Give it a watch asap!!
Home Alone
Yet another funny Christmas film. I think one of my favourite bits of this film is when Kevin rigs one of his fantastic booby traps for Harry & Marv: he uses that movie he’s been watching to scare them off, and he lip syncs one of the lines; it cracks me up every time :’) I think one of the most special moments is when Kevin goes to the church and talks with his next door neigbour. Though this film is packed with light-hearted humour and funny scenes, it still speaks to the importance of family and togetherness–no matter how crazy they might drive you sometimes!
What are your favourite Christmas films? Are there any on this list that you’ve not seen yet?