Christmas movies & television: my favourite things to watch

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without these Christmas movies –

Elf

It’s the obvious Christmas movie at the top of everyone’s favourite Christmas movies list, but shamefully I have only in the last couple of years got on-board.

Elf is a very naive way of looking at the world and highlights subconsciously so much we take for granted, like the power of smiling has on others for example.

One of my favourite parts of the film is when Buddy has just arrived in New York City and he sees a cafe selling ‘the world’s best coffee’ and he goes in to congratulate them. Fundamentally the film is about belonging, and the power a bit of optimism and belief has in the world to make things happen.

Elf grows on me after every watch.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

The Muppet Christmas Carol was introduced into the family mix of Christmas films in my mid-late teens and it’s a bit like Disney animations; despite being nearly thirty years’ old I still find an enormous amount of pleasure and comfort in them, and the same for the Muppets.

The Muppet Christmas Carol is a simple retelling of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol for a younger (Muppet-loving) audience and I love it!

Christmas movies

Love Actually

Love Actually is a brilliantly written and executed film with an incredible cast and an incredible script that just brings each character’s story to life.

I get that some people will watch Love Actually and not really see the genius in some of the humour, such as when John head-butts Judy’s nipple, or the pain staking attention Rufus (the jewelry salesman) takes in gift wrapping, or even really see the pain in the storyline between Sarah and Karl owing to her mentally ill brother… and I kinda’ feel for those people.

The Snowman (and Snow dog)

Every single Christmas Eve throughout my childhood consisted of being read three stories and watching three films before lights out to await Santa’s arrival. The Snowman was of course one of the three films and while I still adore the original version, the newer release involving the Snow Dog is just brilliant.

I always forget how much it makes me cry so I silently sit on the sofa trying to hide my tears. I think anyone who has experienced the pain of losing a family pet, as well as the joy they bring, totally gets the emotion behind this film.

Christmas television

My favourite Christmas TV always begins with the Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special (because it’s just excellent and I’m a huge G&S fan!); Call the Midwife on Christmas Day; and I always look forward to getting the TV guide a week or so in advance and highlighting everything I want to watch and/or record.

What are your favourite Christmas movies and TV to watch?

Until tomorrow x

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