Christmas Movies – A Holiday Tradition
Christmas movies have become a holiday staple.
The Hallmark Channel began its “Countdown to Christmas” programming in 2009. In 2019, Hannukkah-themed movies were added to the lineup, and now Hallmark offers a broad spectrum of holiday subjects and stars. Currently, Lifetime, Netflix, and others have joined in offering similar movies.
Hallmark television movies begin in mid-October and run through December every year. Originally only aired in the US, they now also air in Canada and Europe.
Opinions about holiday movies vary. Critics say, “October is too early!” “Too cheesy!” “Poor acting!” “Cliched dialogue!” “Once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all!” That last may be true since there’s a Hallmark Christmas Movie Bingo game that you can play as you watch.
But viewing numbers don’t lie. Millions watch these formulaic and peppy holiday films. And, yes, I am one of them.
One of my favorite Hallmark movies so far this year is Season 2 of the Mistletoe Murders series. The episodes have my three favorite things – Christmas, mystery, and romance combine into a relaxing evening’s viewing.
Of course, no holiday movie viewing is complete without the oldies, White Christmas (1954) and It’s A Wonderful Life (1946).
White Christmas has it all — romance, Rogers and Hammerstein songs, Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney singing, and Danny Kaye dancing. Nothing sets the holiday mood better for me than watching the musical set in New England.
I suspect many of my readers weren’t around when it debuted in 1954. But I’m guessing everyone has heard the song and watched the classic. This is my favorite scene.
Now, don’t you feel more in the holiday spirit? Ironic, too, since the classic song, “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas,” was written tongue-in-cheek by Irving Berlin, a Jew who did not much care for the holiday.
What’s your favorite holiday movie for getting in the holiday spirit?