It's Not Christmas Without A Good Movie

Christmas has many family traditions, and one of my favourites is getting through all the hustle and bustle of the actual day, then blobbing on the couch with a good Christmas movie.

Of course there are always new Christmas movies and some of those are becoming favourites, but I'll always have a soft spot for the ones from my childhood. These weren't made especially for kids like they tend to be today, but I still enjoyed them as a child. And enjoy them still.

WHITE CHRISTMAS
Danny Kaye was one of my favourite actors (and I reckon most of you reading this blog may not even know who I'm talking about), but this all singing, all dancing movie is just such a delight. Of course the theme song is iconic and we'd have Bing Crosby's dulcet tones serenading as we ate Christmas dinner (as a European family this was always on Christmas Eve).

Even though Christmas here in Australia is far from 'white', this movie with it's over the top Christmasness couldn't help but put us in the mood.

It was made in 1954, the year I was born, so by the time I was enjoying it on tv, it was already a classic. Over the years other movies have replaced this one on Christmas tv, but sometimes I luck out and it'll be on in the lead up days.


MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET
Oh how I love this one.  The original made way back in 1947, not the remake. I don't do remakes. If you're going to investigate this one, do yourself a favour and watch the original black and white version. It tugs at the heart strings  as Kris Kringle has to go to court to prove he's who he says he is, but also give you all the Christmas feels. I think this will always be my most favourite Christmas movie.

As my kids grew up I came to add to my list of movies, and one that is still on these days  ...

NATIONAL LAMPOON CHRISTMAS VACATION

 I'm not normally a comedy movie fan, but this makes me smile every time (and I've watched it upteen times). I think we can all relate to the madness that is Christmas, and having holiday visitors and how stuff just sometimes goes horribly wrong. But under it all, we love our family and somehow get through it all.

And of course, who doesn't love (and never get tired of)  ...

LOVE ACTUALLY

Happy, sad, poingnant, silly, funny. All the emotions that come with Christmas and being human.

I'm betting this one will be on this year's Christmas TV and I, for one, will happily relax with a glass of wine and enjoy it again.

Christmas gets frantic and busy and not a time when much writing gets done, and I'm too pooped to even read, but there's nothing more relaxing than just letting someone else tell a story.

I hope you get to watch your favourite this holiday season!

Andra Ashe