At least once a year I get to shout to the world, “I LOVE CHRISTMAS!”
I love the change in the seasons, the chill in the air. I love the smells; the neighbor’s chimney wafting out the scent of burning wood and cinnamon apples baking in the oven. I love the pine trees, sap and all because they smell like Christmas.
And don’t forget the flickering lights and the brightly clothed packages under the tree. Yup, Christmas rolls around and I’m a goner. So, I will share a secret with you…I’m a schmalzy Christmas movie junkie. If I didn’t have such a busy schedule, I’d probably just put a fire in the fireplace and curl up on the sofa with Christmas movie after Christmas movie after Christmas movie.
Hallmark is the King, or maybe the Queen of “feel good” holiday movies. They started out by adding a few new ones every year. This year they have really stepped up their game and many of the other TV channels have followed suit. Hallmark now has two channels and at Christmas they need both of them just to keep up. UP Channel has some newer holiday movies as well as ION, Lifetime and of course the network channels. I’m sure there are more but you get the picture. (Pun intended).
My favorite of the older Hallmark movies is Season for Miracles. I actually purchased it a few years ago (yes you can purchase Hallmark movies on DVD) so I could watch it in the off season. Last year they introduced North Pole, a fun family movie with a sequel this year called North Pole, Open for Christmas. You might want to grab the popcorn and the grand kids for that one.
You might ask, how do I know when they are showing? Well, it has already started in November! There are so many that there are now calendars online that give you the when and where. Just to name a few, countdownuntilchristmas.com, christmastvschedule.com and chiff.com. Go online and print it off or just turn on the TV and check it out.
I personally believe that The Nativity Story is a beautiful celebration of the season and should be on your list.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the ones that will be in the theaters this year. Get bundled up, let someone else make the popcorn and head to your local theater on one of your days off. You’ll find Love the Coopers, The Peanuts Movie, A Christmas Story and It’s a Wonderful Life in select theaters. Hopefully, somewhere on the big screen you’ll be able to catch one of my favorites, The Polar Express.
Anyway you like your Christmas entertainment fare, Tis the Season for fun, family and food—the Milk Duds and Junior Mints variety. Whether it’s at home or in the theater, Christmas movies are a great way to keep your priorities straight, family, friends and of course the Reason for the Season, Faith.
As always, I cherish your comments and the privilege of writing for you another year. Chastings@rockcliff.com
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