On the eighth day of parenting – Family Christmas movies

Christmas movies.  I don’t think you can beat them if you want a bit of festive cheer.  Although I do struggle with encouraging N to actually sit down with me and watch some.  But this time of year is perfect for hunkering down under blankets, beside fairy lights, with the smell of winter candles nearby,  to watch family Christmas movies together.

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There’s so many Christmas movies to choose from.  I have to admit to starting to watch them as soon as they’re on the tv – usually November on Channel 5 and the movie channels.  Not the big blockbuster specials, but the quirky, odd and rom com versions that go straight to tv.  I like to play ‘spot the Christmas movie star’ because there’s usually a few actors who get wheeled out in several films.

If you’re still to be convinced about the feelgood of watching Christmas films, then check out my list of films by theme.  I’ve split them into animated and classics.

Animated Christmas movies

• Arthur Christmas – high tech Santa delivery, with the unlikely hero Arthur needing to complete the mission.  If kids like spaceships, this is a great film for them
• Polar Express – dancing train conductors in the first few minutes gets children jumping up and about, although N has refused to watch this all the way though – it’s too scary evidently!
• The Nutcracker – we found this last year (amongst a whole raft of Nutcracker films and tv shows). It’s a bit odd and not the best animation, but nice to introduce children to the Nutcracker story (plus it’s quite short)
• The Snowman / The Snowman and the Snowdog – classic Raymond Briggs stories translated to the screen. Perfect for an annual tradition and a little sad
• Father Christmas – great for laughs, again, it’s another Raymond Briggs adaptation.
• Muppets Christmas Carol – because who doesn’t want to introduce the kids to characters from their childhood

Classic traditional Christmas movies

• Santa Claus the movie – a bit old fashioned, but I remember seeing this at the cinema and loving it.
• Home Alone – lots of laughs slapstick style, especially for parents who worry that Kevin’s parents could one day be them.
• Miracle on 34th Street – Kris Kringle needs to prove himself to a little girl
• Fiddler on the Roof – for old fashioned musical fun
• Holiday Inn –old fashioned musical featuring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire
• Elf – giant elf searches for his dad
• Nativity – for anyone with children doing nativities
• Christmas With the Kranks
• Deck the Halls – Danny Devito trying to outdo everyone’s lights

I can’t leave the romcoms out but the favourites have to be:

• Love Actually – love and laughs
• The Holiday – makes me cry and beautiful people in
• Four Christmases – it has Reese Witherspoon (girl crush)

If you’re a fan of romantic Christmas movies, in the UK, you can now get the Hallmark channel on Amazon Prime. If you’re not on Prime you can sign up for the 30 day free trial* and then the Hallmark Channel (there’s a 7 day free trial, then it’s pay per month).

What are your favourite family Christmas movies?

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