Maria Carey says it best: the Christmas season kicks off on November 1st. Christmas music, carols, decorations, gifts, wishes, and of course: Christmas films! But why do we love these movies so much? What makes them magical?
Christmas Films Create Christmas
Just as we binge horror movies around Halloween or self-improvement videos in January, Christmas films also set the scene. When the first one airs on TV, we know the end of the year is near, and so is the holiday season. We all know routines are built around familiar markers, and the same goes for Christmas films. Afternoon Christmas movies are a tradition, and we need them to truly feel the holiday season.
What’s more, watching a Christmas movie every day works like an Advent calendar—the more we watch, the closer we get to Christmas Eve, the festivities, and the gifts! And this Advent calendar is one that both adults and children can enjoy without moderation!
Stereotypes That Comfort
No surprises here: Christmas films aren’t highbrow cinema. They’re more like candy films that we watch without judgment, knowing exactly what we’re looking for. Indeed, these movies are built around familiar tropes that we hope to see.
First, there’s Santa Claus. He often has magical powers but encounters a problem. Then there’s Mrs. Claus, full of compassion and always there to help the hero. We also have the person who LOVES Christmas, and conversely, the one who HATES it. Usually, the plot revolves around a challenge: finding a replacement for Santa, saving Christmas Village, organizing the end-of-year celebrations, and so on.
When watching a Christmas movie, we can’t be disappointed: we know everything will turn out fine from the start.
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Foundational Values
Above all, Christmas films exude love and family. This comes as no surprise, as Christmas is a time for sharing and coming together. In these movies, there’s often a rift between people that needs to be mended before the end credits roll. At Christmas, love always prevails—even when the antagonist wants to sell Santa’s village and turn it into a shopping center!
Christmas films remind us of the differences and efforts we sometimes need to make with loved ones to ensure that connection and love triumph. These efforts are often illustrated by the main character leaving their home to reconnect with family. Christmas provides the chance to reunite and strengthen bonds.
Finally, romantic love is also central in Christmas films, beyond just love for family and friends. Most of the time, the main character is conflicted, alone, widowed, divorced, or going through a breakup, and a new love appears as if by miracle. The Christmas miracle, soothing our hearts!
A Calming Power
More than ever, Christmas films, I dare say, are an anti-anxiety remedy. With uncertain times, increasing crises, and a growing sense of insecurity, Christmas films remain unchanged. They offer a comforting bubble of kindness, generosity, reunions, and well-being. In these plots, hope never dies, and characters finish their quests by pushing themselves to the limit. They help us see how to move forward and regain control of our lives.
Thanks to their positive stories and values, Christmas films help viewers release different hormones, such as oxytocin (the love hormone) and serotonin (the happiness hormone). When I say Christmas films are an anti-anxiety remedy, I mean it!
Additionally, the end of the year often brings winter and chilly temperatures. Christmas films radiate warmth and lift our spirits. They bring light to dark days with the twinkle of Christmas lights! Okay, maybe not if you’re spending the holidays under palm trees, but you see what I mean!
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Christmas Film Picks
Because I love this genre, I can’t end this article without sharing some of my favorites!
Call Me Claus
Lucy’s a producer for a home shopping channel, and she hires the real Santa Claus for the job. Santa has to find his replacement as the real Santa in four weeks, and Lucy is unknowingly the only candidate left. This is probably my favorite Christmas movie, one I try to watch every year. I love the atmosphere, the jokes, and especially Whoopi Goldberg!
The Polar Express
A young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, discovering friendship, bravery, and the Christmas spirit. The Polar Express is a must for the season and a bit different from other Christmas TV movies. It’s beautiful, both in animation and in the messages it conveys!
Santa Baby 1 &2
Mary Class is a highly successful business executive—who just happens to be the daughter of Santa Claus. But when her father falls ill, Mary returns to the North Pole and the life she left behind to take over for her dad and implement her innovative ideas for running Christmas. Another classic for me! I’ll let you watch the trailer of the second movie (I did not find a trailer for the 1st, oops) to get a sense of it!
To Wrap Up
I think you can see how important Christmas films are to me. Beyond the storyline, they are a solid foundation, a reminder of Christmas and everything that surrounds it. I’m not talking about Christmas gifts, but the sharing, joy, and lights that, I hope, will accompany you through the last weeks of the year.
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The post The Healing Magic of Christmas Films: Nourishing the Soul During the Holidays appeared first on askAstrology.
