Hallmark Christmas movies bring cheer, joy

The Christmas season rolls around right after Halloween and Thanksgiving.  The holly, jolly holiday’s most notable trademarks include music, Christmas trees, Santa Clause and––of course––movies.  “Frosty the Snowman,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” are some of the front-runners, but some holiday films are vastly underappreciated, Hallmark’s Christmas movies being some of them.

These brilliant works of film display love in its most adorable sense and will have the viewer smiling with every ending-scene kiss.  Some may argue these movies are cheesy, and there’s no doubt about that.  But their cheesiness is what gives the viewer that warm feeling inside when they are curled up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate, about to begin their eighth Hallmark film of the day.  

The majority of the movie plots center around relationships.  The storylines can be similar, but they all have something that makes them unique––character development, comedic content, or just how creatively they can integrate the word “Christmas” into their movie title.

While some say these movies are unrealistic, that’s the point.  These movies aren’t aired to show real-life events.  Like most films, they simply want to entertain.  Their sole purpose is to make someone smile, laugh at the funny dialogue, or just escape the stresses of life and Christmas time for a while.

These movies can be watched alone, but it’s better to experience them with a jolly group of people––families, groups of friends, everyone can enjoy them.

“My whole family loves to watch the Hallmark Christmas movies together,” said junior Mary Slade White.  “Out of all of my family members, my dad definitely loves them the most.  He turns them on the day after Halloween.”

The Hallmark movies also provide a stark contrast to what is generally on television.  Too often we see violence and vulgar language displayed on almost every sitcom and reality TV show.  You will be hard-pressed to find anything that isn’t wholesome in the Hallmark Christmas movies.  Centering around genuine family values, they are a nice break from the everyday crude television programs.

I will admit a Freeform Christmas classic like, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” is no doubt entertaining and a must-watch during the holiday season, but watching a hairy, green grinch steal presents from the Whos does not instill the same sense of a content heart as the Hallmark Christmas films.

The best part of these cinematic pieces of art is how excited for Christmas you get while viewing them.  The stage sets always display Christmas decorations and the costume designer never leaves a movie Christmas sweater-less.  Candy canes and Christmas cookies are a must in every film.  Everything about these movies scream “Christmas!”  You can’t possibly avoid being put in the Christmas spirit when watching them, and why would you want to?