This season brings light and happiness to so many multiple facets of our lives. The smell of holly and gingerbread int he air. The merry sleigh bells on street corners collecting for charity. The ever present jolly Christmas tunes reminding us what a lovely time of year it is. But one of my absolute favorite things about this countdown to the big holiday is the made for TV movies that infect every channel from Lifetime to ABC Family.
Sure, there are the classic Christmas movies that we all know and love. Who can resist Tim Allen growing a beard and a belly in The Santa Claus? Whose heart doesn't melt when The Grinch returns all of the presents to Whoville and breaks the heart-o-meter? Who doesn't want to help Buddy the Elf spread Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear? However, what I find cinematically magical about this time of year is the sheer amount of under appreciated Christmas movies out there. Are the plots deep and dynamic? No. Are the actors going to win Oscars for their moving performances? Probably not. But, that doesn't change the giddy feeling I get when I spy a new piece of holiday movie magic on my DVR.
Here's the basic plot of any of these movies. Someone is getting a little blue because something in their life is unsatisfactory around the holidays. But then amidst the lights and magic of Christmas, they meet someone who changes everything. Suddenly, the main character feels the merriment of December. They want to ice skate, and drink hot chocolate, and see Santa. Somehow a kid gets involved who thinks Santa's magic can cure anything. But, uh-oh, a problem arises. There's conflict. Suddenly, it's looking like it's going to be a blue blue Christmas. Right when the main character is losing faith in everything about this cursed time of year, Christmas cheer pulls through and they're swept off their feet in the snow. They fall in love and live happily ever after. The End.
The sap in these movies is so potent, I feel like I can almost taste it. Want to see for yourself? Here are some of my personal favorites...
1. The 12 Dates of Christmas
^seriously, that one is awesome, if you watch just one, make it this one
2. Holiday in Handcuffs
3. Dear Santa
4. Holly's Holiday
5. The Mistletones
^I haven't actually seen this one yet, but I'm so excited to!
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