Holiday season is one of the best times of the year. From decorating the house to decorating cookies, it is a very joyous time. However the holiday season goes hand in hand with final exam time, a season that requires long hard hours of studying and minimal sleep, combined with feelings of self-doubt and stress. Exams certainly tend to dampen one’s holiday mood. Fear not. I have a solution to get you out of those exam blues and loving the holidays as much as the Whos: the perfect Christmas movie! While I do not endorse procrastination, study breaks are necessary. I personally find watching a movie to be more effective than watching an episode of a show, because let’s be honest who only ever watches one episode? So give yourself a well-deserved break and check out one of these holiday movies, guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit!
1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Not only is this a classic Christmas movie, it is also very relatable. What student hasn’t felt a little Grinch like, looking out the window at all the holiday joy while stuck inside studying? Luckily, you don’t have to worry about your heart ending up two sizes too small because The Grinch is on Netflix. The next time you find yourself plotting to ruin everyone else’s Christmas, just put on this movie. I guarantee it will get your heart back to normal size.
2. Elf
“The best way to spread holiday cheer is singing loud for all to hear,” or by watching this movie. I’m sure most of us have probably all watched “Elf” a thousand times, and let’s be honest who hasn’t tried replicating the escalator scene? As far as Christmas movie criteria goes this one meets them all. Classic Christmas scenes, check; elves, check; heartwarming ending, check. Oh and don’t forget about SAAAAANNNTAAA!!!!!!!!! Bonus: it’s on Netflix.
3. Christmas with the Kranks
What do you do when your child isn’t coming home for Christmas? Go on vacation obviously. Unfortunately, university students tend to change their minds a lot, so now it’s a mad scramble to put on the perfect Christmas. This somewhat ridiculous story is sure to make you laugh out loud and get you into the holiday spirit. Pro tip: make sure your parents know that you are coming home for Christmas, so they don’t pull a stunt like the couple in this movie.
4. Love Actually
Ok, so this movie isn’t available on Netflix, (bummer) but it is one of my all-time favourite Christmas movies. It features a star studded cast including, Hugh Grant, Kiera Knightley, Colin Firth, and Alan Rickman (a.k.a Severus Snape). There are multiple overlapping plot lines to keep you interested. Plus, the sound track features some of the most excellent Christmas music. To sum it up, British accents, cute story line, awesome music; really, what else do you need to get in the holiday spirit?
5. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
Probably the most classic Christmas movie of all time. It’s not on Netflix, but it is definitely worth watching. If you like squirrels jumping out of Christmas trees, runway toboggan scenes, and the biggest Christmas light display ever, you need to watch this movie. Even if you have already seen it, it’s worth re-watching to get you into the holiday mood.
Now that you’ve read this list of some of the best holiday movies, there is no reason for you to be a Scrooge this Christmas. Just put on one of these films and I guarantee you will feel holly and jolly in no time!