Last year, my dad gave me a book. Now, I use the term “gave me” loosely when in all reality, he probably intended to lend it to me, and I have yet to return it. Sorry, dad! The book in question, Christmas in the Movies, written by Jeremy Arnold, captures the nostalgia of many holiday classics while detailing backstories behind the creation and production of each one. The book catalogs well-known favorites while introducing the reader to a list of others that have flown under the radar, making it an excellent gift for the classic movie lover.
With Christmas break around the corner, I know there will be a little more free time on our schedule, allowing for curling up with a classic Christmas movie or two. I cannot wait to introduce these to our kids. However, I want to add an extra element to these classics and combine them with activities that get us out of the house and moving. Maybe you feel the same way? If so, you will appreciate my list.
Here are my top 5 Christmas movies pulled from Christmas in the Movies with accompanying activities to add a touch of magic to your holiday calendar.
Family traditions fascinate me. I am curious about why certain practices carry staying power while others fall by the wayside with each generation. Holiday traditions, in particular, cause me to question. For example, our 12-foot tree sits in our current home in our entryway because this is the only ample space. However, due to sheer comfort, we enjoy opening our gifts in our living room, so our simple solution was to have the kids pile all the presents on a huge blanket and drag it from the entryway to the living room every Christmas morning. What began as a solution to a problem transformed into a tradition we carry out each year. No matter our location, they pile the gifts on a blanket and pull them over to the couch. It is the practice that must occur before the unwrapping can commence.