There’s something about December that makes even the simplest evenings feel a little magical. The air turns crisper, the sky darkens earlier, and suddenly, curling up on the couch with a hot drink feels essential. For me, this season revolves around one very particular ritual: choosing, prepping for, and watching Christmas movies. Not for the hustle of holiday hype or endless scrolling, but for the deliberate, slow enjoyment of small, cosy moments that make winter evenings gentle.
Christmas movies aren’t just films. They’re bookmarks in the rhythm of the season, markers of memory and mood. And yes, my “list” might make a traditionalist raise an eyebrow—it’s not all classic Christmas cheer. There’s nostalgia, sentiment, and, occasionally, James Bond. But it works. It’s mine.
The Ritual of Choosing Christmas Movies
Deliberate Decisions
There’s a quiet pleasure in choosing what to watch. Gone are the days of flicking aimlessly through endless options, only to end up with something mediocre. Instead, I make a simple, curated list. This is not about volume; it’s about quality and presence.
Every film on the list earns its place. They are choices I want to savour, ones that mark a pause in the busy hum of life. With the baby asleep, this ritual becomes even more precious. The list isn’t just a selection of titles; it’s a declaration of intention. Each night, I know what I’m watching, how I’ll settle in, and exactly what I’ll bring with me into that hour or so of cinematic escape.
My Christmas Movie Watchlist
Mini-List of This Year’s Picks
Before diving into stories and reflections, here’s the short, intentional list for this year:
- It’s a Wonderful Life – sentimental, timeless
- Love Actually – feel-good, homely, humorous
- James Bond Series – chaotic classics, guilty pleasure
These choices are deliberate: short, meaningful, and designed to make each viewing special. Each title earns its place, reflecting comfort, joy, and a little bit of humour.
Simple Comforts and Why Rituals Make It Special
The magic of these evenings isn’t just the movies—it’s the preparation. Blankets folded just-so, pillows arranged for optimal snuggling, and hot drinks carefully made (and occasionally forgotten to cool just right). Even the smallest details—the tiny 15cm bead tree, the biscuit tin with twinkling lights, the quiet hum of the evening—turn watching a film into a full sensory ritual.
Watching is slow, deliberate, and shared. Sometimes a single movie stretches over two nights; sometimes I watch alone in the cinema for a wholly different experience. The key is presence. Mindful enjoyment, intentional choices, and shared comfort make these evenings quietly radical. This is minimalism in action: simple pleasures chosen carefully, rather than endless scrolling or overstimulated chaos.
It’s a Wonderful Life
This film is timeless for a reason. Watching it during our first pregnancy added a new layer of tenderness. The bump we lovingly nicknamed “Zu-Zue” after one of the characters became part of the ritual, a small heartbeat accompanying George Bailey’s ups and downs. The film carries quiet wisdom: our existence matters, our choices ripple outward, and kindness counts.
It’s sentimental without being saccharine, a gentle reminder of the human connections that sustain us. Every time I watch, I feel the room settle a little deeper, the blankets warmer, the hot chocolate somehow sweeter.
Love Actually
Then there’s Love Actually. Unlike the heavy moral weight of It’s a Wonderful Life, this one is homely, funny, and reassuringly simple. I’ve watched it multiple times, and each viewing feels like greeting an old friend. Its charm isn’t in profound lessons but in warmth, in shared humour, in the gentle chaos of human relationships. It’s the kind of film that makes a quiet evening feel like an embrace.
James Bond Series
Yes, James Bond makes the cut too. Not for holiday spirit, certainly, but because sometimes Christmas is about contrast. The action, the extravagance, the suits that never quite make sense—these films offer joyful absurdity. Watching them now, I either laugh or marvel at how they’ve aged. I ponder why anyone thinks Bond is a style icon—maybe the beachwear, yes, but the suits? Not so much.
Still, there’s a rhythm to it, a ritual in its own right: the first gunshot, the opening credits, the playful chaos that Bond brings. No life lessons here, just a chance to appreciate cinema, camp, and spectacle.
Cheeky Thoughts & Humorous Observations
Even as I immerse myself in sentimental classics, there’s room for lightheartedness. Bond’s suits, ageing actors, overplayed Christmas clichés—these quirks provide gentle amusement. They remind me not to take everything too seriously and to embrace the imperfections of both film and life.
For example, observing Bond villains’ elaborate schemes often leaves me wondering: how is anything remotely practical here? The spectacle is enjoyable precisely because it’s absurd. And perhaps, in its own strange way, it mirrors the unpredictability of our lives—chaotic, dramatic, occasionally ridiculous, but entertaining nonetheless.
Gentle Reflections Before the Credits Roll
Slowing down, making intentional choices, and creating rituals around something as simple as movies brings a profound sense of satisfaction. It’s not the films themselves, or even the storylines, but the way they structure our evenings, our comfort, and our attention. Watching becomes a meditation, a way to notice small details, and a gentle celebration of presence.
The act of curating a list, preparing blankets and pillows, and sipping slowly on a hot drink while the world outside darkens is quietly radical. It’s a reminder that joy can be found in the deliberate, in the small, and in the shared. Christmas movies become more than entertainment—they are anchors for mindful living, touchstones for connection, and prompts for reflection.
Gentle Questions for the Road
- What small rituals or moments make your winter evenings feel special?
- Which movie(s) do you return to every year, and why?
- How could you bring more deliberate enjoyment or simplicity into your festive season?
Even if your list isn’t long, even if your Christmas is tiny or unconventional, there is richness in the intention. The warmth of a blanket, the comfort of a shared glance across the sofa, and the quiet magic of a well-chosen movie can make even the coldest, darkest evenings feel illuminated.