Every family has their own sort of holiday traditions, but one of the most underrated traditions happens when decorations are set and hot chocolate cools down. For me, the holidays start once my family and friends get time to sit down in the family room and watch Christmas movies. For us what matters more isn’t the movie, but the time we spend with each other. So although it may be loud, chaotic, and hard to watch the movie, it’s the moment that makes the winter break feel like home.
What makes these nights special isn’t just the movie itself. It’s everything that happens around it. Before the movie even starts, we are already debating the best holiday film to watch as a family. I always try to push for How the Grinch Stole Christmas while one of my friends is trying to watch Home Alone because “it’s nostalgic.” The biggest issue is that half the time when we start a movie, everyone falls asleep beforehand. But overall the point of tradition isn’t about agreeing: It’s about you showing up, laughing, and being together with your family and friends.
But once the movie starts, that’s when the real tradition comes in. During the movie family will always talk during the emotional scenes. Another friend tries quoting every dang word like they were in the movie. But with all that chaos, you get this feeling that the holidays have arrived. Even if the jokes are the same and predictable, they are even funnier when you have a room full of family and friends who all have different reactions at the same time. Holiday movies are great by themselves, but as previously mentioned they are better when turned into a group experience.
Another reason these holiday nights matter so much is the break to give to students. December feels rushed with school work deadlines, sports and the ridiculous amount of family events there are. Sitting down with people you love and care about and watching a movie feels simple and calming in the best possible way. It makes everything slow down. It also reminds you that during the holidays you don’t always have to do something big or expensive for it to be meaningful. Sometimes all you need is a group of people and a classic movie to make the holidays entertaining.
By the end of the night, no one is even really paying attention to the movie; it’s almost like background noise. But what you do remember is the memory of the jokes, the debates, and the comfort knowing that even when we grow up and life gets busier the traditions will remain. What makes the holidays the holidays for me and my family isn’t that it’s perfect, but being with family brings warmth to the house throughout the coldest part of the year. That’s what the holiday season is all about enjoying time with family and your loved ones.
