Christmas Film/TV

Hi everyone,

I'm trying my best to get through all of my Christmas blog ideas. I made a list of at least 20! One key thing I find everyone does each Christmas is mark out the key films and tv shows they want to watch over the season. Whether that's through tv guides like Radio Times or by setting reminders on their tv.

One thing I know people are anxious to know is whether Smithy said yes or not to Nessa and what happened on that infamous fishing trip. Will we find out? Who knows?

Here are our top 10 Christmas films and TV shows that are a must see this festive season.

1. Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special

   We'd be silly to miss this! It's the penultimate episode to end all episodes. I have missed Pam's laughter, Mick's wit, Nessa's bluntness and more. I hope Smithy said yes to Nessa's proposal more than I hope to know about the fishing trip. It would also be fun to see Pam, Mick, Gavin and Smithy sing 'Step Into Christmas' again. It was absolutely hilarious! But who knows what will happen. The trailer is available on BBC I Player.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0k439lf/gavin-stacey-trailer-gavin-stacey-the-finale

2. Call The Midwife Christmas Special

This year we get not one but two episodes of Call The Midwife and I am so excited! Now I came very late to the party when it comes to Call The Midwife but I have been an avid fan since I started watching in 2020. We were left on a bit of a cliff-hanger with Trixie and Matthew so I do wonder what will happen there. Trixie does deserve all the happiness in the world but equally she's a fantastic nurse and midwife. I mean who could forget when she stood up to the nursing council and made them keep Nonnatus house open for another year. I also hope that Cyril finds love again as we aren't really sure if Lucille is coming back or not? I am quite puzzled about them. I really wish they would get back together- they are such a great couple.

3. Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special

   Okay so I know Mrs Brown's Boys is not to everyone's taste but I really love it. It reminds me of my Irish family and how we always have good craic when we see each other. We are scattered around the world a bit but events like weddings, birthdays etc. are a chance for us to get together and catch up. It also reminds me of how it's important to spend time together as family at Christmas. Brendan O' Carroll is hilarious. Mrs Brown herself has been in many a sticky situation over the years but her and her family always come through. And who could forget the infamous Christmas trees over the years??

4. Elf

   Elf is a classic Christmas film. Will Ferrell plays Buddy and we can't help but get into the Christmas spirit by how excited Buddy is about Christmas. One of Buddy's classic lines is 'We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: Candy, Candy Canes, Candy Corn and Syrup'. To be honest, all that sugar would make me feel sick. But the best line for me from the film that really gets me into the Christmas spirit is 'The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear.' I am blessed to be a soprano- I am apart of my church band and after a break I am back singing with them this coming Sunday at our Carols by Candlelight Carol Service.

   
   

5. Love Actually

   Love Actually is one of my favourite Christmas films. It has moments of joy, sadness and laughter. One of my favourite scenes is when Olivia Olsen who plays Joanna sings 'All I Want for Christmas is You'. She has got such an incredible voice, it warms my heart every time I see this scene. And who could forget Colin Firth as Jamie learning Portuguese to tell Aurelia that he loves her so as to help with the language barrier. I'm just not sure about Hugh Grant's dance in Number 10 Downing St. He's not the nicest of person's in general so I tend to take the mickey out of him when that scene comes on. My husband thinks Love Actually is A. Too predictable and B. Too Cheesy. But he watches it with me because he loves me.

   
   

6. Miracle on 34th Street

   Now I haven't seen the original version of Miracle on 34th Street but I have seen the version with Mara Wilson and it is just magical and breath taking. To see that a big community of people would stand with Santa when he gets accused of not being the real thing. It only ignites the belief in Santa Claus. And who could say no to a young Mara Wilson. It warms my heart so much this film that I watch it every chance I get at Christmas.

   
   

7. Christmas with the Kranks

   Christmas with the Kranks is on the funniest Christmas films I've ever seen. I mean skipping Christmas to go on a cruise to getting a tan and Botox in preparation for the cruise in question. Then suddenly in a panic because your daughter is coming home for Christmas with her Fiancé- cue the whole street of neighbours gathering together to ensure a Christmas Eve feast for the annual Kranks Christmas Eve party and to ensure they have a Christmas Day meal. It really does remind me that no matter what there are people around you who will help you when you're in need of it especially at Christmas.

8. Nativity

   Nativity is another favourite of mine. It's a film full of joy, hope and changes one man's opinion of Christmas to be a happy one. Debbie Isitt is the director and she had created the film based on a nativity play she saw in Coventry where the first film is set. Having a nativity play at Christmas is quite common in schools across the UK and worldwide. Nativity shows the nativity story in a creative, modern and contemporary light and it's incredible. My family love it too and it is a firm favourite with the young children in both mine and my husband's family.

9. Home Alone

   Christmas isn't Christmas until you watch Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. A traditional American home decked out for Christmas with lots of lights, a big Christmas tree and lots of garlands around. Even though Kevin is home alone in the first movie, he does everything to protect his family home from the Wet Bandits. And he takes care of Mr Duncan's Toy Store from the robbers in the first movie as well as bringing joy to the lady who looks after the pigeons in Central Park by giving her a turtle dove for Christmas in the second movie. It just goes to show that doing a good deed at Christmas does bring joy to the recipient and knowing we don't expect anything in return brings joy to us both.

   
   

10. The Snowman/The Polar Express

    For our last pick we couldn't decide between The Snowman and The Polar Express so we decided to include them both. The Snowman is such a classic and has one of the most famous pieces of music to come out at Christmas time. 'Walking in the Air' is a peaceful, imaginative piece of music that I feel so relaxed and at peace when listening to it. It was sung by Peter Auty for 'The Snowman' but it is popular belief that Aled Jones was the original given Peter Auty wasn't credited for it. If however you listen to both versions on YouTube for example there is actually a clear difference between both. Having said that it is still a lovely Christmas film. Now The Polar Express is loved by all, the music alone is incredible. Tom Hanks is amazing at voice over work and he really helps to bring the film alive alongside the children. It's been so popular that it has encouraged families to take a steam train ride at Christmas- there is even one sorely dedicated to The Polar Express where families travel in their pyjamas. Our eldest nephew has been on it and he thoroughly enjoyed it.

So those are our picks for the top 10 Christmas TV and Christmas films to see. Do you agree with our picks? Are we missing something? Do let us know!

Lily xxxx