At the beginning of December, my attention, like many others, always turns to Christmas. Perhaps it’s because the first weekend in December always signals when our decorations go up, or maybe it’s because of all the TV Christmas adverts, the abundant high street illuminations, or maybe it’s because I’m a complete sucker for the festive season. Whatever the reason for my exuberant Yule tidings, there’s so much to love about Christmas. The hearty, delicious, never-ending food, the romantic warm glow pouring through people’s windows or the benevolence, generosity and general good nature of most people you encounter has an infectious energy you can’t help but be pulled along by. But there’s one more element to Christmas that I crave above all others. For me, it’s all about the Christmas movies.

Sure, thanks to DVDs and streaming services, you can watch a Christmas movie any day of the year. But there’s a reason why most of us wouldn’t put on The Snowman in June! It doesn’t have the same magic, the same sense of awe and wonder, and it never brings a family together, quite like it does when you have that shared time off, that so many of us are lucky enough to enjoy over the holiday season. There are, of course, certain ‘Christmas’ films which do resonate throughout the year (more of that later). But generally, if I’m watching a snow-clad film, either set in winter, or has seasonal references throughout, I’m going to save these until December.

So, my festive films begin in earnest on 1 December. I’ll have my firm favourites, which I watch every year (again, more of that later), but I always make room for new movies or recommendations from friends and colleagues. I actually make a point of shelving all other TV in the pursuit of watching festive films everyday in the 25 days leading up to the big day and the seven days afterwards, while I still feel joyful and before the New Year wind down begins. That way, in January, when I’m trying to hibernate, I’ve got loads of TV stored up to watch.

Such is my pedantry on this matter, I’ll schedule the best time to watch my favourite films. ie the weekend when I don’t mind falling asleep on the couch, or family friendly ones when my 12-year-old daughter is awake or omitting ones with Will Ferrel or Bill Murray when my wife, who hates both actors, is in control of the TV. Long story short, my next 31 days of movies is planned in advance. Not-with-standing any films that come out in the cinema around this time, which always throws my best-laid-plans up the chimney. So, what’s on my watch list this year?

For this I’ve put them in order. Not the order I’ll be watching them, but my order of preference. My firm film favourites. Now, clearly this list is very bespoke and obviously set up to begin a conversation and frustrate many of you. Not least, what determines a Christmas movie. But, to me it counts if the film was either released at or set during Christmas or has the festive theme leading up to or throughout the film, it counts. So, let’s put this to bed right now. Die Hard is a Christmas movie! As is Die Hard 2. So is Trading Places, Edward Sissorhands and Home Alone 1 & 2. You can watch these particular films at any time of the year, but to me, they’re best enjoyed at Christmas, when nature intended. Now we’ve settled that, on to my list. There are a couple in there, I chewed on for a while, such as: which ‘A Christmas Carol’ to include. But this feels likemy complete list.

• Elf
• National Lampoons Christmas Vacation 
• Die Hard 1, 2 & 4.
• Scrooged.
• Home Alone 1 & 2
• Gremlins
• Trading Places
• A Christmas carol – 1951 Alastair Sim

• It’s a wonderful Life
• Dr Seuss’ The Grinch
• The Santa Clause
• The Snowman & The Snowman and the Dog
• Jingle all the way
• Deck the Halls
• Edward Sissorhands
• Klaus

• Santa Claus the Movie
• Polar Express
• Jack Frost
• Miracle on 34th Street (1994) 
• The Christmas Chronicles
• Authur Christmas
• Love Actually
• Krampus
• Red One

I bet there are some I’ve missed, and I invite you to get in touch at editor@cssc.co.uk to share your favourites, and perhaps I’ll update my list.

Whatever you end up watching this December, I hope you find some wonderful stories that bring you together with your loved ones.  – Richard Hemley.

 December Cinema Releases

I mentioned earlier, I always save time in December to visit the cinema. With some extra time off and colder weather, taking my daughter to the cinema or even going alone, is a fantastic way to avoid the Christmas shopping crowds, keep warm and find my festive spirit.

Apart from the summer, now is always the best time for new releases. And they’re not all overly saccharine, winter-fuelled fun. You get some awesome stand-alone films, which may feel especially welcome if you need a break from the frivolities.

Some highlights for me, which are either already out and still available to watch or coming up this month, the theme this year is ‘sequels’. But don’t let that put you off. There are some top movies coming up, that help either complete the saga or progress the stories you love.

• Wicked: For Good – sequel to the hugely popular film adaptation of the stage show, Wicked.
• Zootropolis 2 – a family friendly Disney animated sequel, voiced by Ginnfer Goodwin and Jason Bateman.
• Avatar: Fire and Ash – the next instalment of the James Cameron epic, sure to spawn future films.

Brave the cold this winter to enjoy an epic movie

To enjoy new releases with friends and family, remember to book your tickets through CSSC and save up to 25%. You can purchase up to eight tickets every month, which you can buy in advance for yourself or others.

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They’ll love the year-round gift that keeps on giving, long after the tinsel has been packed away.

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