That very second the clock strikes midnight on Nov. 31, many scramble to wrap their homes with warm lights and decorative Christmas trees. One common tradition many hold is watching Christmas movies with loved ones to celebrate the holiday season. The ATCA found that 86 percent of Americans share excitement to watch movies this holiday season, according to Fox40 local news.
Many films contribute to family-oriented celebrations that can be turned into tradition. History teacher Andrew Taylor discusses how replicating classical Christmas movie elements may differ from family to family, which is what makes the holidays special in different ways for everyone.
“I think that a lot of families get excited to watch certain Christmas movies together, which can get them in the spirit to put up a tree or go sledding,” Taylor said. “A lot of families have the tradition of watching a specific movie or getting a Christmas tree, which makes it easy to plan ahead for every year to come.”
Nolan Gross ’27 emphasizes how family bonding during the holiday season is so valued within his tradition and it can be shared through welcoming and humorous movies that never get old.
“My family and I watch the movie ‘National Lampoons Christmas Vacation’ each day on Christmas morning after we open presents, and this makes me have a very joyful Christmas spirit,” Gross said. “The main character Clark Griswold decorates his entire house with bright lights and he’s inspired me to do the same when decorating.”
The movie “Elf” starring Will Ferrell is a fan favorite among many, which spreads the positive message of to always be yourself even when times get harder. Even after many watches this movie is intended to create a room full of laughter and spread a unique tradition which Evie Wodzisz ’26 has attempted to craft into her Christmas agenda.
“Every year my family makes a whole bunch of food for Christmas, and that is really similar to what they do in the movie ‘Elf,’ with all the spaghetti,” Wodzisz said. “One time I tried to make the spaghetti with sprinkles and syrup from Elf, but the results were not my favorite, it tasted like weird sugary pasta.”
It is challenging to maintain tradition as time goes on, so watching a familiar Christmas movie can create nostalgia and remind individuals of past and pleasant memories. Taylor expresses how he appreciates Clark Griswold’s efforts in his favorite Christmas movie National Lampoons Christmas Vacation to bring family together despite his mistakes.
“Clark Griswold really wanted to have his family together at Christmas, and I was able to pull that off twice at my house,” Taylor said. “Afterwards, things fell through and people went their own ways as they got older, so I respected Griswold’s struggle to try to do Christmas in what way he felt was right.”
