As November rolls in, the holiday season officially begins, and you can’t help but notice the Christmas lights, decorations, and jolly tunes starting to play in every store. For some, the early onset of the Christmas spirit might feel overwhelming, overshadowing the once-beloved Thanksgiving. While opinions about the two-month-long celebration may vary, I find myself in the camp that doesn’t mind diving headfirst into the holiday season as soon as November arrives. In particular, one guilty pleasure I eagerly indulge in during this time is watching those delightfully cheesy TV Christmas movies that pop up on our screens.
These aren’t your typical “Santa Clause” or “Jingle All the Way” blockbuster yuletide hits. I’m talking about the ones that usually never see the theaters. I’m talking about the gentle, predictable, comfortable, cheesy ones. And I don’t mean cheesy in a mean or negative way. These movies come off as cheesy because they’re so dang pleasant!
- The Appeal of Cheesy Christmas Movies: These modern classics, often found on Netflix or the Hallmark Channel, are a guilty pleasure of mine. They may have similar storylines and predictable plot elements, but that’s what makes them so endearing. From single parents finding love again to clueless heirs discovering the true meaning of giving, these movies are comfort food for the soul. You can easily get lost in their gentle, feel-good narratives without the need for explicit content or violence.
- A Familiar Set of Characters: What would a cheesy Christmas movie be without its set of beloved characters? There’s always a single parent who’s lost their spouse, a clueless heir navigating their way back to their parent’s hometown, a homeless person with a secret Santa Claus identity, a kind-hearted but slightly flawed love interest, and a woman who’s been scarred by Christmases past. It’s as if these characters come together in different combinations, yet somehow, they all feel like family by the end of the movie.
- Lacey Chabert: The Queen of Christmas Movies: While there are many actors and singers who have graced the world of Christmas movies, in my humble opinion, none shine as brightly as the effervescent Lacey Chabert. You might recognize her from her roles in “Mean Girls” or “Party of Five,” but in the world of Christmas movies, she’s the reigning queen. In my house, Lacey Chabert has become synonymous with the holiday season, and according to IMDB, it appears she’s in at least one new Christmas movie every year. Her presence alone is enough to add holiday cheer to any Christmas movie.
- A World of Endless Entertainment: The beauty of these movies lies not just in their predictability but also in their sheer quantity. With so many cheesy Christmas productions available, you can easily find one to suit your mood. Sometimes, I find myself halfway through a movie before I realize I’ve seen it before, and I don’t mind one bit. Just like I’ll never grow bored of egg nog, these films are like old friends, and revisiting them is a comforting tradition.
Tropes in these movies could easily make for a fun Christmas Movie Bingo card. The tropes to look out for:
- The movie has a kid and single parent where the other parent died. “We sure do miss Mom, but the new lady in town is really cute and wears infinity scarves.”
- It’s not a musical, but there’s a musical performance
- It’s always a bit farmhouse chic
- “Oh no, we’re snowed in. Guess we’ll just have to fall in love”
- A rich heir cannot inherit the company unless they go back to Dad’s hometown and learn the gift of giving. “Christmas Inheritance(2017)“
- A homeless person is actually Santa Claus or other mystical giver and has everyone fooled
- There’s a “city couple” who are rich, out-of-touch, and always on their phones. I bet they have a little dog too. “Falling for Christmas(2022)“
- If the main love interest is a man, the whole town loves him. He’d be perfect if it weren’t for that little bit of alcoholism.
- If the main love interest is a woman, she may have a Christmas-related trauma that she’ll only overcome on Christmas Eve.
- An adult man will be a bit too convincing when telling kids that Santa is real. “I Believe in Santa(2022)”
- Coincidentally, our main character also has to deliver a bunch of things by midnight on Christmas Eve!
And the list goes on and on and on! And I’m here to watch all of it.
So, whether you’re firmly in the “Christmas all year round” camp or you prefer to ease into the holiday spirit, there’s no denying the cheesy charm of early Christmas movies. They bring us together, make us laugh at their over-the-top plots, and remind us of the simple joys of the season. And if you’re ever in need of a delightful evening with hot chocolate and a warm blanket, just look up Lacey Chabert. She’s got the market cornered on Christmas, and you’re bound to find a pleasant holiday movie to enjoy. Watch out, Santa; Lacey Chabert’s here to stay!
-Ryan
