How To Enjoy The Holidays At A Reasonable Pace
I’ve made a habit of turning on the car radio on November 1 (and every day following) to check all the stations I know to play holiday music - just a quick check on how Christmas-y the world is feeling. While my go-to broadcast wasn’t just yet, I caught the end of an ad that was and I heard one of my favorite holiday phrases: “Tis The Season.”
I love it. What a perfect way to express the simple shift in perspective the world collectively makes starting now. BUT I will be the first to say that going full throttle into Christmas celebrations is an easy way to burn out before Christmas Day. There really is only so many times I can hear that same songs - no matter how many variations there are.
So, as with all things, we approach with the practice of moderation.
I cannot say it enough: celebrating Christmas in November does not mean I am overlooking Thanksgiving. I LOVE Turkey Day. It is probably my favorite holiday. There is food, family, and is the traditional kick off date of Christmas celebration. I.e. the people who weren’t in the spirit before, start on that day. So while I am a total advocate for Christmas celebration before the cranberry sauce is served, I think there is an optimal way to do it so that you’re pacing yourself and incorporating pieces of the holiday season that aren’t so Santa-focused.
Go-To November Christmas Movies
Some “Christmas” movies are a little less Christmas than others. These are great films to watch in November to slow-roll the festivities. We schedule weekly family nights year-round but beginning in November, my family knows that family night = Christmas movie party.
Just to increase engagement and reduce eye rolls, I like to create activities around each of the movie nights, but simply taking the time to be together is meaningful. So don’t over-commit yourself! I’ve included my top four recommendations to watch before Thanksgiving:
Home Alone & Home Alone 2
Run time: 1h 43m / 2h
Activity: Make your own pizza / ice cream sundae bar
Streaming Options: Disney Plus
I’ve included these as a single line item because they are a perfect pairing for a weekend marathon. This has become an annual tradition at our house, and the perfect excuse to wrangle friends and family into the fun.
Frosty The Snowman
Run Time: 22m
Activity: Frosty Bingo
Streaming Options: Hulu
Frosty the Snowman is a charming film that perfectly captures the magic of winter, making it an ideal choice for November viewing. While it's often associated with the Christmas season, its core themes resonate deeply with the spirit of the entire winter season. This is also a great weeknight movie with such a short run time!
Frosty Returns
Run Time: 24m
Activity: Indoor snowball fight
Streaming Options: Amazon Prime Video
Frosty Returns is another great choice for a November viewing. While it's still a winter-themed movie, it offers a unique take on the Frosty story, focusing less on Christmas and more on the magic of snow and friendship.
