It’s December 2, and I’ve already begun my annual tradition of watching my favorite holiday movies. Even though most of 2020 has been memorable for all the wrong reasons, enjoying stories I’ve loved for years brings me peace, entertainment, and a comforting sense of normalcy.
I believe we all have our favorite feel-good films, but what follows are a few of the holiday gems I treasure most.
Christmas in Connecticut – This 1945 black and white film stars Barbara Stanwyck as magazine food and homemaker-tip writer, Elizabeth Lane, a woman who built her career on a series of fibs. In real life she has no skills, no husband, no baby, and no home in Connecticut. When her boss and a recovering soldier are set to spend the holidays with her, Elizabeth needs to come up with a plan…fast! Funny and highly entertaining.
The Bishop’s Wife – This often overlooked film features a stellar cast: David Niven, Loretta Young, and Cary Grant. Niven is a workaholic Bishop who gets a new assistant, in the form of an angel. The Bishop soon learns that what you want and what you need are often two very different things. Heart-tugging with plenty of wry humor, this was remade a few years back. Trust me, you’ll love the original!
The Man Who Invented Christmas – This film is only a couple of years old, but it’s on my list because it appeals to the writer in me. Dan Stevens portrays Charles Dickens, a man who needs a hit story. He conceives the idea to write A Christmas Carol, and his attempts to create it will ring true for every writer. Oh yes, his characters have plenty to say about the process too. Both humorous and poignant, I loved it.
Scrooge – Speaking of Dickens, I adore this version of A Christmas Carol because it’s a musical! You’ll find yourself humming the catchy tunes as Albert Finney learns to love the season in this classic tale.
Are those all of my favorites? Of course not. The list wouldn’t be complete without It’s a Wonderful Life (I cry every time I watch it-bonus tip: the colorized version appears vintage and is surprisingly nice), White Christmas (great songs, dances, costumes, and a heart-warming story), Miracle on 34th Street (original version only, please), Meet Me in St. Louis (Judy Garland was never lovelier, and in my mind the only one who should ever sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”), A Charlie Brown Christmas (perfect for all ages, and if you own it on DVD, it doesn’t matter what station shows it), and A Christmas Story (not only nostalgic but incredibly funny).
Since these last few beauties are so well known, I didn’t put in a more detailed description, but I did provide a link. Sigh. Doesn’t it make you feel better even thinking about these flicks? But wait, there’s more…
Books are another great way to escape from the sometimes harsh realities of life. They also make a wonderful gift for friends or family.
Can you believe this? Somehow, in the midst of pandemic woes, Book 3 of the Becker Family series, Pathway to Home came to life. Wrapping up the series was a tough assignment, but I hope you’ll love the result as much as I do. Let me introduce you to my latest book baby:
An unexpected revelation sends her on a journey…
After her mother’s death, Mira Gordon learns a shocking secret. Could it be true she has a family she never knew existed? Mira is compelled to put her sorrow and her dream of owning a pastry shop on hold, in a venture that will take her from Key West to Kansas City. What she discovers will change her life forever.
Aiden Stewart, a widower and firefighter, struggles to reimagine the future while single parenting his young daughter. When he meets the lovely but determined redhead from the Keys, she catches his eye… and tugs his heart. But Aiden senses there is more to Mira than she’s telling him, and fears the possibility of a new heartbreak.
Can Mira and Aiden move past the pain of grief to claim a new love?
Book 3 of the Becker Family series and a Five-Star Readers’ Favorite!
“I found myself rooting for the characters from the very start and cared so much about them that I wanted to know what happened to them next…Simply gorgeous!”
—Readers’ Favorite
I hope you enjoy reading good books and watching fun favorite movies throughout the holiday season… or anytime.
Tell me. What movies/books are your seasonal favorite?
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Pat Wahler is the award-winning author of I am Mrs. Jesse James, the Becker Family series, and Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas.
Pat loves feedback from readers. If you’ve enjoyed her books, a short review on any retailer website would be much appreciated.
You can follow Pat on most social media platforms.
6 Responses
I loved this! I’ve been thinking about “Christmas in Connecticut” all morning–I was hoping to watch it last night, but I fell asleep first…
The “Bishop’s Wife” is my hands-down favorite, followed in quick succession by “Holiday Inn” and “White Christmas.” But I also love “It’s a Wonderful Life” and the original “Miracle on 34th Street.” I haven’t seen several of the films you listed, including “Scrooge” (though “A Christmas Carol” starring Reginald Owen is one of my favorites) and “The Man Who Invented Christmas.” Since I love Dan Stevens, I think I need to see that one. “Christmas with the Kranks” is one of my eldest’s favorites, so we always watch that one.
Not to be too long-winded, but I love the animated shows, too, including Charlie Brown and any of the Rankin-Bass shows (with the exceptions of “The Little Drummer Boy” and “Nestor, the Long-Eared Donkey,” both of which make me cry, and not in a good way).
Merry Christmas and have a happy holiday season!
And many congratulations on the release of your new book!!
Thanks so much, Amy!
Every film you named is a winner. I almost put Holiday Inn on my list, but the post kept getting longer and longer and longer, LOL. You definitely must see The Man Who Invented Christmas. From one writer to another, I promise you’ll love it!
Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🙂
My favorite Christmas movie is “Love, Actually.” It has a jam-packed stellar cast, has many different story lines–each one fabulous, and is delightful. (There is a bit of nudity early on.) If you have not seen it, do so.
And congratulations on the new book. Does that make 94 now? 😉
Great to hear from you, Sioux! I have watched Love, Actually. For me it was okay, it just didn’t seem as Christmassy as I thought it would be. You’re right, though, the cast is great!
LOL, don’t I wish it was number 94! This is my fourth novel, and sixth book if you count the Christmas collection and picture book. 🙂
Hope you have a fantastic holiday season – despite all our worldly woes.
We watched a new Christmas movie on Netflix this year called Jingle Jangle–it was very cute and musical! 😉
Since I love Christmas and musicals, I’ll have to check this one out. Thanks, Margo!