Last year, guess when Walmart started advertising Christmas decorations: July. I don’t know what your body does with that ludicrous information, but my body feels like it does when my iPhone continues to autocorrect my wife’s name, every… single… time. How long will it take it to realize that it’s wrong?
Ready or not, the challenges of handling the holidays start earlier and earlier. So we must choose early what character traits we want to portray during the holidays. Here are 5 things I’ve learned from Christmas movies that make handling the holidays better for the whole family.
1. Christmas Vacation: Be a Griswold, not a Grinch.
Clark Griswold was a dad who believed Christmas decorations made the holidays magical. If your wife and kids love Christmas lights, put up Christmas lights and do it with a magical attitude. But you don’t have to be one of the 18,400 people who end up in the emergency room to make your kids happy. I have found inflatables are a good bang for your buck and take moments to install. Pro tip: If your wife thinks inflatables are tacky, put them in the back yard or in your kid’s room.
2. Frozen: Pull an Elsa—let it go.
While I agree with my editor that Frozen is not a Christmas movie, the point it makes is worth the stretch. Elsa sang a song that was replayed at my house ad nauseum, “Let it Go.” The family calendar will be full of functions, get-togethers, and extended family. These times are special and important, but they can also be exhausting. Guaranteed there will be petty words, accidents, and challenges. We all need to have more grace with each other. So when you can, just let it go.
3. Elf: Be like Buddy! Spread Christmas cheer.
My wife would say that I have played Elf ad nauseum. She doesn’t love that movie as much as me and the kids. Pray for her. Buddy was excited about all things Christmas. You don’t have to make rocking chairs out of furniture, but be cheesy, make memories, and do the unexpected. If nothing else, have a great attitude. Fake it ’til you make it, buddy.
4. Jingle All the Way: Be prepared, unlike Harold.
Workaholic Howard Langston forgets his son’s Christmas wish for a Turbo Man action figure. While purchasing Turbo Man with plenty of time to spare would have made a terrible movie, it’s the right move for us. I’ve learned the hard way that waiting too long to buy gifts can come back to bite me. I’ve learned to put buying presents early in my calendar and take notes for ideas throughout the year.
5. It’s a Wonderful Life: Be like George Bailey (at the end of the movie).
My wife has played It’s a Wonderful Life ad nauseum. But I must admit, it has a timeless message. At times, we all feel like George, carrying the weight of so many people’s worlds on our shoulders. We have regrets of things we haven’t gotten to experience, only see our present failures, and worry about the future. Let’s work hard to keep perspective of what is important: how we love our people.
Sound off: How do you make handling the holidays easier?
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “What is your favorite thing about Christmas?”