Finally! Something one of my characters and I agree on! Jade Cavendish from the Beachtown Detective Agency and I both like White Christmas. I guess it shows that all that nostalgic stuff can bring generations together. And I think that’s pretty cool. On the other hand, while I’ll admit to at least be tempted to watch White Christmas during the off season, Jade is a purist. She says, no way, no how. Oh well. She’s young. She’ll mellow. Maybe.

The Hallmark movie, Hitched for the Holidays, is one of my favorites. Two singles pretend to be together over the holidays so their families won’t pressure them to find a mate. One is Jewish and one is Christian, and hilarity ensues as they both try to fit in with the other’s family. Yes, this is a movie I’d watch anytime.

Sarah and I are both suckers for the same two movies that are only shown in December: White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life. From White Christmas, we both enjoy mimicking the “Sisters” number, to the annoyance of others, with our own sisters. We also find the “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” number peaceful. There’s something about the ending of It’s a Wonderful Life, when even George Bailey’s brother arrives to give back to his big brother, that brings tears to Sarah and my eyes, which are happily dried by the ringing of a bell signifying that the angel got his wings. 

Miranda Trent’s favorite holiday movie is The Miracle on 34th Street, while mine is Die Hard. I know, I know. You can object that it’s not actually a holiday movie. Still, I have a special place in my writer’s heart over the lessons to be learned about story structure from this classic. I actually have a hard copy of the script. Fascinating.

My favorite holiday movie is A Charlie Brown Christmas followed by almost any of the A Christmas Carol films (Scrooged is one of my favorites of the lot, as is the Mr. Magoo version). Nina Fleet likes all these same movies, but she can’t get through the holiday season without watching Die Hard at least once (okay, me, too…as my husband always says, it’s not Christmas until Franz Gruber falls off Nakatomi Plaza, though I’ll watch this one any time of the year that it’s on). 

My sleuth Tabby Winslow and her boyfriend Quig watch a ton of Hallmark Christmas movies in December and in July. There’s a sameness to them that they enjoy, a comforting journey of seeing a person figure out what it is they really want and personal growth through connecting with others. Like this pair, I also enjoy Hallmark Christmas movies in July and December. Also, I used to enjoy star-studded Christmas music shows. I don’t even know if they have those anymore! I truly love the traditional holiday themes of love, hope, peace, and joy, along with seasonal music.

For both of us, it’s White Christmas, with Miracle on 34^th Street (the original version) a close second. Anastasia’s sons (as well as my own) are partial to A Christmas Story. Watching always begins Thanksgiving weekend because that’s when we decorate the house and set up the tree.