My Top 7 Holiday Movies to Beat Holiday Homesickness

Thanksgiving is near, and while I’ll be celebrating with my expat family this weekend, it’s still hard to shake the sadness of missing out on the traditions and family at home. Homesickness is a common theme when you’re living abroad, and can be even more so during the holidays.

Enter…Christmas movies! Blocking out the pain with a film is arguably escapist, but still quite enjoyable. It’s amazing how the familiar scenes or lines can take you back to a place of comfort, even when your surroundings are different. Here are a few movies that have always brought me holiday cheer, whether I was home on Thanksgiving Break or settling in for Christmas.

Do we share any favorites?

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1. Although the king of British Christmas classics seems to be “Love, Actually”, my favorite from across the pond has always been Bernard and the Genie. Think: sad, spineless, sweet man finds a genie and together they discover the magic of Christmas–and friendship (aaaaww). Honestly, I don’t even know how this movie got onto my family’s radar. I’ve never heard of it anywhere else. And yet, Christmas can’t be complete without at least one evening spent with Bernie.

2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the original cartoon) —Obviously I’m not alone in finding this movie a Christmas classic, but I must pay my dues. I’ll admit, I went through a phase where I was “too cool” for a cartoon (time utterly wasted, I’m sure). But when I was re-watching it with my niece and nephew during my last Christmas in the States, I was in a bigger fit of giggles than they were. Normally I would brush off the idea of a cartoon off, but I love how something so simple can hit the spot so well.

3. Classic Claymations–I’ve lost count of all those claymations that make the rounds on ABC family come November. And honestly, I couldn’t tell you the names of most of them. But for somebody who grew up loving Wallace and Gromit and Christmas…? Nothing could get better than this. There were many a winter afternoon which found me becoming one with my couch and singing along with the jerky clay animations. The actual name of my favorite film is the 1974 classic, “The Year Without a Santa Claus”, but it will always be known to me as “that Heat Miser movie”. I can’t even remember most of the plot…mostly just that fiery-haired, grumpy man and his showstopping number.

4. Little Women—I was intimidated by the size of this novel when I got it for my 14th birthday, but now its characters are familiar friends I surround myself with every Christmas. Even though the story spans years and seasons, it opens at Christmas, just as the women of the March family give up their Christmas meal to a family in need. Of course, there was no way to fit everything from the beloved book into the movie, but I believe that the film adaptation manages to bring all of the feelings and truths of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” to the screen. I don’t know why I always come back to this story (besides that baby-faced Christian Bale). Maybe it’s because I’ve never had a sister. Maybe it’s because the powerhouse Winona Ryder/Jo gives enough inspiration to fuel weeks of productivity. But maybe it’s because of the timeless advice: To grow with grace and to always try to be the best you can be. And to place the greatest value on the important things in life—family, patience, kindness, and love.

5. A Muppet Christmas Carol—Hands down, this was the #1 film of my childhood when when Christmastime rolled around. I still remember the slight thrill of cracking open that fat VHS cover, fast forwarding through the commercials, and settling in for approximately 90 minutes of Christmas hilarity with my felt-covered friends. If you do nothing else this season, do yourself a favor and let these puppets bring Christmas Joy into your hearts. When I watch AMCC it truly does feel like Christmas. Gonzo and Rizzo make for more entertaining narrators than Dickens, and when the heart of Michael Caine’s Scrooge finally melts, yours does too. It’s nothing short of cathartic. And the soundtrack is bangin.

6. Groundhog Day—Okay, hear me out: I realize it’s not technically a Christmas movie, but, 1: there’s a lot of snow, 2: there’s a valuable lesson about caring for others, and 3: that groundhog kind of looks like a mini reindeer anyways. And anyways, who couldn’t use a reminder to keep the Christmas Spirit even through bleak February?

7. Anything on Hallmark—I have yet to find a Hallmark Christmas movie that’s not at least a little cringeworthy, but that’s part of the fun, isn’t it? Snuggling up while you roll your eyes at predictable plot twists, throwing popcorn at the screen, cackling at the cheesey dialogue…and secretly loving it deep down the whole time. I don’t even try to fight the fuzzy feelings anymore. If I need to disappear into a world of secret princes or ski resorts, I know right where to go!

Cringing…but I can’t look away.

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So there you have it! My master list of holiday films that can usher in the Christmas Spirit and keep the homesickness at bay. I can’t wait to dive into one of these when those winter nights just get too cold.

I know each family has their own traditions, and I would love, love, love to hear your holiday flicks! What are YOUR classic holiday movies?

Let me know in the comments below!