Christmas culture!
For those who like to get into the Christmas spirit, these are my Christmas Culture recommendations based on my entirely subjective and undeniably #basic opinions.
Best film
Love, Actually. Controversial in some quarters, but nothing says Christmas to me like strangers running around London (including Prime Minister Hugh Grant!) exchanging witty banter. Sure, some of the storylines are a bit cringe through a 2019 prism (I mean, not the PM and Natalie love story—let them be happy), but it’s just such a good time and I have never not wanted to watch it, especially during December.
Honourable Mentions go to The Santa Clause, which for me is the one I remember best from the Christmases of my childhood, The Holiday for star power and Jude Law as a widower dad, and Elf for New York City at Christmas fun.
Best television Christmas
The OC (i.e. the ‘Chrismukkah’ episodes). So inclusive, so ahead of its time. Chrismukkah makes for some hilarious cultural commentary, but more than anything what the show, surprisingly given its location and cast, does best is warmth and sincerity.
Parenthood. Perhaps a lesser known show, but the season 4 Christmas episode in which the series’ most reliably annoying but loveable mum, Christina, looks likely to succumb to complications from treatment for breast cancer is moving and incredibly poignant. Plus, the show’s famously envy-inducing house designs are on full Christmas display, so stay for that.
Best song
All I Want for Christmas is You. No competition here. A bona-fide classic, written by the one and only Mariah Carey in 1994, it’s impossible (for me at least) not to love.
Merry Christmas and enjoy!