The holidays are right around the corner, which means traditions that I hold near and dear are coming around, too. These traditions include: replacing all of my drinks for the next month with hot cocoa, wearing a Santa cap everywhere I go and staring in awe at my neighbor’s over-the-top Christmas lights.
But the tradition that I love most during the holiday season is watching my favorite holiday-themed movies. I’ve learned a lot of valuable life lessons from holiday movies, and I feel like I wouldn’t be doing my civic duty if I didn’t pass on these lessons to you. So, without further ado, here are the six most important lessons I have learned from holiday movies.
Make sure everyone in your family is in the car before you leave for the airport. Although Home Alone made light of the situation, it’s no laughing matter. In real life the burglars that are going to try to rob your house aren’t going to be as lovably incompetent as Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern. Plus, a family vacation isn’t fun without everyone.
Just because your mother, teacher and local mall Santa think a toy is too dangerous for you to get for Christmas, doesn’t mean you are not going to get it. All you need is a father who feels that if it was safe enough for him, it’s good enough for you. This is taken from the classic A Christmas Story. A close second lesson from this movie is never put your tongue on a metal pole during winter.
There are still places in this world for real Christmas trees. Now I know what you’re all thinking, “Jeff. I’ve been to your house, and you have a fake tree.” It’s true. Sorry I’m saving the environment by not cutting it down. Take that, know-it-alls. There’s something about a real tree that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Charlie Brown hit the nail on the head when he picked the little tree in his Christmas special.
Be respectful of other people’s religions and customs during this time of year. This lesson originated from Arthur’s Perfect Christmas. The nuts and bolts of this lesson are don’t have a Christmas party on the first day of Hanukkah and expect your Jewish friends to come. It also works in the reverse direction.
“Seeing isn’t believing. Believing is seeing.” This famous line from The Santa Clause is not only a valuable lesson to keep in mind during the holiday season, but for life in general. Just because something seems like a long shot doesn’t mean that it can’t happen. Have a little faith, people.
Now for the final most important lesson (taken from every holiday movie ever made). Spend this holiday season with people you love, whether it be with family, friends or whomever else. That really is the important part of the holiday. Regardless of your religion or creed, spending time with people you love is what is truly important.