I have surrendered to rosy cheeked holiday love. That is the kind on the small screen. Romantic comedies set during the Christmas season are utterly delightful. I’ve avoided them, they seemed to saccharine even for me, an admitted hopeless romantic. Love, commitment, passion, romance, I am enamored by it all. I hope to experience them in a healthy attachment. It seemed like a bad cliché to also fangirl for Christmas romcoms.
Let’s be real though, I’m primed for them. This Christmas (2007) and The Best Man Holiday (2013) focus on family, blood and chosen, but romance is ever present. Nothing seems sweeter than love at Christmastime. Avoiding the plethora of offerings felt forced. I’m diving in this year. My hopeless romantic is glad that I’m absorbing material to light a spark. Life may not imitate art but leave room for it. Be open to the opportunities, at least I can enjoy a cute story if nothing else.
We Three Kings (2024) is the primer for this holiday season. Following a patriarch playing matchmaker and fixer. While watching I realized I like predicting the plot and how the characters will create chaos. Is the protagonist getting in their own way? Who’s the true antagonist? Who am I rooting for in a love triangle? Even if my pick doesn’t pan out, the preference stands (I will happily take my own James from Meet Me Next Christmas (2024)). How many people do I need to root against? How will the characters resolve the main conflict?
I cheer on or scold the film players, much like I’ll do on Christmas Day flipping between the slate of NBA and NFL games, with a Beyoncé concert in the middle. Hurry to make it to parliament in time to save the kingdom! Flippantly discounting the usefulness of social media, now we have to deal with the wishy-washy high school ex for another 20 minutes! A good amount of time is spent blocking their own blessings. My other favorite plot point is the inevitable betrayal. How will the lovers or soon to be lovers overcome? It’s all going to work out, the how is usually obvious but no less joyful to watch.
That’s the best part, clean and simple remedies for bad behavior. Disgraceful persons swiftly face consequences. People who shouldn’t be in the character’s lives bow out semi-gracefully and make space for the good. Old, strict codgers soften. There is always hope and joy at the end. Hallmarks of the season, I still feel them in spite of commercialism and capitalism. I love this season, I love Christmas. The trees, ornaments, lights, gifts, the general magic. The joy of the season hasn’t lost its shine for me. I am letting sweetness and simplicity back into my life.
I can and need to enjoy sweet, simple things. We all are and should take advantage. A holiday romance is all the good stuff rolled up into just under two hours of fun. It is okay to simply enjoy things. To escape for a bit and scour scenes in a Christmas whodunit with a missing treaty and baby on the way. There is much to lament but a break for my brain to be giddy is needed and welcome. Cozy up by the fireplace and spike the apple cider. Magic is real, sweetness is coming, rest is revolutionary, and I deserve it all with a poinsettia crown.
Movies Completed
We Three Kings (2024)
Meet Me Next Christmas (2024)
Christmas with a Kiss (2023)
A Christmas Prince (2017)
A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding (2018)
A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby (2019)
Movies on Deck
Our Little Secret (2024)
The Holiday Calendar (2018)
My Dad’s Christmas Date (2020)
Single All The Way (2021)
Fall Into Winter (2023)
