If you love Christmas, no doubt you're going a bit crazy trying to wait until the appropriate date to press play on the Christmas playlist and start marathoning Christmas movies. But, if you have a strict policy on Christmas coming after Thanksgiving (which you should), or your friends and family are adamantly insisting that the celebrations of holidays remain in the correct order, here are a few movies you can cheat with to stave off the Christmas addiction until it is considered acceptable to go Christmas crazy.
1. "The Holiday"
Taking place in California and Surrey, this dual narrative Rom-Com takes place during the Christmas season, yet often avoids a "Christmas movie" label thanks to the lack of snow in the California scenes and the non-holiday centered plot, which follows two women who in essence swap lives for the holiday season to get away from their respective failed relationships. Because of the rom-com drive to the film, it is acceptable to watch this movie at any point of the year, but if you're in serious need of a sneak peak for the holiday season, this may ease the torment of waiting.
2. "Die Hard"
Everyone knows this one. Some hail it as the greatest Christmas movie of all time, and others refuse to identify it as a Christmas film in any way, shape, or form. Whatever your take, it is acceptable to watch this film before Thanksgiving, and it most definitely takes place at Christmas time.
3. "The Ref"
Yet again, this film has a Christmas setting, in the suburbs of a sleepy town. However, the story line is far from Christmas-y, following the story of a thief who unwittingly kidnaps an argumentative couple and is then forced to play marriage counselor to them while holed up in their beautifully decorated home. The score of the film and the background decorations are sure to give you your fill of he holiday season, but the comedic family-oriented plot is acceptable for any time of the year.
4. "The Snow Ball Effect" (Spongebob Squarepants S3 Ep6A)
Not technically a movie, but who doesn't love Spongebob? This episode centers around Spongebob and Patrick trying to convince Squidward to join their snow ball fight after a glacier brings snow to Bikini bottom. With a clearly winter (but not specifically holiday) feel, this episode definitely eases the need for winter time. Along with this episode, Survival of the Idiots is another episode that segues the shift into the Holiday Season.
5. "Love Actually"
This one is probably a good choice for the day before Thanksgiving, when it's almost acceptable to break out the Christmas, because it is quite heavy on the Holiday themes. Taking place in London, the film follows several stories throughout the holiday season. Though not overtly about Christmas, the decorative backgrounds, the conversations and actions of the characters, and the overall themes of family and love are quite synonymous with Christmas. If you're desperately in need of Christmas but it's not time for "The Santa Clause or It's A Wonderful Life," this movie can be your breath of Pine and Peppermint.
However you wait out the dragging days until the most Wonderful Time of the Year, hopefully those last few days aren't too tormenting, and hopefully we are all able to hold out to revel in the rewards of endless Christmas starting the moment Thanksgiving dinner ends.
