Christmas movies really carried a special significance in my childhood, and I still have a pretty amazing Holiday VHS collection somewhere back in Georgia. I can confidently state that some of my favorite movies overall are from that Christmas shelf (we should have established that I have a high personal cheesiness threshold by now). As I have watched my precious Christmas movies year after year, I've gradually been able to pick out qualities of myself from some of the characters. Today, I have comprised a list of a few whom I especially feel that I can relate to in my current adult life circumstances.
1. Hermie the Elf from Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Hermie wants to be a dentist. The other elves want him to do what elves are "supposed to do" and make toys. He ends up adventuring out to seek his fortune because of his frustrations with how his community is treating him. He becomes best friends with Rudolph, helps to find loving homes for the Island of Misfit Toys, and does some pretty solid dental work on the horrifyingly misunderstood Bumble in the process. Along with Rudolph, Hermie learns to be okay with being himself whether his peers warm up to it or not. He will be persistent in life, and that is an admirable quality.
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2. Ralphie from A Christmas Story
Though Ralphie is a kid, he is surely seasoned with a lot of ageless experiences. He has big dreams and great ideas that don't always translate well into words or onto paper. Some people don't like him, and the feeling is mutual. His brother is comically annoying. He's testing the waters of what profane language to use where. Like I find myself trying to do multiple times on a daily basis, Ralphie is figuring out life. I wouldn't mind a pair of new pajamas, though.
3. Bill the Cat from A Wish For Wings That Work
I think Bill speaks for everyone who has ever felt like or been a mess at any point in their life. He is the pet and roommate of Opus the Penguin, who has asked Santa for a pair of working wings for Christmas because penguins can't fly. While Opus is in the middle of his existential crisis (to which I can also totally relate), Bill tries to provide good moral support. However, he's just got too many problems of his own. (Bill's got an extensive backstory, too- these characters are originally from a comic called Bloom County, which has now returned after a 20+ year hiatus on the author's Facebook page).
4. Professor Hinkle the Magician from Frosty the Snowman
Poor old Professor Hinkle is a children's entertainer who just doesn't know how to relate to children. He wants to be respected as an artist and entertainer, but he hasn't perfected his chosen skill set and it makes him bitter. When his hat blows away and brings Frosty the Snowman to life when it has done nothing for him in the way of real magic, he becomes even more upset. He wants to feel special, too!
