To my favorite Christmas story,

You are the movie I manage to fit in between classes and right before work. You are the movie I immediately turn on if I'm feeling sad or if I wake up scared in the middle of the night after watching a scary movie. The 25 minutes you provide, to me, encompass all that I love about the Christmas season -- and trust me, that's a lot of things. Those who know me well may consider me to be a tad Christmas obsessed, and they may be right, but who couldn't be obsessed with the time of year that makes them happiest?

Ever since I can remember, the holiday season has been my very favorite time of year, and the anticipation and preparation for Christmas are the best parts. Decorating the house with my dad, baking cookies with my mom and decorating the tree as a family are some of the best memories I have in my 20 years. Binge watching Christmas movies is also an upheld tradition in the Byrum household, and my favorite has always been you, Charlie Brown Christmas.

Maybe it's the wonderful piano composition by Vince Guaraldi Trio, maybe it's Snoopy and The Peanuts, maybe it's just the childhood memories I associate with the story, but it's one of the only movies I can watch over and over and never get sick of. As a short cartoon movie, Charlie Brown Christmas is able to address the commercialization and secularism that surrounds the holiday and remind the viewer of the true meaning of Christmas. This movie always reminds me why we celebrate this holiday to begin with.

Alongside addressing the commercialism of Christmas, Charlie Brown Christmas also provides a reminder that what makes Christmas so special is your family, friends, and loved ones. As Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts came together at the end, Christmas is a time to set aside differences and past grudges and dislikes of people and embrace the loving and giving spirit of the season.

So while I know I annoy my roommates when I watch you multiple times a day, you are just such a wonderful and entertaining movie to watch while also providing a beautiful message (and incorporating some amazing music.) I hope everyone watches you at least once this holiday season because I really think you embrace all that is the Christmas spirit.

Your Biggest Fan,

Kristine Byrum

p.s. - here's the link to make it easier :)