Whether it's a cheesy rom-com from Hallmark or a classic shown on Freeform, I love holiday movies. Let's face it, though, Christmas movies are unrealistic and can often teach incorrect things. Here are a few things I learned from Christmas movies:
1. Burglars will try to steal from me on Christmas
When I was home alone (see what I did there?) as a kid, I often made plans in case there was ever a burglar or serial killer in my house. This was amplified from the movie "Home Alone" and I'm sure it lead to a lot of future paranoia for children.
2. I will later see the same burglars, and they will try to kill me
Wow, talk about a crazy turn of events. In "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," the Sticky Bandits, formerly known as the Wet Bandits, see Kevin alone in New York. What a small world. How did they end up in New York after serving jail time? Either way, I also learned it's very easy to get lost in big cities.
3. It's acceptable for children to wander around without supervision
First off, no. This is dangerous. What were Cindy Lou Who's parents thinking, just letting her climb a mountain to visit the Grinch? I know she snuck away from them, but they should really pay more attention to their kids. Also, what kind of parent forgets their kid not once, but TWICE? Parents in holiday movies just can't seem to do anything right.
4. Make fun of people who are different until they become beneficial to you
5. Snow looks perfect all of the time
Living in the midwest, I know this is absolutely NOT true. In movies, though, snowflakes fall slow enough to see their design and they stick to the ground, perfect for making snowmen and having snowball fights. I wish it snowed in Iowa like it does in movies.
6. If you're a lonely woman, you will find the man of your dreams around Christmas
This is probably my favorite Christmas movie plot. The movie starts with a woman who has it all: beauty, money, a great job, and awesome friends. The one thing she doesn't have: a husband. She's either a businesswoman in the city, a small-town cashier who wants to own her own bakery, or a farmer. Then she meets a guy who is the complete opposite of herself, or maybe she knew him in high school, and she's smitten. A mistletoe appears over a doorway, and they kiss. These movies taught me that finding true love is the only thing that will make me happy and that it's super easy.
I will still continue to watch every Christmas movie in existence because I enjoy feeling sentimental and I like being in the holiday spirit, but I do realize that movies are not an accurate depiction of how the world works. Also, if someone doesn't like Christmas, don't hate them! They could be a great person who just doesn't celebrate it, and that shouldn't stop you from being nice to them.
