The Ritual Master Ever since I was in school, and Christmas meant time off, I had some favourite activities that symbolized the relaxing mood of the holidays. And one of them, was watching Christmas movies. Animation or romantic comedies, famous books turned into movies or children’s fairy tales, there is something for everyone to watch this time of year.
And yet, not a year goes by without me visiting my favourite classics. The charm of old black and white movies remains to this day, the perfect Christmas atmosphere for me. I know them by heart, and yet, making my cup of cinnamon tea and bowl of popcorn to relax in front of a classic is a pleasure like no other.
Remember the night (1940) : when good boy meets bad girl in 1940. A charming love story over the holidays, in a traditional country farm setting, a story to make you regain confidence in the goodness of people.
The Shop around the corner (1940) : the original inspiration for “You’ve got mail” with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, only at Christmas time and with the delightful presence of James Stewart. How quick we are to judge others, and how good surprises are always possible if we keep an open heart.
Christmas in Connecticut (1945) : another Barbara Stanwyck classic, and one to make you laugh a little too. A silly little story of a pretend house-wife and her pretend Connecticut farm, where Christmas is a feast, or maybe not always…
Holiday Inn (1942) : a music-hall is a must for Christmas, and you can never go wrong with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. You’ll find here the most famous Christmas songs in their original setting, so consider yourself warned if you end up singing along.
And since we’re on the subject of singing, I have to confess I have a great time singing Christmas songs every year. There is something very therapeutic about singing, and I think we tend to forget or simply consider it unimportant. A quick google search will tell you that many mental health centers offer singing therapy to aid with depression, and many studies agree that people who took part in a community singing group maintained or improved their mental health. That might explain the tradition of group caroling in many countries on Christmas Eve. It could be a traditional carol, it could be a crooner classic, or even a Mariah Carey modern classic. Whatever you choose, give yourself permission to sing a little over the holidays. It will do you a world of good !
