Illustrations by Megan Le Brocq
The Broad’s Creative Editors, Amy Norton, Noor Kabbani, and Srishti Ramakrishnan, have put together a list of music, movies, TV, and literature to keep you entertained this festive season. If you still need to get into the Christmas spirit after a long deadline period, you’re bound to find something on this list. Merry Christmas!
Film & TV:
Film: Home Alone
Home Alone, 20th Century Studios
Starting off strong with Home Alone, because of course what Christmas film recommendations list would be complete without it. For those who might not have seen it, this classic Christmas film follows the story of Kevin McCallister, who accidentally gets left home alone by his family who are setting off on a family holiday. Kevin then has to defend his house against two robbers who repeatedly fall victim to his booby traps. This is a fun, light-hearted Christmas film, centred around themes of family and reconciliation. Maybe not best to watch this one if you too are home alone, it is the perfect film to make you feel cosy, uplifted and Christmassy.
TV: Friends' Christmas Episodes
Friends, NBC
Friends has a Christmas episode per season, but I’ve chosen my favourite two. The first is Season 6 Episode 10 "The One with the Routine", featuring Monica and Ross’ iconic dance routine which they perform on set of a TV show to try and get on camera. Back at the flat, Rachel and Phoebe convince Chandler to help them find Monica’s Christmas presents. The second episode is Season 7 Episode 10 "The One with the Holiday Armadillo" where Ross dresses up as an armadillo to teach Ben about Hanukkah and Phoebe is trying to convince Rachel not to move out. Both episodes are equally silly and are sure to make you giggle. They’re both rather untraditional Christmas episodes, so if you’re wanting more ‘normal’ TV whilst still being festive, these ones are good to watch.
Film: It's a Wonderful Life
It's a Wonderful Life, Paramount Pictures
Next we have It’s a Wonderful Life directed by Frank Capra in 1946. This film is definitely a traditional Christmas classic, and also a film considered to be one of the best of all time. It’s a supernatural Christmas Tale based on The Greatest Gift, a 1943 short story written by Philip Van Doren Stern, which is itself loosely based on Charles Dickens’ novella A Christmas Carol. The film follows the story of George Bailey and his guardian angel Clarence Odbody, who shows George how much of a positive effect he has had on his community. This film is a reminder of the good we inflict on other people’s lives and a symbolic message of hope.
TV: The Office's Christmas Episodes
The Office, BBC Two
These Christmas specials are the two-part series finale of famous British Mocumentary, The Office. They are presented in the style of a ‘revisited’ documentary, where the lives of those featured are updated years after the show aired. This probably isn’t a traditional Christmas watch, but certainly provides the familiar Office comedic relief: witty, unexpected, and relatable which parallels the Christmas setting and themes of reunion.
Film: The Holiday
The Holiday, Universal Pictures
The Holiday continues to be a well-loved Christmas film and it’s one of my favourites. Centring around the repercussions faced by two women following an impulsive home exchange, this is a Christmas film mixed with a rom-com and features a young Jude Law. We couldn’t ask for more if we tried. The story portrays how to deal with difficult situations, such as heartbreak, over the holidays, as often it’s easy to get overwhelmed by what you ‘should’ be feeling this time of year. So, this one is great for lifting up spirits and a reminder that a house is made into a home by the people living in it.
Music:
Laufey - "Winter Wonderland"
Laufey, Billboard Magazine
My first choice is a cover of "Winter Wonderland," released last month by the Icelandic-Chinese singer, Laufey. The soft jazzy vibe of this classic Christmas song sits seamlessly amongst her discography, as Laufey’s music is largely inspired by her love of jazz. She composes instrumental elements to her songs and mixes them with contemporary pop-inspired sounds. Laufey’s voice is silvery and nostalgic, perfect for a Christmas song in my opinion. Also, this year Laufey released a two-track single of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Better Than Snow" in collaboration with the fantastic Norah Jones. Back in 2021 she put out another Christmas song featuring singer-songwriter Dodie, called "Love to Keep Me Warm." Plenty to choose from!
Blossoms - "It’s Going To Be A Cold Winter"
Blossoms, Spotify
This next pick is an original Christmas song by my favourite band, Blossoms. This song, along with "Christmas Eve (Soul Purpose)," came out in 2020 and have been firm favourites in my festive playlist ever since. "It’s Going To Be A Cold Winter" is charming as it is cynical, with an opening line of “let’s get this Christmas over with.” The lead singer of Blossoms, Tom Ogden, is married to the drummer’s sister and there’s humorous nods to this throughout with lyrics such as “so you’ll find me by the fire with your sister.” The band haven’t taken themselves seriously at all with this Christmas song and I think that is what makes it so fun. Both songs have harmonies from the Junior Voices Choir of the band’s hometown of Stockport, a lovely touch. Blossoms also sung a great cover of Paul McCartney’s "Wonderful Christmastime," which was released in 2018.
Phoebe Bridgers - "Day After Tomorrow"
Phoebe Bridgers "Day After Tomorrow", Spotify
Every year since 2017, Phoebe Bridgers has released a cover of a Christmas song to raise money for different charities. Her covers are more somber and subtle in comparison to other cheery modern festive songs, but I think this contrast is welcomed as it reflects another side to this time of year. December isn’t a jolly time for everyone, I think the end of the year brings a mixed bag of feelings for us all. Most of us begin to wind down and take a break with work to visit family. I have picked "Day After Tomorrow" from 2021 because I remember resonating with the lyrics in the lead up to going home for Christmas from university. Bridgers, covering the original by Tom Waits, sings about missing family and counting down the days until she sees them again. Waits wrote the song from the perspective of a soldier returning from war, which is quite different to a student returning from finals, but there’s still a comparison there! I think my second favourite cover of hers is last year’s "So Much Wine," with its gorgeous backing vocals by Paul Mescal.
Tchaikovsky - "The Nutcracker, Waltz of the Flowers"
Barbie in The Nutcracker, Letterboxd
Unfortunately I am not qualified to talk in any technical terms about classical music, however I still thought I should mention a few of my favourite classical Christmas songs. I got to hear the Royal Scottish National Orchestra perform Tchaikovsky’s "Nutcracker" at Usher Hall recently and it was magical. I found it so nostalgic and festive, mostly because of my childhood obsession with the Barbie Nutcracker film. My other classical music picks would be "Glasgow Love Theme" from Love Actually, "Suite from the Polar Express" and "Maestro" from The Holiday – all great Christmas movies with great soundtracks thanks to the likes of Hans Zimmer and Craig Armstrong.
The Pogues - "Fairytale of New York"
"Fairytale of New York", The Guardian
My list would not be complete without this classic Irish ballad. I recall never understanding grown ups' love for this song when I was younger, I found it far too dreary. It is now one of my favourites. I look forward to playing it every year and hearing the moment the romantic and lively string arrangement kicks in. The song has been a topic of conversation especially this year after the passing of The Pogues lead singer Shane MacGowan last month. Seeing videos online of crowds singing "Fairytale of New York" in MacGowan’s honour proves the public’s continued love for the song. It never gets old.
Literature:
Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol (1843)
"Bah, humbug!”
The Muppet Christmas Carol, Walt Disney Pictures
Of course, this was the first thing that came to mind when thinking about Christmassy books. Miserly Ebenezer Scrooge hates Christmas with a passion, and makes the happiest time of year miserable for those around him. A visit from three ghosts, of Christmases Past, Present and Future, soon changes his perspective, however, and turns him into the embodiment of the holiday spirit. Probably the easiest Dickens novel to read, at under a hundred pages long, A Christmas Carol is sure to get you into the Christmas spirit of generosity and joy. There have been various adaptations of the much-loved book, but it wouldn’t be right to recommend any other than The Muppet Christmas Carol, complete with Michael Cain as Scrooge, Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchitt, and a whole host of singing and dancing.
Clement Clarke Moore - A Visit from St. Nicholas (1823)
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
A Visit from St. Nicholas, Radiant With Colour (1888)
“‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house / Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse”. These are the opening lines of a poem that is pretty iconic, and is said to have greatly influenced the now widely-held conceptions of Santa Claus, from his sleigh to the names of the reindeer that pull it, and of course it also inspired the Tim Burton classic The Nightmare Before Christmas. Moore’s description of Santa’s visit is truly magical and nostalgic for the excitement that Christmas brought when we were younger, waking up in the morning to find presents under the tree and a bite taken out of the carrot and mince pie, proving beyond doubt that Santa Claus and his reindeer had visited. It’s a fairly short poem, so perfect to read curled up by the tree on Christmas Eve!
Louisa May Alcott - Little Women (1868)
"Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents.”
Little Women, Sony Pictures
This is maybe a less obvious choice, but in my opinion the story of the four March sisters perfectly captures the Christmas spirit. For one, the book opens on Christmas Day, when the girls generously give away their humble breakfast to a poor family, only to find their own kindness has been repaid by the rich old man who lives next door. A story about love, loss, and growing up, but most importantly about sisterhood, you can’t help but connect with the characters and their hopes and dreams. Christmas is about family and generosity, and Little Women showcases these things to no end, from petty sibling rivalry to heartwarming family reunions. The 2019 film adaptation by Greta Gerwig is also a must-watch, if only for Meryl Streep’s performance as the crabby Aunt March.
C.S. Lewis - The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
"Always winter but never Christmas.”
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Walt Disney Pictures
Something about the world of Narnia feels distinctly Christmassy, even though it has been cursed to endure a permanent winter without the joy of Christmas. From the moment Lucy Pevensie steps through the wardrobe into the snowy forest, complete with the iconic solitary lamppost, the magic of Narnia takes ahold of the reader. C.S. Lewis intended the book series for children, but older readers are also sure to be captivated by the world and its characters, from the awesomely terrible White Witch to the awesomely wonderful Aslan. The Christian undertones also add to the Christmassy vibe, lest we forget the one true Christmas book – The Bible! The Disney movies from the early 2000s do an incredible job of translating the magic to the screen, particularly the first one, which features a visit from Santa Claus himself!