The Alternative Festive Watchlist

Allow me to expand your Christmassy TV & movie horizons

We put the tree up at the weekend, a deeply exciting yet exhausting activity. This is my favourite part of Christmas, the lead up to the day itself, and every time I decorate and our small living room becomes a wondrous festive grotto, I wonder how I ever do without the fairylights and glitz. Then come December 26th, I know I will be fully over the whole thing, and will probably take them down on January 1st. Hey, that’s just how I roll.

It also means that I’m able to fully give in to my Christmas watchlist, which is peppered with delightfully varied offerings. There are of course the classics - every year I must watch Home Alone 1 and 2, The Santa Clause and Muppet Christmas Carol, or tis not officially the season - and the seasonal rom coms like The Holiday, Serendipity and Love Actually. (Psssst if you like those, you will love the next two episodes of You Had Me At Hello). But there are also the curveballs, the things I watch for my own personal and peculiar festive enjoyment. Join me, won’t you?

Real Housewives At Christmas

There was a magical time when RHONY and RHONJ always filmed at Christmas, because the New York City area of course comes alive at the most wonderful time of the year. Drunken holiday parties, Santa singing about an*l s*x, sprinkle cookies getting thrown in the trash, Christmas cabaret and of course the annual trip to the Berserkshires, our beautiful housewives truly come alive at Christmas.

The beauty is, you can just jump right in without any context and enjoy. You don’t need to have watched previous seasons, this is pure comedy theatre! Just dive in! There are Christmas episodes early on in RHONY, but it really hits its stride in season five, so here are my recommendations (all streamable on Hayu):

RHONY

S5, episodes 10 & 11

S7, episodes 9 & 10

S8, episodes 8, 9 & 10

S10, episodes 8 & 9

S11, episode 17

With Jersey, you’re getting a real insight in to an Italian-American Christmas and its traditions, complete with LOADS of family politics - plus, a before and after of Teresa’s incarceration.

RHONJ

S3, episodes 7-11

S6, episodes 1 & 2

S7, episodes 1 & 2

I’ve also just spied on Instagram that the terribly good Real Housewives of the North Pole is streaming again - it stars Kyle Richards and is awfully watchable.

Lesser Spotted Movies

There are so many films that people rewatch every year, myself included - Elf, Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life - but the beauty really lies in the quieter ones. I’m not talking Hallmark, Lifetime or even Netflix - this is very niche, LOL.

This Christmas

A strange family fable that involves Idris Elba as an eldest son on the run, Chris Brown (ew) as a wannabe singer and involves a Christmas Eve trip to an LA club that ends in gun crime and an AWOL soldier. It is delightfully odd and I absolutely love it. There is a dance sequence that makes my husband leave the room too, delightful.

Surviving Christmas

Ben Affleck and James Gandolfini in one movie? SIGN ME UP!!!! I don’t really need to say anymore, two of my all-time hotties sparring in a festive setting is more than enough promise for me, but it’s a lovely film about a spoilt rich guy finding meaning in the Christmas season.

While You Were Sleeping

If you haven’t seen this, PLEASE watch it and then listen to the YHMAH Christmas special on December 12th. You’ll really enjoy, I promise.

The Family Stone

You either love it or you hate it, I ADORE it. I was on Flop Culture last year talking about you, if you’re very invested.

Movies That Aren’t ONLY About Christmas

These are the sneaky films that include the holidays, and thus count, but aren’t all about Christmas and can be watched at any time of year. I would like to point out that my debut novel Reality Check also falls in to this category and with its sequinned, glam cover, it would make an AMAZING present for a glam gal or guy in your life, cough cough.

Meet Me In St Louis

Takes in all four seasons in Esther Smith’s life, but iconic for Judy Garland singing Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas in a sequinned head scarf and divine red dress.

Sleepless In Seattle

Mostly takes place in the time between Christmas and Valentines Day, but there’s enough seasonal stuff in there to keep you feeling festive - bonus points for Meg Ryan singing “horses horses horses” to a Pentatonix-esque version of Sleigh Ride.

Little Women

All of the LW versions have lovely Christmas scenes, but none more so than Greta’s in 2019 starring our very own Sersh. DIVINE.

Other TV Shows

*The 30 Rock Christmas special in season six is unbeatable

*The Bear - Fishes, if you want to feel extremely stressed yet also seen (season two)

*Gavin and Stacey Christmas special - not perfect, but VG and there’s a follow up coming this year!!

*A Christmassy Ted - goes without saying, Father

*Glee - A Very Glee Christmas (season two)

*The Mindy Project - Christmas Party Sex Trap (season two)

*New Girl - The 23rd (season one)

*The Office US - Christmas Party (season two)

*The Sopranos - To Save Us All From Satan’s Power (season three)

*The West Wing - there’s a Christmas episode every season, and they’re all BRILLIANT.