Christmas Eve Books and Movies
Let's take a journey through the portrayal of Christmas Eve
in books and movies, and I'll share a list of must-read books and
must-watch movies that I watch over and over again. This list is filled with feel good happy ever afters to transport us of to a place of joy, love, and the beauty of this season.
Christmas
Eve Books:
"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens: No
exploration of Christmas literature is complete without mentioning this
timeless classic. Follow Ebenezer Scrooge on his transformative journey through
past, present, and future Christmases, all centered around Christmas Eve. Dickens'
evocative descriptions and memorable characters make this novella an essential
read for the holiday season.
"The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry: This
short story is a beautiful tale of selflessness and love, told through the
story of a young couple who make personal sacrifices to give each other
meaningful gifts on Christmas Eve. The twist at the end is both heartwarming
and bittersweet.
"The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg:
Delve into a magical journey to the North Pole with a young boy who embarks on
a remarkable adventure aboard a mysterious train on Christmas Eve. Van
Allsburg's captivating illustrations and storytelling make this book a
cherished holiday tradition.
"Hogfather" by Terry Pratchett: For a dose
of whimsical holiday fantasy, Pratchett's "Hogfather" is a delightful
choice. In this Discworld novel, the Hogfather (their version of Santa Claus)
goes missing on Hogswatchnight (their Christmas Eve), and it's up to Death to
fill in. This book is a satirical and heartwarming take on the holiday season.
Now, you didn’t really think I was going to let traditionally
published books get all the attention, did you? If you enjoy Holiday reads, take
a look at my sweet Christmas series:
“Secret Admirer’s Christmas Wish #1”
Sometimes, a little Christmas magic delivers love in the
most inconvenient places.
Cheryl Hightower has an iron-clad mind for figures, statistics, and organization. That’s all well and good, but she also has a creative side screaming to be unleashed from a desk, computer, and horn-rimmed glasses. When she finally finds the courage to follow her heart, her orderly life seems to unravel, leading her to a new job with vipers at every turn, and leaving her in a position of uncertainty for the first time since childhood.
The resulting encounter with the object of her secret crush
– who also happens to be her new boss – prompts both of them to acknowledge the
emptiness they’ve endured for far too long. The challenge is figuring out what
to do about it.
“Secret Admirer’s Christmas Wish #2”
When a former ugly
duckling and the former class heartthrob come together as adults, they find out
they have more in common than they realized.
Glenda Shaw knows firsthand what it’s like to be an ugly
duckling, and now, she is roped into helping to organize her tenth-year class
reunion. The speaker this year is none other than Hunter Teegs, the object of
her dreams since their sophomore year in high school. She’s a dedicated social
worker with a heart the size of Texas, but her hectic schedule doesn’t allow
much time for dating or entertainment.
Hunter Teegs is a self-made financial powerhouse with a boatload of charisma and a winning sense of humor. He’s also a notorious womanizer and heartbreaker. He has no interest in settling down any time soon, if ever. To make matters worse, he has recently noticed details from his childhood that cause him to question everyone and everything he’s come to believe.
When Glenda and Hunter are brought together again, fireworks
nearly knock both of them off their feet, and not necessarily in a good way.
Glenda knows more than one secret about Hunter, and sharing the most crucial
one could mean the end of their relationship before it even gets started.
“Secret Admirer’s Christmas Wish #3”
Time only makes true
love stronger.
Allegra Malachi, Lee Lee for short, has always been smart, talented, and popular, but she is not having a good year. Following a painful and embarrassingly public encounter with her wealthy ex-boyfriend, she finds herself fired from the lucrative Fortune 500 company job she’s held for years. Now, she’s back home in her small town, living with her parents, and generally feeling like a complete failure.
Nash Edmonds is a reclusive billionaire who is considered to be a ‘ghost’ according to the press because no one has been able to find anything about his background or personal life. He’s been abroad for years, traveled the world, and dated many women, but as far as he’s concerned, there’s only one woman for him – his first love. Only, that was nearly 20 years ago, and he hasn’t seen nor spoken to her since. Now, he has to figure out how to bring Lee Lee into his life without sacrificing his privacy or hers. But first, he needs to win her heart.
“Secret Admirer’s Christmas Wish #4”
The wedding is on.
Or is it?
After Lee Lee plans the double-wedding of the century, Nash,
her groom, goes missing. She then finds herself under the scrutiny of the
paparazzi who have pursued Nash for years due to his mysterious persona. This
is something she doesn’t know how to deal with. As if worrying about Nash isn't
enough, she's worried that the media hounds will crash her wedding and ruin
everything.
To make matters worse, her sister-bride, Glenda, is having
problems with her groom, Hunter. The gregarious Hunter suddenly seems to have
cold feet. He’s acting elusive and moody. The closer they get to their wedding
date, the more distant Hunter becomes. He is hiding something from his bride to
be, and it could tear them apart.
Glenda is used to handling everything in her life head on,
but she’s at a loss when it comes to dealing with a moody groom.
Can Lee Lee and Glenda get their grooms in order in time for
their dream wedding?
Christmas
Eve in Movies:
"It's a Wonderful Life" (1946): Directed by
Frank Capra, this classic film follows George Bailey, who learns the true value
of life and the impact he's had on others on Christmas Eve. It's a heartwarming
reminder of the importance of compassion and community.
"Home Alone" (1990): While not the typical
heartwarming Christmas tale, this family comedy, directed by Chris Columbus, is
a holiday favorite. Kevin McCallister is left behind by his family on Christmas
Eve and has to protect his home from burglars using a series of inventive booby
traps.
"Love Actually" (2003): Directed by Richard
Curtis, this romantic ensemble film tells several interconnected love stories
during the holiday season, including Christmas Eve. It's a heartwarming and
often humorous exploration of love and relationships.
"The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993):
Directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton, this stop-motion animated
film is a dark and enchanting tale about Jack Skellington's discovery of
Christmas in the spooky town of Halloween Town. It's a unique blend of
Halloween and Christmas themes.
“The Holiday” (2006): Dumped and depressed, English
rose Iris agrees to swap homes with similarly unlucky in love Californian
Amanda for a much-needed break. Iris finds herself in a palatial Hollywood
mansion while Amanda navigates the lanes of a picture-perfect English village.
Soon enough, both lovelorn ladies bump into local lads perfect for a romantic
pick-me-up.
“Last Holiday” (2006): The discovery that she has a
terminal illness prompts introverted saleswoman Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) to
reflect on what she realizes has been an overly cautious life. So Georgia
withdraws her life savings and jets off to Europe where she lives like a
millionaire. Upbeat and passionate, Georgia charms everybody she meets,
including renowned Chef Didier (Gérard Depardieu). The only one missing from
her new life is her longtime crush Sean Matthews (LL Cool J).
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