Every year when the weather turns cold and campus gets quieter, I settle into the same familiar routine. I pull out my favorite holiday movies, some that I’ve watched since childhood and some that have become new traditions. They’re not just films to me. They’re a way to slow down and enjoy the season, especially with the gloom of finals approaching.
These movies hold memories, routines, and little pieces of comfort that we carry with us from year to year. They remind us of who we watched them with, where we were, and how they made the holidays feel just a little more magical, giving hope to the upcoming year.
Here are a few of the movies I always return to when I want that feeling.
1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
This one always hits me in the same place no matter how many times I watch it. I know the story beat for beat, yet each December it feels just as meaningful. There is something incredibly grounding about watching George Bailey learn just how many lives he has touched without even realizing it. The small acts of kindness, the sacrifices he thinks no one notices, and the quiet moments of doubt all feel so human. The movie slows me down in a good way, reminding me to appreciate the people around me and to see the value in the things that don’t always make headlines. It is the kind of story that brings you back to what matters.
2.Home Alone (1990)
This will always be one of the most purely fun holiday movies in my rotation. No matter how old I get, I still laugh at the exact same scenes. There is something so familiar about the chaos of Kevin’s adventures, the over-the-top traps, and the way he grows braver without losing his childlike charm. Even the soundtrack feels like a signal that the holiday season has officially begun. Watching it brings back that feeling of being young during winter break with nowhere to be and nothing urgent to do. It’s comfort through comedy, a reminder that the holidays can be both lighthearted and meaningful at the same time.
3. The Holiday (2007)
This one is my cozy go-to. Everything about it, from the snowy cottages to the warm lights glowing through frosted windows, makes the world feel softer. The story is simple in the best possible way, giving you characters who are trying to figure out their lives while finding unexpected warmth in new places. It is a movie that feels like wrapping yourself in a blanket at the end of a long day. The mix of quiet moments, soft winter scenes, and gentle romance creates a calm that I always seem to need in December.
What I love most about holiday movies isn’t just the stories themselves. It’s the way we share them. Someone introduces you to their family classic. Someone else recommends a favorite you’ve never seen. Before you know it, these films start to connect us across different moments of our lives, giving us a warm feeling as the years going on, and making us feel connected to those who are sometimes not in an arm’s reach.
As the semester winds down and everything starts to quiet, maybe take an evening to revisit an old favorite or try something new.
Rachel TeKrony is a first-year student assistant at Media Services.
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