During this time of the year, I embark on a delightful journey of watching Christmas movies with unrestrained enthusiasm. Quality often takes a backseat as we immerse ourselves in the familiar patterns and story arcs that these movies offer. Each one seems to follow a similar trajectory, yet they manage to bring a certain warmth and joy during the holiday season.

Discover the Magic of Christmas Movie Formulas

Redhead's Journey in Small Towns

Often, a redheaded (or sometimes brunette) professional woman from the bustling city finds herself in a small town. She might be there for various reasons such as dealing with money matters, having unfinished business in her hometown, or having experienced a heartbreak. At first, she is rude to the locals as she plans to stay only for a short while. But as she interacts with the kind-hearted innkeeper/bartender/bookstore owner, she begins to open up and meets a handsome local handyman/carpenter/woodcutter.This local often has a distinct look with dark hair, multiple flannel shirts, and blue jeans. He may have either never left the small town or gone to the city for education and realized that home is where his heart lies. Their initial interactions are filled with annoyance due to their contrasting personalities, but soon, a love story begins to unfold.

Love and Redemption in Christmas Movies

In these movies, the love story progresses as they face challenges and misunderstandings. She might do something hurtful, like telling a white lie, which leads to a fight. But then, she realizes her mistake and makes a grand gesture to make things right. This could be saving his bookstore, the whole town, or even Christmas itself. The film ends with a beautiful kiss under the stars, surrounded by lights, as the town looks on with smiles and excitement.These movies follow a fundamental and repetitive formula, but they have a special charm. They remind us of how the holidays make people feel, even if we are struggling to find that warmth ourselves. They also provide a great escape during family gatherings when we want to avoid discussing politics.

Netflix's Christmas Romances

Netflix has its own versions of these Christmas movies. For example, "Hot Frosty" follows a young widow who falls in love with a shredded, hunky snowman that comes to life. It has a campy and goofy charm that is good-natured and gets you in the mood for more Christmas movies. It may not be sexy in the traditional sense, but it is cute and enjoyable.Another one is "The Merry Gentlemen," where a Broadway dancer returns to her hometown of Sycamore Creek to help save her parents' struggling music venue. Along with a local handyman and some other charming characters, she starts a sexy Christmas-themed dance show to raise money. With Britt Robertson and Chad Michael Murray in the lead, it is well-acted and genuinely charming.These Netflix movies may not be considered great works of art, but they manage to evoke the Christmas spirit and make us look forward to the cheesy aspects of the season. Maybe as long as we are feeling the warmth, it doesn't matter where it comes from.