I watched one. Then another, and before I knew it, I was searching for holiday/Christmas movies on Netflix. The soppy and predictable with happy endings variety.

No shooting, killing, or maiming. No big companies or individuals with money, power and position abusing and rough riding everyday, regular people. No pain or misery. None of the hard stuff that requires thinking and contemplation. Or incites anger and frustration. Quite simply, no violence and no bad people doing bad things.

I also consciously didn’t want to use my free/available/leisure time watching stuff that mirrored real life or worse, news. Don’t get me wrong. I keep up-to-date with current news, both local and global. Protracted wars and civil unrest. Death, suffering, and starvation. Uncertain economic conditions. Impending and happening climate woes. Political instability with rumours and whispers of overthrowing and/or undermining elected governments. Not comforting. Not heart-warming. Only disturbing.

Smiles, chuckles, happy and all things good were what I was going for. Formulaic make-believe where everything will be/is alright in the end. The anticipated one or two spanners in the works for that little bit of drama. But, nothing unsolvable or too stressful.

And, why not, I ask? Life’s not always easy. There’s usually some problems, issues or niggles to deal with. Like life, death, health, work, money, family, and relationships. Add that to the daily grind, most of us and me are left wanting for a bit of holiday magic or even better, year-round happy days. And, what better than a touch of or loads of romance, bountiful kindness, and generosity, loving families, loyal friends, and caring communities to provide that light-hearted, mood-lifting detour from life, and everyday realities.

I’m not a card-carrying fan of holiday movies. However, since last November I have watched 10 holiday movies, and counting. They have become my go-to filler movies. Filler, meaning I watch them on my own and/or in-between watching some other movie/serial with my husband, who isn’t quite into all things nicey-nicey. He likes movies with interesting plots and acting. He also watches action movies with some shooting and killing, science fiction, and those others that feature zombies and creatures. Hmm.

Anyways, I know what to expect from my holiday movies, and it’s the predictability that makes me happy and comforted. Whatever the themes might be from renewed/rejuvenated relationships (Midnight at the Marigold), incompatible partners (A Castle for Christmas), building inter-generational friendships ( We Need a Little Christmas), saving the town/community’s drive-in or annual festivals (Christmas at the Drive-in), helping revive businesses ( B & B Merry), kindred, and generous spirits (A Kindhearted Christmas), beating the odds (Catering Christmas) to returning home for the holidays (The Noel Diary), and whatever the twists and turns that might arise, I am sure of feeling good in the end. There are no alarming surprises or shocks to the system.  A home movie therapy, of sorts. Yay.

I was happy to find the following. ‘Our brains find comfort in patterns. The predictable happy endings combined with joy, laughter, and happy tears trigger our neural rewards centre. Changes in mood affect our body chemistry; lifting our spirits makes us feel good physically. Laughter becomes a literal antidote to stress without involving pharmaceuticals. Feel-good movies do more than just make us happy for a moment. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying fleeting hedonic experiences, drama with resolution can also provide a longer-lasting form of happiness and increase well-being.[1]’

I kid you not. In ‘Always Amore,’ in one scene, Ben, the hero/protagonist, steps out into a dark alley to make a telephone call after finishing a stint as a professional restaurant consultant in Hong Kong. For a split second I thought he might get jumped by some knife yielding thugs. I stopped and grinned. I told myself that this was not that kind of movie. No stress.

Also, November and December were difficult months for all of my family. Brother number 1 was in and out of hospital, and his condition deteriorated until he passed on Dec 5, 2023. It was after sister number 3 and my visits to him at the hospital, and at his home that I started watching these holiday movies. It helped me forget and feel less sad, at least for a while.

“They provide an easy and effective coping strategy: a healthy, time-limited escape traveling into a story that makes us feel good, reminds us of the meaning of love, helps us feel gratitude for family and friends, and even have a little vicarious romance.[2]’

Apparently, feel-good movies are also good for the old ticker. They are heart-healthy, and help reduce stress hormones like cortisol that can harm the cardiovascular and immune systems.

I’m now watching ‘Christmas Time is Now.’ Holiday movies are no longer just for the holidays. They are now my year-round feel-good, feel-happy go to movies.