Twelve days to Christmas and we are still stuck at home. Hectic holiday rush for parties, shopping, and annual travels are just memories on Facebook. Our house which is a favorite venue for gatherings with its open space and friendly location, used to be “booked” all weekends and holidays of December. These days, the usual frenzy at home has shifted to virtual space with friends and relatives tagging me on happy photos of last year with a heart-tugging “we miss you and our crazy parties in your house!”
But instead of wallowing on what could be a happier Christmas with close interaction with families and friends, I have found a new way to fight the blues in this pandemic Christmas – watch new holiday movies or series on Netflix. Sharing here some of my favorites.
1. The Christmas Chronicles 2
An elf who is a consistent troublemaker threatened to cancel Christmas by stealing the Christmas light but love and kindness prevailed in the end. An ultimate feel-good Christmas movie with magic, adventure, comedy, music and some drama. Stars Kurt Russell as Santa Claus and Goldie Hawn as Mrs. Claus are perfect for their roles as they demonstrated how love, hope, kindness, joy and all the wonderful emotions of Christmas is shared all over the world.
2. Holiday Home Makeover
If you are like me who loves to decorate for Christmas, do not miss this short series of interior designer Benjamin Bradley and his team dubbed as elves. Each of the four episodes has a lot of sentiment attached to it. Bradley helped families and communities rediscover the true meaning of Christmas beyond the lights, garland and tinsel. I particularly liked the first episode with peppermint theme and hope to use it too for our next Christmas.
3. The Prom
Released only last night, this movie kept me awake until past midnight with a roller-coaster of emotions. The movie has a strong message about how kids in the LGBTQ community feel isolated in some communities. Love, music, and being true to oneself captured in songs and dance performances of Hollywood queens Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and James Corden gave me a warm feeling of happiness and a smile on my face throughout the film.
https://youtu.be/TJ0jBNa6JUQ
4. Dash and Lily
Two strangers developed a deep emotional connection by writing each other in a notebook that they passed in creative ways that showed many sites of New York in all its beauty and splendor during the holidays. This series of 8 episodes at 20 minutes each is great for one day of binge watching a rom-com.
5. Operation Christmas Drop
A Congress representative sent her aide to Anderson Air Force Base in Guam to investigate “Operation Christmas Drop” which she believes is a waste of taxpayers’ money. Airmen are really trained under the project but the real focus is to supply food, medicines, clothes, school supplies and even toys to people living in remote islands in the Pacific. This is a feel good Christmas movie that reminds us of the true spirit of Christmas. For people like me who loves the beach, this movie is a visual feast.
6. The Princess Switch Switched Again
Two years after the first movie, this rom-com film is about Margaret Delacourt, the Duchess of Montenaro, who switched places once again with Stacy who is now Princess of Belgravia on the eve of her coronation as the Queen of Montenaro. Margaret wanted to reconcile with Kevin, Stacy’s brother whom she broke up with to attend to her duties in the monarchy. But Margaret’s evil cousin, Lady Fiona kidnapped Stacy during the switch. Vanessa Hudgens did a wonderful job portraying three characters. The extravagant setting and fabulous set design will definitely bring you to a world of royalty during Christmas
