I think it is safe to say I’m a traditional kind of girl. During the holidays, I look for the classic TV shows and movies. I will stop in my tracks if I see that the “Charlie Brown Christmas” or the original Grinch special, or even the classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” are airing. These beloved shows take me right back to my childhood.
I remember decorating the tree with my family, poring through the Sears catalog, earmarking the pages of things I wanted Santa to bring, baking Christmas cookies with my mom and my favorite thing — sitting on the back of the couch with my brother on Christmas Eve, facing out the large picture windows of our house and looking to the sky for any glimpse of Santa’s sleigh.
The joy, the anticipation, the love of the season made our family Christmases so special. Over the years, those days were converted into wonderful memories that I treasure.
Back in those days, before On Demand was an option, before DVDs or MP4s or even videocassettes came into existence, we were at the mercy of the TV Guide.
The airing of Christmas specials was a family event at my house. We’d gather around the large black and white console TV and excitedly await the one and only showing of these holiday offerings. With only three major networks to watch, each one of these treasures was precious to us.
Every once in a great while, we’d get to watch a classic movie. Long before “Elf” or “The Santa Clause” or “Christmas Vacation,” we had gems like “Miracle on 34th Street,” “White Christmas” and my all-time favorite, “It’s A Wonderful Life.” This film remains at the top of my list of favorites. Each year, I would seek it out on the television guide, beginning after Thanksgiving.
Even if I tuned in for the last 15 minutes, I could not turn away. I would often catch the movie in the middle, drop what I was doing and sit and watch. Oh, and yes, every single time, I cry at the end!
Last year, my husband and I started a new tradition. We live in a small town, and we found a theater that shows “It’s A Wonderful Life” on the big screen, just once, in all its black and white majesty.
We began a tradition. We invited good friends to come along, had dinner at a wonderful restaurant in Sellersville, The Washington House, and walked next door to the Sellersville Theater for the main event.
A funny thing happened. The theater was packed. It had the feel of a first-run movie, a new release. I was pleasantly surprised at the variety of the demographic. There was certainly an older population, which is what I expected for a film released in 1946.
Surprisingly, there were many young people in attendance as well. Families brought their small kids, young adult couples were in the house, and there were many of us somewhere in between the two extremes.
It was heartwarming to see so many come together to experience the hope and feeling of goodwill that this movie evokes. The reactions of the crowd, and the applause at the end of the film left us all with a feeling that it truly is a wonderful life.
May your days throughout the holiday reflect this feeling. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2024.
