Christmas is a great time to incorporate new traditions into your family. One of those traditions can be Classic Christmas movie nights. Snuggling up on the couch together, wearing holiday pj’s with your favorite treat is a fun family way to pass those cold winter nights.
Many Christmas movies contain teaching moments for your kids; you can use our suggestions while snuggling up together for a good time.
Whether you are into older classics or more into “modern-day classic Christmas movies,” these Christmas movies are sure to deliver plenty of holiday cheer while offering some teachable moments.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
A 1965 TV special classic, this 25-minute-long animated story follows Charlie Brown as he decides to take on directing the annual Christmas play. Wanting to infuse more traditional holiday spirit into the play, he searches for the perfect tree. Follow Charlie, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang in this timeless tale of remembering the true Christmas spirit.
What The Movie Teaches Kids: This sweet classic teaches kids the value of friendship, how perseverance pays off, and that acknowledging your feelings – even if they go against expectations – is good.
Frosty The Snowman
Another 1960s classic Frosty The Snowman, is a short and sweet tale of how the snowman came to life one day. Go on a journey with Hinkle (the failing magician), his rabbit Hocus, Karen, and Frosty as they meet Santa and find the magical joy of friendship.
What The Movie Teaches Kids: Frosty is another great tale of friendship that teaches children that even if friendships are short, they can be meaningful. This winter tale also exhibits the lesson of having cheer even in challenging circumstances.
Rudolph The Red-Nose Reindeer
From the creators of Frosty The Snowman, is the 1964 classic Rudolph The Red-Nose Reindeer. In this adoring Christmas adventure, join Hermey, an elf, Yukon, the adventurer, and Rudolph, an outcast reindeer due to his glowing red nose, as they take on the abominable snowman, a rescue mission, venture into the Island of Misfit Toys, and save Christmas.
What The Movie Teaches Kids: A big takeaway from Rudolph is to embrace everyone as they are, not to bully others for their differences, and that everyone has unique talents. Other lessons include kindness and not letting others determine your value.
Miracle On 34th Street
This beloved holiday classic, originally filmed in 1947 and remade in 1994 has charmed families for generations. Taking place in New York City between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, this sweet story focuses on a little girl named Susan, her mom Doris, their neighbor Fred, and Kris Kringle. Kris claims to be the real Santa Claus, and through a tumultuous series of events, these four characters bond and discover Santa’s real identity.
What The Movie Teaches Kids: In this holiday classic, kids can learn that being your authentic self is important, faith is believing, not seeing, and that people are more important than possessions.
It’s A Wonderful Life
A five-time Academy Award Nominee, this 1946 holiday classic centers around George Bailey. George is a small-town banker who has built a life with a beautiful family but has given up his own personal success to help others. George begins to question whether his life is worth living on Christmas Eve. He is visited by a Christmas angel who shows George all the good he has done through the lives he has affected in big ways.
What The Movie Teaches Kids: This Christmas favorite is full of valuable lessons we can all learn from. George’s character shows us the power of giving, community, compassion, and honesty. The film’s ending reminds us of the value of family, community, and positivity.
A Christmas Story
This 1983 Christmas comedy has become a family favorite. The film follows a 9-year-old boy named Ralphy during the last few days leading up to Christmas. Narrated by his adult self, the film takes us on a journey through Ralphy’s daily life, including family, friends, school, and the neighborhood bully. For Christmas, Ralphy has his heart set on a special Red Rider BB gun, but everyone is convinced he’ll shoot his eye out.
What The Movie Teaches Kids: This Christmas comedy teaches kids to stand up for themselves, that honesty is best, and that words matter. It also shows the value of family and how loyalty in friendship is important.
A Christmas Carol
Originally penned by Charles Dickens in 1843 this story has been adapted for the screen many times over. The story reviews the life of Ebenezer Scrooge, a cranky businessman who only cares about money. Scrooge is visited by three ghosts who show him what the legacy of his life will be if he doesn’t change his ways. From darker versions of the movie to the Jim Carrey version shown above, and even a retelling by The Muppets, there is no shortage of “A Christmas Carol” movies to enjoy with your kiddos.
What The Movie Teaches Kids: The tale teaches children that it is better to give than receive and that when we have more than enough, we should share what we have. This story also shows the value of family and how one can be happy without material goods.
Polar Express
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Polar Express stars Tom Hanks as various characters in the movie. The film follows a young boy on Christmas Eve who is starting to doubt the existence of Santa Claus. The boy boards a train with other children and goes on an adventurous ride. Eventually, the train reaches its destination – The North Pole and Santa Claus.
What The Movie Teaches Kids:
In this adventure, kids can learn the value of accepting and befriending others who are different, and it’s good to step out of their comfort zone. Children can also learn that anything is possible if they believe in themselves, and believing comes from the heart – not the eyes.
The Grinch
This Dr. Seuss tale is told in animation and live-action. Set in Who-ville, the Grinch is an outcast who hates Christmas. He sets a plot to ‘steal’ Christmas from the town but learns that you can’t steal the Christmas spirit.
What The Movie Teaches Kids: Kids learn in this imaginative story that people are more important than presents. The Grinch shows us that friendship can be found in unlikely places and that giving is better than receiving.
Home Alone
Home Alone is a modern-day classic centered around 8-year-old Kevin McAllister, who is accidentally left alone as his family heads off on a holiday vacation. When confronted by two burglaries, Marv and Harry, Kevin must think quickly to protect his family home with a set of traps. Along the way, Kevin dodges a misunderstood neighbor who ultimately becomes a true ally.
What The Movie Teaches Kids: Home Alone teaches kids that resourcefulness can help them in life, that learning from mistakes is an important life lesson, and that cherishing relationships and embracing the spirit of giving are all part of the holidays and life.
