The Holiday: The Perfect Christmas Movie

Christmas is the best time of year: hot chocolate steaming, snuggled under blankets, and matching pjs galore. It’s time to hang out with family and friends. And what makes the perfect hangout? A good movie! Christmas movies are the highlight of the season. Whether it be a cheesy Hallmark movie or a nostalgic classic, there’s a little something for everyone! Recently, I watched The Holiday for the first time, and it is the perfect holiday film. Here’s why you should immediately add it to your watchlist:

Beginning with a quick summary, the film is about two women who feel like they need to get away from their old lives and decide to swap houses on an Airbnb-esque website for the holidays. With one lady in L.A. and the other in England, they both meet a man who is perfect for them. There’s a little bit of romance for everyone to enjoy!

The woman in England, Iris, wanted to leave her home in England because she was held up in her situationship with Jasper. She thought she would finally going to have a chance with him, until Jasper’s engagement was announced. Devastated, Iris put her cottage on a home exchange website. Which leads us to Amanda, the woman in L.A., who just broke up with her boyfriend, who had been routinely cheating on her. Later in the day, Amanda decides on a whim to let her workers have a break while she goes and travels for the holidays. Quickly, she visits the home exchange website, connects with Iris, and they both fly out, switching homes the next day.

While on the trips, they meet men who end up being exactly what the ladies need in their lives. Throughout the movie, viewers follow how both relationships grow. Luckily, they aren’t the same, which allows any viewer to relate to the characters. The complications and hardships along the way make the movie all the more realistic! Personally, I preferred Iris and Miles, but that’s a part of the beauty of the film, you have the opportunity to follow different stories that wrap up sweetly.

Additionally, one of the best things about this story is that it’s not completely centered around Christmas, but it is the general vibe of the movie. With snow everywhere in England, the aesthetic of the film feels fairytale-ish. In my opinion, the idea that Christmas is not the main plot point helps the story evolve into a better movie altogether.

 Regardless of whether you enjoy chick flicks or serious action movies, The Holiday is a movie anyone can enjoy. So once Christmas break hits and you have free time, open any streaming service and watch The Holiday with your family and friends!