Favorite holiday movies/shows: Father Christmas
By Kelli M
@spiderdust (14756)
San Jose, California
November 26, 2022 7:29pm CST
When I was much younger, one of my siblings brought home a book from the library called Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs. This was a story told in pictures, with very little dialogue, about a cranky Father Christmas who disliked being cold and dreamed about tropical vacations. We absolutely loved it and got it from the library every year as we couldn't find it in the bookstores.
Fast forward to my adulthood, and I've purchased this book several times for my own children. I have to read it many times during the Christmas season and we've worn out a few copies. A few years ago, I discovered that a TV special had been made of the book! It's nearly impossible to find it streaming these days, although the production company has a copy of it up on YouTube.
The film differs a bit from the book as it combines both the books Father Christmas and Father Christmas Goes On Holiday (also by Raymond Briggs) into one story, and there's a lot more dialogue in the movie than in the original book, but we still adore it. I hope it becomes one of your favorites too.
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12 people like this
11 responses
@LadyDuck (503038)
• Italy
27 Nov 22
my favorite Christmas movie is the same as @GreatMartin "Miracle on 34th Street". I will watch again this year.
4 people like this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
27 Nov 22
@marlina Oh, that's one I enjoy too! I don't usually think of it as a Christmas movie, but I guess there is a big scene involving a Christmas tree.
Or at least I think there is... I've read the book far more often than I've seen the movie, so I might be mixing up things.
2 people like this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
27 Nov 22
@LadyDuck @GreatMartin I like that one too, although I have a preference for the one starring Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle. He makes a wonderful Santa. Nothing against the Natalie Wood version, of course!
2 people like this
@RubyHawk (99367)
• Atlanta, Georgia
27 Nov 22
My children loved The Night Before Christmas. We read it and other Christmas Stories. Of course that was long ago. All my children are grown, married with children of their own. Enjoy your little ones while you can. They grow up so fast.
3 people like this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
27 Nov 22
I do have some adult children, but I still have one that qualifies as a "small child" for a little longer. The rest are teens/tweens.
3 people like this
@RubyHawk (99367)
• Atlanta, Georgia
27 Nov 22
@spiderdust You don't realize how fast kids grow up until they're grown, then you look back and it seems like yesterday.
3 people like this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
27 Nov 22
@RubyHawk I know what you mean. It doesn't feel like 25 years went by so fast.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (190157)
• Boise, Idaho
27 Nov 22
Sounds like a cute holiday movie for kids and adults alike to enjoy. I will watch it if I see it on any of the apps I frequent.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (190157)
• Boise, Idaho
28 Nov 22
@spiderdust ........Oh, good. I love YouTube.
1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
27 Nov 22
I haven't found it on any of the streaming apps, but the link I posted is the entire movie on YouTube.
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
27 Nov 22
Natalie Wood in "Miracle on 34th Street" because I did and do believe in Santa Claus!! And she was so cute!
3 people like this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
27 Nov 22
That's another classic. My kids are more familiar with the 1994 version, but I think everyone should see the Natalie Wood version at least once.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238429)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Nov 22
@spiderdust I have had college students who had never heard of it. 
2 people like this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
27 Nov 22
@TheHorse Wow, that's surprising! Are they international students? I imagine it's more popular in the United States than in other countries.
1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
27 Nov 22
That's a classic! Apparently it's the most borrowed book at the Brooklyn Public Library.
2 people like this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
27 Nov 22
I think Christmas movies bring us some of that childlike joy again.
2 people like this
@Rashnag (30597)
• Surat, India
28 Nov 22
@spiderdust True indeed. I agree. It also helps in fantasing ideal situations or life as shown in them which doesn't happen in real life 
2 people like this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
29 Nov 22
@Rashnag I'll probably be making some more posts this week about other Christmas movies that we love.
2 people like this
@popciclecold (40214)
• United States
28 Nov 22
I never heard of it. But you make me want to see it. Thanks for sharing.
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (40214)
• United States
28 Nov 22
I really enjoyed it. I Watched the whole thing. Thanks again for the share.
1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
28 Nov 22
Do watch it! I have it linked above.
1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
27 Nov 22
It was out of print for a while, but I think the contract was renewed. It's easier to find copies of it for sale now.
2 people like this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
27 Nov 22
Father Christmas was such a delightful curmudgeon in that book!
2 people like this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
1 Dec 22
Do watch it when you can! I left a link to it above.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (98215)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Nov 22
I have never heard of this sounds interesting. Thank you for the link. When I can, I will look at it on YouTube,
2 people like this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
27 Nov 22
It's such a sweet little movie!
2 people like this
