The best thing about this time of year is undoubtedly Christmas films, though I’m a little more picky than my better half.

I’m not much for the advertising exec girlboss from the big city finding herself in the sleepy town of Snowdrop Hollow or some other equally ridiculous place, falling in love with the local widowed handyman or cowboy.

And don’t get me started on the off brand Christmas songs littered through the soundtrack 🙃

Being cosy, wearing new PJs, wrapped in a blanket with snacks and a very liberal measure of Bailey’s in our Marty Moose cups are a few of my favourite festive things.

Through the years we’ve built a list of films that we work through. It doesn’t quite feel like Christmas unless we do.

On the more family friendly side we have Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Daddy’s Home 2.

When the wee one isn’t around, we work through Office Christmas Party, A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas, Bad Moms 2 and my favourite of the more adult films, The Night Before.

I say it every year, but there was a huge missed opportunity not to cross over the Bad Moms and Daddy’s Home series. Both movies end with the grandparents catching a flight to Las Vegas. Now, seven years on, I mourn a film I’ll never see.

I’ll just need to settle for the one inside my head.

The Night Before is my favourite because it reflects on the chaos of youth, and how the love of the family you choose can be equal to or greater than the one you’re born into. Most importantly, it reminds us that we’re all forced to age, but not to grow up.

The references to Christmas classics, the sheer number of quotable lines and the cameo from Miley Cyrus are a delight.

If you haven’t seen it, there’s no better time of year to do so.

This post is a celebration of the movies that bring us together, that bring us joy and that show us the meaning of Christmas.

I’d love to hear your festive recommendations in the comments.