The Best Way to Watch Christmas Movies: Create a Me-Time Marathon

Many holiday activities require planning ahead. And once we pencil in family time, parties, special meals, school events and celebrations, our calendars are scheduled down to the minute. Know what we don’t have to plan? Watching Christmas movies. Thanks to streaming services, we can tune in to one—or more than one, or many more than one—anytime, anywhere, with anybody we choose.
What’s the best way to watch Christmas movies? However you want to. It could be a spontaneous family movie night or invitation-only watch party…but honestly? It may just be a me-time marathon of Hallmark Christmas movies and wrapping presents and eating cookies in your pajamas.
Inspired? Create and share by tagging @HallmarkStores.
Why do we love Christmas movies?
First, though: Why does it feel so good to watch Hallmark Christmas Movies?
We watch knowing what’s coming—romantic connections, holiday traditions, happy endings—and as the credits roll, we feel great, whether we’ve finished a film for our first time or our fifth.
But why is that? According to one behavioral scientist, the emotional journey of a Christmas movie is comfortable and satisfying for us because of its reliability.
As Pamela Rutledge of Fielding Graduate University told NBC, Christmas movie storylines tend to follow the classic structures of fairy tales. We draw comfort from narrative patterns we easily recognize: As we watch, we are easily able to escape into each movie while putting our everyday lives on pause.
And the result of our connecting with the characters in a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie, she says, is that we are emotionally rewarded with feelings of hope and optimism. We feel more capable and connected and validated. All this counters the stress, anxiety and even depression that we can feel from everyday life and particularly during the holidays.
The short answer: Watching Hallmark Christmas movies is good for our emotional well-being. It’s just science.

Christmas movie marathons: The perfect me-time activity
Now some people might think kicking back and watching a few Christmas movies (or, like a dozen) would feel either indulgent or frivolous in the face of to-do lists that aren’t becoming ta-da lists.
But is taking some “me time” to watch a few movies really that indulgent?
Consider this: Any activity you undertake to promote your own mental, physical and emotional well-being is an act of self-care. It doesn’t have to be yoga or a hike or an art class—only you get to determine what steps you can take that best help reduce stressors in your life.
And just like putting on oxygen masks on an airplane, you’ve got to take care of yourself before you take care of the people around you.
So if watching a Christmas movie (or a dozen) makes you feel relaxed, renewed and refueled with the holiday spirit, you owe it to yourself and everyone around you to do just that.
It’s a whole vibe: Set up to settle down
We’ve consulted with experts about creating the mood for Christmas movies. (Us. The experts are us.) Here’s where we landed.
Create a Christmas movie watchlist
Sometimes relaxing in front of the TV means turning it on and letting fate and the wisdom of the Hallmark Channel programmers decide what you’ll be enjoying.
Other times, you might want a themed or curated experience, which is easy to create with a little help from the internet and your favorite streaming service (cough Hallmark Movies Now cough). On-demand holiday movie marathons may be the best invention in the history of television.
- Search “best Hallmark Christmas movies.” Fill in the blank with your favorite channel (ahem), description (romantic, religious, funny, family, animated, musical, classic, etc.), stars or screenwriters.
- Countdown to Christmas. Make a must-watch list to get you through the holiday season. (Download the Hallmark Movie Checklist app for a little help.)
- Pick a series or trilogy. Start and finish in one night or over a weekend.

Make a me-time movie menu
“With snacks” may be the best way to watch Christmas movies. And you get to decide if your me time includes making a grocery store run or baking cookies—or letting your favorite delivery service do the work.
Again, our experts have suggestions:
- Try mashing up your favorite treats for movies and Christmas. Mix your movie candy of choice into your Christmas cookie recipe or a bucket of popcorn. (Or try one of our taste-tested popcorn recipes.)
- Stir up a Christmas-themed cocktail. These tasty beverages were created especially for your holiday relaxation needs.
- Make an epic snack board. Get thee to Pinterest and search “grazing board” for the latest trend in professional snacking. Inspired by the perfect pairing of meat and cheese on a charcuterie board, “grazing boards” are plates, trays, cutting boards or whole tables of carefully themed, selected, sliced and stacked foods.

Round up Christmas movie essentials
You want to feel as warm and comfortable as the ending of a Christmas movie, right? It’s time to claim your corner of the couch or close the door to the TV room and make it your own—whether it’s for an hour or an evening.
- Put everything within reach. On-demand, me-time movie marathons are not for getting up and down. Gather your remote, snacks, beverages (three words: insulated drink container), phone or tablet, Christmas-related project (see above), space heater or personal fan and snuggly pet and settle in for the long winter’s night.
- Snuggle up in your favorite blankets, pillows, sweaters and socks. Perhaps we can interest you in home décor and apparel created specifically for Hallmark Channel Christmas movie watching?
- Set the stage. Complete the sensory experience. Turn the lights down low…or add twinkle lights…or light a candle or reed diffuser with a seasonal scent.
Relax and press “play”
We’re not suggesting you make a production of every Hallmark holiday movie you watch.
But every so often, you deserve a little time to treat yourself. During the holiday season, you’re likely to find yourself making special moments and creating Christmas memories for family and friends.
You’ve got to refuel that caring energy somehow. Escaping for a little me time with a Christmas movie marathon may be just what you need to keep your holiday spirit shining bright.
Shop Hallmark Channel
See allYou may also like
See more-
Kids Free Black History Month Coloring Pages to Celebrate with the Family or in the Classroom
There are so many way to celebrate Black History Month. And we absolutely love the ones that can be done as a family ...
-
Spring History of Teacher Appreciation Week
People in the United States started celebrating National Teacher Day in 1953 when Eleanor Roosevelt persuaded Cong...
-
Spring History of Nurses Day
In 1953, an official with the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare proposed that President Dwight D. E...
-
Valentine's Day Share Some Puppy Love with the Littles This Valentine’s Day
Tell them you love them through stories that come to life. Find this sweet singing pup and his companion book in your...
-
Thank You 100+ Inspiring Gratitude Quotes to Keep or Share
Being thankful is something we naturally think of around Thanksgiving—but anytime is a good time for some inspiring g...
-
Christmas Capturing Every Memory with Keepsake Ornaments: 50 Years and Counting
What if our Christmas trees connected us to family and friends each moment we gathered around them? What if every orn...
-
Valentine's Day Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas Perfect for Each Zodiac Sign
We all know someone who’s a little obsessed with astrology. They love to check their daily horoscope, ask everyone th...
-
Valentine's Day Cute and Colorful DIY Kids' Valentine Box Ideas
Ever look at kids’ valentine box ideas and wonder why they get to have all the fun? SAME. So we rounded up some suppl...
-
Valentine's Day DIY Camera Valentine Box
Hardly anyone uses film anymore, but your little might recognize what this is if they have their own toy digital came...
-
Valentine's Day DIY Rainbow Valentine Box
This design is for that child who when asked what their favorite color is exclaims, “the rainbow!” (They may or may n...
-
Valentine's Day DIY Roller Skate Valentine Box
Have you noticed that there’s a big roller skate revival happening? It’s kind of amazing. If your kid needs a valenti...
-
Valentine's Day DIY Dinosaur Valentine Box
A box of love notes shaped like a little stegosaurus? Um, ADORABLE. And yes, ours is in the classic Valentine’s Day s...
-
Valentine's Day Valentine's Day Party Ideas: Setup, Sips, Snacks and More
We all know that when it comes to love, we should be showing our people we care in lots of little ways every day. But...
-
Valentine's Day Free Relationship Conversation Cards to Stir Up All the Feels
Having positive, meaningful conversations is one of the best things about the relationships in our lives. Whether it’...
-
Valentine's Day Chocolate Cherry Cake Truffles
There’s something deeply satisfying about one-bite desserts. Maybe it’s the fun of eating with your fingers. Maybe it...
-
Valentine's Day The Sweetest Cherry Vodka Sour Cocktail
If you’re the sort of person who loves going all out on Valentine’s Day AND you also love a good theme party, then th...
-
Gifting How to Plan a Gift Scavenger Hunt
If you want to make unwrapping a present even more fun, there’s nothing better than a gift scavenger hunt. Send partn...
-
Gift Wrapping Easy Gift Wrap Hacks That Are All Pretty and No Pressure
We’ve all been there: You think you have what you need to wrap that gift at home, but turns out you’re woefully short...
-
Care & Concern What to Write When Trying to Reconcile With a Loved One
Being estranged from someone hurts, plain and simple. And in today’s society, it’s increasingly common. According to ...
-
Congratulations How to Give a Toast from the Heart
At some point in your life, you’ll need to give a toast. You might get advance notice as a Maid of Honor or host o...