17 School Days of Christmas

A re-sparking of a romance paired with a mission possible-type problem all set in a kingdom during Christmas time seems like it would equate to a enjoyable, thrilling adventure, but Netflix’s third installment of the Princess Switch series, The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star, proves that the idea is not nearly as enjoyable as it might have seemed. While the first movie focused on Stacy, ...

With Christmas coming around the corner, here are some shopping ideas so you're not stressed out the day before Christmas.  For Mom: Moms have always been there for their children, so moms deserve to be spoiled with a unique gift. You can choose the easy route and go with beauty products, such as Origins, or you can get her something fun that she won’t forget. Another gift could be something to look forward to, such as something to be used in the sprin...

In 1951, Bing Crosby released his Christmas song “White Christmas,” putting the focus on his excitement for a traditional winter holiday. In 1960, Andy Williams released his song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” shedding light on the excitement of the Christmas season and the joy it provides.  Flash forward 50 years, and Mariah Carey dropped one of her most popular songs, “All I Want For...

Though gingerbread houses, buying gifts, decorating the tree, and hot chocolate are all trademarks of the holiday season, arguably the most prominent and defining part of the season is the music. While people debate whether or not it’s acceptable to start listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving, there's no doubt the holiday season is defined by the music. Many use the music to build ex...

The Netflix original film A Castle for Christmas amounts to just another rom-com cliche, but still has redeeming qualities. The movie is like every other rom-com to exist: In the beginning, two people do not like each other and then they start to realize how they feel. In the end, they fall in love.  In A Castle for Christmas, Sophie Brown, an author, decides to travel to Scotland after a sc...

The Netflix original Love Hard is a mediocre attempt to show the true meaning of love through the spirit of Christmas. The movie focuses on journalist Natalie Bauer, played by Nina Dobrev, and her complex love life. In hopes of finding a boyfriend, she joins a variety of dating websites, none of which work out. Her luck with local men results in her getting stood up, lied to, and more.  Wit...

The newest Home Alone film shows a light at the end of the tunnel for the franchise. Home Sweet Home Alone starts with a couple trying to sell their house while the new Kevin McCalister (Max Mercer) wanders through the McKenzie home. Max steals a family heirloom, an old, disfigured doll at an open house. Holiday hijinx then ensues, with a cat and mouse dynamic between the couple and Max like...

With Christmas coming to town, people who want to hear festive music – but not the same old songs – should give Kelly Clarkson's When Christmas Comes Around… a listen. Clarkson is known to be one of the best singers for Christmas. Her vocals and her experience with Christmas music allow her to rightfully claim the top spot among other singers.  There are new songs with features from we...

As depicted in many classic Christmas movies, families coming together to celebrate Christmas Eve or Christmas is a common occurrence, but it’s one I have not experienced.  Roughly 20 years ago, my parents came to the United States from Bosnia. They left their family behind and were introduced to a new culture. They were immersed into the grandeur of Christmas their first year here. Once I was born,...

It’s clear that there are many good Christmas movies and shows. However, five shine above all the rest. Here they are, listed in reverse order: Number 5: Die Hard. While people disagree over whether this counts as a Christmas movie or not, it is one of the best and that’s why it is on the list. This action-packed classic really keeps viewers in suspense. This goes against the norm for Ch...

Making the decision to stay away from family on the holidays is hard, but some people are saying that, like the school year and large events such as concerts, the holiday season could be more normal this year. Last year’s big holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, during the first year of Covid-19, were full of conversations regarding whether or not families should play it safe and stay home or...

Bryson Tiller has failed to deliver A Different Christmas that his album title promises. Every successful mainstream artist comes with a Christmas album at some point, and Tiller is no exception with his newest release. Tiller’s voice is perfect for Christmas songs, but this barely feels like a holiday album, let alone a good one.  The only times Tiller captures the Christmas spirit come when he cov...

It’s a Wonderful Life has reached its 75th anniversary, and it remains one of the most meaningful and well crafted Christmas films to this day. The protagonist of the film, George Bailey, played by James Stewart, is a generous character with strong family ties and sympathy for the people in his local community of Bedford Falls.  The earlier parts of the movie take place in different years...

When it comes to Christmas music, one name comes to mind: Mariah Carey. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” provides the backbone for Christmas shopping music and holiday radio stations. It is so huge that it could be considered both the most hated and the most popular Christmas song of all time.  The hate for this song raises the possibility that Carey is not the top Christmas singer. Carey...

Netflix’s first holiday gay rom-com, Single All the Way, incorporates the perfect amount of holiday cheer, love, and comedy all into one.  The movie follows the main character, Peter, a workaholic living in Los Angeles, who is infamously known by his family as having an unsuccessful dating history. With a recent heartbreak and his annual trip back home to New Hampshire for Christmas coming up, ...

Netflix’s new Christmas movie, Father Christmas is Back, takes a different look at family holidays. The movie centers around four sisters who decide to reunite their families to spend Christmas together in a Yorkshire mansion. The family can be labeled as “highly dysfunctional,” with each character having their own array of issues.  The holiday spirals into an even more flawed situatio...