‘Tis the season — for holiday movies! We all know about the cultish following of the Hallmark Channel Christmas movies but they are not alone. The Samsung channel promotes 1000 titles in its holiday collection and every other streaming service has a catalog of seasonally-themed films. You could watch 24/7 from now until next Christmas.
The problem is that all of these movies have the same ending — a happy one. The constant barrage of fantasy creates unrealistic expectations and adds to the levels of sadness or depression many feel during this time of year. On television, everyone gets the prince or the pony; the business is saved, or it all works out — but as we know, it’s not like that in reality.
Amidst all the holiday cheer, remember that your friends, family, and colleagues aren’t living the movie. Not everyone is happy this season; in fact, some are quite the opposite. Don’t make inferences about holiday plans, assume there is happiness, or pack schedules with yet another joy-sharing occasion. Sometimes, a silent day is as warranted as a Silent Night.
