THERE ARE MANY classic traditions associated with Christmas – from presents to hanging stockings to a bang-up dinner – to participate in each year.

Although, what’s more Christmassy than snuggling up in front of the television and catching up with some of your favourite Christmas films and shows on the small screen? We rounded up 11 of the most iconic Christmas moments on screen to get you into the spirit of the season.

Ho, ho, ho.

1. George running home, It’s a Wonderful Life

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You’d have to have a heart of stone not to well up a little as George runs back to his real life in Bedford Falls, knowing the difference that one man can make on a town and the world.

2. Father Ted Christmas special

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From the very opening scene with Dougal telling Ted the blinking Christmas tree lights are on; no, off; no, on; no, off – you’re in for a treat. It might be 20 years old this year (!) but it’s as funny as ever, and will have you laughing off your Christmas dinner.

3. Guinness ‘Christmas in Dublin’ ad

Who can resist this advert showing Dublin in all her glory – and whilst snowing, to boot? The music alone is enough to give you chills and start you dreaming of a white one too.

4. ESB ‘Coming home’ ad

While this ad is over 30 years old, it’s especially pertinent these days with so many Irish people living abroad. There’s nothing like a bit of nostalgia, and knocking on the immersion at all hours, to get you feeling Christmassy.

5. John McClane falling off the exploding building, Die Hard

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Is it a Christmas film or a film that just happens to happen at Christmas? We’ll let you argue that out, but it’s on our list of iconic Christmas moments – especially when John McClane (Bruce Willis) jumps off an exploding building tied to a fire hose.

Yippee ki yay, indeed.

6. Turkey curry dinner, Bridget Jones’s Diary

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How can forget the immortal moment when Bridget Jones first lays eyes on Mark Darcy’s back (ding dong!) before he turns around to reveal he’s wearing a terrible Christmas jumper? Spoiler alert – it all works out in the end. 

7. Dawn and Tim finally kiss, The Office Christmas special

The “will they, won’t they” story of Dawn and Tim from The Office comes to a close in the very last moments of the final episode.  It’s the Christmas special, so everyone gets a happy ending – even David.

8. Mark professing love to Juliet, Love Actually

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Yeah, yeah, it’s cheesy, and she’s married, but c’mon – it’s romantic. You know it is. And it’s such a Christmas film – the highs, the lows, the singing – it’s got everything.

9. Sainsbury’s ‘World War I Truce’ ad

This Sainsbury’s ad from 2014 tells the story of the Christmas truce during World War I in 1914. While the exact details of the truce are not fully known (historians aren’t sure a football match actually happened for instance), the truce did last for 48 hours and gifts were exchanged by the two sides. If that doesn’t get you in the spirit of Christmas, nothing will.

10. The Ghost of Christmas Present beating up Frank, Scrooged

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In case that was all feeling a bit saccharine for you, we’ve lobbed in a bit of Bill Murray in with this retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Carol Kane as the cute, sweet, Ghost of Christmas Present terrorising the terrible Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is comedy gold. The film is funny, irreverent, and will definitely bring a tear to your eye – although of laughter or not, we’re not sure.

11. Only Fools and Horses Christmas special

Del and Rodney as Batman and Robin inadvertently preventing a crime during the Only Fools and Horses Christmas special… to find out why, you’ll just have to watch the whole thing. But that’s hardly a hardship, innit?

What’s your favourite Christmas moment on screen? Let us know in the comments below.

Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? Budweiser do holidays all the way. It’s the season of giving… everything. From our family to yours, Happy Holidays from Budweiser.

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