AS PART OF TheJournal.ie’s weekly Family Magazine, we wanted to create a space for parents to share their views. A place where mums and dads could share their experiences, lessons learned, and even mistakes along the way. 

From made-for-Christmas films to plotlines that are just magical enough to feel festive (hello, Mary Poppins), most homes have a few movies they turn for December viewing.

This week, we’re asking our panel…

What’s your family’s favourite film at this time of year?

Here’s what they had to say…

Top L-R: Olly Keegan, Alan Dooley, Denise, Ken Hyland. Middle L-R: Ríona Flood, Ross Boxshall, Marta Lisiecka, Denise Cumiskey. Bottom L-R: Kait Quinn, Susannah O’Brien, Derek McInerney, Suzie Kelly TheJournal.ie TheJournal.ie

The Polar Express, no contest: This one is a clear favourite and always makes for a big movie night in our house.  We’ve tried Charlie And The Chocolate Factory or the older Willie Wonka a few times, but the kids just don’t seem into it.  My wife and I are the ones who love those movies!

- Alan Dooley

The Grinch is a long-time favourite: I plan on watching How The Grinch Stole Christmas in years to come with Charlie. I love the Dr Seuss books so look forward to sharing that love with him. This year, we’ll be lucky if he even says ‘Santa’, but hopefully we’ll be able to make more of the holiday next year when he understands what’s going on.

- Kait Quinn

The Grinch, in float form. Flickr / Steve Baker Flickr / Steve Baker / Steve Baker

Frozen (although not just at Christmas): Ellie Mae is addicted to Frozen. I made the mistake of recording it two years ago on Christmas Day, and now we have to sit down and watch the movie with her a couple of times a week, every week. We all know every line from the film, and every song lyric – because we have to sing them with her as she dances around the room.

- Denise Cumiskey

Home Alone, when she’s a little older: At almost twenty months Clíodhna is only starting to pay attention to television in general but Santa and Christmas are already mesmerising her. We love Christmas movies in our house so everything from The Snowman, to Home Alone, to The Polar Express have already been rolled out this year!

- Riona Flood

Shutterstock / Monkey Business Images Shutterstock / Monkey Business Images / Monkey Business Images

The film choice doesn’t matter: Every Christmas Eve we sit down together and watch a film, eat some junk food/takeaway and really get into the festive spirit. It’s a Hyland family tradition. The film could be anything from Harry Potter to a Marvel movie. It’s not about the movie choice, it’s about spending time together.

- Ken Hyland

Robbie The Reindeer all the way: I don’t think our kids are old enough yet to have a favourite but one of mine that I hope to watch with them some day would be the short Robbie The Reindeer animation, Hooves of Fire. Fun story, great script, and music by Mark Knopfler! I’ll get them into some real golden oldies when we are all a bit older.

- Ross Boxshall 

The Muppets Christmas Carol always makes me cry: To be honest, I’m an awful sap when it comes to Christmas movies and I’ll just cry at any of the happy ones. You can’t beat The Muppets Christmas Carol for a Christmas fix of singing and dancing, along with pseudo-Dickensian Muppet storytelling.

- Olly Keegan

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