Something about the classic Christmas movies makes them so snug. They do not simply entertain, but also touch human emotions. Seeing them feels like entering a time machine to an era where the meaning of Christmas would not be overpowered by the noise of commercialism and showy romcoms. Christmas used to be about family and the simple but deep connections that make life worth living; yet, now there seems to be a recent onslaught of modern holiday productions that are flashy romances or goofy comedies that lack any depth in the storyline. Sure, they can be entertaining, but do they really reflect what Christmas and the holiday season are all about?

One Christmas movie that has stood the test of time is It’s a Wonderful Life. When George Bailey stands on that bridge, thinking of ending his life, we see a man breaking under the burden of all the decisions he has made and the lives he has touched. It is a beautiful movie because it does not shy away from the tough aspects, which is not something most modern Christmas movies are able to face. It’s a Wonderful Life doesn't hand you a gift-wrapped happy ending. Instead, it tells us that much of what life means often lies in the weaving of relationships and in seemingly tiny, insignificant actions that ripple outward in ways that we cannot even begin to understand. That is a Christmas message which one should want more of. It is not about what we stuffed under that tree, but with whom we share those gifts.

Now, compare that with the quintessential Hallmark movies, where two strangers meet and fall in love and, somehow, everything falls magically into place. They are nice and do check off all the superficial boxes: snow, twinkling lights, a charming couple, and an over the top romantic gesture. Despite this, they fail to pierce beyond that as they are unable to show the actual magic of Christmas: the bonds among community, the joys of giving, and the emotional effects of family and tradition. These adaptations drop the bar so low that, by the time you see the couple's first kiss under the mistletoe, you have either almost entirely forgotten the entire plot of the movie (if there even is one). The conflict becomes trivial, the resolution predictable. By the end credits, you feel just as hollow as the message of the movie. 

Now, who's to say Christmas movies have to leave us all soaking up tears by the end? Christmas deserves a good amount of giggles, too. Yet, modern comedies are also lacking in comparison to our time honored Christmas classics. Take White Christmas as the perfect example of a classic Christmas comedy. This musical piece is filled to the brim with humorous scenes and dance numbers. Modern movies cannot quite reach that level of laughter or the presence of emotions deeper than classics can elicit. White Christmas is about friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice. The ingenious Bob Wallace and Phil Davis are teaming to save the old general’s dying inn. They put on a show (more of an homage, really) to those who helped mold and shape them. They don't need an ovation when performing their Christmas number for the general; they are simply repaying him. The humor is soft and organic, without the forcing of jokes into a jarring script. The film doesn't shy away from joy, but there lies all the more weight than most modern holiday comedies. 

Now compare that to a modern comedy like Elf, a contemporary holiday romp that quickly became an instant modern classic. Buddy the Elf, played irresistibly by Will Ferrell, can be side-splittingly funny at times. Buddy’s wonder and silly pranks built energy into the holiday scene. The pity is that with all the charm flowing therein, it often simply feels like stringing one random gag after another while sprinkling a bit of sentimentality on it. Buddy's search for his father and acclimatization to human society is what triggers the conflict, but the stakes really are never as high as they could be. The humor, then, derives from the innocent cluelessness of Buddy. Although fun and iconic, it often deprives the audience of a richer emotional connection. Although Buddy does help his father find Christmas cheer again, the resolution is not so much a satisfying climax but, rather, an ironic turn of events. 

In watching White Christmas, we see people who are genuinely interested in the happiness of each other. They have committed to a cause beyond themselves, and as a side note we get humor carefully weaved into the story. On the other side, there is a warmth that Elf lacks in all of its crazy antics, though it is still quite a bit more. The jokes in Elf are more about Buddy's outrageousness, while the jokes in White Christmas seem much more about the bond between the people. Elf is fun and festive, yet somehow not quite so lasting. White Christmas has purpose and nostalgia attached. It is not strictly laughs, but love, loyalty, and an honoring of the past. 

Tradition has it that old classics have something that today's movies do not have: a rich holiday spirit. These movies tell us that Christmas is not about snowflakes and mistletoe, but hanging by the people in our lives, the sacrifices we make for them, and the joy that goes with being there for each other. Rather, today's films have their focus grounded more superficially: romance or wild hijinks, not much on deeper messages that span the test of time. However, I will admit it: a flirty rom-com or silly comedy can be lots of fun. 

But if you want something real to linger in your mind when the holiday season is far behind, something worth looking into are old Christmas classic films. They wouldn't have survived more than several decades if they were not of much importance. They are meaningful; they are family, love, and the intangible magic of giving and receiving. Try watching It's a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, or Miracle on 34th Street again! These movies won't just entertain but will get your head around what Christmas is really about. The best holiday films are the ones that lend themselves to your heart and make you treasure the people surrounding you. The kind of Christmas magic that lasts long after the lights turn on in our cinemas.