Ah, the holiday season. It’s the time when we cozy up with hot cocoa, dust off our favorite festive films, and try to ignore the fact that we’ve eaten our body weight in cookies. But as we settle in for those classic holiday movies, it’s hard not to notice some of those well-worn tropes that, let’s face it, are starting to feel pretty cringe-worthy. You know the ones. They’re like that overly sweet fruitcake that everyone pretends to love but secretly wants to toss out. Let’s take a look at six holiday movie tropes that have overstayed their welcome and might just need a little holiday makeover.
1. The “Meet-Cute” in the Snow
Nothing says romance like a chance encounter in a winter wonderland, right? The classic “meet-cute” usually involves a character slipping on ice, dropping their coffee, or getting tangled in holiday lights. It’s adorable… except when it happens in every single holiday movie. Seriously, how many times do we need to see someone fall face-first into a snowbank only to end up in the arms of their soulmate? It’s cute the first time, but by the fifth iteration, you’re just waiting for someone to get a concussion. Let’s mix it up a bit, shall we?
2. The Overly Perfect Family
Every holiday movie seems to feature a picture-perfect family that looks like they stepped straight out of a magazine. They’re always smiling, their homes are immaculately decorated, and they have heartwarming traditions that would make even the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes. But let’s be real: no family is that perfect. It’s just not relatable! I mean, how many of us have had family dinners that ended in debates about politics or someone accidentally ruining Grandma’s famous casserole? A little chaos and authenticity would make those family gatherings feel more genuine.
3. The Last-Minute Christmas Miracle
You know the drill: as the clock ticks down to Christmas Eve, everything seems to be falling apart. But wait! Just in the nick of time, a magical event changes everything, and suddenly, all is well. Whether it’s a surprise visit from Santa or a sudden realization of true love, it’s starting to feel like a bit of a stretch. Life doesn’t usually wrap up neatly with a bow, and while we all love a good happy ending, let’s not pretend that everything can be solved in a 90-minute time frame. Sometimes, it’s the messy bits that make for the best stories.
4. The “Grinch” Character Who Changes Overnight
Every holiday movie has that one character who’s a total Scrooge—think of them as the Grinch’s cousin twice removed. They’re rude, they hate the holidays, and they roll their eyes at any mention of joy. But by the end, thanks to the magic of the season (and maybe a little nudging from the love interest), they magically transform into the biggest holiday enthusiast. While it’s a nice sentiment, it’s a bit unrealistic to think someone can change their entire personality in the span of a week. People don’t just go from “Bah, humbug!” to “Let’s sing carols!” overnight. Let’s give them a little more depth, shall we?
5. The Love Triangle That Goes Nowhere
Every holiday movie seems to trot out a love triangle that feels more like a love squabble. There’s usually a charming but unavailable guy, a best friend pining away in the background, and a heroine who can’t decide who she loves. But as the credits roll, she often ends up with the first guy, leaving the best friend in the lurch. It’s like the writers were trying to create drama but ended up with a half-baked storyline. Let’s give the best friend a happy ending too! They deserve it after all that emotional labor.
6. The “Holiday Spirit” as a Cure-All
Finally, we’ve got the idea that simply embracing the holiday spirit will solve all your problems. Feeling lonely after a breakup? Just throw on a Santa hat and find a tree to decorate! Struggling with work stress? A little eggnog and some caroling will fix everything! While the holiday spirit is wonderful, it’s not a magic wand. It’s okay to acknowledge that life can be tough even during the merriest of times. Let’s embrace the ups and downs, and show that it’s totally normal to not feel jolly all the time.
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