Christmas Magic: Movies, Games, and Traditions We Love! ✨🎄
Christmas is my favorite time of year! The lights, laughter, and traditions make it all feel so magical. As the season unfolds, I wanted to share our family’s favorite ways to celebrate this joyous time!
🎥 Favorite Christmas Movies
Nothing beats snuggling up with hot cocoa to watch Christmas classics. Our family’s must-watch list includes:
White Christmas: A heartwarming classic.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: We adored the new movie that's out and loved seeing the musical at the Children’s Theater this year!
Home Alone: CJ loves it, even if it sparks some mischievous ideas!
The Polar Express, All I Want for Christmas, Christmas with the Kranks, and Christmas Vacation are staples.
Old-School Classics: Rudolph, Frosty, and the animated gems of years past.
The Grinch: This year we did a complete Grinch-themed family movie night! Complete with green treats and giggles! Click here to watch the video!
There are just too many movies to count! What are your favorite Christmas movies? Comment below so we can add to our list! And If you're like me, you love Hallmark and Great American Family films. So here is your movie checklist for this year! Make some hot cocoa, grab your blankets, and get ready for a season full of cozy movie nights!
🎄 Favorite Things to Do in Charlotte
Carowinds Winterfest: Carowinds turns into a winter wonderland, with sparkling lights, festive shows, and holiday rides for everyone! Check out our highlight video here!
High Seas Mini Golf: Putt your way through a holiday-themed adventure at High Seas Mini Golf!
Penland Christmas Tree Farm: Take a drive to York, SC, and pick out the perfect Christmas tree to cut down yourself!
Charlotte Ballet’s Nutcracker: A Charlotte holiday tradition! Enjoy the beauty and magic of the Nutcracker ballet with the whole family.
Ballantyne Hotel Gingerbread Lane: Stroll through gingerbread houses and experience the sweet sights and scents of the season.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Lights: Drive through millions of lights, festive displays, and even see Santa at Charlotte Motor Speedway!
Christmas Town USA: Experience the magic of thousands of Christmas lights all around McAdenville!
The Hunter Farm: Enjoy s’mores by the fire, pick your perfect Christmas tree, visit barn animals, and shop for holiday gifts—including A Beautiful Story: Jesus & St. Nick—at their festive gift shop.
Polar Express at the North Carolina Transportation Museum: All aboard the Polar Express! A magical train ride filled with hot chocolate, singing, and a trip to the North Pole.
🎄 Favorite Things to Do in Charlotte
Traditions are what make Christmas so special. Here’s what we love:
Telling the Christmas Story: We use our Jesse Tree and advent ornaments to share the story of Jesus.
Elf Visits: Always full of surprises! Check out my Elf highlights on Instagram.
Giving Back: Filling Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse is a cherished tradition for our family.
As we look forward to the Christmas season, don't forget about my Christmas children’s book, A Beautiful Story: Jesus and St. Nick. This children's book captures the heart of Christmas, celebrating both the birth of Jesus and the spirit of giving embodied by St. Nick. It’s a perfect story to read as a family or gift to a friend for Christmas!
🎲 Christmas Eve Games
Our Christmas Eve is packed with fun and laughter, thanks to these family games:
The Gift Game:
Gifts are placed in the middle of the room.
Two bowls are filled—one with names and the other with birthdates.
When your name is drawn, you must say something Christmassy, or you lose your turn.
Once the gifts are gone, the stealing begins! You have to remember who has what, and don’t forget to keep saying something Christmassy to get your turn!
Christmas Bingo: A festive twist on the classic game, perfect for all ages.
Grandma’s “All” Game:
My grandmother used to read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas but added extra “alls.”
Everyone gets an envelope with money, and every time she said “all,” we passed the envelopes.
At the end of the story, the amount you end up with is a surprise!
✨ Christ-Centered Events
The heart of Christmas is the birth of Jesus. Here are some beautiful ways we celebrate:
Billy Graham Library: A live nativity and free light display.
NarroWay Productions: A dinner show sharing “The Real Christmas Story.”
Walk the Streets of Bethlehem at Lee Park Church.
The Luke 14 Banquet is a cherished annual event at Calvary, celebrating Christmas with a festive meal, an interactive program, and thoughtful gifts for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service: And, of course, we always end the night with a beautiful Candlelight Christmas Eve Service. It’s the perfect way to reflect on the meaning of the season.
🍪 Festive Recipes We Love
Looking for holiday recipe ideas? Here are a few of our family favorites:
✨ Our Christmas in NYC
Last year, we spent Christmas in New York City, and it was nothing short of magical!
Blair’s Big Moment: Blair took the stage to open for the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall—such a proud family moment for us!
Favorite Holiday Spots:
🍽 Dining at festive spots like Rolf’s and Gale’s Broadway Rose (which rivals Ellen’s Stardust Diner but with the bonus of reservations!).
🌟 Pro tip: Book your dinner reservations and show tickets early to beat the holiday crowds.
CJ’s ‘Home Alone’ Moment: CJ had his iconic moment outside The Plaza Hotel, although spoiler alert—you need a reservation to go inside!
NYC truly sparkles at Christmas, and we can’t wait to return! If you’re a fan of The Plaza, check out our past stay in the Eloise Suite—it’s pure holiday magic.
Christmas is about love, joy, and the memories we create together. What are your favorite Christmas traditions, movies, or games? Let’s celebrate the season together! 🌟
Merry Christmas, friends! 🎅❤️
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