The Hallmark Christmas Movie Craze

Why are so many people, specifically women, addicted to Christmas Hallmark Movies? Has anyone out there heard of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?  It’s something college freshman learn in Psychology 101 and is simple and relevant enough for most to remember.  It is depicted visually as a triangle with basic needs on the bottom moving up to wants at the top.  The five needs in ascending order include: physiological needs on the bottom that includes food, clothing, sleep and shelter. Next is meeting safety and security needs after which comes our need for love and belonging. These three needs are followed by meeting esteem needs or a feeling of accomplishment and finally at the top is self-actualization/fulfillment or living up to one’s full potential. If both determined and lucky, most of us eventually get to the top of the hierarchy which would be considered living a rich full life, at least according to psychologist Abraham Maslow.   

I would put watching Christmas Hallmark Movies in the middle of the hierarchy plugging us into our need for “love and belonging.” They go beyond the fix we get reading romance novels in that they also provide enticing visual eye candy engaging us in the feelings associated with finding love, revisiting childhood Christmas memories and going home to be with loved ones. Now, if we could just smell the hot cocoa, taste the Christmas cookies and physically feel the hugs and kisses in the movies, there would be no getting any of us off the couch or out of our easy chairs between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Given the power of the mind, one could even say we are actually realizing these things through their ability to jog our memories and imaginations. 

The response to Christmas Hallmark Movies for many is that they are shallow and all have the same plot line, as if they have anything to do with intellect or intrigue…NOT. I would say these folks are stuck in their left brain of reason and need to access their right brain where feelings and relationships reside. In my opinion, the good far outweighs any negatives associated with binge watching Hallmark Christmas Movies through the season. You could say they are a waste of time if you have more important things to do but, we all need a positive feel good escape now and then.  I guess another downside could be if your rose colored glasses get too thick and real life hits you with one too many morning-after disappointments causing you to fall into the abyss of a holiday funk. But, what the heck, most us know how to get back up, dust ourselves off and get back on the holiday treadmill that reliably provides the contrast of too much to do, lack of sleep, burned misshapen cookies, less than ideal holiday meals, messy kitchens, unhappy kids, holiday debt and dysfunctional family experiences bringing on a fugue state, or worse yet a hangover, from trying to cope with it all. For good measure, you might even get a snow storm thrown into the mix.

Nevertheless and at least somewhat inspired by your nocturnal Hallmark habit, give the holidays your best shot. First off, count your blessings and put your snow tires on the car. Then make lists and check them twice, put some backup store bought cookie dough and prepared meals in the fridge/freezer, remember to put your tree topper on the tree, buy lots of hand sanitizer for stocking stuffers, smile at your relatives, hug your kids, kiss your spouse and wake up in the new year “ready to roll.”  You can do it, I know you can, after all you are all hearty resilient Midwesterners!