The comforting reliability of made for TV Christmas movies

Made for TV Christmas movies are my ultimate December-time guilty pleasure.

They fill the perfect easy-to-watch, escapism, cosy-up-on-the-sofa-because-I’m-in-the-mood-to-feel-festive gap that I start to crave as soon as the advent calendars come out.

I work for myself, from home. And as work tends to wind down from around mid-December, it’s the perfect time to indulge in a spot of festive viewing without feeling guilty about the escalating levels of procrastination.

Last year, I just might have become slightly addicted to the afternoon Christmas movie on Channel 5. And this year, I am delighted to see that Netflix have added a veritable feast of made for TV Christmas movies.

After considered and extensive research into the subject, I’ve identified several key trends in these Christmas movies. Here is my tried and tested recipe for the perfect made for television Christmas movie:

The female lead has a fun, desirable job. Usually something media or fashion related.

She is irritated or even repulsed by the main romantic lead at first, but of course, he has a hidden sensitivity that is OH SO CHARMING AND IRRESISTIBLE.

There’s most likely a cute kid involved somewhere.

There’s absolutely no serious or undesirable reason WHY this person has remained stoically single for so long, They are just a workaholic, of course.

A single mum finds love.

It ain’t a cheesy Christmas movie without a grand romantic gesture.

A serial careerist city-dweller gets stuck in a rustic idyll and learns to embrace the magic of Christmas.

I’m a grown up… buuut, I’m pretty sure THAT Father Christmas in every single one of these Christmas movies is THE REAL ONE.

A Romantic dreamer’s idealised vision of love is proved wrong. But also right. AT THE SAME TIME.

Suspension of disbelief is absolutely required. Engaged after knowing each other for 3 days? Sure.

Biiter, wisened fool takes family time at Christmas for granted. UNTIL NOW.

And, last but not least…IT ALWAYS SNOWS.

‘Reliably cheesy’ has proven to be a very important TV genre for me. There’s something very soothing about tuning into a made for TV Christmas movie and knowing exactly what you are going to get. It’s low-stress and so utterly unrealistic that it doesn’t matter. The important part is that you are always guaranteed a happy ending and a feel-good message about love.

Light up a christmas candle and cosy up under a blanket, here are some of my favourite Made for TV Christmas Movies available to watch on Netflix now:

A Christmas Detour

A cynical bartender helps a romantically optimistic bride-to-be make it home to meet her fiance’s parents when a snowstorm reroutes their flights

A Christmas Prince
Christmas comes early for an aspiring young journalist when she’s sent abroad to get the scoop on a dashing prince who’s poised to be king

Love Actually
Follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England.
(Actually, a genuine and bonafide GREAT Christmas Movie, but I’m sticking it in this list anyway).

Once Upon A Holiday
A princess runs away from her duties during a Christmas visit to a big city and meets a nice guy who shows her the joys of living a normal life

Last Holiday
Given the news she’s terminally ill, Georgia throws caution to the wind, breaks out of her shell and takes no-holds-barred European vacation