Festive Netflix Picks this Christmas AND Christmas Netflix Giveaway

It’s that time of year again boys and girls, the evenings are getting darker, the days getting colder and the shops busier and more full of stressed out retail staff. People are giving out about “that Mariah Carey song playing AGAIN” while knowing that if nobody can hear them they’ll belt out a few bars along with the music. Best of all, mince pies and selection boxes are in the shops, so it’s time to forget about the “summer body” for the moment and chill out with some amazing eats and some fantastic viewing, holiday classics which were intended to be accompanied by lack of movement and yummy snacks. The Christmas lights are lit and Santa has arrived in shops around the country. So stick on Netflix, dig into your selection box and enjoy! Pass the mulled wine, won’t you? If you pass enough, you may even win the fantastic prize up for grabs at the end of this post!

So, what have we in store on Netflix this Christmas? (You can check out my Christmas Recommendations from last Christmas here)

For The Whole Family

Jingle All The Way

I remember going to see this in the cinema as a child on our yearly excursion to the cinema with my grandmother. Arnie, in his pre-governor, post-action hero days, is a dad who just can’t get it right, but is trying his best this year to make Christmas perfect for his son. Parents who were looking for an Elsa Doll last year will relate a lot to this movie, may prove a trigger for those traumatised by scenes in Smyths last December. It’s funny, it’s festive, it’s feel good and it’s suitable for all the family, ticks all the boxes for a good Christmas film.

Home Alone 1,2,3

Otherwise known as Home Alone 1, Home Alone 2, and Home Alone without Macauley Culkin. These films are an integral part of Christmas, we all love a tale of child abandonment mixed with a home invasion, right? If nothing else, the first one is well worth a watch (or most likely a re-watch; if you’ve not seen Home Alone this needs to be remedied pronto). Features child star Macauley Culkin when he was cute and had gadgets coveted by every child. As a parent, you’re wanting to call child services, but allow the nostalgia to take over and enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4qLXp2kX3k

The Santa Clause

I adore this film. I’m not sure if it’s a love of Tim Allen, general Christmas joy or plain old nostalgia, but this film gives me the warm fuzzies. Tim Allen, a single dad, accidentally kills Santa – I know, doesn’t sound warm fuzzies at all, stay with me – then by trying on Santa’s coat seals the deal in becoming his replacement. This is 1994, a time before things like LinkedIn, but that still sounds like a rather strange way to gain a new job to me. Regardless, he steps up to the job, delivers all the packages for that night and once he hits the North Pole is told that this is a permanent role, not just for one night. He has 11 months in order to get his life sorted out, convince his family and friends that he is indeed Santa Clause and not delusional, and to report back to the North Pole in time to prep for the following Christmas. It’s funny, sweet and a real family film – definite must watch with hot chocolate and perhaps a mince pie or two.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t067u2Jnks0

 

It’s A Wonderful Life

I must admit, on my first watch, I wasn’t mad about It’s A Wonderful Life. It was very depressing for rather a lot of the film – that being the point, but it did get to the point where I had to force myself to make it through to the end – do prepare yourself for the doom that lies ahead. However, it’s a Christmas classic, and having watched it again since I do understand why people love it so much and consider it an essential Christmas film.

For The Kiddies

Dreamwork’s Holiday Classics

The people who brought you Shrek and Madagascar have put together some shorts to get the festive season off to a good start – the perfect length to amuse little kids, long enough for you to enjoy that coffee by yourself without distraction, not so long that the guilt about how much screen time they’ve had today kicks in.

Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas

I’ve tried to offset a love of Mickey Mouse with our fella as much as possible (the shrill squeal of “Tooooodles” goes through me like nails down a chalkboard), but this is really lovely, I recall seeing it a few years ago with my little cousin on DVD, and am thrilled to see it on Netflix. Stories that show the true message of Christmas (appreciating the people around you, about the giving not the receiving – not religious message) while not being overly preachy, perfect watching for under a blanket on a cold day!

So those are my picks this Christmas on Netflix for watching curled up warm under a blanket and relaxing – what are yours? Let me know your Christmas watching picks in the comments below!

Disclosure: I am a member of the Netflix Stream Team and received a Netflix subscription and an iPad Mini in return for posting Netflix updates and reviews, however, all opinions are my own, and I already had a personal subscription before joining the Stream Team. 

So – I mentioned a competition, didn’t I? Can’t exactly neglect that! I got an email the other day telling me all about the wonderful idea which is Netflix Gift Vouchers – they come in 3 denominations – 15 euro, 25 euro and 50 euro – and seem to me a fantastic idea to either introduce a friend to the wonders of Netflix or to basically pay their Netflix bill for a few months – the gift of binge watching is one which should be valued. They’re currently on sale in Game Stop only but hopefully soon they’ll be rolled out in more places. So, with this in mind, I thought one lucky reader might like to win a €25 Netflix voucher – either for themselves, or to tick another Christmas present off the list if they’re feeling particularly generous! So, in order to enter this competition, what do you need to do?

LIKE Four Walls, Rainy Days on Facebook OR Twitter

AND

Leave a comment below, telling me what your Christmas watching traditions are.

Competition closes Sunday 6th December at midnight. Winner will be emailed and named on the blog. Voucher will be sent out by Four Walls, Rainy Days. Part of this giveaway is hosted on Facebook but is not endorsed by Facebook. As voucher is in Euro, this competition is only open to ROI residents.