What Helps Me Survive the Holidays
For as long as I can remember, I’ve opened my doors to people who felt their family was either too much or not enough. Family can be overwhelming, so I created little moments for those who wanted somewhere else to be.
Whether it was Thanksgiving or that strange stretch of the calendar when time stops making sense if you have school-aged kids, there was always food, movies, and a slightly weird playlist.
Every year, I still sit down to watch certain movies and put together a holiday playlist. The kids are grown now, with lives of their own, but I like to think that somewhere along the way, I made a little weird holiday magic for them.
It may not be what most people picture when they think of holiday traditions, but it’s something I’ve made sure to carry forward every year.
So this year, I decided to share a little of that tradition with my weird little corner of the internet.
5 Movies That Help Me Survive the Holidays
Krampus (2015)
I’ve always loved dark folklore. I was raised on the darker stories, and naturally, I raised my own small humans with the threat of Krampus.
Would I show this movie to the current Small Human? Absolutely not. But will I tell him the story of Krampus? Of course. Some traditions deserve to be passed down, and who doesn’t love a little dark folklore during the holidays?
Arthur Christmas (2011)
Arthur goes through just about every emotion imaginable in this movie, and somehow it manages to be both hilarious and wildly heartwarming. No matter what happens, his focus never changes: making sure one little girl isn’t forgotten or left wondering whether Santa believes she’s worth remembering.
This movie has also worked its way into our family’s everyday language. My daughter and I regularly reference “three pieces of sticky tape” when wrapping presents for Small Human. And if I’m running behind on a handmade gift? Well, there’s always “in the window of Christmas.”
Fred Claus (2007)
First of all, who doesn’t love Vince Vaughn?
This movie takes complicated family relationships, adds a generous amount of holiday chaos, and somehow makes the whole thing funny and endearing. Does everyone get their happy ending? Of course. It’s a holiday movie, after all.
And honestly, another opportunity to watch Vince Vaughn dance his way through a movie? I’m not complaining.
This Christmas (2007)
Idris Elba? Yes. A hundred times yes.
This movie has all the complicated family dynamics, secrets, arguments, and moments of genuine warmth that come with bringing everyone together for the holidays.
But Regina King’s character finally reaching her limit with her cheating husband? The baby oil on the bathroom floor? The belt?
Chef’s kiss. Absolutely hysterical.
Sometimes a holiday movie doesn’t need everyone behaving beautifully. Sometimes the chaos is half the reason we’re watching.
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006)
Martin Short as Jack Frost. That alone earns this movie a place on my list.
“I’ll get a mop” has become my automatic response whenever something spills, because apparently that line took up permanent residence in my brain.
Then Small Human discovered Tim Allen as Santa Claus, and we were locked in. For quite a while, he was convinced Tim Allen was the only acceptable Santa, which made things interesting. This is the one movie on the list I’ll happily watch on repeat with him—and sometimes without him.
And the cast! Martin Short, Alan Arkin, and Ann-Margret. That little musical moment with Ann-Margret and Martin Short? Ten out of ten.
Does it have a happy ending? Naturally. It’s a holiday movie, and sometimes that’s exactly what I want.
The movies are only half of the tradition. The other half is the playlist, which has been known to take some rather questionable turns over the years.
The Library Under the Crypt Holiday Playlist
Every year, I start with the old playlists and see which songs have become permanent residents. There are always a few: Fairytale of New York, Bing Crosby and David Bowie, Mannheim Steamroller. Then I start adding whatever catches my attention that year.
There are no genre rules here. Classical Christmas music can sit beside R&B, rock, EDM remixes, or something completely ridiculous. If it earns a place, it stays.
I make this playlist for us, not an algorithm. This year, I decided to open the door a little wider and share it with you.
There are very few rules. There will, however, be no Mariah.
You can find the playlist here on Spotify.
One More Thing From the Library Under the Crypt
Sometimes, all you need is something playing quietly in the background. No flashing lights, no hustle, nothing demanding your attention. Just an image that creates a little atmosphere and music that makes the time feel a bit more manageable.
This year, I decided to try something new: a Library Under the Crypt Yule-log. A little winter atmosphere for reading, crafting, wrapping presents, or simply sitting somewhere quiet for a while.
It’s a small experiment, and whether it becomes a tradition of its own remains to be seen. For now, consider it another little corner of the Library where you’re welcome to stay awhile.
Library Under the Crypt Haunted Library Yule-log
Until Next Time
Over the years, the faces around the table have changed, the kids have grown, and the playlists have gotten a little stranger. But the idea behind it all has stayed much the same.
The holidays don’t have to look a particular way to mean something. Sometimes the traditions that stay with us are the ones we made up along the way, with the people who happened to be there.
So whether you’re spending the season surrounded by people, enjoying a little quiet, or finding your own way through it, I hope something here makes the days a little easier.
There’s always room for one more in this weird little corner of the Library.
And if you’re looking for a book to escape into while everyone else is busy being festive, I’ve got a few suggestions. Sometimes the best way to survive a room full of people is to disappear into a story for a while. It’s not antisocial. It’s parallel play.
Take a look at Fantasy Books Where Old Traditions Demand a Price for stories about the traditions we inherit, the expectations they carry, and what happens when someone decides enough is enough.
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