Mediaite Presents Our Favorite Christmas Holiday-Themed Movies

Love, Actually – Mediaite Contributing Editor Jon Bershad

Annual watching of Christmas favorites is as much a part of the holidays to my family as trimming the tree, so there are any number of choices I could go with. I typically go with movies that are only tangentially related to the holiday (Die Hard, Gremlins, and, after the kiddies are asleep, Eyes Wide Shut), or those that recognize the inherent sadness of the season as well as the joy (this is best exemplified by It’s a Wonderful Life, A Charlie Brown Christmas, the Christmas special that ended the British Office, and, new to the canon, last week’s excellent Community episode). However, while I could write extended theses about each of the aforementioned titles, I’d like to, instead, tell you all about my new favorite Christmas tradition: the Love, Actually drinking game.

First off, despite what some hipper than thou types might have you believe, Love, Actually is an awesome movie. There’s a reason I dressed up as pre-Walking Dead Andrew Lincoln‘s character when I went to a Guilty Pleasure-themed party a few years back, and it wasn’t just that I was lazy and all you need for that costume is a black sweater and a sign reading “To me, you are perfect.” The movie is funny, heartwarming, and has forever ruined The Troggs’ classic “Love is All Around” in the best way possible. And it’s also given me inspiration to create this drinking game that has been a holiday tradition amongst my friends and I for the past few years.

Here’s how you play: Take a drink every time someone says “Love.” Take a drink every time someone says “Christmas.” And chug every time Craig Armstrong’s score plays the “Oh snap, I’m in love!” clarinet music which is hard to describe in print, but can be heard at the 1:16 point of this video.

Now, this game is not for the faint at heart. Even the bravest of souls rarely make it past the wedding scene in the first few minutes. But, suffice it to say, you will make life-long holiday memories with those around you every darn time. And feel free to make the game your own! Add new rules like drinking every time there’s a forced and inappropriate 9/11 reference or every time you see an Academy Award-nominated actress’ breasts. The Love, Actually drinking game is for everyone (21 and older)! Have fun and happy holidays!

NEXT: Jingle All the Way – Mediaite Editor Matt Schneider

This is an opinion piece. The views expressed in this article are those of just the author.