Disclaimer:
The information presented in this website and the comments from Dr. Hughes are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or psychological disorder. The information presented is not a substitute for medical, psychological or psychiatric treatment. You are advised to seek professional medical and psychological help as necessary.
What’s your favorite Christmas movie? Do you like to laugh with Clark Griswold? Watch Harry and Marv fall down the stairs? Witness Ralphie’s quest to land a BB Gun? Dr. Carsi Hughes analyzes what your favorite holiday movie says about your personality!
Home Alone
If Home Alone is your favorite holiday movie, you probably identify with the young Kevin who was initially very unhappy with his life (picked on by his family) and then finds himself unintentionally left home alone while his family went to Paris on vacation. Finally, he gets what he wishes for! If you are like Kevin, you often have fantasies of just. being. left. alone. That said, in this movie, although Kevin has fun at first, even manages to do really adventurous wonderful things, after the excitement wears off… he misses his family. So if this is your movie, you might be feeling overwhelmed by family pressures and needing to do a new perspective to appreciate how much better life is when shared.
It’s a Wonderful Life
If It’s a Wonderful Life is your favorite holiday movie, then you are a person who likes to get back to basics and experience gratitude. Despite its clearly dated style, this movie focuses directly on a depressed person who feels hopeless. With some support, this person is able to simplify his negative thoughts and feel a profound sense of gratitude despite difficult times. At the holidays, many people experience symptoms of depression. They believe that they do not have enough of what they need, for example, love, money or time. This movie reminds everyone, but those people in particular who are prone to depressive thoughts, that there is truly so much to be grateful for, not only at the holidays, but every day of the year.
A Christmas Story
If A Christmas Story is your favorite movie, then you have a very high tolerance for crazy and likely don’t have extremely high expectations for the holidays. Poor Ralphie is a young boy who wants a particular gift for Christmas; however he was told repeatedly and in no uncertain terms that he will not get this gift (a BB gun). The majority of the movie, however, is the general chaos of this boy’s life. His parents argue, there is an over-sexulized lamp in their window, the child is bullied, his grades are mediocre, etc. For those of you are used to having dysfunction and “non-traditional” experiences, this movie will attract you. In the end, things are happy. Not happy in a perfect- postcard sort of way, but in the way that a person who has seen it all can relate to.
The Grinch
If The Grinch is your favorite movie, you have both a deep sense of whimsy as well as a profound belief in the spiritual. Though this movie is not religious, in fact, it uses neologisms and a novel species of people, it is extremely philosophical. In this movie, the Grinch does his best to destroy the holiday season of Whoville. Despite his best efforts (and they are good!) the true meaning of the holiday is unaltered. Those of you that enjoy this movie the best are able to see past the superficial tinsel of the season and tap into the real meaning of the holiday as it relates to your own personal belief structure.
Christmas Vacation
If Christmas Vacation is your favorite movie, then you have a high tolerance for uncomfortable situations, especially as they relate to family. Perhaps you are accustomed to tension and “you can’t make this stuff up” moments every holiday season; if so, this movie has the effect of reassuring you that there are others out there with embarrassingly goofy families as well. People who watch this movie are both comforted by the ridiculousness and are capable of finding the humor in their own families. They do not take the holidays or themselves too seriously but rather simply get through and enjoy what they can.
Dr. Carsi Hughes received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Northwestern University Medical School. She is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in adult psychopathology, clinical neuropsychology, and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Academic appointments include Associate Clinical Professor of Psychology and Post Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Studies at Dominican University.
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