When the holidays roll in, all I want is my couch, a warm blanket, and a crafting project. The days get shorter, the lights get softer, and it feels good to settle in and make something with my hands. Movies make it even better, especially the ones that bring back memories or make you laugh out loud.
Here are some of my favorite holiday movies to watch while crafting. They’re easy to follow, fun to look up at, and perfect for a cozy night at home.
Home Alone
Watch it on Disney+, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV.
This movie is a holiday must. Kevin sets traps, the bad guys fall for them, and you can craft along without missing anything important. It’s funny, familiar, and great for simple crafting.
"You're what the French call "Les incompétents"!
"I made my family disappear!"
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Watch it on Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Apple TV.
This is MY favorite holiday movie, but I couldn't really list it first, right? Kevin is back, this time running around New York. The story is easy to follow, even while you look down at your project. It’s fun, silly, and filled with holiday spirit.
"Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal!"
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Watch it on Hulu, Disney+, YouTube, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV.
If you’ve ever had a holiday season that felt a little wild, this one will make you nod and laugh. Clark tries so hard to make everything perfect, and things always go wrong. It’s a great movie to have on while you craft and shake your head at the chaos.
"I don't want to spend the holidays dead!"
"Hallelujah! Holy sh*t! Where's the Tylenol?"
Elf
Watch it on Disney+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime
This one always puts me in a good mood. Buddy is cheerful, excited, and ready to spread Christmas joy. It’s bright, funny, and perfect when you want to enjoy a light movie as you knit on the couch.
“Son of a nutcracker!”
The Holiday
Watch it on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
This movie feels like a warm cup of tea. Two women swap houses, find peace, and start fresh. The quiet moments in the little English cottage are my favorite. It pairs so well with slow, peaceful crafting time.
The Grinch (2018)
Watch it on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
This animated version is sweet and gentle. The colors are fun, the story is clear, and it’s easy to knit to. You can look up anytime and still know what’s going on. I prefer it to Jim Carrey's version, by far!
"Maybe Christmas (he thought) doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more."
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Watch it on Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube , and Apple TV
This one always brings out the holiday feelings. It’s calm, touching, and full of hope. If you’re making handmade gifts, this is a nice movie to keep you company.
Jingle All the Way
Watch it on Hulu, Disney+, YouTube, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV
This movie is full of action and silliness as a dad searches everywhere for a popular toy. I like watching this while doing rows that need a little attention, but not too much. It’s fun, loud, and easy to follow. It reminds me a lot of my youth, and the craze of shopping for toys at Toys ‘R Us on December 24th!
The Polar Express
Watch it on Hulu, HBO Max, YouTube, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV
This movie feels like a winter night: snow, music, and a magical train ride. It sets the perfect mood for crafting something soft and warm.
The Christmas Chronicles
Watch it on Netflix.
Kurt Russell plays a cool version of Santa, and the whole story is fast and fun. It’s great for crafting because the plot is simple, but the holiday scenes are fun to watch.
Die Hard
Watch it on Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Apple TV.
Yes, it counts as a Christmas movie. The action keeps you awake when you’re working through long rows or big projects. It’s good company when your craft needs a little boost.
"Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs..."
"Welcome to the party, pal"
Bonus:
La Guerre des Tuques ~ The Dog Who Stopped The War
If you're a kid of the 80s, or if you grew up with this one, this movie is special. It’s about kids preparing a week-long snowball war amongst themselves, and the winter adventures we all dreamed of (or actually experienced as kids). It’s simple, sweet, and brings me back to my childhood. Spending holidays and evenings playing in the snow with my friends, with barely a curfew. Parents having no idea where we were and when we were coming back, and not really caring about it. Total childhood freedom.
This is my favorite French-speaking holiday movie, and it's been translated into English for non-French-speaking folks! This is a family favorite that we watch many times during the holidays, and even through the rest of the year!
“La guerre, la guerre… C’pas une raison pour se faire mal!” ~ "The war, the war... That's no reason to get hurt!"
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