by CATHERINE NGUYEN
Christmas is all about spending time with family. For cancer patients who may not have a lot of energy, a quiet evening on the couch or in bed with loved ones watching TV is a great way to spend Christmas Eve.
Watching old family videos is a sure way to share laughter, stories, and pleasant memories. If you don’t have any handy however, here are some movie suggestions to help you forget about cancer for a while and just have a good time:
A Christmas Story
For a good laugh, you cannot go past this classic comedy about a young boy who spends most of his life dodging a bully and trying to convince his parents to get him his ideal Christmas gift, a “Red Ryder air rifle”. When the big day arrives, he gets lots of presents including a lovely gift from his aunt that just has to be seen to be believed. The movie has moments that everyone can relate to, and is a favourite for many people.
It’s a Wonderful Life
A desperate banker contemplates suicide thinking that his family and others will be better off with him dead. But the prayers of his loved ones result in an angel showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed. The movie reminds you of why it is good to be alive despite of all of the hardships, and that life, although a long and winding road, is truly wonderful.
The Polar Express
Adapted from an award winning picture book, The Polar Express about a small boy having trouble believing in Santa Claus is invited on a train ride to the North Pole to experience the true spirit of Christmas. The movie takes you back to a time when you were young and innocent, revisits the hopes and dreams that you might have abandoned, and restores your faith. As advertised, “This holiday season… believe”.
Elf
A Christmas comedy that is touching as well as funny, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole travels to New York to find his real father. There are many lessons to be learned along the way for both kids and adults.
Home Alone 1 and 2
A little boy left accidentally by his family at Christmas to fend for himself and protect his home from burglars. Probably everyone has seen these movies at some stage, but they are funny and heart-warming enough that it is worth watching again if you haven’t seen them for a while.
Die Hard 1 and 2
Finally for action fans, A New York cop takes on a horde of terrorists on Christmas Eve on both occasions! Although some would argue that they are not Christmas movies, they are set at Christmas Eve, has Christmas music and plenty of Christmas references and so some will always watch them at Christmas. Regardless of which camp you are in, it doesn’t matter as long as you enjoy them with your loved ones.
Catherine has been volunteering with Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre since 2017, and joined Solaris Cancer Care as a blog writer in early August 2020. She lost both her father and her husband to cancer, and the experiences changed her life. Catherine developed a passion for researching all matters relating to cancer during her husband’s fight, and is keen to continue building on her knowledge and using it to help others.
