The holidays are upon us! Suddenly, there are boxes full of decorations to put up, cards to mail off, presents to purchase, special foods to lovingly craft, and more dishes to clean than we can count. While my to-do list is full of festive fun, it’s still a lot of work. By the end of the day, I’m looking forward to relaxing in bed with some entertainment that will bring me comfort and joy.
Here’s a roundup of the best books, podcasts, movies, shows, and playlists that will fill you with the holiday spirit and gear you down for a silent night. I am including a cheer factor rating for each, so you know how holly-jolly it will be.
For the kids: Holiday movies, TV shows, and bedtime stories
Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht
Cheer factor: It’ll light you up.
Revel in the beloved tradition of choosing a tree and dressing it up to match the joy and wonder of the season.
Book | Available on bookshop.org.
Green Is for Christmas by Drew Daywalt
Cheer factor: Expect your kid to beg to stay up late coloring after you finish reading.
This festive sequel to The Day the Crayons Quit focuses on Green, who is convinced he is the only Christmas color in the box, so Red, White, Silver, and Tan must set him straight.
Book | Available on bookshop.org.
A Boy Called Christmas
Cheer factor: Harry Potter vibes.
Based on Matt Haig’s best-selling novel, this epic tale follows a boy to the North Pole as he searches for his lost father and helps an enchanted village full of elves along the way.
Movie | Available on Netflix.
Robin Robin
Cheer factor: Inspiring and uplifting, but you still may want a box of tissues on hand.
A robin raised by mice wishes on a Christmas star to discover her true origins and finally fly.
Movie | Available on Netflix.
The Santa Clauses
Cheer factor: Full of ho-ho-hope and happiness.
Though he has sleighed as Santa for decades, Scott Calvin is having a hard time finding the right work-life balance and needs a Christmas miracle of his own.
Show | Available on Disney+.
Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
Cheer factor: It will make you appreciate the most Groot-iful time of the year.
For those who wished on a Star-Lord for a Christmas-y adventure featuring the madcap crew of the Benatar, your oddly specific wish has been granted.
Show | Available on Disney+.
For the feels: Holiday movies, podcasts, and books to cuddle up with
Love Hard
Cheer factor: Festive and funny.
A woman flies across the country to meet her dream date during the holidays, only to find out she’s been catfished – hijinks naturally ensure.
Movie | Available on Netflix.
Falling for Christmas
Cheer factor: If you’ve been missing Lindsay Lohan, Christmas just came early.
A sappy, happy saga of a newly engaged heiress who suffers amnesia after a skiing accident and recuperates in the care of a kindly (naturally handsome) lodge owner.
Movie | Available on Netflix.
The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
Cheer factor: It’s about a bookshop at Christmastime… of course you’ll be cheered up.
As the holidays loom, Carmen begrudgingly moves in with her sister Sofia, but a project revitalizing a local bookshop helps her repair their relationship even as she falls hard for a charming author.
Book | Available on bookshop.org.
Chicks On Christmas Flicks
Cheer factor: Cheertastic!
A merry pair of BFFs recap Christmas movies like they’re the Siskel and Ebert of the Hallmark Channel.
Podcast | Find out more.
For laughs: Funny Christmas plots
A Christmas Story Christmas
Cheer factor: Kick up your leg lamp!
It took nearly four decades to make this sequel to A Christmas Story, which follows Ralphie as an adult as he brings his own kids back to Cleveland for another hilarious, heartwarming holiday season.
Movie | Available on HBO Max.
Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
Cheer factor: Sometimes brutally dark, always hilarious.
These sassy Christmassy stories from the razor-sharp, whip-smart memoirist-satirist will have you laughing so hard you’ll snort eggnog out of your nose.
Book | Available on bookshop.org.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Cheer factor: I don’t know what to say, but it’s Christmas, and we’re all in misery.
Watching the most iconic holiday movie of the '80s should be an annual tradition – just don’t forget the moose mugs full of eggnog.
Movie | Available on Netflix.
For festive foodies
Nailed It! Holiday!
Cheer factor: Nicole Byer is the gift that keeps on giving.
These festive fails are so bad, they’re good – and will make you feel so much better about your own holiday baking disasters.
Show | Available on Netflix.
What’s Cooking
Cheer factor: You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, it’s better than Cats.
Four families and their disparate cultures collide for an unforgettable Thanksgiving full of heart, humor, and refreshing honesty.
Movie | Available on Amazon Prime.
Dorie’s Cookies by Dorie Greenspan
Cheer factor: Guaranteed to spike blood sugar levels.
Take your holiday cookie exchange game to the next-next level with this encyclopedic cookbook chock full of mouth-watering recipes.
Book | Available on bookshop.org.
Just audio: Christmas music to fa-la-la-la-la to
Christmas Morning
Cheer factor: The year-round podcast keeps life festive, even in the summer.
Jolly co-hosts Bran and Scott banter about all things Yule as they count down the days until Santa arrives.
Podcast | Find out more.
Classical Christmas
Cheer factor: All will feel calm, all will feel bright.
Heartwarming hymns and angelic choral pieces perfect for when you’re winding down in front of the crackling fire or snuggling with a loved one on the couch.
Playlist | Available on Spotify.
Christmas Lullabies
Cheer factor: When all you want for Christmas is some mellowness.
A soundtrack of soothing instrumentals for when you’re about to tuck your little one away in their manger or settle down for your own long winter’s nap.
Playlist | Available on Spotify.
