25+ ideas to take your classic Christmas movie nights to the next level

Christmas movie nights are one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. Partly because of the popcorn (it’s basically a food group for me). But mostly because they always bring the same mix of joy and nostalgia every year, and really help fuel a sense of anticipation for all the merry that’s to come.
So imagine my delight when I saw that Hallmark had whole gift collections built around several of my favorite Christmas movies! I immediately went into planning mode, deciding how each collection could fit into my Christmas movie night traditions. Read on to see how they could make your Christmas movie nights more fun, too!
Inspired? Create and share by tagging @HallmarkStores.
Elf Christmas Movie Night Ideas

Elf™ is one of the first Christmas movies I watch during the holiday season. There’s something about Buddy the Elf™ and his childlike wonder that reminds me that even as an adult, Christmas magic is real and worth holding on to. It really does get me in the holiday spirit.
If Elf is your or your family’s all-time, must-watch Christmas movie, here are some ideas for how to make watching it even more fun:
- Start the season (or the day you plan to watch the movie) by putting Buddy the Elf in your fridge (coming soon) to surprise and delight your family. Imagine someone going for a snack, only to hear a favorite quote from Buddy himself! 🤣
- If you’re a collector of nutcrackers, this Buddy the Elf nutcracker figurine with sound (coming soon) will feel right at home with the crowd. But he can do one thing they can’t—play quotes from the movie!
- Everybody knows that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for all to hear. And with the Buddy the Elf Clausometer with sound, you can tell just how loud your cheer is. It plays quotes from the movie, too!
- I honestly can’t think of anything cozier than snuggling up under this Elf Journey to New York throw blanket as the swirling snowflakes start to fall in the opening credits. 🥰
- Okay, check that…mayyyybe if you add this 1000-piece puzzle. But at that point, you will have reached maximum levels of cozy, and it would be dangerous to attempt anything more.
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation Movie Night Ideas

I was an ’80s/’90s kid, so of course I have seen all the National Lampoon’s movies. And this is my favorite one. I personally watch it when I’m starting to mentally prepare to see family during the holidays. Don’t get me wrong, I totally love my family and enjoy spending time with them. Sometimes it’s just good to remind myself that at least I don’t have a cousin like Clark’s. 😂
And if you, like me, find yourself quoting beloved, awkward lines from this movie every holiday season, I feel like you need these in your life:
- The Griswold family home covered in Christmas lights is an iconic image from this movie. This glass mug lights up and plays the “Hallelujah” chorus, capturing the vibe in mug form!
- I can’t think of anything more perfect than making a tree lighter out of the moment Clark connects those extension cords (coming soon) and brings the house blazing to life. You could recreate the moment with your tree each year! 🫣✨
- Have you ever wondered, “What if they turned sledding Clark Griswold into a plush?” Wonder no more. Of course, he delivers quotes from the movie. He scoots around, too. 🤣
- If the moment when Cousin Eddie and his family show up in their rambling, rusted-out RV is your favorite part of the movie—and let’s be honest, it is—this ornament is for you.
- Finally, I love cats. I really do. But the scene where Aunt Bethany’s cat bites the dust is one of the funniest holiday movie moments ever. This detailed, light-up figurine captures that moment, right down to the scorched chair and quotes from the movie.
Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie Night Ideas

When the lights and the music and the fireplace all get me feeling mushy during the holiday season, nothing hits the spot like a Hallmark Christmas movie. There are several that I love—those are just my fave three in the list above—and they never fail to make me feel grateful for the loved ones in my life.
If that’s you, too, well then high five! I personally find that watching Hallmark holiday movies is even more fun with gear that’s devoted just to that, so might I suggest:
- A big, comfy sweatshirt to watch them in. It’s nice and roomy, so it’s perfect for lounging. And the cute little scene on the back is like something from a Hallmark Christmas movie. 😉
- A set of popcorn bowls. Not that your family or friends would ever fight over one big bowl, but this way, you won’t get distracted by having to pass it during the most magical or romantic parts of the movie.
- Which reminds me, one of my favorite things to do is invite some girlfriends over and watch our fave Hallmark Christmas movies. And we’ve seen many. So this Hallmark Christmas Movie Bingo game (coming soon) is right up our alley!
- Everyone knows Christmas movies go better with cozy blankets. And this year, we have two Hallmark Channel blankets to choose from! An oversized, plaid blanket, great for snuggling with the whole family, and this cute green throw with a candy cane-striped border, ideal for solo movie watching.
- I’d be committing a Christmas crime if I said special beverages weren’t called for during a holiday movie marathon. This adorable mug and candy cane-sprinkled stemless glass are perfect for anything you’d want to sip on. 🍷

A Charlie Brown Christmas Movie Night Ideas

Peanuts® A Charline Brown Christmas connects me to my childhood like no other Christmas movie. And I think a lot of people could say the same. It’s why you see Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang everywhere during the holidays. (Honestly, it’s probably why you see them everywhere year round!) There’s just something so hopeful and wholesome about this movie that I think everyone’s inner child can connect with.
If this is your go-to Christmas movie, I’d suggest decking out your living room with these Peanuts decor items. Or gifting them to someone who holds this movie in their heart at the holidays! Because if you’re anything like me, seeing them will totally put you in the mindset that A Charlie Brown Christmas inspires.
- Set up your mantel with these adorable Peanuts Happy Tappers. The snow globe-like figurines each play two unique songs, and when you connect them together and press any button, you get a whole music and tap show. It’s definitely something you’ll want front and center in your Christmas decor.
- This Snoopy nutcracker figurine is so charming and fun! I think he’d be at home on a mantel, too, but putting him on an entry table would be a great way to greet visitors when they visit your home.
- When it comes time to actually watch the movie, this Peanuts Christmas comic strip throw blanket and Snoopy Santa pillow would be SO perfect for snuggling up with on the couch. 🥰
- And if you’re craving a warm drink during your little watch party, there’s nothing better to put it in than this mug that shows how Snoopy has spent the holidays through the decades.
- Finally, if you’ve got little ones at home—or, let’s face it, you’re a big kid yourself—this Christmas countdown calendar is such a cute way to amp up the anticipation.
A Christmas Story Movie Night Ideas

Okay, so in my family, we always watched this movie on Christmas Day, as there was a cable station that always played it for 24 hours starting at midnight on Christmas Eve. (They might still do it!) For this reason—and because it’s so homey and nostalgic—watching “A Christmas Story” brings me a feeling of relaxation and really encourages me to sit back and enjoy everything I’ve been waiting for all season.
Also, my dad gets a huge kick out of this movie—probably because it actually does remind him of his childhood—and I know watching it with some of these gifts would be so fun. For instance:
- This leg lamp pillow is just the most out-of-control decor item, but in the best Not only is it pretty much life-sized—it’s three feet tall!—but the lampshade portion actually lights up! I can already hear my dad saying, “Fra-gee-lay.” 🤣
- I’m considering getting him these novelty socks, too. Just for the laughs.
- Blond hair, big blue eyes, round cheeks, horn-rimmed glasses—my dad looked exactly like Ralphie growing up. And even though no one ever made him wear a pink bunny suit, I’m guessing he had his share of embarrassing outfits. So I’ll save the pink, hooded bunny scarf for myself. 🐰🩷 But I’ll definitely be wearing it to my parents’ house to make him chuckle.
- I think I’ll have to get the light-up leg lamp perpetual calendar for myself, too. My dad likes to remind me all the time that he’s retired, so he doesn’t need to know what day it is. And it’ll be a fun countdown to spending time with him…probably watching this movie on Christmas Day!
I hope these ideas help you make the most of your Christmas movie nights this holiday season. Or give you some good gifting ideas for anyone who’s a big fan!
Want some more gifting ideas? You can’t have too many this time of year:
Shop Christmas Movie Gifts
See allYou may also like
See more-
Christmas For Millennials only 📀🛼
Saturday morning cartoons. Digital pets. Iconic snack foods. Oh, what it was like to be a Millennial kid. If you're f...
-
Halloween Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF: Add some meaning to your Halloweening
Rattling bones. Screeching bats. Wicked witches wearing hats. Halloween offers kids no end of thrills. Costumes, c...
-
Christmas How to write a letter to Santa: ideas and free printables
Christmas is swiftly approaching as little ones anticipate the most wonderful time of year. They know that the naught...
-
Christmas The ultimate Christmas to-do list to help you get a jump on holiday planning
For some of us, the Christmas spirit is a year-round lifestyle. Whether it’s decorating the tree with pretty lights ...
-
Halloween Who says trees are only for Christmas? 🎃
If you've been thinking about starting the tradition of a creepy tree for Halloween, we have a few Keepsake Ornaments...
-
Christmas This season, celebrating with the Peanuts® Gang is a little extra special!
Peanuts® has been a part of our lives for 75 years now, can you believe it? And we can't think of a better way to cel...
-
Christmas For a fabulous Christmas tree, it has to be Barbie™ 💅✨
Barbie™ has captured our imagination and been a style icon for decades...so it's a given that she belongs on our Chri...
-
Christmas No earmuffs required with this Harry Potter™ Mandrake™ ornament
Your favorite plant from the Hogwarts Herbology class is now a Keepsake Ornament! Just pull the Harry Potter™ Mandrak...
-
Christmas More incredible Keepsake Ornaments are waiting!
Description Get ready—the rest of our 2025 Keepsake Ornament lineup is headed your way, with more than 150 brand new ...
-
Halloween 7 Halloween tree ideas with so much style, it’s scary
Look out behind you! Halloween is hot on your heels and the yard decorations out there are blowing up. Some folks are...
-
Halloween Halloween boo bag ideas for your entire boo crew
Costumes, candy and treats? Must be Halloween time! And whether you look forward to the door-to-door of it all, love ...
-
Calendar Flip Share More Moments: December 2025 Holidays and Observances
Whichever holidays you celebrate, whatever your traditions and whoever you call family, December is a month full of m...
-
Calendar Flip Hey, Pumpkin! October 2025 Holidays and Observances
Get info, ideas and inspiration for October holidays and observances, including free sharable quotes and digital wall...
-
Calendar Flip Share joy, give thanks: November 2025 Holidays and Observances
Get info, ideas and inspiration for November holidays and observances, plus free sharable desktop and smartphone wall...
-
Christmas Meet Dasher, First in the Eight Tiny Reindeer Keepsake Ornament Series!
It's official: It just doesn't get any cuter than this. The big eyes. The tiny hooves. The adorable blanket stitched ...
-
Christmas Join us for KOC Day at the 2025 Hallmark Christmas Experience!
Experience the joy of exclusive ornament signings, insider access and more holiday magic at this members-only celebra...
-
Halloween Frighteningly fun Halloween greetings have arrived!
This Halloween, take friends or family for a spin through a creepy graveyard with this 3D pop-up card. With music and...
-
Fall Lean into the season: Cozy fall ideas and activities
When fall comes around—bringing chillier days and earlier nights—the instinct to nest and rest kicks in hard and lots...
-
Halloween Throw the Ultimate Disney Hocus Pocus Halloween Party
As kids, my cousin and I stayed looking for a quick scare. We could be found standing in a dark bathroom reciting the...
-
Halloween Host the ultimate Halloween night at home: activities, decorating ideas and more
Gummy eyeballs floating in a glass bowl filled with bright green punch. That is my very first memory of Halloween and...