The Nightmare Before Christmas: A Halloween Tradition or a Christmas Staple?
The enchanting world of The Nightmare Before Christmas has been a favorite for both Halloween and Christmas enthusiasts alike for years! Here's how this unique holiday film fits into your viewing calendar and why it's a perfect fit for both occasions.
Halloween: Entering the Spooky World
As the leaves begin to turn and the air chills, many of us start to get in the Halloween spirit. For me, my Halloween movie marathon typically begins in September. Watching The Nightmare Before Christmas is a delightful tradition that I often enjoy during this spooky month. It's not just a fun way to jump into the holiday spirit; it's also a great shared experience with my family and friends!
One of the reasons I love watching it in September is because it's encased between two significant fall holidays: Halloween and Thanksgiving. After the thrill of Halloween, watching the charming yet eerie The Nightmare Before Christmas feels like a timely transition to feeling festive and ready for Thanksgiving. Plus, The Nightmare Before Christmas is still an excellent choice to kick off the holiday season.
The film's inclusion of Halloween-themed elements like spooks, ghouls, and ghosts aligns perfectly with our holiday celebrations. Even though it takes place in a world of Halloween, it doesn't diminish its appeal for Christmas viewers. The journey to Christmas in The Nightmare Before Christmas is a delightful and unique experience that enchanted viewers long before it became a Christmas tradition.
Thanksgiving: Preparing for the Holiday Season
By the time Halloween is over, many of us have already begun preparing for Thanksgiving. That's why I often watch The Nightmare Before Christmas with a mixture of reverence and excitement as a transition film into the holiday season. It acts as a bridge that softly shifts the focus from the eerie to the joyful and familial aspects of the season!
I think The Nightmare Before Christmas is more of a Halloween film than a Christmas film, but there's no reason you can't enjoy it for both. The main character, Jack Skellington, is a skeleton, and the majority of the setting and characters are representative of Halloween iconography. However, the film's underlying themes of Christmas joy and family unity resonate with everyone, making it a holiday staple in the truest sense.
The Waiting Game: Bridging the Gap to Christmas
Once Thanksgiving rolls around, the countdown to Christmas begins. And what better way to hold off from the Christmas spirit than with the thrilling journey to the holiday season in The Nightmare Before Christmas? If you're like me, you might watch it just as many times in the lead-up to Christmas as you do during Halloween.
Between the energy and anticipation of the film, you'll have ample time to warm up for other beloved Christmas movies. Enjoy Christmas Vacation, Bad Santa, and A Christmas Story. Plus, there's always room for a little more debate over your favorite Christmas movies after watching a year's worth of delightful contenders!
Conclusion
So, whether you watch The Nightmare Before Christmas before Halloween, after Thanksgiving, or any time in between, there's no doubt that it will bring joy and excitement to your holiday season. Its unique blend of Halloween and Christmas themes makes it a perfect choice to ease into the holiday spirit. Happy Halloween and Merry Christmas to all who love this enchanting film!