In our household it seems like Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel have been playing since July. My wife absolutely loves these feel good movies, and the central themes are generally all the same. Busy people caught up in their own lives, facing some form of life challenge and not knowing they really need to connect with someone special at the Holidays. In the end, everything comes together and all live happily ever after.
For this Holiday Season consider these three takeaways from Hallmark movies.
First, just about every Hallmark movie has a female lead named Joy or Merry, and a male named Chris or Nick. Throughout the movie you are drawn to these characters because of the goodness and thoughtfulness. Who wouldn’t want to be around someone named Joy? If they live up to their namesake they are fun to be with, attractive to others, and inspiring. This is a name that lifts us up. You don’t have to be named Joy or Merry this Christmas season to be joyful or merry around others. You determine your own attitude of how to approach the holidays. I choose to be Jolly and generous like you would expect from a Nick or Chris. What will you choose this holiday?
Second, Hallmark movies always have climactic gatherings in houses. It reminds us how important the home really is to all family interactions. In these movies there is little email, web surfing or texting. Nor are there people sitting around watching Netflix. To the contrary, people are engaged with each other generally around items our industry sells – living room sets and dining room sets. Furniture is the accessories in people’s lives for their happiest moments. Our products enhance people’s home lives by helping provide richer family traditions as well as a comfortable place to live out dreams. We as an industry should be selling that story as often as we can.
Finally, every Hallmark movie ends well with a promise of a bright future. The past challenges are in the past and long forgotten. New relationships have been formed, close friendships have been reunited and everyone has found what they were searching for. There is something sincerely human about the enjoyment found when someone starts on a fresh path, lives out their dreams, or finds self fulfillment. This is a great time of year to begin thinking how to forge new paths, build a foundation for your own bright future, and enjoy the richness of relations with family and friends this holiday season.
By making a difference in other people’s lives, you can live out your own Hallmark movie. From my home to yours, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
