Reputed for being cheesy, over the top and falsifying, Hallmark movies are those that show you dreamy love, perfect families and a forever happy ending. It’s the epitome of old school emotions, the introducer of smiles and laughter. For some of us, the holiday season is the most special time of the year. In India, it begins with Diwali and ends on New Year’s Eve. Three months of festivities, joy, dinners, get-togethers and celebrations. In my home, Diwali is the parents’ festival and for my sister and I, Christmas is much-awaited. You can’t blame us; we’re Bandra kids. Christmas fever strikes every Bandra resident (you will know why in my next one). We were introduced to Hallmark channel when we were young, by my sweet, loving Nana and his daughter, our Mama. Initially, it was tv-shows like Into The Wild, ER, Snow Queen and Jane Doe. It then became all about their special Christmas film line-up for us.
All of us, humans, look like hard-shell casings from outside. But on the inside, we, each one of us, are marshmallows. The kind that always succumbs to TLC: tender love and care, FYI. It’s true. We may watch documentaries all the time. But when a little girl meets Santa and he gives her a gift, we all melt. So, even though we enjoyed watching ER, there was always a time for Christmas movies. And that was October, November, December.
Some are about meet-cutes in big cities, some in countryside towns and many are about old-school love being reignited. The latest one we watched recently was about a marketing executive stumbling upon an inn that was left behind for her in Alaska by a great-aunt. The story unfolds sweetly, and ends with a local man falling in love with her. Some twists and turns after, they end up together and run the inn together.
A family bond. A togetherness between two strangers. The relationship of a father and daughter, a mother and son and two friends together. Portrayed in the most beautiful manner. So cheesy holiday movies, hot chocolate mugs and blanket forts became our night plans. Over the years, when we grew up, we let go of these nights because adult plans were always in place.
But, Mrinal still waits every year for this movie season. The soothing-yet-predictable formula of the movies is just the ticket for her during the chaotic holidays, even without a pandemic. She doesn’t much crave a cinematic experience but tunes in just for a few hours of escape – and for everyone to live happily ever after.
I do tune in too; on some nights. We learned through these movies about how love wins above all. Fight with mom? A loving apology makes everything better. Troubles in a relationship? A night in, just the two of you, will make things easier. Whether it’s a cute meal, a love letter, a special gift; it’s the thought that counts. Happiness comes in small packages; and this is what Hallmark channel always puts forth. The cute snowy nights, wood cabin getaways, pick-up trucks and innocent love.
So while I learned everything about gifting with thoughtfulness, cooking dinners for those closest to me and keeping time aside to spend it with my family, Mrinal, the munchkin sister, learned to wait for dreamy homes, hot chocolate nights and a Prince Charming. I bet she will have all of it and more!
Learning happens for people differently; some learn to live in reality, some learn to live in fairytales. At the end of it, we create our own sort of world; a little real, a little magical. We make decisions, we falter on them, and when they backfire, we learn from them. There is a little magic in everything we do. Something as simple as the dew drops on the leaves in the morning, or an evening shower when it is least expected. The universe works in ways we cannot understand. But at the end of everything, the ray of sunshine comes through.
On one hand, I am the cold-hearted hard-shelled satirical personality that most people know, but on the inside, we all are soft, cuddly and always wanting for love and care. So, for as much as a Grinch I am every festive season, I will still hide in my room to watch a cuddle-worthy movie with dreamy locations, just to satisfy the holiday happiness we all want in the depth of our hearts!
Written By Anisha Masand
Week 49, December ’20
