Christmas is a time of creating wonderful memories and an opportunity to look back. Is there a time of the year more nostalgic than Christmas? Take a quick walk with me through your own memory lane: Nativity pageants at church, opening presents at your grandparents house, and of course, enjoying those amazing home cooked meals. Nearly all of us have cherished traditions around the holidays- and one that we hold dear around here- is a fond appreciation of Christmas movies.

Watch out! Top 6 Dale Family Christmas movies:

It’s a Wonderful Life
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Elf
Charlie Brown Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (original cartoon)
The Santa Clause

This is my definitive list, at least (Jesse). I’m actually speaking for the family in this instance. Asher would argue vehemently for the inclusion of Die Hard, so let’s call it an honourable mention. We don’t have the time or space to debate whether or not it’s a true Christmas movie or simply an amazing movie set at Christmas time (we need to save some debate for Christmas Day). Kenny Dale would without a doubt have Christmas Vacation on top.

So lets just say for the sake of family cohesion that the list is in no particular order, with the exception that number 1 is and always will be “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Depending on the day and particular feelings, a couple movies on the list will sometimes bring this particular author to tears. But when the community of Bedford Falls raises their glasses and begins singing at the end of the movie in the Bailey home, it brings me to tears every time.

Something really neat stood out while watching Elf this year: Have you ever noticed that they pay homage to It’s a Wonderful Life when Buddy the Elf is on a bridge contemplating his life and his place in the world? It’s just like George Bailey does at the pivotal moment in his life-looking over a bridge- questioning his own existence.

Have you ever noticed at the end when George is yelling for Clarence to save him over and over- nothing is happening, right up until he breaks down and says “God, please”.. And at that very moment it starts snowing and all goes back to normal. It’s a really subtle but special touch on the power of prayer and my goodness it gets me every time!

For each of these characters, it’s at this moment that the story takes a drastic turn for them an ultimately leads to their triumphant happy ending and the watchful audience is reduced to joyful tears. It’s super cool when new classics borrow a bit of spirit from the “old” classics. Because just as “It’s a Wonderful Life” has held up since the 1940s, Elf is a (newer) classic that looks to stand the test of time. These movies are what we would call timeless.

Wine is timeless. It has been around essentially as long as fruit has been grown. Alcohol in general has gone overboard through the years, in a world of over-consumption and bar culture. Wine, on the other hand, has graced the tables of family meals for centuries as a drink that “brings joy to the heart of man". In fact, in a heartwarming scene during “It’s a Wonderful Life” when the Bailey’s helped finance the home of his good friend Martini, they give the following toast on moving day:

"Bread, that this house may never know hunger. Salt, that life may always have flavor. And wine, that joy and prosperity may reign forever."

Wine is timeless and has been associated with joy and abundance as far back as we have written words. You'll even notice it makes appearances in both aforementioned movies, but not as a means of drinking in excess, but more as a drink to make merry alongside meals with family and friends. Wine at its core is not about excess (although it can happen, no judging here) but rather having something simple to add to the enjoyment of life.

This Christmas season, our hope is that you can feel that same joy that the citizens of Bedford Falls feel when they raise their glasses and sing, or the good people in Elf at the end who also sing with their glasses of wine in hand.

Cheers to all the timeless traditions that make this season special, but more importantly, to Christmas- a holiday that is not only timeless but eternal.

Merry Christmas from the Dale family!

Wine is Timeless