This might come as a surprise to regular readers, but
The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my all-time favorite holiday films.
Of course I love the classics like
A Christmas Story and
It's a Wonderful Life and
A Christmas Carol, but
Nightmare has something they don't: it combines two of the most wonderful days of the year: Halloween and Christmas.
Since we're approaching the
Nightmare season, which runs from Halloween all the way through Christmas, I thought I'd share some of my favorite moments from this heartwarming holiday classic:
- Watching Jack Skellington discover Christmasland for the first time made my heart swell. It almost was like watching my kids' first Christmases. Just a little creepier.
- When Jack first reaches for the door to Christmasland, you can see the surrounding dark forest in the reflection off of the doorknob.
- Jack's Halloweentown friends' confusion that the "sock" he brought isn't supposed to have a foot inside.
- The sad but triumphant moment when Jack realizes that he's not very good at Christmas, but he's still the King of Halloween!
- And last, but definitely not least, the touching moment when Jack and Sally realize they are made for each other.
I know it's a little weird. Strangely dark. Maybe a little spooky for the little kids. But it has all the trimmings of a great holiday story - love, giving, discovery, and even a miracle or two. Which is why Tim Burton's creepy classic makes my all-time favorite list!
