Self-imposed quarantines were hard enough. Involuntary quarantines are somehow even worse.
Residents in several states are now confined within the four walls of their homes as state governments issue shelter-in-place orders to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
So, the Hallmark Channel decided people needed a little Christmas cheer. The network released a special weekend marathon dubbed “We Need A Little Christmas” that featured several of the over-the-top, cringe-inducing, heart-warming Christmas films viewers know and love.
Why the Christmas theme? Because that’s “what viewers asked for,” according to Hallmark. And no wonder: Most of us are cooped up, anxious, and in need of a little distraction. Hallmark’s films, mediocre (at best) as they are, provide just that. The acting is bad, and the storylines are impossibly predictable, yet Hallmark’s Christmas movies still attract hundreds of thousands of viewers every year. Why? Because we love the romanticism.
There’s something about Christmastime in general that simply makes us feel good. Scientists have even found that those who begin Christmas celebrations earlier are happier. The holiday tends to evoke strong feelings of nostalgia, magic, and wonder, according to psychoanalyst Steve McKeown, and the result is often joy, and maybe even peace.
So, if you’re struggling with the uncertainty of our present situation, consider tuning in to Hallmark. The result might just be a smile, and maybe even a good laugh. After all, the acting is really bad.
