By Kellie Barnes, VP of Marketing
In our house, the Christmas season doesn’t officially begin when the tree goes up. It begins when someone presses play on the first Christmas Movie. Before the ornaments are hung or the cocoa is poured, the sounds of Christmas are filling the room, bringing a little extra warmth and joy to the season.
Christmas movies: they’ve become part of the tradition itself. They’re the background to wrapping gifts, the soundtrack to cookie decorating, the excuse to pile onto the couch in mismatched pajamas.
And to think, it can all begin with GFAM+ Christmas movies, a story that brings us together, inspires a new tradition, and reminds us of what Christmas is meant to be.
Here are some of our favorite Christmas traditions, along with a few new ones we hope will become favorites in your home, too.
🔔 Family Night Christmas Dinner
A weekly family tradition: prayer, dinner, dessert and continuous GFAM+ Christmas movies.
What we recommend: Set in a close-knit American town, Three Generations, One Christmas centers on The Starlight, a beloved local supper club and longtime community gathering place where generations have come together to celebrate music, family, and Christmas traditions. Frank—a legendary song-and-dance man—prepares to sell the family’s beloved restaurant lounge after 40 years. With the future of The Starlight in question, three generations of family are drawn into an emotional journey that reminds them what is worth preserving — and how faith, family, and home can quietly lead us back to where we belong. Make your favorite seasonal dinner and enjoy this new premiere starring Mario Lopez, Taylor Kalupa, Tony Danza, and Dominic Lopez.
🍿 Movie Club Night
Start a movie club with friends, family, or neighbors. Pick a theme for the night, bring some food, and watch your favorite channel on GFAM+.
What we recommend: Settle in for the enchanting third story in the Home Sweet Christmas franchise starring Candace Cameron Bure and Cameron Mathison. In A Sweet Christmas Anniversary, Sophie and Sam embark to celebrate their first anniversary in picturesque Salzburg, a sprawling Christmas postcard town adorned with decorations and lights, a place one can almost smell the scents of mulled wine and gingerbread. What begins as a romantic first-year getaway quickly transforms into a lavish royal mystery when a charismatic hotelier draws the couple into a world of festive surprises. As Sophie uncovers a hidden connection to a beloved Christmas song, she and Sam must navigate the host’s surprising twists to safeguard their love – and to rediscover the true spirit of Christmas.
🎁 Christmas of Kindness
Tune into your GFAM+ channels and find some inspiration to do one act of Christmas kindness inspired by its message as a family or with your friends.
What we recommend: Shae Robins and Christopher Russell are back in A Christmas Prayer Tradition. Returning to Bellford Falls is Natalie Sands, the children’s book illustrator whose faith-filled acts of kindness transformed her community, and Wes Thornton, whose journey of faith and love captured the hearts of viewers. The sequel reunites audiences with the beloved characters whose story inspired viewers to embrace the true meaning of Christmas through faith, service, and compassion. Enjoy the sequel with your friends and family, and discuss ways you can contribute kindness to your community this Christmas season.
🎄 Christmas Eve Movie Tradition
Whether your Christmas Eve entails a church service, family gathering, or last-minute errands, GFAM+ can be your go-to for a movie marathon all day.
What we recommend: The ensemble cast of Silver Bells at Christmas includes Laura Osnes, Ryan McPartlin, Chuck Wicks, Julia Reilly, Tanya Christiansen, Taylor Kalupa, and D.B. Sweeney. In the small town of Comfort, Kentucky, Ginny Nolan is determined to save her late mother’s cherished Christmas shop, Silver Bells, before mounting repairs cause it to close. When ambitious entrepreneur Nick Day arrives with plans to buy the shop, Ginny finds herself at odds with his vision for the future but also drawn to him on a personal level. As her former music partner – and almost first love – Tyler Benton returns home to participate in a Christmas songwriting showcase, old feelings resurface. Caught between Nick’s compelling offer and obvious interest in her, and Tyler’s renewed connection, Ginny must choose between protecting the past she loves and embracing a future that could change her heart forever. This movie will bring the whole family together to enjoy great music and a heartwarming story.
❄️ Christmas Morning Movie
After presents and breakfast, settle in for a commercial-free special Christmas movie marathon that the entire family can enjoy all day long.
What we recommend: In The Greatest Christmas Gift, gifted music teacher Emma Harper and her fiancé Caleb Bennett are preparing for a cherished Christmas wedding when an unexpected setback threatens the future they’ve carefully planned. As their small-town rallies around them and Christmas draws near, the couple discovers that the greatest gifts are not found in perfect circumstances, but in steadfast faith, selfless love, and a community that reminds them hope is always worth believing in. Celebrate Christmas as It’s Meant to Be with this newest premiere starring Danica McKellar and Matthew Marsden.
GFAM+ has the greatest lineup of Christmas movie premieres in one season - and we can't wait to incorporate some of these new premieres into our Christmas traditions.
No cable? No problem. GFAM+ offers 24/7 family-friendly entertainment with five curated channels with commercial free live-feeds. Join America's Christmas Destination and let the Great American Christmas library of movies play non-stop in the background as you dive into your special time with those around you this season.
What are your favorite Great American Family Christmas traditions, and what new ones are you planning to add this year? Comment and let us know!