‘Tis the season for curling up by a fire, drinking hot chocolate (maybe with a little peppermint schnapps), and watching all of the Christmas movies. And if you have little ones, some of those movies at least 20 times throughout the holiday season. Considered a “must watch” movie in my household, hands down, was and still is, A Christmas Story.
This holiday season we’re venturing back to 1983, the year the movie was released. A classic story about an Indiana family at Christmas in 1939, and of one little boy who had his biggest Christmas wish come true.
Whether or not A Christmas story is a holiday tradition, or the movie to absolutely avoid at all costs (maybe that TBS’s “24 Hours of A Christmas Story” just took the joy out of everything), let’s reminisce about some of the moments from the movie that struck me the most this year. Come on, I double-dog dare you.
Tongue Stuck to the Flag Pole
You knew as a kid when the authorities got involved, it was a huge deal! And the regret on Raphie’s face was priceless. When rewatching this scene, all I could think about was doing this as a kid on the school playground, but to the frozen poles of the swing set. And how did we manage to get unstuck? Just breathed heavily out of our mouths to heat up the pole. And voila! Tongue, unstuck. Was this dumb? Probably. But at least I can prepare my own kids if this were to ever happen to them.
Wash Your Mouth Out with Soap
Now, as a kid, I maybe got the soap once or twice. I didn’t have a potty mouth. I probably talked back more than I used swear words. But I can say, soap in the mouth, utterly disgusting. I did love; however, that Ralphie chose not to throw his dad under the bus, even though the thought of doing so scared the crap out of him. True meaning of family right there.
Christmas Wish Come True
So many heartfelt moments in this scene. We already know by now the “Old Man” is very hard on Ralphie. But when he asks Ralphie to check behind the desk for one final Christmas gift, you begin to feel the anticipation he has created for his son. And then, you just know.
And a moment that this year made me laugh almost hysterically, was outside when Ralphie fires off a shot, the bullet ricochets, and knocks off his glasses. The first thing he thinks, “Oh my God. I shot my eye out!!” The whole movie he insists that the grown-ups have no idea what they’re talking about. And now, here he is, thinking he did just that. Quality story-telling in my book.
Like many movies of the past, watching this one as a kid was far different than watching it now as an adult. New things are appreciated. There’s more to laugh about. To this day, I still tear up at the end when the parents are snuggled on the couch, watching the snow fall. The sense of accomplishment they exude; they made it through another year. And a reminder of how much hype we build for Christmas every single year, and just how quickly it’s over.
If you haven’t already, be sure to watch A Christmas Story this holiday season. And have yourself a very Merry Christmas! I triple-dog dare you.