# What do you watch on Christmas Day in the US? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 19, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760 "2010-08-19T18:02:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/41 "2010-08-19T22:00:36Z")
> [@](#): > > I used to manage a movie theater, so had to work holidays all the time. I never ceased to be amazed by patrons who would approach me, saying sympathetically (but unironically) how tough it must be for me to have to work on the holiday. Not surprising at all, to me. Even if it’s not a big deal for you, surely you realize that it’s a big deal for most folks. So someone who sees you working assumes that you’d rather not, since most people wouldn’t, and thus feels sympathy for you. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/42 "2010-08-19T22:04:54Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > > [@SanVito](#): > > > > You won’t find a cinema - or _anything_ much apart from corner shops - open on Christmas Day in the UK. And we’re a heathen lot. > > Even non-Christians? I’m sure that business continues as usual in neighborhoods with lots of Muslims or Hindus, right? Larger shops are not allowed to open on Christmas Day or Easter Sunday, so no, business pretty much shuts down. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/43 "2010-08-19T22:53:17Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > So I’m guessing you don’t get two months of Christmas-broadcast advertising that our channels run in the lead up? The main channels run endless ads highlighting the ‘goodies’ they’ll be showing over the Christmas season - Christmas specials, new series, network film premieres. I’m beginning to think we Brits are TV obsessed, or very antisocial at Christmas… The American broadcast networks generally air their Christmas specials before December 20th but there aren’t as many as their used to be and, more often than not, they’re reruns (especially the animated holiday shows). Other “event” programming is saved for the “sweeps” periods in November, February, and May but that’s no longer as big a deal as it used to be since the many cable networks, On Demand programming, TIVO, and the internet have all steadily eroded the broadcast network’s audience share. BTW, doesn’t Christmas fall during soccer season in the UK? If so, has anybody ever thought of scheduling a holiday match between two Premier League powerhouses? Or does the idea of a sporting event being held on the day the Lord’s birth is observed still seem sacrilegious to most Brits? ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/44 "2010-08-19T23:09:57Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > I remember Friends and the like doing Christmas shows - were these not shown on Christmas Day or thereabouts? “Thereabouts.” Friends had the 9-9:30 Thursday night timeslot or 8-8:30pm Thursday timeslot for its entire run. The Christmas episode would usually be shown a week or so before Christmas during that slot. Never on Christmas. If Christmas was on a Thursday, they’d either show a rerun or special. No one would waste an original episode during a time where it’s assumed that no one will be watching. And depending on the calendar year, it might show as early as the 12th or 13th. ---
**Author:** ![Gil-Martin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Gil-Martin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gil-Martin)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/45 "2010-08-19T23:24:18Z")
\*A Christmas Story \*and _The Exoricist_. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/46 "2010-08-19T23:30:00Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > BTW, doesn’t Christmas fall during soccer season in the UK? If so, has anybody ever thought of scheduling a holiday match between two Premier League powerhouses? Or does the idea of a sporting event being held on the day the Lord’s birth is observed still seem sacrilegious to most Brits? There tends to be a full Premier League programme on Boxing Day (26th December), which is a second public holiday and traditionally the “get out and do something” day. Having a sporting event on Christmas Day itself would be imprcatical. Public transport is very limited on that day, police overtime is expensive, etc. And the fixture schedule is random, I believe. It would be too open to claims of unfair advantage otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/47 "2010-08-19T23:32:47Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > > [@Kyla](#): > > > > Even non-Christians? I’m sure that business continues as usual in neighborhoods with lots of Muslims or Hindus, right? > > Larger shops are not allowed to open on Christmas Day or Easter Sunday, so no, business pretty much shuts down. Jesus christ, there’s actually a law about it? I don’t get why whether or not someone wants to open their store is the government’s business. _shrug_ Oh well, not my problem. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/48 "2010-08-19T23:38:39Z")
It’s a compromise. It used to be no Sunday trading at all, except for small shops, petrol stations and a few other exceptions like gardening centres (which took full advantage by stretching the definition of gardening-related wares to the limit). When they liberalised the rules they had to appease the combination of shop-workers’ unions and religious people, so they limited opening hours to 6 hours on Sunday for larger stores, and kept Christmas Day and Easter “special”. Some other European countries still have, or had until very recently, stricter Sunday/weekend trading rules. ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/49 "2010-08-20T00:04:17Z")
We go to the movies. Started as a teenager in the late 60s, but the theaters didn’t open until 7 or so for people who were tired of family time. We go earlier now, 3 or 4 PM. It’s really crowded, and IIRC the studios are opening movies on Christmas Day. My husband and I have no relatives in the area, and our only daughter is unmarried, so what else is there to do? My daughter has grown up knowing nothing but movies on Christmas and Easter afternoons. ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/50 "2010-08-20T02:40:06Z")
One of the major reasons there isn’t more special event programming for Christmas in the US is because of Thanksgiving. The Macy Thanksgiving Parade in New York is so important it airs on two different broadcast networks. As soon as that wraps up, the first of three straight pro football games starts. That upcoming weekend a lot of networks and local stations air Christmas themed movies, along with even more football. I assume a reason for this is because at least in my experience Thanksgiving meals tend to longer and more involved than Christmas meals. ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/51 "2010-08-20T02:42:02Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > \*\*“A Christmas Story” \*\*is on 24 hr rotation on Christmas (on TBS or TNT), so usually that’s playing in the background. This is my Christmas/Christmas eve, you gotta watch it once, and then leave it on in the background… ---
**Author:** ![A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a87d85/32.png) [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/52 "2010-08-20T04:36:07Z")
Scrooge (the 1951 version with Alistair Sim - accept no substitute!) Home Alone - the first one, not the sequels. While You Were Sleeping - I’m a sucker for Sandra Bullock when she plays the girl next door. And to finish off the day … Lethal Weapon and Die Hard. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/53 "2010-08-20T10:27:09Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > It’s a compromise. It used to be no Sunday trading at all, except for small shops, petrol stations and a few other exceptions like gardening centres (which took full advantage by stretching the definition of gardening-related wares to the limit). > When they liberalised the rules they had to appease the combination of shop-workers’ unions and religious people, so they limited opening hours to 6 hours on Sunday for larger stores, and kept Christmas Day and Easter “special”. That actually surprised me about England because in Scotland it was really just pubs that had Sunday restrictions. Lots of shops stayed shut anyway, but there was never any law about it. I’d have thought it would have been the other way round, given that some parts of Scotland take the Sabbath _very seriously indeed_. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/54 "2010-08-20T12:22:31Z")
So I’m the first to say Star Wars and Indiana Jones huh? Back in the 90s, USA used to run the three Indiana Jones movies followed by the three Star Wars movies back-to-back-to-back on Christmas Day. It was my first exposure to these classics and it was awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/55 "2010-08-20T15:20:25Z")
As others have said, it’s a popular day for movies. I think by Christmas evening, people have had enough of their families and are looking for someplace to get out to. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/56 "2010-08-20T15:39:51Z")
> [@](#): > > So I’m the first to say Star Wars and Indiana Jones huh? Nope. Post #9 ---
**Author:** ![Rahne\_McCloud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@Rahne\_McCloud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rahne_McCloud)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2010, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/57 "2010-08-21T03:10:46Z")
Every version of A Christmas Carol that we own starting with the Gene Lockart version to Patric Stewart, included in that is Scrooged and Scrooge. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2010, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/58 "2010-08-21T03:43:47Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > Didn’t they always used to play _The Sound of Music_ on Xmas? Not really a holiday movie (except for a line or two in one song), but I remember it still being a tradition on network TV, similar to _The Ten Commandments_ every Easter. “The Sound of Music” is usually shown around Christmastime, in Canada anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@Captain\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2010, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/59 "2010-08-21T09:53:47Z")
Jews eat Chinese food and then go the movies or see some comedy act. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760/60 "2010-08-22T02:07:57Z")
It seems to me that there are more Christmas traditions in the U.K. than in the U.S. Most of the Christmas traditions are shared of course, but there are a number that are little known in the U.S. but are reasonably well known in the U.K. Christmas crackers, advent calendars, plum pudding, mince pies, pantomines around Christmas time, the Queen’s Christmas Speech, Boxing Day after Christmas, Christmas specials of certain TV shows (which are actually shown on Christmas day), and the Christmas #1 single as a big deal are all U.K. traditions that don’t have any exact equivalent in the U.S. The only U.S. Christmas tradition that doesn’t have any real equivalent in the U.K. is that of putting up big lighted Christmas displays on one’s lawn for several weeks around Christmas (and the related tradition of the White House Christmas tree). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-watch-on-christmas-day-in-the-us/550760.md?page=4)