Movies to Watch to Get Into the Holiday Spirit

By: Annie Li

1. Love Actually

This romcom weaves together nine interlocking stories of love in various forms, all set duringthe holiday season in London. From new love to unrequited crushes and married couples rediscovering affection, each story portrays a different aspect of romance and connection. Some of the tales are lighthearted and comedic, like the budding romance between a shy prime minister and his staff member, while others carry a more profound, bittersweet tone, such as a manstruggling with his feelings for his best friend's wife.

Why Watch?

Not only is Love Actually entertaining with each different love story, but it also shows love in all its complexity—not just the joyful but also the awkward and imperfect moments. Its warm humor, memorable characters, and iconic scenes set in a festive London make Love Actually a feel-good watch that taps into both the highs and lows of romance, wrapped in a cozy holiday atmosphere.

2. Home Alone

When the large McCallister family hastily departs for a Christmas vacation in Paris, they accidentally leave behind their eight-year-old son, Kevin. At first, Kevin takes great joy in his unexpected independence—ordering pizza, jumping on beds, and watching whatever he wants. But his adventures take an unexpected turn when he discovers two bumbling burglars, Harry and Marv, plotting to rob his home. With cunningness and wit, Kevin sets up an array of clever (and painful!) traps to protect his house, outsmarting the intruders in hilarious ways.

Why Watch?

Home Alone combines holiday cheer, childhood nostalgia, and a generous dose of slapstick comedy, making it a perfect Christmas movie for all ages. It’s a story of resilience and family, with a heartwarming message about the importance of loved ones during the holiday season.

3. Last Christmas

Set in festive London, Last Christmas follows Kate, a young woman working as an elf in a year-round Christmas shop. Despite her cheerful surroundings, Kate is struggling in her personal life and feeling lost. When she meets Tom, a mysterious and kind-hearted man, her outlook changes. Through a series of chance encounters, Tom helps Kate confront her past, rediscover her joy, and heal in unexpected ways. As the holiday season unfolds, their connection deepens, leading to a surprising twist that adds depth and emotion to the story.

Why Watch?

Last Christmas offers a fresh take on the classic holiday romance, blending humor with heartwarming and emotional moments. Inspired by George Michael’s music, including the song-inspired title, the film’s soundtrack adds warmth and nostalgia. It’s perfect for viewers looking for a feel-good movie with a message of hope, self-discovery, and kindness during the holiday season. Plus, Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding’s chemistry adds charm to this cozy, wintry romance.

4. The Polar Express

On Christmas Eve, a young boy who has begun to doubt the existence of Santa Claus finds himself embarking on an unexpected, magical adventure when a mysterious train, the Polar Express, appears outside his home. The boy and several other children travel to the North Pole, encountering exciting, sometimes dangerous, moments along the way, including interactions with quirky characters like the conductor, a ghostly hobo, and the reclusive Santa himself. Along this journey, he learns valuable lessons about courage, friendship, and the true spirit of Christmas.

Why Watch?

The Polar Express is a visually enchanting and heartwarming holiday tale that captures the wonder and innocence of believing. It’s an ideal movie for rekindling the sense of wonder that often fades with age, reminding everyone of the beauty of belief and the spirit of Christmas.

5. Elf

Raised by elves in the North Pole, Buddy is a human who doesn’t quite fit in due to his size and clumsiness. When he learns the truth about his origins, he sets out on a quest to New York City to find his biological father, Walter Hobbs—a grumpy workaholic who happens to be on Santa’s naughty list. Buddy’s innocence and enthusiasm for Christmas clash hilariously with the big-city bustle. As Buddy tries to reconnect with his father and spread Christmas cheer, his antics lead to chaotic but heartwarming family moments.

Why Watch?

Elf is a modern Christmas classic that combines humor, holiday spirit, and family warmth. The film’s playful energy and emphasis on kindness, joy, and belief in the magic of Christmas make it a feel-good movie that’s perfect for the holiday season. It’s a reminder of the value of family, the beauty of childlike wonder, and the fun of embracing our quirks.

The Power of 1%

By: Harper Sweeney

We, as humans, are much more similar to money than we think. As money can grow exponentially when interest is compounded, our personal growth can grow exponentially with consistency and dedication. Just how minor, financial investments yield greater returns over time, our small, simple actions also yield greater personal growth over time. Pushing yourself to become 1% better daily is the key to success, reiterated in James Clear's self-help book, Atomic Habits. When you improve each day by 1%, compared to when you wake up that morning, you are actively working to become a better version of yourself every day. 

Even since I read this book, I have strived to upgrade myself daily. James Clear emphasizes the fact that your habits determine your life. He structures his book around four critical laws to see behavior change: make your habits obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. Focusing on small, manageable changes to become the type of person you aspire to be– rather than fixating on long-term immense goals– can effectively transform your habits, which will, in turn, transform your life.

When you dedicate yourself to becoming 1% better each day, these incremental changes become easier to implement again tomorrow. Because minuscule changes are less intense than dramatic changes, it is easier to sustain these improvements. 

The 1% theory applies to every aspect of our lives. If we want to achieve a goal we set for ourselves, it is illogical to expect to go from no experience to expertise overnight. For example, an entrepreneur cannot convert from having no experience to becoming the CEO of a profitable company within a month. This requires a lot of time, work, precision, and effort. Entrepreneurs are more likely to succeed if they start by focusing on incremental steps rather than large, dramatic changes. Another example is if you desire to conquer a physical goal; say you want to lose weight. Losing weight is not a process that occurs overnight, rather it is the result of accumulated consistent habits. Sustainable weight loss takes time. There are steps you have to take to get to where you want to go. You will need to break down large goals into smaller, actionable steps.

Expertise in a subject requires consistency, resilience, and discipline. Discipline is the most important attribute. Motivation is temporary while discipline is forever. There are going to be days when you want to stay in your comfort zone, and of course, setbacks are unavoidable. Yet, setbacks are imperative to move forward. You have to be patient with the process. Once you see progress, you’re never going to want to go back to square one. 

Is there something that you want to work towards? Whether it is a physical goal (improving your fitness), a mental goal (managing stress), or maybe a spiritual goal, (practicing prayer), identifying a precise goal is the first step. Formulate an action plan composed of small, manageable habits to work towards the ultimate goal. As James Clear emphasizes: make the habit easy, attractive, obvious, and satisfying. To make the habit easy: simplify the process. To make it attractive: pair the habit with a positive reward. To make the habit obvious: find ways to remind yourself. To make the habit satisfying: ensure immediate gratification. Remember, the journey is always more important than the destination. If you take that first step today, your future self is going to thank you.

Dress for Success: Corporate Style Icons on Screen

By: Brigid Murray

Nailing the perfect business professional look can set the tone for your confidence, capability, and overall sophistication at work. Although, dressing for a corporate setting doesn’t have to mean sacrificing personal style. Television has given us a lineup of unforgettable fashion icons who blend professionalism with personal style. When planning your outfit for your next interview, networking event or internship, look to these iconic characters from television for professional style inspiration.

1. Rachel Green

Kicking off the list with an all-time fashion icon, the Friends’ fashionista wardrobe is straight out of a dream. Whether she was working as a waitress at Central Perk or an executive for Ralph Lauren, Rachel always dressed for success. Often donning skirts, boots, and leather, Rachel’s take on the corporate look always reflected her trendy, girly, and effortlessly cool style. 

2. Miranda Hobbes

Carrie Bradshaw is often esteemed as the style icon of Sex and the City, but Carrie’s friends are no less chic. Miranda Hobbes’ practical style is perfect for the pragmatic lawyer. Miranda always serves professional, put-together looks understated enough for her fiery red hair and no-nonsense prerogative shine through.

3. Samantha Jones

Samantha Jones’ confidence is something we should all aspire to, as well as her style. The owner of her own PR company, her work style is just as bold and glamorous as she is. Samantha never strays from bright colors and loves a matching suit. She never compromises her identity for anyone and her workwear is no exception.

4. Lorelai Gilmore

Lorelai Gilmore is such an underrated business woman from TV. The single mom went from working as a maid to owning and managing her inn. Even in a suit, Lorelai's energetic personality shines through with girly touches like headbands and rich colors. In harmony with the show’s cozy vibe, the Gilmore girl loves a turtleneck and her trusty leather jacket. Every look is not complete without a cup of coffee from Luke’s.

5. Blair Waldorf

Blair’s preppy, conservative style lends itself to a professional wardrobe. While Blair’s outfits tend to lean more glam than practical, there is still a lot to learn from the TV icon’s style, particularly how to accessorize. Even in her Constance school uniform, Blair always stands out. If you’re wondering how to rock a headband, string of pearls, or a statement coat, look no further than Queen B.

Top 5 Fall Movies to Watch

By Lydia Haddad

As the weather gets cooler, I often find myself watching lots of movies. I am always on the lookout for a good movie especially ones that bring nostalgia or a feeling of fall. There are so many different genres of movies that have these kinds of feelings. Watching movies is a greatway to take a break from studying and spend time with friends. So grab a mug of hot chocolate and some fun snacks and have a watch party!

Horror movie: The Shining

My favorite horror movie is The Shining. Back in the day when it first came out, it was probably very creepy and scary. Watching it now, I find it a little silly and quite entertaining to watch. The insanity spiral that the main character Johnny has represents the intensity of cabin fever and wanting to get out. Most people are familiar with the twin girls from this movie who walk out ofan elevator covered in blood. It is a popular Halloween costume too!

Romance: When Harry Met Sally

This is one of my favorite rom coms! I love the friends to lovers arc and how much the characters cared for each other over time. Friendship is such a powerful thing and can create so many connections between people. The movie leaves a warm feeling in your chest every time. There are many iconic moments from this that may be familiar to some from clips on the internet. The clothing and set design fit the fall vibe and aesthetic very well and makes me excited for sweater weather!

Comedy: Hocus Pocus

A classic witch story with so much to laugh about. I find myself watching this movie over and over since every time I watch it, I find something new. The Sanderson Sisters are very silly and portray sibling relationships very well. All the characters are very witty and allow for a wonderful watch that will keep you laughing. If you enjoy the first one, you can meet theSanderson Sisters again in Hocus Pocus 2.

Sci-fi: Twilight saga

This was a recent watch for me, and I loved it. The movies are so bad they are good. These were very popular in the 2010s and are known for their cringe factor. I enjoyed the aspect of the supernatural and all the different skills and talents each species can have. This has sparked a trend for stories of the supernatural in movies and books. The story gets very crazy and odd past the original trilogy so be warned if you haven’t seen them yet. Team Edward or Team Jacob?

Classic: Ghostbusters

A hard-hitting classic that never fails to bring the feeling of spooky season. If you like ghosts and great music, then this is the movie for you. This movie is clearly from the 80s based on the music, the clothes, and the vibes. Overall, it is a great feel-good movie and highly recommend the watch to get into the feeling of fall and the Halloween spirit.

I hope you all take the time to relax and carve out some time for yourself that is not related to schoolwork or other responsibilities. Movie watching is a great way to unwind from the stresses of life. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

F.E.A.R

By: Rebecca Riggs

False Evidence Appearing Real. Everyone has had some overwhelming fear, recurring nightmare, or made up illusion come to life in the darkness of their closet in what was once their safe space. How does one get over their fears? Growing up, knowing monsters weren’t real but still feeling your stomach drop at the slightest creak of a door, thump on the porch, or flickering light, didn’t stop the uneasiness. Sitting in bed paying even closer attention to sounds than before is what made it even worse. Maybe we like the thrill of the unknown? Why do we convince ourselves there’s something there when there isn’t? 

In 6th grade I was terrified of the girl from The Ring, you know, the creepy one in the white dress with the black hair covering her face. I had never even seen the movie, she just started appearing in my dreams. A popular saying, “face your fears” is easier said than done. I didn’t believe that going at it full force would do anything. But, upon being forced in my ELA class to write a scary story to be published in a book in Rhode Island, I took that as my opportunity to see if I could get rid of this nasty dream. It worked! Completely went away somehow, crazy right?

Sometimes your fears aren’t as bad as you might think they are. People get so caught up in the idea that they’re afraid of something that it isn’t even one to be afraid of. Last year, I watched a documentary in my Statistics class on the effects of a placebo, a sugar pill that was given to individuals who had an overwhelming fear of something in particular that often affected how they lived their lives. A placebo is a treatment that appears to be a drug but doesn’t contain any active ingredients. This was given to them and they were told it was proven to help cure their fear. These individuals took the sugar pill (placebo) for an extended amount of time, and throughout the weeks would purposely encounter their fears in some way to test if it was working or not. It did, these people were less afraid on the placebo because of the ideology that the pill they were taking actually was curing their anxiety for this specific thing they were trying to overcome. Once told in the end that it was a fake, they found that they had been worrying about nothing all along. So maybe it is all in our heads.  

Now I’m not saying all fears are fake, unrealistic, and foolish but maybe reconsider if it is worth all the anxiety and stress. I’ll admit I’m terrified of worms and I don’t think I could ever get over that, but maybe some other things you may overcome like a fear of heights for example. 

As a member of Isenberg here at Umass, we are expected to develop the social skills that are crucial for networking, presenting, and just communicating along with everyone else. I know social anxiety can be a real issue. But is it as bad as you think? People aren’t judging you like you may believe, we are all just as nervous as everyone else. Recruiters know it is expected that students will be nervous, we want to perform the best we can, but stop. Take a deep breath, know everything is going to be alright. No monsters are going to get you, you’re worrying for nothing. Whatever happens, happens, you will succeed and just knowing you did your best should be enough. 

We all have different types of fears but we shouldn’t let it stop us from achieving our goals and striving for success. Just like those who got over their extreme fear of heights from a placebo, just like how I overcame my fear of that creepy girl just from writing a poem about it, you don’t have to let your fears consume you. Hey! We literally have Halloween to celebrate it because it’s not that bad really, it’s mostly in your head.