Christmas movies are more than entertainment – they can also teach financial lessons. The Grinch reminds us that expensive things aren’t everything, and Ebenezer Scrooge proves that spending and sharing money is often a good thing. And if there’s one thing you’ve learned from Home Alone, it’s the importance of safety and insurance.
Ah, holidays.
There’s nothing better when it’s snowing outside than spending a cozy night watching countless reruns of your favorite holiday movies. ??
You love them all – classics, romantic comedies, even Christmas movies. (And yes, they are). There is something undeniably nostalgic and magical about seeing these holiday stories come to life—even for the hundredth time.
Yes, there are many jingle bells, mistletoe kisses and sparkling snowfalls. But along with the holiday clichés, these Christmas movies may even offer some practical financial lessons. ?
Not sure what we’re talking about? Grab your bowl of popcorn and your coziest blanket – and let’s dive into 10 of our favorite holiday movies and the financial lessons you can learn from each. ?
1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Let’s start with a classic: stories about a grouchy green monster that lives on Crumpit Mountain. Annoyed by the holiday spirit, the Grinch tries to “steal” Christmas from the people of Whoville. You know the rest – after sneaking into all the houses of the Who to collect all the Christmas presents, the Grinch expects the town to mourn the loss of their favorite holiday.
Instead, he hears them sing and celebrate the next morning – even without the gifts. The Grinch learns that it’s not the expensive gifts that matter at Christmas. Instead, it’s the people and community that you’re celebrating with.
? financial lesson: You don’t need to give or receive expensive gifts to celebrate the holidays.
Read more: Holiday Budget Tips: 7 Ways to Cut Your Seasonal Expenses
2. Christmas carol
Old Ebenezer Scrooge has been brought to life many times over by countless film adaptations of Charles Dickens’ story – because it really never gets old.
Scrooge is a grumpy, greedy and selfish old man known for his miserliness. He turns down holiday invitations and reluctantly gives his employee Bob Cratchit the only day off during the Christmas break.
It wasn’t until he was visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve that he realized the tragic reality of the life he had been living and the grim future that awaited him if he didn’t change his ways.
From a new point of view, the greedy Scrooge finally loosens the fetters of the purse. He wakes up on Christmas morning and immediately sends the Cratchit family an expensive Christmas turkey, and later offers the industrious Mr. Cratchit a raise. He also celebrates the holiday with his long-neglected nephew, who is grateful that his uncle is finally around.
? financial lesson: Saving is important, but it’s just as important to spend money on experiences, things, and gifts that benefit your life and the lives of others.
Read more: When to spend money
3. It’s a wonderful life
It’s a Wonderful Life depicts the selfless life of George Bailey from when he was a child until he took over the family’s construction and lending business. Shortly after their wedding, George and his wife Mary witness a bank robbery. The couple borrow their honeymoon money to keep their clients afloat.
Over the years, George continues to give himself to his community, sacrificing his goals and dreams to serve his neighbors and friends. But when a misplaced check makes George fear arrest and ruin his business, he loses all hope and considers taking his own life.
With the help of the angel Clarence, George soon realizes that he has a family and community that loves him. Meanwhile, Mary makes up for the lost money with generous donations from friends and neighbors. Try to get through the final scene without crying, I dare you. ?
? financial lesson: If you are experiencing financial difficulties, there are resources and people who can help you.
4. National Lampoon Christmas Holidays
What’s the holiday season without the Griswold family jokes?
Determined to have a wonderful Christmas, Clark Griswold takes the holiday spirit seriously by putting together a huge Christmas tree and decorating his home with blinding lights. But, as you might expect, things don’t go as planned, especially when relatives show up.
With the financial pressures of having an incredible Christmas for his family, as well as the added burden of hosting relatives, Clark is desperate for his Christmas bonus check to arrive. To Clark’s dismay, the bonus doesn’t come. Until—in a state of rage—Clark argues about it with his boss. After all, it’s a happy, albeit unconventional, Christmas.
? financial lesson: Don’t overspend, even despite the stress and pressure of the holidays.
5. Holiday
Vacation is good old rom-com with a festive twist. Two women on opposite ends of the world are equally dissatisfied with their personal lives as the holidays approach. Trying to escape their lives at Christmas, the women meet on a house swap site and decide to trade houses for the holidays.
You can guess the rest: in her new surroundings, every woman meets the perfect guy and lives happily ever after – all thanks to a vacation abroad.
? financial lesson: House swaps are a great way to make your vacation more affordable.
Read more: Travel hacking 101: The Beginner’s Guide to Traveling Like a Pro
6. Elf
Arguably one of the funniest Christmas movies of all time, The Elf tells the story of Buddy, a misfit human raised by elves who searches for his biological father in New York City. The fun begins once Buddy reaches the Big Apple, but the financial lessons start at the North Pole.
Surrounded by skilled, hard-working elves, Buddy grows up doing exactly what is expected of him: making toys. But it quickly becomes apparent – to Buddy and the elves – that he is not a born toymaker.
Eventually, Buddy realizes that making toys is not the right job for him, and he needs to go in search of something else. First lesson: Your initial career may not be the best.
Towards the end of the film, Buddy’s biological father has to make a difficult choice between work and family. He chooses a family (it’s a Christmas movie after all ??) and that choice eventually leads him to start his own business.
? financial lesson: You don’t have to stay at a job that makes you unhappy – and you can always leave of your own free will.
Read more: How to start your own business – a complete step-by-step guide
7. Die Hard
The only action movie on this classic Christmas list, Die Hard isn’t your typical holiday movie.
On Christmas Eve, New York detective John McClain goes to a holiday party at his ex-wife’s office in Los Angeles. Instead of festive celebrations and reconciliation, the evening turns into a hostage situation. A group of German radicals take over the building and a fight breaks out between McClane and the terrorists.
Where is the holiday spirit, you ask? Well – *spoiler* – the good guys win. Christmas Eve, remember?
What about the financial lesson? It turns out the bad guys wanted bearer bonds—fixed-income securities in the form of a physical certificate. Without registration, bearer bonds belong to whoever owns them. This makes them vulnerable to theft, perfect for money laundering, and the perfect subject for this thrilling holiday movie.
? financial lessonA: Protect your valuables and keep your money safe.
8. Four Christmases
Along with fun decorations, seasonal treats, and general holiday season celebration, this time of year can also bring a lot of trouble. For some, vacationing at the many homes of parents and relatives is more of a duty than a choice.
Some people, like Brad and Kate in Four Christmases, prefer to spend Christmas their way by going to a faraway, sunny place. And if you’ve watched this movie and met their families, you know it’s understandable and even necessary.
But Kate and Brad make one big mistake that costs them the trip and instead forces them to spend Christmas visiting family in four different (and very dysfunctional) homes.
Their mistake? Don’t buy travel insurance.
Yes, after a flight cancellation ruined Kate and Brad’s plans, they spend their vacation making four nasty visits instead of relaxing on the beach. Yes.
? financial lessonA: Travel insurance is often worth the cost.
Read moreQ: Should I buy travel insurance?
9. Preacher’s wife
The Preacher’s Wife tells the story of Henry, a pastor who is trying to get through the Christmas season. Not only do members of Henry’s parishioners come to him with their financial and personal problems, but the church itself is in dire financial straits.
With the stress of keeping his flock afloat, Henry’s marriage begins to fall apart. It wasn’t until the appearance of the mysterious angel Dudley that Henry’s heart changed. He begins to realize that he cannot do everything, but one thing he must do is be close to his family.
In the end, Christmas arrives with a happy ending for both Henry’s congregation and his family.
? financial lesson: Financial stability is important, but don’t let money distract you from other important values.
10. Home Alone
In the original Home Alone, 8-year-old Kevin McCallister has to defend his (very large and beautiful) home from burglars after his family accidentally leaves town without him.
Parenting mistakes aside, Kevin not only survives, but thrives by booby-trapping his home for the final crackdown on the bad boy. This is the dream of an (8-year-old) child. By the time the police arrive, Kevin has completely destroyed most of his home with tar, glue, feathers, fire, and more.
We can learn a lot from Home Alone – besides not leaving 8 year olds on the road. But what about taking better steps to protect your giant home? Not to mention the importance of buying the right insurance.
? financial lesson: Protect—and insure—your home and valuables.
Summary
This is a summary of 10 financial lessons from your favorite Christmas movies. These stories, from “It’s a Wonderful Life” to “Home Alone,” can teach us valuable lessons about money, such as the importance of investing wisely, saving for a rainy day, and protecting our values.
We can also learn from the mistakes of others, such as not buying travel insurance or taking the right steps to protect our home. So this holiday season, take a few minutes to get your finances in order with these timeless lessons. Happy Holidays!
