“Buddy the elf, what’s your favourite colour?”
In last year’s roundup of my all-time favourite Christmas films, I concluded that ‘Elf’ will always be superior to all of its competitors.
However, many of you felt as though I had ‘robbed’ many of your favourites, and didn’t understand how I could possibly place it above ‘Home Alone’ or ‘Love Actually’.
This year, I am going to (unnecessarily) justify my decision by discussing the defining factor- the sheer volume of extremely valuable lessons that can be learned through observation of our good friend, Buddy the Elf.
Lesson 1: Always Stand Up For What’s Right
Unfortunately, we live in a world that is full of misogyny, racism, and unequal rights for countless marginalised communities.
While Buddy doesn’t necessarily tackle these issues head-on, he takes his wholesome beliefs very seriously and will go to great lengths to make sure everyone is happy.
Whether you stay up all night perfecting your decorations or tackling a beef and cheese scented Santa imposter, it is always best to focus your energy on standing up for what is right, rather than consistently complaining about what is wrong.
Lesson 2: Find Positives in Every Complication
As Buddy eventually learns, not everything in life is candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup and that inevitably, we will all end up encountering some major life hurdles.
Buddy teaches us the importance of feeling every feeling that comes with every complication, but rather than stewing on negativity, he encourages us to turn the problem into something positive.
So when life sends you to a mailroom filled with people who look like they want to hurt you, get up and dance for them (or something like that).
Lesson 3: Never Turn Off Your Intuition
While it pays to be positive, don’t be a cotton headed ninny muggins about it.
Intuition is a God-given gift that you should never take for granted. If you feel good about something, there’s a reason for it. If something feels wrong, there’s a fair chance it is.
Trust your gut (and don’t believe those who sit on a throne of lies).
Lesson 4: Stay True To Your Morals
Like intuition, morals are incredibly important in everyday life.
If someone is making you feel bad for doing something that is inherently good, don’t listen.
If someone is trying to make you do something that you know is bad, don’t listen.
Even though Buddy’s adventures in the mail room worked out well for him, you may not be as lucky.
Lesson 5: Never Let Go Of Your Youth
‘Growing up’ is seriously overrated.
Society consistently enforces the idea that once you reach a certain age, you must leave your imagination and ‘childish’ zest for life behind.
But why should you?
There’s a reason kids enjoy life so much, so why should you have to abandon your youth forever?
And that, my friends, is exactly why Elf will always be my favourite Christmas film.
Until Saturday, 😉
