Cold nights call for cosy entertainment! Why not entertain yourself with a comfort film, a page-turning book or an exhilarating game?
When you feel unable to leave the house due to the gloomy winter weather, the best thing you can do is entertain yourself and forget about the world outside.
Here are some of Callum and Bill's top film, book and game recommendations to make those winter blues disappear!
Films
Callum's top winter films
The main benefit of the winter season is that it gives you the perfect excuse to get comfy and snug in bed earlier than at any other time of year. And once in bed with a hot drink, it is the perfect moment to throw on a feel-good Christmas movie.
Over the holidays, it would be a personal disservice to myself if I did not watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas. This cult classic has been a staple in my household.
Jim Carrey presents the Grinch as a fully-fledged anti-hero who is full of witty one-liners and eccentric mannerisms. Alongside Cindy Lou Who, they make this movie evoke the spirit of Christmas in a way that modern Christmas movies cannot replicate.
Long over my childhood fear of the Grinch, anytime I watch this film, I am instantly filled with nostalgia and laughter. Especially as every time I watch this film is better than the last.
Another series of movies that will always make me joyfully reminisce on my childhood is the Nativity franchise.
Still at 20 years of age, and my friends will sing every word to every single song throughout movies 1,2, and 3. Growing up, there was something so endearing about watching kids your age act, and I think it really ingrained a special connection to the movies.
Growing up in the UK, it was a rite of passage to perform a nativity play every single year in primary school, but it never managed to capture the extravagance of the Nativity movies.
A special shout out is desired for Nativity 2, arguably the best movie in the franchise.
Bill's top winter films
My first pick for films is Elf. I’m a passionate Elf defender. Buddy the Elf’s philosophy of “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear” puts him amongst greats like Aristotle in my books.
The journey of Buddy, the human elf leaving the North Pole in search of his family, is filled with chaotic yet wholesome moments that make Elf one of the funniest and touching Christmas movies.
Buddy is an oblivious yet innocent elf played by Will Ferrell whose visit to New York makes for a plethora of hilarious and quotable scenes - watch Elf once and you’ll catch yourself quoting it for the rest of Christmas!
The next film I’ve picked is a classic I used to watch growing up - The Muppets’ Christmas Carol.
Perhaps the highest praise a story can receive is being parodied by the Muppets, and The Muppets’ Christmas Carol is a perfect example. A silly, witty and musical adaptation of the Dickens’ classic,
The Muppets’ Christmas Carol stars Michael Caine as Scrooge with the Muppets filling the shoes of other characters to make a joyful, heart-warming Christmas film for the whole family to enjoy!
Books
Callum's top winter books
There is nothing like sitting down with a captivating book that you can get lost in for hours on end. Reading presents you with an opportunity to escape the gloomy atmosphere of winter and lets you transport yourself into a more thrilling world.
A book that I haven’t read for around two years, but I intend to pick up again this winter, is 'Small Things Like These' by Claire Keegan.
This novella set in Ireland sees Bill Furlong, a coal miner, uncover the secrets and scandal of the local convent. He is then faced with the mission of challenging the power of the Church in his small town.
Set in winter, in the lead-up to Christmas, this story highlights the bleak conditions that village residents live in and the callous nature of the abuses happening at the convent.
Although an emotionally impactful read, the story is very heart-warming in Bill’s pursuit of justice.
Moreover, the influence of ‘BookTok’ has made me begin to read ‘The Bear and the Nightingale’ by Katherine Arden.
During the winter, I love to read a book that can transport me into a winter wonderland, and this book has done exactly that.
This book of historical fiction set in rural Russia is enriched with folklore and mythology that makes you feel you are sitting around a fire on a cold night, sharing stories, trying to keep warm. I cannot wait to continue reading it!
Bill's top winter books
Dr Seuss never ceases to impress me - you thought Cat in the Hat and The Lorax were enough, and then he goes and makes How the Grinch stole Christmas, a banger of a Christmas book. What a guy.
The Grinch’s transformation from being bitter and grumpy about Christmas to discovering its meaning and joy is a classic, and I could go on and on about how Dr Seuss puts even Eminem to shame with his whimsical rhyming style.
And the story itself is so sweet at heart-warming that it’s been made into one of mine and Callum’s favourite Christmas films - so give that a watch as well!
My second book choice is a classic with a wintery vibe - CS Lewis’ “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe”.
A festive comfort read, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is guaranteed to put a cosy Christmassy smile on your face. Follow the journey of four evacuees as they stumble across a wardrobe leading to Narnia, a mystical land with no exams and no coursework. What bliss.
Much like with the Grinch, this is another classic with a number of film adaptations, so if you’re craving the fantasy of Narnia but don’t want to read a whole book then look no further than the films!
Games
Callum's top winter games
If films or reading haven’t brightened your winter, I am sure that a good video game will be able to do something about that.
I am a personal sandbox game fanatic. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the perfect game for me to unwind after a busy day at university and unleash my creativity.
This has been a video game franchise that was a staple from my childhood, and now, as a young adult, I still love building relationships with my villagers and decorating my island to my heart’s content.
The game feature of playing in real-time makes it even more enjoyable during the winter, as every single day it will snow! Dressing up in winter-themed clothing, building snow people and watching the aurora easily surpass most dull winter nights in real life.
To round off my winter entertainment recommendations is Stardew Valley.
Like Animal Crossing, it offers the player the seasonal experience of playing the game set in winter. When you reach winter in the game, you play a very different game from what you have played since the start in spring.
Bill's top winter games
The presents have been unwrapped, the turkey’s been demolished - it’s murder mystery time.
Cluedo is a Christmas tradition in my family. No doubt Christmas may have left you with some grudges - did a sibling get more presents than you? Now you can take revenge by boldly accusing them of a murder.
Cluedo can be played with up to six people - it’s a whodunnit, so you’re racing with your family and friends to be the first to correctly deduce the details of a murder! It’s the perfect game for a bit of family fun and competition at the end of a hectic Christmas day.
In terms of video games, one that I personally like in the festive season is Hollow Knight.
Hollow Knight is a platformer set in Hallownest, an underground fallen kingdom. There’s something really peaceful and soothing about exploring the quiet, eerie underground tunnels of Hallownest.
Meanwhile, the soft art style and gentle soundtrack make the perfect game for a cold December evening - wrap up warm, make a hot chocolate and get absorbed into the calming world of Hollow Knight.
By Callum, a second year Combined Honours student and Student Content Creator
By Bill, a second year Computer Science student and Student Content Creator