Christmas is the time of giving, drinking, and trying to drown out your family arguing in the other room. So lets break down how to get your Christmas viewing right, at every stage of the day.
9am – Opening Christmas presents
If you’re living in a house with kids this season, the morning hours might be a flurry of activity. For the older kids who may be recovering from the previous night’s festivities, it might take a little more to get them back in the holiday spirit.
From 9am BBC One presents a double bill of wholesome animated adventures starting with Julia Donaldson’s children’s classic The Gruffalo to ease you into the day. The sight of the eponymous creature will possibly remind you of the shady people you met in the pub toilets last night, but do not be afraid! You won’t have to block this Gruffalo by the last train home.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is next, the Academy award-winning adaptation of the equally critically acclaimed book of the same name. It centres on four unlikely friends who navigate truths of love and life as they search for home. If this doesn’t have your emotional centre warmed up by the time you have to pick up Granny. there is no hope for you.
2pm – Lunch time
After a morning spent appointing yourself as the wrapping paper attendant and chasing people with a shopping bag, it’s time to get your chef hat on. While you wait for the Turkey to be basted switch on ITV at 2pm for Ainsley’s Festive Flavours. Top chef Ainsley Harriott is joined in the kitchen by Joe Pasquale, Jane McDonald, Angela Hartnett and drinks expert Andy Clarke for a feast of conversation. Try not to look too closely though, your own Christmas dinner might not come up to scratch.
If sweet treats are more your thing The Great Christmas Bake Off 2023 airs on Channel 4 at 1:55pm. Featuring previous contestants from past seasons and a performance from the Citizens of the World Choir. For those looking to avoid The King’s Speech, it’s the perfect excuse and the cakes aren’t bad to look at either.
3 – 5pm – Post Christmas lunch nap
Speaking of, King Charles III’s second Christmas Day speech and his first as a crowned monarch will take place at 3pm on BBC, ITV, Sky News, and BBC radio Four. The speech will have an environmental theme and a living Christmas tree will serve as a backdrop. It’s the first time a living tree will be a part of the backdrop and comes after the King called on world leaders to begin meaningfully tackling climate change at COP28 earlier in the month.
You can also catch Stephen Fry’s Alternative Christmas Message at 5:10pm on Channel 4. The message will highlight the rise in antisemitism in the UK and speak about the comedian and presenter’s personal experience as a Jewish person. Channel 4’s alternative Christmas Message has aired for 30 years and serves as an alternative to the monarch’s speech while also delivering thought-provoking sentiments representative of the year’s events.
5:55pm – Yearly traditions
The drowsy wasteland that happens after dinner can leave even the most seasoned travellers feeling a little lost. Remedy this by sticking on the Doctor Who Christmas special as Ncuti Gatwa brings the 60-year institution into the 21st century. Mille Gibson plays Ruby Sunday, the companion to Gatwa’s Doctor and the centre of this story. Ruby Sunday’s life has been shrouded in mystery ever since she was abandoned as a baby on Christmas Eve. That is until she is whisked away on an adventure in the TARDIS.
7:45pm – Goodbye for another year
It’s the end of the day. Granny is being driven home after saying something that irrevocably changes how you think about her from now on. You’re silently scrolling on Instagram realising how rich your Uni friends are as they post their mind-bobbling Christmas hauls. It’s time for something comforting. It’s time to return to Button House one last time.
When Ghosts announced its final season, audiences were left with a bittersweet feeling. Bitter that another good original comedy series was leaving our screens. Sweet that they were leaving on a high note. But now little did they know that creators had one last story up their sleeve.
The season 5 finale saw Alison and Mike (Charlotte Richie and Kiell Smith-Bynoe) decide to stay at Button House. the Christmas special welcomes them back with their newborn baby. However as the couple celebrates their new child’s first Christmas, Robin the caveman looks for something to give him the festive feeling.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. Christmas schedules are hotly sought after and competition to get prime time slots are fierce. However you choose to enjoy your Christmas, make sure its had in peace, gratitude, and with plenty of coping mechanisms.
Featured Image Credit: BBC One