The Christmas Romance - A Brief History
The Christmas romance story as a genre has evolved significantly over time, with each era bringing its own contributions and classics.
19th Century
The groundwork for Christmas romance stories was laid during the Victorian era. While Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (1843) was not a romance, its emphasis on transformation, redemption and the joys of Christmas paved the way for romantic storytelling within the festive season. Dickens also wrote other Christmas books that included romantic elements, such as The Cricket on the Hearth (1845), which focused on the home and hearth, key elements of Victorian Christmas celebration.
Early 20th Century
In the early 20th century, Christmas stories often appeared in magazines and newspapers, with romantic tales that reflected the season's themes of love and generosity. O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi (1905) was a poignant story about a young couple who, despite their poverty, gave each other the ultimate gifts of love. This short story, not a romance in the modern sense, underscored the sacrificial nature of love, a common thread in later Christmas romances.
Mid-20th Century
The mid-20th century saw the rise of Christmas-themed movies that often contained elements of romance. While not always the main plot, romantic love was a key component in many Christmas classics. It's a Wonderful Life (1946), directed by Frank Capra featured a deeply touching love story between George Bailey and his wife Mary. Miracle on 34th Street (1947), which is both a celebration of Christmas magic and a subtle romance, involved a single mother whose beliefs about love and life are challenged by the arrival of Kris Kringle.
Late 20th Century
As television became more influential, the Christmas romance genre began to emerge more clearly. Television movies started to appear with a seasonal theme:
A Christmas Romance (1994) - This television movie starred Olivia Newton-John as a single mother who found love with a stranger who ended up stranded at her home during Christmas.
The Christmas Box (1995) - Based on the novel by Richard Paul Evans, this movie told the story of a family that moved in with an elderly widow. The romantic and mysterious elements that unfolded led to a heartwarming conclusion.
Many TV series developed special Christmas episodes that often contained elements of romance woven into their holiday narratives. Examples include:
Cheers - The classic sitcom had several Christmas episodes throughout its run where romantic subplots would often be part of the festive celebrations.
Friends - Later in the 90s, this show became famous for its holiday episodes, and although not solely focused on romance, relationships were often a key part of the Christmas-themed plots.
In contemporary literature, authors like Debbie Macomber started to gain popularity with heartwarming Christmas romances like Mrs. Miracle (1996). Her Christmas-themed books often found their protagonists encountering love in holiday settings, with the festive spirit playing a matchmaker's role.
21st Century
The Hallmark Channel has perhaps done the most to shape the modern Christmas romance genre. With its “Countdown to Christmas” yearly lineup, it has churned out dozens of movies that adhere to a successful formula: city dwellers returning to their hometowns, finding old loves or meeting new ones amidst the idyllic backdrop of small-town holiday celebrations. Movies like The Christmas Card (2006) and Let it Snow (2013) are examples of this feel-good genre.
The publishing world also sees a surge in Christmas romance novels each year. Authors like Richard Paul Evans, who wrote The Christmas Box (1993), and Jenny Colgan with Christmas at the Cupcake Café (2012), contribute to the growing collection of books that celebrate love and the festive spirit.
Be on the lookout for great Christmas stories to help celebrate the season.