Notes from the Season: The Selvedge Team – Jane Laverty, Customer Service Manager
The Comfort of Christmas Films
The winter holidays never feel quite complete without settling in to watch a favourite Christmas film — something that transports you into a world of holiday magic and gentle nostalgia. Whether you gravitate toward timeless black-and-white classics, heartwarming animated tales, or light-hearted comedies, certain films have woven themselves into the fabric of many families’ festive traditions.
Poster for It's A Wonderful Life'. Copyright 1946 RKO Radio Pictures Inc. Scan via Heritage Auctions., Public Domain.
For me, one of those irreplaceable films is It’s a Wonderful Life, the 1946 classic telling the tale of George Bailey. If you know the film, you likely have a favourite quote tucked somewhere in your memory. Mine arrives whenever I’m lucky enough to receive a compliment: “This old thing? Why, I only wear it when I don’t care how I look.”
Film still from 'It's a Wonderful Life', directed by Frank Capra
Beyond its famous quotes, this black and white gem is a reminder that the small, everyday things we do can ripple out further than we think and that kindness, sacrifice, and community still count for so much.
Always ready to embrace a new film favourite to our watchlist, my family and I settled down on Christmas Day to watch the animated adaptation of The Scarecrows' Wedding. Premiering on BBC One (and now available on BBC iPlayer). The film follows two devoted scarecrows, Betty O'Barley and Harry O'Hay, as they set out to plan their perfect wedding.
Image: BBC/Magic Light Pictures
It brought back a lovely memory of my daughter Eve celebrating World Book Day one year dressed as Betty O’Barley. I was reminded of the meticulous task of sewing white feathers onto a dress — and of the amusing trail of feathers she left behind at nursery throughout the day.
Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved book, this cheerful adaptation is a heartwarming tale of love, loyalty, and the reminder that the most important thing of all is simply being together.
To our very own Selvedge community, I wish you all a happy holiday season—no matter which film feels like home to you.
Jane Laverty, Customer Service Manager
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Image Credits:
Lead Image: Jane Laverty. Photo: Alun Callender
All further images as credited in photo captions.