& CHILL

A New York Christmas Wedding

AVAILABLE TO STREAM NOW

A New York Christmas Wedding features a lead bisexual character in Jennifer (Nia Fairweather), who is in the midst of planning her wedding to David (Otoja Abit). However, she second-guesses the marriage when her fiancé’s monster-in-law mother (Tyra Ferrell) insists on conducting the ceremony her way. Jennifer, who is still mourning the loss of her father and best friend Gabrielle (Adriana DeMeo), receives a visit from her guardian angel Azrael (Cooper Koch), who whisks her off to an alternate world in which both are still alive. There, Jennifer gets a second shot at love with Gabrielle. It’s fantastical, Christmassy and nostalgic as hell and is guaranteed to make you blubber.

Best. Christmas. Ever!

AVAILABLE TO STREAM NOW

Netflix’s “Best. Christmas. Ever.” unites a star-studded cast in a heartwarming holiday tale of friendship, love, and festive chaos. When Jackie’s Christmas spirit clashes with Charlotte’s skepticism, their reunion sparks comedic drama. Together, they must salvage the holiday season after Charlotte’s well-intended plan goes awry. Get ready for a merry mix of laughter and feel-good moments!

Candy Cane Lane

OUT 1st December - Prime Video

Get ready to deck the halls and jingle all the way, because Eddie Murphy is about to sprinkle some serious holiday magic onto your screens! The comedy legend is making his merry debut in a festive flick that’s bound to fill your heart with joy.

Dashing Through the Snow

AVAILABLE NOW ON

Disney+

A good-hearted man who has turned his back on Christmas due to a traumatic childhood experience. The movie is headlined by rapper Ludacris.

Happiest Season

AVAILABLE TO STREAM NOW

Released to overwhelmingly positive reviews, the romcom puts queer female narratives at the forefront with Abby (Kristen Stewart) and Harper (Mackenzie Davis). When the couple attend the latter’s annual Christmas festivities, Abby discovers that Harper hasn’t come out to her conservative parents (Mary Steenburgen and Victor Garber), as well as her dysfunctional sisters (Alison Brie and Mary Holland). If you weren’t convinced by all the mega-stars mentioned, Happiest Season also stars Aubrey Plaza (!) and Dan Levy (!).

Journey to Bethlehem IN SELECTED CINEMAS

A live-action musical celebration of the birth of Jesus. It looks almost like a Christmas version of ‘Joseph’ and we’re super excited about it. Pretty sure this one will become a timeless classic.

The B**** Who Stole Christmas

AVAILABLE TO STREAM NOW

Boasting an all-star cast with Drag Race alum such as Brooke Lynn Hytes, Chad Michaels, Ginger Minj, Kylie Sonique Love, Manila Luzon and Peppermint, The Bitch Who Stole Christmas follows a fashion journalist (Krysta Rodriguez) who is sent on an assignment to a Christmas-loving town by her ruthless editor (RuPaul). With the intention of digging up a juicy story, she unexpectedly gets involved in the town’s yearly winter ball competition. Of course, the festivities has its dark side with cutthroat housewives and ruthless townfolk seeking to ruin the holiday season. Slay! (Sleigh?) The feel-good comedy also features appearances from Michelle Visage, Ross Matthews, Carson Kressley, Kim Petras, Charo and Anna Maria Horsford.

The Christmas House

AVAILABLE TO STREAM NOW

Hallmark kicked off the decade with their first-ever gay Christmas film, The Christmas House, following Brandon (Jonathan Bennett) and his husband Jake (Brad Harder) as they visit the former’s parents for the holidays, where they anxiously await a call about the adoption of their first child. Bill (Treat Williams) and Phylis (Sharon Lawrence), their parents, hope that “bringing the family together to recreate the Christmas house will help them find resolution and make a memorable holiday for the entire family and community.” It received praise from viewers and was followed by a sequel, The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls.

The Naughty Nine

November 22nd - Disney+

10-year-old Andy wakes up on Christmas morning with no presents. He concludes that he must have landed on Santa’s list of naughty kids. Andy unites with other children who share his status on the “naughty list,” forming a formidable team of eight. Together they hatch an elaborate plan to execute a heist at the North Pole, determined to claim the presents they believe they deserve.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, let’s not ruin that at your work Christmas Party. We are here to give you all of the insider tips and tricks to not only survive, but thrive when you have to speak to your co-workers after a couple of mulled wines.

Firstly, don’t pass up the invitation. I know it can be daunting, but it is supposed to be a celebration of all your hard work this year, make an effort to go. When you go, make sure to participate! Enter the Christmas jumper contest, join the Secret Santa, take part in the games. Not only will it make the party more enjoyable for you, but you’ll also look like a great team player who thrives in and appreciates the company culture. Try to mingle when you are there too! I know it is very tempting to just chat and gossip with your work bestie, but Christmas parties are a great opportunity to talk to people outside of your circle. You never know where it will lead you – it’s not what you know, it’s who you know after all. In all this chatting, make sure to keep it positive and upbeat, this is not the time to complain, bring up controversial topics or just sit and talk about work. Try to keep it light and fun.

However, it is important to remember this is not a personal party, If the event is being held by the by the company then it is a workplace event, behave accordingly. If you are allowed a plus one, pick wisely and make sure that they are also on their best behaviour. If they cause any drama, it looks worse on you than if you had done it yourself! Whatever the dress code, try not to wear anything too scandalous. We all want to be the hottest co-worker, but don’t be the sluttiest.

The biggest thing that can make or break a work night out is, of course, alcohol. If you are planning on drinking, check to see if food is being served at the event, otherwise make sure that you eat, preferably carbs, before you go. When you get there, pace yourself! How much alcohol you can hold won’t be on your annual review, but workplace relations might be if you have one to many and decide to tell that one co-worker what you really think about them. So, don’t try to ‘keep up’ with what everyone else is drinking, just cause Kenny from IT is banging the shots doesn’t mean that you have to. That being said, while you shouldn’t ‘match’ others drinking, do be mindful of what the majority of people are drinking. Spirits are stronger than wine, which is stronger than beer. If everyone else is on the low percentage stuff, it’s probably best to stick to that so everyone is roughly on the same level. Hydrate! Make sure you are necking a cheeky glass of water in between drinks because it will firstly, stop you necking drinks just because your thirsty, but it also helps to ease the hangover the next day – so it’s a win-win. In short - don’t be the drunkest there, don’t even be in the top 5, you will be the office laughing stock come Monday. You want to be able to tell the story – not be the story. However, if booze is just not your style, don’t feel pressured to drink just because everyone else is – you can just stick to mocktails and lemonade – if you’re really concerned about it, just lie and say there is alcohol in it.

Another massive thing during Christmas parties is interacting with co-workers that you maybe would not choose to see outside the office in quite literally any other setting, but we know how to navigate that too. Firstly, stay vigilant – there is always that one person that tries to take pictures or record videos for subtle blackmail or embarrassment purposes – don’t let them catch you out. Another big no-no is to having a heart-to-heart with your boss. They do not need to know the innermost details of your life. Whether you love them so much or whether you want to punch them every day of your life, just leave it alone regardless. If you see the boss – or any senior management for that matter – getting a bit wavey, get close! It’s safe to say some serious gossip is about to be spilled – but be strategic about it. That’s another reason not to get too drunk – you’re going to want to remember this! A massively important thing to remember when it comes to interacting with co-workers is that with alcohol comes lowered inhibition, which can lead to a bit of harmless flirting. Except it isn’t harmless. Worst case scenario, it can be considered harassment which comes with some pretty serious consequences. Best case scenario, it goes great, leads a bit of touching and feeling and then having a sleepover with the hot guy from work – but I guarantee that they are only work hot. Whether they are the best or worst you’ve ever had, you still have to see them on Monday…and Tuesday…and every other day after that. Trust me, it isn’t worth it.

By now you’ve been having a ball, following all the advice and finding out all the juicy gossip there is to know in the workplace. It’s getting later and later and you are trying to figure out when to make your departure. First things first, remember to thank the party organisers. This can just be a quick thank you as you leave, or you can round up a little contribution from each of the attendees and give a small gift – whatever feels right for your work place.

But when should you leave? You don’t want to be the very first person to go, but if someone starts getting a bit controversial or heaven forbid offensive, just leave immediately. If it’s a workplace event, you can take it up with HR and file a complaint, and probably should if something offensive is said for obvious reasons - company rules and behaviour expectations apply at all company events. With company rules in mind, if any substances other than alcohol pop out, get yourself out of there ASAP. If you are caught even in the vicinity, whether you are participating or not, it is a sackable offense. Lastly, a bit less serious but still important, when you get to the point of the night when someone suggests going back to theirs for an ‘after party’, just go home. Once you’re in an afters it becomes kind of awkward to leave, and can become more difficult depending on where the afters is. Nothing good ever happens at an afters, but lots of bad stuff often does. You are far better off just cutting your losses, and grabbing a cheeky takeaway on the way home.

Now you know a bit more about what to do when you’re rocking around the Christmas tree with the office – and, maybe more importantly, how not to make it a blue Christmas (or Monday morning).