How Our Family Bonds at Christmas With The Polar Express DVD

Written by Carol Finch

Mom Buying Guide - Kids

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We took our son to see The Polar Express a good few years ago when it was first released. Our first viewing of the movie was at a 3D IMAX screening, but, since then, we've watched the version we bought on general release every single Christmas Eve as a family. The voice of Tom Hanks and the characters he plays have become part of Christmas in our home.

I don't know if you (or your kids) have seen the movie yet. Most kids have probably had the chance to see it as it is now widely broadcast during Christmas TV schedules. The story uses fantastic computer generated animation. It takes place on Christmas Eve and is centered on a group of kids who are having Father Christmas 'doubts'. Invited to take a hair-raising and exciting ride on The Polar Express to the North Pole, they ultimately re-discover the true meaning of Christmas by meeting the man himself.

This is a fantastic seasonal movie but that isn't really the reason why we watch it any longer. As soon as it came out in the store, we bought a copy. Every Christmas Eve, once our chores are all done for the next day, we all sit together with some hot chocolate and some treats in the evening and watch it all over again.

This has become one of our highlights of Christmas and, even though my son has now reached the grown-up age of 10, he shows no signs of wanting this to end. Building family traditions, especially at Christmas, is a fantastic way of bonding as a family and this movie has simply added something special to our Christmas Eve and to the holiday as a whole.

As a parent I also kind of dread the day when he finally accepts the reality of Christmas and the true identity of 'You Know Who'. Many of his friends have reached the stage when they could do with their own trip on The Polar Express and I know, deep down, that he knows the score. But, at the end of the day he is still just a kid and he really wants to keep the magic going. Watching this film simply gives him the chance to go back to believing for a little longer.

Our time with The Polar Express may be limited. I know, as he does, that in a couple of years he may no longer want to watch this movie. But, we've all agreed that the tradition of taking time together as a family on Christmas Eve really makes the holiday special for us. So, when the time comes, we'll find something else to share to keep our own tradition going.

Buy The Polar Express on DVD

Carol Finch is a UK based freelancer writing for a broad client base and for herself as a Contributing Writer at Suite101

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