IT WOULDN’T be Christmas Day if your family didn’t spend the evening squabbling over what to put on the TV.
Deciding what to watch on Christmas Day after stuffing your face with turkey is just part of the festive magic.
Therapist Marisa Peer reveals what your top Christmas show says about you
While it can often lead to arguments – cue mum begging to watch Call the Midwife and dad protesting an episode of Mrs Brown’s Boys, the one thing we do know is that your top pick can say a lot about your personality.
And Fabulous has had a flick through the TV guide with therapist Marisa Peer to find out exactly what your favourite Christmas TV show reveals about you.
I’m a Celebrity being aired is a sign Christmas is just around the corner
I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here
While I’m a Celebrity isn’t technically on at Christmas (We can’t imagine anyone, let alone celebrities voluntarily eating plain beans and rice on Christmas Day), it’s one of the shows that signify Christmas is just around the corner.
But if you’re a fan of watching your most-hated celebs eating mealworms and being covered in cockroaches – then you’re the kind of person who seeks out revenge.
Marisa says:
This is the show we love to hate. It appeals to our sense of revenge by seeing celebrities without a script or make-up revealing their innermost selves whilst being made to do disgusting things.
It’s the antithesis of Strictly but has the same opportunity for us to love or hate the contestants.
What’s more, we’re given a certain level of control over the outcome through the show’s voting system.
It’s the contemporary equivalent of the ducking chair and appeals to those who prefer their revenge as a dish eaten hot.
Mrs Brown’s Boys focuses on comedy rather than sentiment during the festive season
Mrs Brown’s Boys
For those who squabble over the remote to see what’s going on in Mrs Brown’s village, then your family are probably the type to buy comical presents over sentimental ones.
The show often keeps things light-hearted – and it might be how you cope in everday life as well.
Marisa says:
Christmas is all about joy, laughter and family fun. This show encapsulates the perfect mix of humour and feel good factor while stirring up a range of emotions.
It’s for those more laddish at heart, preferring comedy that is more traditional and irreverent.
The cast are obviously caricatures created for entertainment purposes and the storylines exaggerated, but many of us recognise a little of ourselves or someone in our family in them which adds to the fun.
Families love the chance to point out each other’s failings and this show gives them the opportunity without it likely to turn into a row.
Strictly is a show most of the nation get involved with, just like visiting the pantomime at Christmas
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly has given us moments of laughter, tears, and standing ovations.
We’ve watched politicians tumble, actors become a master of Salsa and contestants scored lower than we think is fair – all while sporting sequins head to toe.
But the ups and downs of the show all add to the Christmas spirit as we navigate our way through the runup to Christmas, not unlike stars on the show.
Marisa says:
It’s almost a pantomime of a programme with goodies and baddies.
It’s got all the glitz and kitsch we love about Christmas wrapped up in a healthy dose of competition.
We can cheer on our favourites and boo the judges for erroneous decisions from the comfort of our armchair.
It’s a programme that manages to appeal to every age group with its big time escapism and often appeals to those more sociable that love to have a shared experience.
Every mum spends their Christmas Day evening crying over the latest episode of Call the Midwife
Call the Midwife
If you’re constantly catching yourself looking out the window caught in a trance about the good old days, then you’re probably fighting over the remote to tune into Call The Midwife.
Marisa says:
If you’re a baby boomer or older, this is the must-watch Christmas special to take you back to the festivities of your youth or those of your kids when they were little.
It’s a cracker of a programme for those who love a slice of nostalgia with their turkey and tend to look at the Sixties’ era as the halcyon days of Britain.
The X factor often reminds people dreams can come true
The X Factor
The X Factor may not be on at Christmas time anymore.
But we can all recall when the winning contestant and Simon Cowell would fight tooth and nail to get the number one spot for Christmas single.
The show brings together everyday people with the hope to change one of their lives for the better, and what better time to talk of hope than Christmas?
Marisa says:
A family favourite that allows everyone to dream, The X Factor plays into the ‘instant gratification’ generation.
It has spawned thousands of TikTok wannabes seeking fame in the hope they might be spotted.
Others enjoy the contestants’ journey through each stage of the show – supporting the underdogs, getting to ‘know’ the contestants as they progress, experience the highs and the lows and, of course, the excitement of the festive finale as we cheer on our favourite to win.
If you can’t beat a good sob story and cheering on your favourite contestant each year, than you’re a big dreamer and optimistic they come true.
Doc Martin’s simple way of life has everyone daydreaming for something similar during the hectic festive season
Doc Martin
Most of have seen Doc Martin quite literally grow up over the last 18 years with the help of his long-term partner, Louisa Glasson.
The London-based doctor moved to a sleepy village on Cornwall for a slower pace of life.
If you’re always caught up with the TV show then it probably means your envious of the Doc and his simple life.
Marisa says:
Fans of the show will not be able to resist this watershed episode but undoubtedly Doc Martin newbies will get their festive fix too.
Everyone who fancies a simpler life by the sea in a village bursting with stereotypes celebrating the perfect, but mishap-laden, chocolate box Christmas, will tick all the boxes of what an idealised festive season should be.
And the show attracts those who hanker after a simple life, even if their own is miles from being so.
