Persona Digest

What is the memory you associate most with Christmas, if you celebrate? For me it's pancakes. My dad, in pajamas and a robe and bright red reindeer antlers, flipping the sweet breakfast treat at the stove. 

For most Christmases, my whole family gathers at my parents' house in the Philadelphia suburbs. My sister and her wife fly in from London, one of the only times we get to see each other with so much distance between us. My other sister and her family make the trek from Michigan. Last Christmas we fit eight adults, five dogs and one toddler in one house. 

Like the rest of you, my Christmas will be drastically different this Friday. I won't get to see my sisters or my niece or new nephew. We won't be able to open presents in the same room in our pajamas (as a staunch traditionalist, I never let anyone get dressed before unwrapping a box). But we are doing our best with the situation we have. There will be a Zoom, there will be too many presents for my niece because we're all missing her so much, and I will definitely be making pancakes. 

I know that all of you are making huge sacrifices this Christmas, forgoing tradition and the comfort of hugs from your loved ones to keep them, yourself and all the rest of us safe. It won't be easy, but hopefully next Christmas we'll be back together next to the tree. 

To quote old Saint Nick himself, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all good night!"

Production and cinema shut downs have caused unprecedented upheaval in the film industry, but amid all the bad news and delayed film releases, there were still some truly beautiful, entertaining and eye-opening films this year. 

Our film critic Brian Truittpivoted his approach to covering movies as theaters closed, focusing on streaming releases either filmed before the pandemic began or under strict safety protocols. As he writes, "We've been doing "what to stream" weekly guides for a while now, highlighting high-profile films, hidden gems and everything in between." 

He combed through all the movies he's watched this year, and he watches a lot of movies, to find 100 that will bring some joy during your holidays, especially if your regular traditions have been canceled. 

Here are five recommendations from the "yuletide cheer" category in Brian's story. Once you get through them, there are 95 to go!