Share your Christmas cinema memories with ODEON for the chance to win a £300 voucher + a soft porg toy! NOW CLOSED

[EllieMumsnet]

Over the Christmas holiday many of us like to get out of the house and spend time with the family by going to the cinema. Whether it’s because you’re fed up of being indoors or desperately trying to entertain children, ODEON would like to find out what you do when you venture out of the house at Christmas to see a movie.

Here’s what ODEON has to say: “With so many family films out and many families planning their trip to the cinema to see Star Wars: The Last Jedi, ODEON wanted to know what Mumsnetters' best memories were of family visits to the cinema over the holidays.

Maybe you got taken to see a particularly Christmassy movie or a big blockbuster you'd been waiting ages to see. Or maybe you've got a great story to tell about visits with your the kids. Share your comments and stories below and you could win a £300 voucher or one of our extra special porg soft toys for the kids.”

So whether you are a regular Christmas cinema goer or have gone on occasion to escape home after over the festive season, share your Christmas cinema memories below.

Everyone who comments on the thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £300 voucher of your choice (from a list) as well as one of 50 soft porg toys .

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[formerbabe]

When I was a child I remember my mum driving us to our dads office one evening to pick him up from work. This was odd as he worked in central London and always got the train home. Anyway, when we picked him up, us kids were told we were actually up in town to go to the cinema to see Home ALone! We were so excited. It's still one of my favourite movies.

This year I'm looking forward to seeing Paddington with my dc.

[MummyBtothree]

My parents took me to see 'Home Alone' and watching it at the cinema was great. My DC love it too and I love to sit and watch it every Christmas with them.

[CFSantasDrankAllTheGin]

It's become a bit of a family tradition to go to the cinema over Christmas, this year we'll be watching Star Wars not very christmassy.

We don't go very often and when we do the whole family get super excited and see it as a treat.
In fact, when I was younger I remember DM making us all get dressed up in our smartest clothes to visit the cinema as it was such a rare event for us.

[MTBMummy]

This is a bit soppy, but when I was much younger my mum and I had a rare day out just the two of us, and she took me to see miracle on 34th street, we both cried pretty much all the way through.

it became a Christmas tradition in that we'd stay up late after my sister and dad had gone to bed and watch it. I still stay up late and watch it on my own 3 years since she passed away. (and still blub like a baby)

[HermanCakeDestroyer]

As a family we live be a Christmas Eve visit to the cinema. Our favourite was Nativity! Watched that and felt very Christmassy! 🎄

[HermanCakeDestroyer]

Sorry love to have

[Teddygirlonce]

Hmmm... a just post Christmas cinema memory for me was going to see Jaws with my family. I've still not entirely overcome my fear of swimming in the sea!

[kateandme]

when all the family got together and we took up then almost an entire cinema row!it would usually be around boxing day when we all needed to just slow down but wanted to get together in one place...usually followed by a meal out. I think the parents used it as an excuse to sleep!

[KCWW]

I think the nicest Christmas tradition I had with my DM was going to the cinema on Christmas day. I have strong memories of seeing Little Women, Home Alone and Jurassic Park! Little Women was the cosiest and definitely sparked my love for period dramas and writing my own (abysmal) stories.

[Falconhoof1]

I remember going to see ET at Christmas as a child. I was then totally obsessed with ET and wanted nothing but ET things for Christmas!

[Coffeechick]

We went to see ballerina last year. My kids loved it but I was quote surprised by them trying out some of the moves after they had seen it. Quite cute

[strawberrypenguin]

Not a childhood memory but DH and I both booked the day off work and went to see The Last Jedi together yesterday. It was lovely we dropped the kids at school then spent the day together - just the two of us which we hardly ever get to do. Cinema then a walk around a Christmas market. Lovely.

[mrsBeverleyGoldberg]

The only time we went to the cinema was to see Annie. I enjoyed it. I really identified with Annie and recognised Miss Brannigan. I watched it recently and realised Miss Brannigan was so like my Mum. My parents hated it and I got into big trouble for making them see it, for a long time. Even as an adult. I spent my childhood hoping for Daddy Warbucks, or that I'd been adopted and my real parents would find me. I wasn't adopted. No one rescued me!

[Cataline]

We went to see Paddington on Christmas Eve a few years ago. I was delighted that the whole family agreed and was looking forward to starting our festivities with a film.

Except I fell asleep!

I've never fallen asleep watching a film before! I must've been so tired from all the Christmas prep.

[ButterflyOfFreedom]

Not a childhood tradition but over the past few years me & DH have made a point of having a child free cinema date over the festive period - this year it'll be Star Wars!

[WinifredAtwellsOtherPiano]

This is our third year of going to see a Star Wars film as a family at Christmas and they have never let us down, but the trip to see The Force Awakens was particularly special. I welled up when the Falcon swung into the hulk of the Star Destroyer and cried pretty much continuously throughout the rest of the film.

The DC would kill for a cuddly porg btw .

[user1493422613]

One of my early cinema memories was going to see ET. An ideal family film which appealed to all ages, I loved it.

[AlexanderHamilton]

The Force Awakens came out on the day Dd finished school for Christmas. I took Ds to her school Carol service in the afternoon then we all hot footed it across to the cinema for the 7pm showing of Star Wars. Dh was like a kid again. The atmosphere in the cinema was electric - it had been so long since the last Star Wars film. It was a fantastic evening & we made a night of it with a meal out & overnight stay in a hotel.

[Whyisitsodifficult]

Probably not what you wanted to hear on a sponsored thread but I've never been to the cinema over Christmas as wouldn't occur to me to go! Saying that this year may be the year as kids are itching to see Star Wars!

[MrsFrTedCrilly]

My first trip to the cinema was to see The Jungle Book, it was in the days of plush red carpets and curtins in the cinema. Yes I’m ancient!! There may have even been an intermission....

[ProfYaffle]

My favourite cinema experience was seeing the 50th Anniversary episode of Dr Who. Going to the cinema made it such a lovely communal experience, loads of people in fancy dress, someone brought an enormous Tom Baker scarf that stretched from one end of the aisle to the other! Dc dressed up, got their photos taken with the staff dressed as weeping angels, we got to see the bonus feature at the beginning. Really loved it.

We now go to 4d showings of major films (just seen The Last Jedi) which is amazing, more like an immersive experience than a film. It's one of the few family outings we can guarantee our 13 yo will enjoy!

[foxessocks]

I'm not sure but I think I went to see 101 Dalmatians at the cinema around Christmas time - not the cartoon version the other one..I may be misremembering the time of year though!

[MuppysMum]

A bittersweet memory of mine is going to the cinema around Christmas time to see Paddington. My Dad had passed away and its safe to say the festive spirit was a bit lacking in our family as he was missed so much, especially by my Mum who was struggling getting used to being now on her own. We persuaded (more like badgered!) her to get out of the house and come and see Paddington film as she and I had loved to sit and watch the TV series when I was little. She was seated/squished in the middle between her Grandchild and me and I will always remember her laughing at the film, and gripping my hand - she said much later it was then she realized that life has to go on and how much she was loved and lucky to have us and how nice it was for even just a little moment to forget she was feeling unhappy. I think thats true for most ,you can enter the cinema and leave your real life at the door even if its just for the film duration and create memories of a shared experience with family or friends. Hope you all enjoy your festive viewing - Happy Christmas wishes from me and mine. MuppysMum

[CMOTDibbler]

Our tiny volunteer run cinema always has childrens films on in the day around Christmas, and ds loves going there and for a hot chocolate afterwards.

[Playdohnut]

The old cinema, we used to have to queue around the back of the building before the doors opened for screenings. It created a great sense of anticipation and excitement being in the queue with all the other excited kids. I remember queuing to see Who Framed Roger Rabbit, it was great!