A Boy Called Christmas Discussion Questions written by the Hobbit on November 29th, 2021. This post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.
Know Before You Watch A Boy Called Christmas
Movie: A Boy Called Christmas
Rating: PG
Genre: Holiday, Fantasy,
Length: 1h 46m
Age suggested: 8+ (but see warnings)
Release Date: 2021
Warnings: Death of parent, mild violence, sad scenes implying child abuse
Quick A Boy Called Christmas Summary
A new origin story for Father Christmas/Santa Claus. Three children (who have lost their mother) are disappointed on Christmas Eve when dad goes to work and leaves them with their great aunt. She tells them a story about a young boy named Nikolas who lives in Finland long ago, when there was no Christmas.
A Boy Called Christmas Review: (Contains Spoilers)
Nikolas lives with his woodcutter father. They are poor, and he has very little to remember his mother, who dies several years previously. One happy thing is the remembrance of her story about a lost girl who wandered into the magical elf village Elfhelm. When the king announces a reward for those who can bring hope back to his kingdom, the father and seral other adults leave to seek out Elfhelm. Nikolas soon leaves to follow with his talking mouse Miika and they are befriended by a reindeer he names Blitzen.
In Elfhelm they find that elf society is also in trouble, but with the help of a truth pixie Nikolas determines to bring hope to elves and humans. There is a twist at the end (pay attention to what Aunt Ruth says).
–Why Watch A Boy Called Christmas-
Three things stand out. One is the importance of hope. The second is a familiar theme in fantasy, but is worth repeating – believing is seeing. And the third is that relationships are more important, by far, than material things. These are all good points that can be discussed.
-Is A Boy Called Christmas Appropriate?-
A Boy Called Christmas is somewhat on the dark side at times. But there is also a lot of humor that can counteract some of the darkness. You will need to be careful with kids who have experienced loss of a parent/parent abandonment. I’m not sure it would hold the attention of younger kids. some of the scenes have the potential to really scare younger kids as well. In particular the ones with the adults being cruel to children.
Check out more family-friendly Christmas movies to stream HERE! From Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video and more!!
-Plot/Characters in A Boy Called Christmas-
The story is based on Matt Haig’s novel of the same name (there are also sequels). Viewers will recognize the similarity to the story within a story concept made most famous in The Princess Bride. There are definitely questions left unanswered, and this is not my favorite Santa origin story – but it is well acted. Lots of great actors in large and small roles. Of particular note Stephen Merchant as the voice of Miika the mouse and Maggie Smith was just fabulous as usual.
A Boy Called Christmas Quotes
Because the universe is made of stories, not atoms
Home is not a place, it’s a feeling.
An impossibility is only a possibility that you don’t understand yet.
Grief is the price we pay for love, and worth it a million times over.
We give what we have to show that we care, and then we all share in the joy.
A Boy Called Christmas Discussion Questions
1. What does hope mean to you? Why is it important?
2. What was the most magical thing in the story?
3. A lot of times we hear that “seeing is believing”. In the story we hear “Believing is seeing”. Can both of these be true?
4. What did you think about the talking mouse?
5. How important are things compared to people?
Thank you for reading our A Boy Called Christmas Discussion Questions. Before you go, check out these other posts:
–Jingle Jangle– A New Christmas Musical
–Klaus– A retelling of the story of Santa Claus
-2019’s The Grinch– A Kid Friendly Take on a Christmas Classic
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