Choosing your Christmas TV schedule, and how to stop the family arguments

The festive season is upon us, and for many this involves quality time spent at home with family and friends - and the inevitable battles over what to watch. If you want to avoid the online TV dilemma, which could result in two or three family members glued to their laptops while the rest of the family squabbles over the remote, perhaps you can find a programme everyone will enjoy.

From great film premieres to television Christmas favourites, there are bound to be some options for TV viewing that the whole family can agree on, thereby making your Christmas entertainment a family affair.

The movies

Sky offers some great premieres during the Christmas season, including family favourites like Disney's A Christmas Carol, Arthur and the Great Adventure, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Megamind, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One, just to name a few.

Disney's A Christmas Carol is an animated version of the Charles Dickens classic and features some impressive 3-D graphics. This film should definitely get you in the mood for some holiday cheer with a delightful performance by Jim Carrey whose talents lend freshness to this classic tale.

There are also some great slapstick comedies like Mean Girls 2, Jackass 3.5 and Little Fockers, as well as adventure and drama with Neverland (Part 1), Black Swan, The King's Speech and Gulliver's Travels all showing over the Christmas period.
Oscar-winning Black Swan stars Natalie Portman as a young ballet dancer who slowly descends into madness in this haunting film that explores the deepest corners of the human mind. It may be a bit dark for this time of year, but is powerful and moving for those who don't wish to get caught up in the sappiness of the season.

With so many great movie premieres in so many genres, you're sure to find a favourite to please the entire family. And if you haven't got Sky, they are offering a two-month free trial so you won't miss all the festive fun in December and January!

TV Christmas specials

There's still plenty for those who don't have Sky, from a new festive episode of Strictly Come Dancing (scheduled to run on Christmas Day), to old favourites like The Royle Family. You're also sure to find some of the nation's favourite classic holiday films including It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street and a British favourite, Love Actually.

Love Actually stars an array of popular British actors and actresses and explores many different romantic relationships - an ultimate feel-good Christmas treat.

The beloved The Snowman, which has been delighting British families for nearly 30 years, is a traditional Christmas day must-see. Many families will enjoy this animated classic after opening their presents in front of a log fire.
And if your favourites aren't playing at a convenient time or if you can't agree with what the rest of the family want to watch, you can find even more great programs on BBC iPlayer that you can watch at any time online.

So if you're looking for a sure-fire way to draw the family closer this Christmas season, there's a great variety of Christmas films and specials that you can all enjoy together. Just make sure your TV Licence is up to date so you can sit back, relax and enjoy all the Christmas season has to offer from the comfort of your home.