Sometimes in life, when something does not yet exist, the only option is to create it yourself. I am reminded of that every time I think about the classic Christmas film It’s a Wonderful Life. Set in a peaceful, snowy winter town, the movie looks like a true holiday postcard. But when it was filmed in sunny Hollywood, there was a major issue. There was no real snow. The standard special effects of the time looked fake, powdery, and unconvincing. Director Frank Capra wanted the snowfall to feel real and magical, so alongside special effects artist Russell Sherman, he invented a brand-new solution.
Together, they created the first sprayable artificial snow for a motion picture. Using a mixture that included foamite from fire extinguishers, sugar, water, and soap flakes, they pumped it through a high-pressure machine to create the soft, silent snowfall seen on screen. It completely transformed the look and feel of winter in film and was such a breakthrough that it earned them a Technical Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. That single invention changed the way Hollywood would create winter scenes forever and helped give It’s a Wonderful Life its timeless holiday magic. Although the movie was originally considered a box office flop, the snow may have been artificial, but the emotion and message behind It’s a Wonderful Life were completely real.
That movie’s creativity always takes me back to my own childhood memories. My mom absolutely loved Christmas. Every year, without fail, she would buy cans of fake snow and spray it across our artificial Christmas tree, the windows, and sometimes even the mirror by the front door. That snow would stay put until the following year, like it was meant to live there forever. To her, Christmas was not just a holiday. It was her favorite time of year, her comfort zone, her happy place. She made it her mission to bring the family together and made sure that I always came home for Christmas, especially when I grew older and life started to pull me in other directions. Sometimes I swore she was secretly working the Ogilvy’s Christmas window display, Montreal’s slightly cheaper, slightly sassier Macy’s.
Today, watching It’s a Wonderful Life has become one of my most important Christmas traditions. Every time the film starts, it feels like opening a time capsule. It brings back the warmth of my childhood living room, the glow of string lights, and the undeniable feeling of being surrounded by love, family, and familiar holiday sounds. It reminds me that even the most ordinary moments can become extraordinary when they are filled with heart, imagination, and togetherness.
Some people might say that Christmas itself is a little fake, wrapped up in glitter, advertising, decorations, and endless shopping. And maybe there is some truth in that. But what truly matters goes far beyond the commercial side. At its core, Christmas is about family. It is about gathering in one place, sharing stories, laughing too much, eating way more than we should, and soaking in a warmth that only appears once a year. That feeling of goodness, comfort, and connection is what never fades.
As December slowly moves closer to Christmas, I always feel the familiar pull of winter in the air and the need for snow. For many of us, Christmas without snow simply does not feel complete. Snow quiets the world and softens everything it touches. It turns everyday streets into dreamlike scenes and wraps homes in a calm, peaceful stillness. When those first snowflakes fall, it finally feels like Christmas has arrived.
To truly appreciate warmth, we first have to know the cold. In many ways, Christmas is about stepping out of the cold and into the warmth of your own heart. It is a season of reflection, healing, and emotional comfort. As the year comes to a close, everyone is searching for happiness, connection, and a sense of belonging. And sometimes, even the smallest act of kindness or effort to spread cheer, even if it feels forced at first, can create a ripple effect. By trying to make the season better for someone else, you may find that your own heart warms up in the process, too.
And every year, almost like a reflex, I hear the words of Andy Williams playing in my head, blending perfectly with the season.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you “be of good cheer”
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
It’s the hap – happiest season of all