It’s a Wonderful Life
Christmas Arts Canon II (Capra’s Day of Gratitude)
The Second of Four Days Devoted to Canonical Christmas Works
About It’s a Wonderful Life
It’s a Wonderful Life is the cornerstone of the Christmas movie canon. Directed by Frank Capra in 1946, this Christmas-perfect tale follows George Bailey, a man on the brink of despair, who is shown by his guardian angel how profoundly he’s impacted the lives of those around him. With its themes of gratitude, community, and the immeasurable value of a single life, the film’s emotional resonance has only deepened over time. Beyond its message, it’s also a brilliant, engaging film that rewards multiple viewings. Don’t let the sentimentality fool you. Capra was a genius filmmaker.
Ways to observe
(A) Low effort
Watch It’s a Wonderful Life with friends or family, sharing your favorite moments.
(B) Recommended
After watching the movie, spend the day performing small acts of kindness, like paying for a stranger’s coffee, writing thank-you notes to loved ones, or offering help to someone in your community.
(C) High effort
Organize a neighborhood service project or volunteer activity. Collect donations for a local food bank, deliver meals to those in need, or coordinate a community event that brings people together.
Inspiration
Though It’s a Wonderful Life is now a beloved classic, its initial release in 1946 was met with mixed reviews and a tepid box office performance. Critics admired Capra’s direction and James Stewart’s heartfelt performance but questioned the film’s sentimentality in the aftermath of World War II. Over time, however, its reputation grew, particularly after it became a holiday staple through frequent television broadcasts in the 1970s. Its themes of community and selfworth resonated deeply with audiences, elevating it to one of the most cherished Christmas films of all time. And beyond its story, It’s a Wonderful Life holds up as a remarkably well-crafted film. The cinematography is rich, the performances are layered, and the structure is deceptively tight.
It’s also a kind of time capsule, not just of a mid-century America that may never have fully existed, but of all the times you’ve watched it over the years. It has a funny way of reminding you of all the times you teared up watching it before. I found it too sentimental for a long time (I sympathize with the early critics, I suppose), but my edges have softened, and I’ve come to treasure the hominess of Bedford Falls, George and Mary singing “Buffalo Gals,” and above all, the sweetness of George loving everyone so openly and dearly. I’ve joined countless other Christmas celebrants in calling this movie an all-time favorite. It rightly deserves an entire day in its honor.
Adornments
Watch
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
A Capra masterpiece about a man on the verge of giving up, who is shown by his guardian angel how profoundly his life has touched others.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
A Capra classic about political idealism, in which a naive senator (James Stewart) launches a filibuster to expose corruption and defend a boys’ camp. Its themes of integrity, civic duty, and faith in people remain deeply inspiring.
Listen
Buffalo Gals (Won’t You Come Out Tonight) (Traditional)
Sung by George and Mary during their moonlit walk after the high school dance, this 19th-century folk song is one of the film’s most memorable musical moments. Though not a Christmas carol, its lighthearted charm captures the warmth of early love and the sweetness of small-town life.
Read
The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern
The short story that directly inspired It’s a Wonderful Life. Stern, a historian and author, struggled to publish this tale of a suicidal man and his supernatural friend.
Our Town by Thornton Wilder
A spare, iconic stage play portraying ordinary life in a small American town and the often overlooked beauty in everyday moments. Through simple scenes of daily life, Wilder asks whether people appreciate what they have as they live it.
Share
Bread, Salt, Wine
In It’s a Wonderful Life, George and Mary Bailey famously gift these humble staples to the Martini family as they move into a new home: bread so the house will never know hunger, salt so life always has flavor, and wine so joy and prosperity may reign.