It’s that time of year that most TV fans hate – the time when all of our favorite primetime dramas go off the air.
We’ve got tips for dealing with fall finale scares to help you get through the next few weeks of reruns and missing episodes. These ideas are meant to be fun and festive.
If you’re struggling with seasonal withdrawal and feel like there’s nothing to do until your favorite show comes back on air, try these tips for fighting fear. You can always replay one of your favorite series, like NCIS: Origins.
View the Late Start Series
Many of today’s popular TV shows go off the air for several weeks around the year-end holidays, giving networks time to air seasonal specials and holiday favorites.
However, a break in regular programming is also the perfect time for other shows to try to appeal to an otherwise distraught audience.
“Landman,” a Paramount+ masterpiece starring Billy Bob Thornton and Ali Larter, focuses on the lives of people in the oil industry.
Star Wars fans may enjoy another spin-off series, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew , which will premiere on Disney+ on December 2.
Fans of “Dragon” can enjoy another spin-off series, “Dragon: Original Sin,” which will be broadcast on Paramount+ on December 13.
Based on a true story, “The Sticky” will be available on Prime Video on December 6, a dramatic retelling of the story of a maple syrup farmer (Margot Martindale) who was When her farm business was in jeopardy, she turned to crime.
Fans of animated children’s movies like Inside Out (and its sequel Inside Out 2) may enjoy the upcoming Dream Productions series starring Joy, Disgust, and Fear, as they The movie “Dream” plays out in Riley’s mind every night. Check out Disney+ starting December 11th.
Of course, if you want to while away a few hours with mindless oblivion, binge-watching old shows is always a popular option. You can find dozens of full-length episodes on your favorite streaming service.
Now is the perfect time to watch an ongoing series like NCIS, Chicago Fire, Law & Order: SVU or Grey’s Anatomy.
Most of these shows have one or more spin-offs.
Watch holiday movies
Many of us are struggling to get into the holiday spirit as the days seem to pass faster and the world continues to lose meaning.
Christmas is the biggest business holiday of the year, bringing in thousands of dollars in revenue. So it’s no surprise that dozens of new holiday movies are produced every year to satisfy popular demand.
If you’re feeling funky because your favorite series is off the air, cheer up and get into the holiday spirit with a fun Christmas movie. It can be family-friendly or downright scary.
My favorite Christmas movie right now is from Paramount+, starring the amazing Jack Black. If you want a new spin on the regular Santa story, I highly recommend Dear Santa.
For holiday romance, Netflix has Hot Frosty, a romantic comedy inspired by Frosty, starring Lacey Chabert.
As someone who loves slapstick, I couldn’t help but watch the latest Christmas movie starring Ben Stiller. You can stream “The Nutcracker” on Hulu.
Fans, especially those who support the Kansas City Chiefs, are excited to watch the new movie “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.”
Hallmark has a ton of holiday movies to browse, especially for Hallmark+ premium subscribers, including more than 600 hours of original holiday content in The Very Merry Holiday Collection.
If you want to see a Christmas movie on the big screen, head to the theaters to check out the latest Christmas comedy, The Red One, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Chris Evans (Captain America).
Of course, you can always go back to the faithful classics like Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph, A Christmas Story, Die Hard (yes, it’s a Christmas movie), Home Alone, “Elf” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
Try a seasonal reality series
If great seasonal movies aren’t your thing, you can curl up with a delicious hot drink and watch a fun Christmas reality show.
Reality cooking shows are popular this time of year. One of the most anticipated Christmas series of the year stars celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay (and daughter Tilly). “MasterChef Junior: Home for the Holidays” airs on Fox.
Cooking enthusiasts can also try Super Chef Grudge Game, Netflix’s Is It Cake?
Another great seasonal series to watch with your kids (or on your own if you’re a LEGO fan) is the imaginative LEGO Masters: Celebrity Holiday Bricks.
Prefer to watch a more competitive show during the cooler seasons? Try Big Brother Reindeer Games starting December 11th.
Buy a good Christmas book
There’s nothing interesting to watch on TV, so it’s the perfect time to bury yourself in a book.
Whether you want a classic story or a new adventure, there are plenty of Christmas-themed books to read.
As a TV fan, one of my favorite things to do is read books that have been or will be adapted for television. The number that exists may surprise you.
Harry Potter is a popular example of a film series successfully adapted.
Potter’s verse was so successful that it inspired a new series called Baking Wizards, starring the Phelps brothers (the Weasley twins), to be broadcast on Max in 2026 .
You can also delve into the world of Dickens through A Christmas Carol.
After you’ve finished reading the classic storybook, you can check out the many film adaptations, including the comedy-musical “Spirited Away,” starring Ryan Reynolds (“Deadpool”) and Ebenezer Scrooge.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a Christmas holiday story worth sharing with your family. Not only are Dr. Seuss’ books great for young adults to practice their reading skills, but the movie adaptations are some of the best in the business.
Get creative with Christmas crafts
The Christmas holidays mean the kids stay home, bored to death, and eat everything under your roof.
Crafts are great for keeping your kids occupied, cutting down on screen time (for your kids), and saving you money on holiday decorations. You can display your child’s art in your home without violating child labor laws.
Crafting is a great way to spend quality time with your kids, and you’ll end up with some adorable keepsakes that you can treasure for years to come.
The easiest and most affordable Christmas crafts include popcorn wreaths, construction paper hoop wreaths, cookie salt ornaments, clothespin snowflakes, and cardstock ornaments.
It may seem like we’ll have to wait a long time before normal television returns, but these fun tips can make the wait a little less painful.
What do you like to do with your time to prepare for the holidays? Do you have a favorite holiday movie or tradition? Is there a favorite dessert or craft you make every year that makes you feel like you’re on vacation?
