As the winter comes near, Germantown Academy (GA) students and faculty are relying on their favorite music, movies, and shows to prepare themselves for the holiday season. The article below highlights the entertainment that is drawing the community’s attention, from classic traditions to new innovative festivals gaining popularity, to properly illustrate what people around the GA campus are planning to listen to or watch in the upcoming year.
Throughout the winter season, students have been diving into a variety of movies and music that reflect their individual tastes and traditions. For example, Jake Berenbaum ‘28 loves the directors in the films he watches. He quotes, “I’m a big movie guy. I watch a lot of the Christopher Nolan movies. Interstellar, Inception and The Prestige go extremely into detail. The characters are great and the plot is always amazing. He’s a great producer.”
Holiday favorites also make a return as the season approaches. “My favorite all-time holiday song is ‘All I want for Christmas is You.’ It’s my favorite because it’s pretty nostalgic for me,”
In terms of music, Barenbaum engages heavily in the rap industry. “I just do a lot of Uzi. My favorite album is Lil Uzi Vert vs. The World.”
Classic seasonal movies also remain a hit. “Elf is really good. Will Ferrell is hilarious. He’s a great actor. He’s one of the best to do it.”
For Alex Foster ’27, the season is closely tied to time spent outdoors. “I love to ski,” Foster said, noting how the colder months bring a sense of excitement and familiar routine.
When it comes to watching holiday films, Foster keeps things simple. “I don’t really watch anything specific, just anything that is on during that time,” he said. Still, one movie has remained a constant over the years. “I rewatch Polar Express every year. I loved it as a kid and I have rewatched it every year ever since.”
Foster’s mix of outdoor passion and nostalgic viewing reflects how students often blend personal traditions with timeless favorites as the holiday season gets underway.
In terms of a go-to holiday movie, similar to Barenbaum, James Brenner ‘27 sticks to the classics. “Elf is something I have to rewatch every year,” said Brenner.
Brenner also shared that to get into the holiday spirit, he starts listening to seasonal music pretty early. “Right after Thanksgiving is when I start listening to holiday music,” said Brenner. “All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey is what my family sticks to, my mom replays it all the time.”
Besides holiday themes, during the winter-time other shows have been interesting for Brenner lately. “Ozark on Netflix has been an awesome watch,” said Brenner. “It is the perfect way to mix holiday spirit with typical things I’d watch year round.”
While the holiday season gets closer, the music, movies, and shows widely enjoyed in the GA community illustrate how students ease into the winter months. From defined classics to new discoveries, each person in the GA community reflects how entertainment can ignite holiday excitement and tradition. With the help of the GA community, it is visible how entertainment can draw people together as the winter season begins.