--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What makes 'A Christmas Story' universal…" description: "\"What makes 'A Christmas Story' universal, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, is that you recognize that family... It's ultimately about a family b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/marc-platt-10388_celebrate_what-makes-a-christmas-story-universal-w_2206992.jpg" --- # What makes 'A Christmas Story' universal, whether you… ![“What makes 'A Christmas Story' universal, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, is that you recognize that family... It's ultimately about a family being glued together for the holiday season.” quote by Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/marc-platt-10388_celebrate_what-makes-a-christmas-story-universal-w_2206992.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/marc-platt-10388_celebrate_what-makes-a-christmas-story-universal-w_2206992.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/marc-platt-10388_celebrate_what-makes-a-christmas-story-universal-w_2206992.jpg) > “What makes 'A Christmas Story' universal, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, is that you recognize that family... It's ultimately about a family being glued together for the holiday season.” [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The story’s universality lies in its focus on family togetherness during holidays. **In simple terms:** Family bonds define the holiday spirit. Key Takeaway Prioritize family connections. Themes family holidays universality tradition Mood warm nostalgic Type narrative cultural When to use this quote - holiday gatherings - family rituals - storytelling Key Concepts film studies cultural analysis Questions to Reflect On - How does family shape your holiday experience? - What makes a story feel universal? A Different Perspective Not everyone relates to holiday traditions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christmas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas/) [Christmas Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas-story/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Holiday season](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holiday-season/) ## Related quotes > [The theme of 'A Christmas Story' is that you can count on Christmas - that everybody has a Christmas story. Everybody has that time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/the-theme-of-a-christmas-story-is-that-you-can-count-on-christmas/) [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) > [If we are only willing to open our hearts and minds to the spirit of Christmas, we will recognize wonderful things happening around us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/if-we-are-only-willing-to-open-our-hearts-and-minds-to-the-spirit-of/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > ['A Christmas Story' has become such a special part of the holiday season for so many families.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-billingsley/a-christmas-story-has-become-such-a-special-part-of-the-holiday/) [Peter Billingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-billingsley/) > [Motor racing is like one big family, ultimately, and when you come back to it, that's really what it feels like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/motor-racing-is-like-one-big-family-ultimately-and-when-you-come-back/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [I want five children! I do want a huge family, but ultimately, whatever will be, will be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelvin-fletcher/i-want-five-children-i-do-want-a-huge-family-but-ultimately-whatever/) [Kelvin Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelvin-fletcher/) > [I think it is important for working moms to recognize that family is the most important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-broadwell/i-think-it-is-important-for-working-moms-to-recognize-that-family-is/) [Paula Broadwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-broadwell/) > [Living in a small Italian hilltown, and having lived in a small town in south Georgia, I understand that you can recognize a family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mayes/living-in-a-small-italian-hilltown-and-having-lived-in-a-small-town/) [Frances Mayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mayes/) > [It's really important to recognize that family life in America has changed pretty dramatically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeb-bush/it-s-really-important-to-recognize-that-family-life-in-america-has/) [Jeb Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeb-bush/) > [One of the secrets of 'A Christmas Story' is that it's a relatable story. They feel like our family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/one-of-the-secrets-of-a-christmas-story-is-that-it-s-a-relatable/) [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) > [R.I.P to those who won't be here to celebrate Christmas with us, spread your wings and fly in heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/r-i-p-to-those-who-won-t-be-here-to-celebrate-christmas-with-us/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What we celebrate at Christmas is not so much the birth of a baby, but the incarnation of God Himself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/what-we-celebrate-at-christmas-is-not-so-much-the-birth-of-a-baby-but/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [Many Americans celebrate both Christmas and Xmas. Others celebrate one or the other. And some of us celebrate holidays that, although unconnected with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-silber/many-americans-celebrate-both-christmas-and-xmas-others-celebrate-one/) [John Silber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-silber/) > [Even though I'm in this big, crazy business, I'm still just myself. I still celebrate Christmas; I still live at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darci-lynne-farmer/even-though-i-m-in-this-big-crazy-business-i-m-still-just-myself-i/) [Darci Lynne Farmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darci-lynne-farmer/) > [“Despite what some Christians may want to believe, Christmas, as celebrated by many Americans, is a cultural, not a religious holiday. If Jesus were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreas-j-kostenberger/despite-what-some-christians-may-want-to-believe-christmas-as/) [Andreas J. Kostenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-j-kostenberger/) > [“(In the Soviet Union, it was forbidden to celebrate Christmas. In order to keep the much beloved custom of the Christmas Tree—and oneself—alive, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/in-the-soviet-union-it-was-forbidden-to-celebrate-christmas-in-order/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) ## More by Marc Platt > [There's certain people you want to see in comedies; there's certain people you just want to see in dramas. Not that there aren't individuals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/there-s-certain-people-you-want-to-see-in-comedies-there-s-certain/) [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) > [As much as I love storytelling, I've always been drawn to talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/as-much-as-i-love-storytelling-i-ve-always-been-drawn-to-talent/) [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) > [I don't think anyone can ever predict a phenomenon. It's not something you can bank on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/i-don-t-think-anyone-can-ever-predict-a-phenomenon-it-s-not-something/) [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) > [Navigating the studio system has its own challenges, and, as a producer, you want to be astute and clever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/navigating-the-studio-system-has-its-own-challenges-and-as-a-producer/) [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) > [The character we've always thought of as the Wicked Witch of the West is a green girl who's actually very good, misunderstood, and trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/the-character-we-ve-always-thought-of-as-the-wicked-witch-of-the-west/) [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) > [James McAvoy is not an action star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/james-mcavoy-is-not-an-action-star/) [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) > [I appreciate actors who work very hard to get at the truth of the character they're playing. That speaks to me, and I try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/i-appreciate-actors-who-work-very-hard-to-get-at-the-truth-of-the/) [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) > [I'm very competitive, and I want to be very successful, but at the end of the day, films to me are still films. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/i-m-very-competitive-and-i-want-to-be-very-successful-but-at-the-end/) [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) > [The further you get up the corporate ladder, the farther you get from the actual filmmaking process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/the-further-you-get-up-the-corporate-ladder-the-farther-you-get-from/) [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) > [It's hard to get an inner dialogue in a film. It's not cinematic. But in a musical, the character can just turn to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/it-s-hard-to-get-an-inner-dialogue-in-a-film-it-s-not-cinematic-but/) [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) > [Hollywood is what I do. It's not who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/hollywood-is-what-i-do-it-s-not-who-i-am/) [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) > [Adaptations, especially movie musicals, are really hard to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/adaptations-especially-movie-musicals-are-really-hard-to-do/) [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) > [I was always interested in storytelling, particularly in theater and film. I liked creative things. My mom and dad are wonderful people, but both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/i-was-always-interested-in-storytelling-particularly-in-theater-and/) [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) > [When I first started in the business, it was hardly ever done. But today, it almost feels like studios go out and preview movies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/when-i-first-started-in-the-business-it-was-hardly-ever-done-but/) [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) > [I do remember feeling, 'I don't ever want to feel impotent in terms of what I can control in a business in which you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/i-do-remember-feeling-i-don-t-ever-want-to-feel-impotent-in-terms-of/) [Marc Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) [Explore all 66 Marc Platt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/) ## More Celebrate quotes > [Companies with cultures that celebrate diverse opinions and encourage the exchange of ideas have an advantage when solving difficult problems. A company that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-mcmillon/companies-with-cultures-that-celebrate-diverse-opinions-and-encourage/) [Doug McMillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-mcmillon/) > [Spiritually, life is a festival, a celebration. Joy is of the essence of life;](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnivesh/spiritually-life-is-a-festival-a-celebration-joy-is-of-the-essence-of/) [Agnivesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnivesh/) > [We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/we-need-to-discover-all-over-again-that-worship-is-natural-to-the/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [Like a child exploring the attic of an old house on a rainy day, discovering a trunk full of treasure and then calling all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/like-a-child-exploring-the-attic-of-an-old-house-on-a-rainy-day/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [Trying to find this industry's tendency to celebrate the physical is a waste of time. So I'm happy to play the game. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-wilde/trying-to-find-this-industry-s-tendency-to-celebrate-the-physical-is/) [Olivia Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-wilde/) > [On Valentine's Day, couples in Calgary can celebrate their love for each other with couples' nude yoga - great way to get in shape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sagal/on-valentine-s-day-couples-in-calgary-can-celebrate-their-love-for/) [Peter Sagal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sagal/) > [A society that presumes a norm of violence and celebrates aggression, whether in the subway, on the football field, or in the conduct of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-h-lapham/a-society-that-presumes-a-norm-of-violence-and-celebrates-aggression/) [Lewis H. Lapham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-h-lapham/) > [No matter what day we celebrate Australia Day, let's celebrate it together and give thanks to the original inhabitants of this vast country. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-barnes/no-matter-what-day-we-celebrate-australia-day-let-s-celebrate-it/) [Jimmy Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-barnes/) > [I'm not so much in the future as always in the present. The future always takes care of itself. What I do now with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-mekas/i-m-not-so-much-in-the-future-as-always-in-the-present-the-future/) [Jonas Mekas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-mekas/) > [Birth, life, death is a cycle. And they're all beautiful, you celebrate all of them. Animals do grieve, but they move on. That's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-millan/birth-life-death-is-a-cycle-and-they-re-all-beautiful-you-celebrate/) [Cesar Millan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-millan/) > [I just wanted to jump into the stands and start celebrating with those wonderful fans. (on reaching the Champions League final)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-gerrard/i-just-wanted-to-jump-into-the-stands-and-start-celebrating-with/) [Steven Gerrard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-gerrard/) > [What I have found is, so much of that is like a Chinese finger trap: the more you play to the dark, the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/what-i-have-found-is-so-much-of-that-is-like-a-chinese-finger-trap/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [Undeniably, character does count for our citizens, out communities, and our Nation, and this week we celebrate the importance of character in our individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/undeniably-character-does-count-for-our-citizens-out-communities-and/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [While we celebrate our diversity, what surprises me time and time again as I travel around the constituency is that we are far more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-cox/while-we-celebrate-our-diversity-what-surprises-me-time-and-time/) [Jo Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-cox/) > [I feel like the downfall of any person is the second an artist starts celebrating their work themselves, that becomes problematic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/questlove/i-feel-like-the-downfall-of-any-person-is-the-second-an-artist-starts/) [Questlove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/questlove/) Browse all 2,313 Celebrate quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What makes 'A Christmas Story' universal, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, is that you recognize that family... It's ultimately about a family being glued together for the holiday season.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Marc Platt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/what-makes-a-christmas-story-universal-whether-you-celebrate/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Celebrate" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/what-makes-a-christmas-story-universal-whether-you-celebrate/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/marc-platt-10388_celebrate_what-makes-a-christmas-story-universal-w_2206992.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/marc-platt-10388_celebrate_what-makes-a-christmas-story-universal-w_2206992.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/marc-platt-10388_celebrate_what-makes-a-christmas-story-universal-w_2206992.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What makes 'A Christmas Story' universal, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, is that you recognize that…” — Marc Platt", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Marc Platt", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-platt/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What makes 'A Christmas Story' universal,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/what-makes-a-christmas-story-universal-whether-you-celebrate/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-platt/what-makes-a-christmas-story-universal-whether-you-celebrate/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```