MANKATO , MINN. -
Leaving the wife and kids at home Sebastian Carden says it wouldn't be Christmas without the movies. Carden says, "I always go to a Christmas movie. Its Oscar season so there is always something really great out."
It's been a Christmas tradition since he can remember. Carden says, "I mean forever."
And more movie lovers are arriving by the minute. Carden says, "It's usually pretty packed, especially if people celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve mostly."
This is Linda Schmiesing's second year in a row she's come here for Christmas. Schmiesing says, "Christmas day is kind of ours to do what we want and we found that this is kind of fun."
Being one of the few businesses open on Christmas today is the busiest day of the month for most movie theaters. Cinema 8 general manger Chris Menezes says, "Everyone's off of work and school, and there is something for everybody."
Menezes says today gets a little chaotic. Menezes says, "Lots and lots of families, kids running around here everywhere screaming."
But his customers Christmas spirit keeps him in a good mood. Menezes says, "We get thanked by so many customers that "oh you're working for Christmas Day, you know thank you so much so we can come here."
For some the movies are a matter of convenience. 12–year–old Evan Klein says, "We just didn't have anything to do after church so we decided to go here since it was open."
And for others a flick is as fundamental as cookies and coco on Christmas. Carden says, "we went to mass yesterday, we opened gifts yesterday, so today is just about movies and basketball basically."
