AS Christmas beckons and with the welcome threat of a white Christmas on the horizon, what better way to spend the festive season than cuddled up on the coach watching a movie or TV special.

And this year, thankfully, the TV line up certainly does not disappoint.

Tradition dictates that families must put down their smart phone and gather round the TV set following a hard day of over indulgence.

But with plenty to watch on the box this Christmas, it really will be a taxing choice.

On Christmas Day, Downton Abbey (ITV, 9pm) will return to the small screen and it already has the royal seal of approval.

While speaking to the show’s executive producer Gareth Neame at a reception during their recent trip to New York, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge revealed that they will be tuning in to see the ITV period drama’s festive edition.

So why not join their royal highnesses to catch up on the life and inevitable scandal of the Crawley family?

Other Christmas day contenders include Doctor Who (BBC1, 6.15pm), Call The Midwife (BBC1, 7.50pm) and Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special (BBC1, 5pm).

In traditional fashion, the British soaps will all be competing for your attention on Christmas Day.

But who will win the soap wars? Eastenders (BBC1, 9pm) Emmerdale (ITV1, 7pm) and Coronation Street (ITV, 8pm) have pulled out all the stops and this year’s scheduling also means that fans can enjoy a three hour soap marathon.

Film-wise there truly is something for everyone and plenty to keep the children quiet too.

From Disney heavyweights like Frozen (Christmas Day, Sky Movies Premiere, 12.30pm and 7pm) to Christmas classics It’s a very Muppet Christmas Movie (Sunday, December 21, C5, 12.40pm), parents could be lucky enough to be granted with some much needed peace and quiet.

There’s action titles like Skyfall (Christmas Eve, ITV, 8pm) and The Italian Job (New Year’s Day, C5, 1.25pm) and romantic movies like Dirty Dancing (Monday, December 22, C5, 10pm) and Notting Hill (Monday, December 22, ITV, 10.45pm).

Plus there’s a perfect collection of classics like It’s A Wonderful Life (Christmas Eve, More 4, 4.05pm) Bugsy Malone (Sunday, December 21, C4, 4.15pm) and ET (Sunday December 28, ITV, 3.20pm) for those looking for something a bit more familiar.

But with conflicting TV programmes being broadcast at the same time here’s hoping there won’t be too many fights for the remote this Christmas.