gremlins should not be considered a Christmas movie because the plot can be placed in a different scenario and still make sense. the same scenario could for example be placed on billy's birthday. his dad was trying to get him a gift and got one in Chinatown. (all of the other stuff that happens with the gremlins would also stay the same). another thing that was key with it being "Christmas" was that kate's dad died while trying to surprise them as santa, and therefore she hates that time of year. say her dad could have died in a car accident, it may be changing the script a little, but the plot still remains the same and intact.