The holidays are the perfect time to kick back with a favorite movie, a cup of cocoa, and a healthy dose of nostalgia. But if you’ve ever worked in facility management, security, or janitorial services, it’s hard not to notice the glaring oversights in some of these beloved classics.
At NSG, we know what it takes to keep buildings running smoothly, teams safe, and spaces spotless—and let’s just say, Nakatomi Plaza, Kevin McCallister, and the crew at Gimbels could’ve used a little help from the pros.
So, in the spirit of good fun and holiday cheer, we’re taking a lighthearted look at the holiday movies we all love and the facility management fails we can’t help but notice. Grab some popcorn, and let’s get into it!
- Elf (2003) – Janitorial Chaos at Gimbels
The Premise: Buddy the Elf spreads holiday cheer (and glitter, syrup, and toy chaos) all over Gimbels department store.
What They Got Wrong:
- Where’s the janitorial team? From syrup-covered displays to snowball fights, the store is a mess from top to bottom.
- After-hours security seems nonexistent—Buddy’s overnight holiday display setup definitely violated access protocols.
- Employee safety: Buddy climbing onto displays with no fall protection? That’s an OSHA violation.
What Would NSG Do?
NSG’s daytime cleaning services would’ve kept Gimbels looking pristine through the holiday rush, with janitors tackling the chaos as it happened. And with a proper overnight security team, Buddy would’ve been stopped before he could glitter-bomb the entire toy section.
- Die Hard (1988) – The Skyscraper Security Debacle (and yes, it’s a Christmas movie)
The Premise: Terrorists take over Nakatomi Plaza during a Christmas party, and John McClane saves the day—barefoot.
What They Got Wrong:
- Nonexistent Security Staff: Who’s monitoring access control on Christmas Eve—an empty chair? Hans Gruber and his team waltzed in with zero resistance.
- Oversized HVAC Tunnels: Why are the air ducts big enough to fit a grown man? If your HVAC doubles as an escape route, it’s time for a maintenance check.
- Emergency Protocols? Nope: No alarms, no evacuation plans—apparently, hiding and hoping for a hero was the building’s entire response plan.
What Would NSG Do?
With NSG’s trained security guards, access controls, and incident response plans in place, Hans Gruber’s team would’ve been intercepted at the parking garage. Add a reliable facility team to inspect and secure the HVAC system, and McClane could’ve enjoyed the party instead of crawling through vents.
Bonus Tip: Our janitorial team would’ve swept up the glass shards so McClane could put his shoes back on. Yippee-ki-yay, clean floors!
- The Polar Express (2004) – Risk Management Nightmare
The Premise: A magical train takes children on a snowy journey to the North Pole.
What They Got Wrong:
- No rail safety protocols: That train is sliding on icy tracks, speeding through blizzards, and skidding to a stop. Where’s the winter maintenance team?
- HVAC negligence: Passengers are freezing inside the train. Basic heating systems would’ve improved the experience tenfold.
- Emergency preparedness: No safety drills, no instructions – just hopes for a safe arrival.
What Would NSG Do?
NSG’s winter preparedness and snow/ice management would’ve ensured clear tracks and safe stops. Combine that with HVAC maintenance to keep passengers cozy, and you’ve got a first-class winter journey—without the near-derailments.
- The Santa Clause (1994) – North Pole Maintenance Oversight
The Premise: Tim Allen’s character takes over as Santa and discovers a magical North Pole factory running full steam.
What They Got Wrong:
- The facility’s heating system seems spotty at best—everyone’s bundled up in layers.
- Factory safety violations: Elves are climbing precarious ladders and working without proper PPE.
- No custodial team: Toy-making creates debris. Who’s handling the cleanup?
What Would NSG Do?
A well-maintained HVAC system and custodial plan would’ve kept the North Pole warm and tidy. Add a proactive safety program for the workshop, and Santa’s operations would run as efficiently as his sleigh.
- A Christmas Carol (Any Version) – Neglected Building Maintenance
The Premise: Scrooge’s home and office are cold, dark, and crumbling—basically a textbook case of deferred maintenance.
What They Got Wrong:
- No heating or insulation. The man’s office is colder than the streets of London.
- Lighting issues: Scrooge stumbles through dim, poorly lit spaces, a hazard in any century.
- Security lapse: Ghosts are breaking in with zero resistance.
What Would NSG Do?
Preventative maintenance would’ve saved Scrooge a fortune on repairs and kept his home warm and inviting. With NSG’s lighting solutions and a proper security plan, he might have avoided late-night hauntings altogether.
Residential Edition:
- Home Alone (1990) – The Security Disaster
The Premise: Kevin McCallister gets left behind by his family and defends his house from two bumbling burglars, the Wet Bandits.
What They Got Wrong:
- No alarm system? No surveillance cameras? The McCallisters live in a massive, upscale house, but apparently no one thought to install basic security measures.
- Exterior lighting was clearly neglected—those sidewalks and bushes were a security hazard and a half.
What Would NSG Do?
A reliable security system with monitored alarms and motion-detecting cameras would’ve sent the Wet Bandits packing before Kevin had to resort to paint cans and broken ornaments. Pair that with proactive lighting maintenance, and Kevin could’ve just enjoyed his mac and cheese in peace.
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) – Electrical Nightmares
The Premise: Clark Griswold’s dream of the perfect family Christmas spirals out of control, fueled by an epic holiday light display that quite literally blows a fuse.
What They Got Wrong:
- Overloaded circuits! A single breaker panel should never be tasked with 25,000 lights.
- The Griswolds’ maintenance was nonexistent—who checked the power supply before Clark’s light extravaganza?
- Not a single snow removal plan—those icy walkways were a lawsuit waiting to happen.
What Would NSG Do?
Facility managers know the importance of electrical inspections, energy-efficient lighting, and preventative maintenance. With NSG on site, Clark would’ve had a safer (and probably brighter) holiday display—and Cousin Eddie’s RV wouldn’t have been parked over a hazardous sewer vent.
We love holiday movies for their charm, but facility management oversights are hard to ignore once you’ve seen them. From nonexistent security to neglected maintenance, these holiday classics remind us how vital clean, safe, and well-run spaces are—especially during the busiest time of the year.
At NSG, we handle the behind-the-scenes work so your holidays (and business) run smoothly. No Griswold-style disasters, no ghosts of maintenance past—just peace of mind.
