Thanksgiving is officially over! Thank you to whomever is listening! Oh, don’t worry. I don’t mean it in any kind of bad way. It’s just thrilling that it’s finally over because my second favorite holiday, aside from Halloween, is coming upon us! Can you guess what it is? Yes, yes, it is Christmas time! And for some other readers out there, it’s almost Hanukkah! How excited are you for this season? I know I am overjoyed at the thought that the holiday season is officially here!
After stuffing ourselves with the festive Thanksgiving feast, my family and I temporarily retreated from any kind of holiday doings thanks to that “being full” feeling. But now that a couple days have passed, and the kitchen is finally back to normal (thank goodness), it’s time to pull out every single of those winter totes from the closet and basement (at least 12 or 13 of them).
We’ll put up the lights (indoor though cause our outdoor lights stay up ALL year long), decorate the tree, hang garland, set out other Christmas decor and make our home shiny and festive. Depending on the days and mood, it usually takes a week or two to get everything set straight. Between that comes the baking, snowball fights and playing games. Of course, those may be the most productive things we do around this time, but sometimes it’s best to sit down and relax.
No matter how I may put it though, enjoying the season with holiday games, snowmen, spicing up my baking skills or decorating is not the exact highlight when it comes to Christmas for me. For me, there’s nothing better than curling up in my fleece “Transformers” blanket (yes, I said “Transformers” cause I am a fan) with a cup of hot chocolate and watching those wonderful movies associated with our favorite holiday season. You’re probably thinking, “How is watching movies better than chomping down on sugar cookies and decorating the tree?” Well, it’s actually not more fun, but raising the holiday spirit within me is what I do best by watching Christmas movies that can warm the heart.
The Hallmark Channel, Lifetime and ABC Family are always my family’s go-to channels for Christmas magic on television. However, mostly, I watch the oldies, but goody films and they’re the best that’s ever been created! A lot of them are in black and white, created way before I, or even my parents, were a spark in existence. To be associated with such old movies has some people around me confused at my obsession. But when you grow up watching them like I did, you can’t help but want to see them more and more.
Why don’t you take a chance and check out the top ten films (old and newer) of my holiday season. Trust me, you won’t regret a single minute of watching them!
“Miracle on 34th Street”
Stressed out over an intoxicated Santa during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, an employee quickly fills the vacant seat with a man named Kris Kringle. Being a hit with the children, and parents, he appears on a regular basis at the Macy’s store. However, as he claims to others that he’s actually Santa Claus, his sanity comes into question and the Macy’s employees don’t know what to do. All of this talk leads to court where he must prove his authenticity to the whole world while earning the trust of a little girl who once never believed.
This movie was probably the greatest one ever made! It was created back in 1947 with those genuine hair styles, snappy dressers and great dialogue to fill up your holiday spirit. A fantastic watch for everybody!
“It’s A Wonderful Life”
With as complicated as life has become, George Bailey cannot handle it anymore. He makes a wish stating “I wish I wasn’t born!”. An angel comes to earth to make that wish come true. As George sees what life is like around town, he processes the fact that everything is so different, all the lives he’s helped changed and living completely opposite of how he remembered. Missing everything, he begs to be alive and reunited with friends and family.
This could be a tear-jerker depending on who you are. It was created in 1946 and has been a popular piece for such a long time.
“The Grinch”
The Grinch, a recluse living in the mountains, cannot stand the thought of Christmas. So, he decides he must end it once and for all in the town of Whoville, a rather noisy, but cheery place that lies he bottom of his mountain and once called his home. Dressing up in disguise as Santa, he, and his dog Max, venture into the town and steal decorations, trees, food and everything having to do with the holiday. Unfortunately, nothing goes right when Cindy Lou Who is in the picture.
I absolutely love this live action version of the movie made in 2000. It had a fantastic plotline, awesome characters and, of course the awesome Jim Carrey to bring a humorous side to this awesome Grinch!
“The Santa Clause”
Due to a mishap of Santa falling off his roof and disappearing, Scott Calvin suits up and finishes off the old man’s route with the help of his young son, Charlie. He later meets the elves and finds out, because he put on the Santa suit, that he was to be the new Santa. At first, he doesn’t accept, but comes to realize that he IS Santa, enjoying every bit of it.
A 1994 movie that will make you laugh around the clock. It’s such a popular film that it landed two different sequels with all the same characters returning with triple the laughs! Watch them all! You won’t regret it!
“White Christmas”
A two-man act, Bob and Phil, become close and associated with a sister act, The Haynes Sisters, made up of Betty and Judy. When the two men offer to help the ladies out with a show in Vermont, they meet up with an old general that used to be their commanding officer in the war. Understanding he is having financial trouble, they wish to get his spirits lifted up. Bob takes it upon himself to use his fame and find all of their old war buddies who served under the general and come for Christmas. When they show, it becomes a white Christmas for everybody!
This 1954 musical comedy is so dear to my family. Aside from the continued laughter we receive from this movie, we love the music numbers as well. It’s one of the very few musicals that I will actually sit down and watch.
“A Christmas Story”
Meet Ralphie. He’s a young boy who is trying to make it to Christmas without any problems. Follow him as he narrates his story about his winter exploits of running away from bullies, fantasizing about a Red Ryder air rifle, going head to head with his dad and keeping his secret troubles away from his mom, which by the way, didn’t work out too well.
A 1983 movie that’s hilarious. This movie is so popular, they play it for 24 hours on TNT as soon as midnight hits on Christmas Day. Of course there’s only so much of Ralphie anyone can take, but it’s a great movie you’ll laugh a lot!
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
Meet Rudolph, a young reindeer who is different from the others because of his shiny red nose. He grows up being made fun of and hates it. But he is convinced otherwise after a close encounter. Due to a blizzard, Santa cannot make his deliveries until he remembers about Rudolph who he wishes to guide and lead the sleigh. Rudolph accepts and is very happy.
“Rudolph” is one of the family favorites. What makes this movie special is that it took a very long time to make with it being stop motion. And the fact that it was way back in 1964 makes all the more special. The story of this reindeer has become popular ever since!
“The Night They Saved Christmas”
When North Pole City is bound to face a disaster due to a drilling company’s bomb site, Santa needs to find a way to stop it! He recruits one of his elves to bring the Baldwin family, their father an oil worker for the company. When the mom and three kids arrive, they are given a tour of the workshop by Santa, invited to his home and speak of the pending disaster. It’s up to this small family to convince their father to stop the drilling or else Christmas could disappear forever.
Not everybody knows about this 1984 classic hit. I grew up watching this movie every year and it still is a great film to watch! Everybody will love it!
“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”
A young kid gets the wrong impression of Santa Claus when he “catches” him kissing his mom. Snapping a pic, he sends it to the North Pole so the jolly old man will get in trouble with his wife. From then on, his scheme is revenge and picks on local Santas wherever he finds them causing a humorous series of mishaps to happen. Especially when his dad, who was the Santa kissing his mom, gets home.
Ha ha! This is one movie you do not EVER want to miss! It was created in 2001 starring Cole Sprouse (who appeared on Disney later) and had me busting a gut laughing! Please watch this for a good laugh just like “Home Alone”!
“A Charlie Brown Christmas”
The commercialization of the holiday is getting to Charlie Brown and he doesn’t understand why. When Lucy suggest he help out and direct the school’s Christmas pageant, he accepts. Unfortunately, things aren’t going as planned and wishes to help restore the real spirit of Christmas using a poor-looking Christmas tree and the help of Linus.
It’s a 1965 animated classic that will continue to be a favorite throughout the years. Nothing says Christmas like Charlie Brown!
So, what do you think? Do you guys watch these great movies? If you don’t, you have no idea what you are missing!
Go ahead and tell us what movies brightens your spirits this Christmas!