Ho! Ho! Ho!
Well, it is December 22 and I am definitely ready for three of the best days of the year–Christmas, Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve Eve!
December is always a fun month full of parties, cookies and (if we’re really, really lucky) snow! But everyone knows the best part of Christmas is watching Christmas movies. (Kidding. Sort of.)
I’ve been very busy lately working, shopping and baking, so I’ve hardly had time to watch some of my favorites. I have a lot of catching up to do over the next couple of days!
Below is my countdown of the top 5 (in my opinion) Christmas movies ever. Grab some egg nog. Watch. Enjoy.
5. ELF
Elf is a on the more modern side of Christmas classics, but I consider it a real yuletide masterpiece. Elf includes the North Pole, carols, Will Ferrell, claymation and warm fuzzy feelings–really everything a successful Christmas movie should! Try to watch Elf and not smile. It is literally impossible. It’s claymation scenes are an allusion to another holiday gem, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Don’t forget to include Rudolph, The Bumble and Yukon Cornelius in your movie marathon too!
4. MUPPET FAMILY CHRISTMAS
It’s just not Christmas without the Muppets. Seriously, Kermit and friends have been spreading holiday cheer for as long as I can remember. Many of my friends are fans of A Muppet Christmas Carol. Good, yes. But the best? No. Muppet Family Christmas was a made for TV special that ran in 1987. My dad taped it off of the TV with an old VHS and my family has been watching it every year since. It doesn’t just feature the Muppet cast, but also includes the characters from Sesame Street and a few Fraggles too. Like Elf, it’s chock full of the best of Christmas–more carols, more warm fuzzy feelings, a Christmas turkey and an icy patch to boot!
3. HOME ALONE
This movie has had a profound impact on my life. I spent most of my childhood attempting to create booby traps thanks to the creative genius of Kevin McAllister. Seriously. My quote in our senior high school yearbook was “This is it. Don’t get scared now.” thanks to Kevin too! Home Alone has more solidly quotable lines than any movie I know (perhaps with the exception of Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison, but it’s pretty dang close ). Before watching be sure to order yourself a cheese pizza, include a nice tip and don’t forget to tell the delivery boy to keep the change, ya filthy animal!
2. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
When someone gets hired at the Zoo they take a “True Colors” test to outline their personality type. “Blues” are the emotional, feelings sort who really like rainbows and butterflies and, of course, Christmas too. Well, I’m a “blue” person and It's A Wonderful Life is about as blue a movie as you can find, so, of course I love it. It’s not just one of my favorite Christmas movies ever, it’s also one of my top ten favorite any kind of movie ever! The characters are amazing, Jimmy Stewart is perfect and there is plenty to laugh, cry and cheer about. If you’ve never seen this movie it is a must watch every holiday season. It is long though, so set aside an evening to curl up by the fire and appreciate this absolute classic.
1. WHITE CHRISTMAS
This is the Christmas movie to end all Christmas movies! (That’s why it’s #1, duh!) Mr. Christmas himself, Bing Crosby, stars, alongside Rosemary Clooney (George’s aunt), Vera Ellen and Danny Kaye.White Christmas is in so many ways far superior to any cocker spaniel. There’s snow, of course, amazing dance scenes and a slam-bang finish! Try not to let your heart melt when you hear Bing sing “White Christmas” at the end.
So, there you have it! The best movies to watch over the next few days.
Honorable Mentions: A Christmas Story, The Grinch, A Claymation Christmas, Love Actually, Garfield’s Christmas Special, A Charlie Brown Christmas and Christmas Vacation. All excellent films too.
Like all opinions, obviously, these thoughts are simply reflections of what I grew up with. I know everyone grows up with different Christmas movies, songs and traditions, so if you agree or disagree with the list, leave a comment below!
Enjoy the celebrations this week! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!