Christmas is my favourite holiday. Even though I am not a fan of winter (at least not the cold temperatures), I love everything about Christmas. I love the music, the decorations, the trees, the lights, and especially the movies. When I was growing up, we watched a lot of movies together as a family at this time. Some of my favourite Christmas memories involve the movies we watched (often non-Christmas movies like Jumanji and Little Women), and I have continued the tradition now that I have my own family. There are so many Christmas films that I love, but today I have narrowed it down to my top five. There are some that almost made the cut like Home Alone and The Holiday, but the ones I’m talking about today have been my favourites for many, many years or the memories associated with them are much fonder.
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White Christmas. I don’t remember the first time I watched this movie, but I know that I have loved it for many years. My mom introduced me to this classic, and I am so glad she did. The holidays don’t seem to have started until I watch this one (which means that they haven’t started yet — I’ll have to watch it today). I love the music, the story line (anyone else up for a trip to Vermont? — “all that snow”) and especially Danny Kaye, because he is the best. Nothing beats Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby singing “Sisters”.
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Elf. A newer classic, but still a classic in my books. Will Ferrell is perfect as Buddy the Elf, who teaches us that “the best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear”. Also, Zooey Deschanel is unrecognizable with blond hair, but then she sings and I am reminded that her voice is the one I wish I had. If you need a laugh this Christmas, this is the one for you. Plus, I can always convince Christopher to watch this one with me, because he loves Will Ferrell just as much as I do.
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It’s a Wonderful Life. Now this one, I remember watching for the first time. For some reason, my mom never made us watch it as kids, which neither of us understands, so the first time I watched it all the way through was when I was in my early twenties (the winter after I turned 21). I watched it while making sugar cookies late on a Saturday night for a Sunday School lesson the next day. Ever since that night, I have loved this heartwarming movies. Plus, it’s Jimmy Stewart. Who doesn’t love Jimmy Stewart?
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A Muppet’s Christmas Carol. My brother, David and I watched this nearly every year that we were both living at home. It was one of my favourite traditions. Even the years that we weren’t very close, we always watched this movie, usually on Christmas Eve after going to see the live Nativity. Whenever I read A Christmas Carol, I hear Gonzo’s voice and picture Michael Cain as Scrooge and Kermit and Bob Cratchit.
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National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. While Elf is really funny, I think this one takes the cake for the funniest Christmas movie. I love the outlandish things that happen to Clark Griswold, and Randy Quaid is just amazing as Eddie. The first time I watched this with Christopher (because he had never seen it — like most movies I loved growing up), I basically watched his face the whole time because I wanted to see his reaction. If I remember correctly, he loved it too — not sure I would have married him if he didn’t.
What is your favourite Christmas movie? Do you still watch the same ones you did when you were growing up?
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