Christmas Movies

Christmas is the best time to curl up on the couch under the glow of the tree lights while enjoying a flick of the season. Here are some favorite Christmas movies to enjoy all year long.

A Christmas Story

24 hours of A Christmas Story has become a TBS tradition! This classic has become one of America's most beloved Christmas film of all times. The story of Ralphie and his Red Ryder is classic. Favorite scenes include the Leg Lamp, the Christmas Tree and tire incident, meeting Santa, and Christmas Day. This is a great film (although, for families with young kids, be ready to mute one word in the movie). It embraces the fact that all of us have some fond Christmas memories. Not only memories of Christmas Day, but also those leading up to the excitement. It is a great film to watch and may become a family tradition.

Polar Express

The world fell in love with the story of a boy taking a journey to the North Pole to receive a bell with the message, Believe. This is such a wonderful movie that really shows the magic of the Christmas season. It is full of Christmas songs, Chistmas dreams, and is a true movie that shares the magic of Christmas.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Whether it's the cartoon or Jim Carrey's take on the Grinch, this is a must read and must see during Christmas. The story of Cindy Lou Who's wish to bring the spirit of Christmas to the Grinch is heart warming. The Grinch has become a Christmas must for many families, and the extended version is shown throughout December on ABC Family. It is a great family movie that holds kids attention, is funny, and super Christmasy.


National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

This became a Christmas classic after it premiered in the 1980s. This is the hilarious comedy about the Griswold's crazy Christmas with the in-laws. In some ways, it imitates how many families truly feel during the holidays, CRAZY! The stress of creating the perfect Christmas and trying to make family members seen once or twice a year feel welcomed can be extremely bothersome during the holiday season, and for anyone who knows how frustrating it can be, this is a great movie to watch and have a laugh with year around. Of course, in the end, Christmas is really about being with the "ones you love," not about materials.

ELF

ELF is fun for everyone. Will Ferrell was awesome as an elf in search of his father while experiencing life outside the North Pole. Kids will get a kick out of many parts of the movie, and everyone will enjoy the Christmas music. For anyone lacking Christmas cheer, watch this movie and "sing loud for all to hear."

Home Alone and Home Alone 2

Okay, these movies have also become a must watch during the Christmas season. The story of Kevin McCalister's stay at home Christmas and Christmas in New York is one of the best Christmas movies ever. Kids definitely enjoy this story and it never seems to get old.


Other movies that are a must see during the season include:
Christmas with the Kranks
The Santa Claus
The Santa Claus 2
Holiday Inn
White Christmas
Christmas Cartoon Classics
The Muppets Christmas Carol
The Christmas Carol (George C. Scott, PAtrick Stewart, or Jim Carrey ones)
Holidays in Handcuffs (not really family)
SnowGlobe
Mickey's Christmas Carol
Prancer
The Nativity Story
Babes in Toyland (Annette Funicello)
Fred Claus
Arthur Christmas
Garfield Christmas Cartoon

Charlie Brown Christmas and It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown

To end on, Charlie Brown and the Peanut gang is the ultimate family Christmas cartoon to watch when wishing for some light hearted Christmas cheer. The Peanut gang never gets old, and who doesn't love Snoopy, or listening to the gang sing "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," or Sally say "Hockey Stick," or just listen to the classic, "Christmastime is Here." If this and other dvd's don't get one into the spirit of the season, then maybe you're Scrooged.

Anyhow, take some time, no matter what time of year, to rekindle the magic and spirit of Christmas by enjoying a great movie.