December 16, 2014

What's Your Favorite Holiday Movie?

I'm a huge Christmas movie fan! I used to have a "no watching Christmas movies until after Thanksgiving" rule, but I broke it a couple of years ago when I realized I was never going to be able to watch them all if I waited. We have several traditions when it comes to movie viewing in this houseHarry Potter marathon New Year's Day, Scrooge is playing as I decorate the tree, and we watch Santa Claus 2 on Christmas day. As we were having dinner out the other night planning our movie line-up, we listed all of the movies we have to watch before Christmas and in what order. Yes, we're that family. So I thought I'd list our family favorites, in no particular order, just in case you need a bit of inspiration.
  1. It's a Wonderful Life (David's favorite)
  2. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Did you know that this was adapted from a short story by John Hughes?)
  3. The Santa Clause and Santa Clause 2 (SC2 is watched on Christmas day after our favorite PJ Christmas became a tradition. Skip the 3rd one.)
  4. Christmas with the Kranks (Apparently, Tim Allen IS Santa Claus in this house. Based on the book, Skipping Christmas by John Grisham.)
  5. Love Actually (Another one of David's favorites. Not for the kiddies.)
  6. The Ref (Again, adults only please.)
  7. The Holiday (Sappy and romantic.)
  8. The Family Stone (I was really hooked on this for a few years.)
  9. Little Women (Not exactly a Christmas movie, but a family favorite none the less.)
  10. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (The movie version is one of Amanda's favorites. I prefer the animated 1966 classic.)
  11. Scrooge (Starring Albert Finney. I love a few adaptations of A Christmas Carol, but this one is the one I have to watch. I recite the lines which drives everyone else nuts.)
  12. Miracle on 34th Street (Either version. This is one of Kate's favorites.)
  13. White Christmas (The girls fell in love with this movie when they were in elementary school so we watch it every year.)
  14. Home Alone (We haven't watched this one in a couple of years. I saw it three times in the theatre when it came out.)
  15. The Polar Express (You must wear your PJs and drink hot, hot chocolate while you watch this.)
  16. The Family Man (A story of a man who may have chosen the wrong path.)
  17. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus (Starring Richard Thomas and based on the famed New York Sun editorial. Try to find it if you can.)
  18. All of the animated classicsA Charlie Brown Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Rudolph, Frosty...)
(Christmas movies I don't like! Elf and A Christmas Story. Sorry.)

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's a Wonderful Life hands down.
Carol

Debra said...

I watch the Polar Express with my children every year. Sometimes twice! And definitely in pajamas.

Kimberly Merritt said...

It sounds like both of you have the movie thing down. Have a wonderful holiday!