My Top 5 Christmas Movies

I love movies, especially Christmas and holiday films. They hold a special place in my heart and soul. They’re like the scent of sugar cookies, pine needles or a crackling fire. When I watch them, I’m transported to the days of opening gifts as a child, making ornaments with my mom and friends, and spending time with people some of whom have passed. Movies are a shared experience. They can bond you to new friends, and you can share their joy with your children and make new memories.

Without further ado, here are my top five holiday movies and scenes (BTW: In case you didn’t notice, I enjoy a good laugh at the holidays):

5. Elf

Incredibly silly, this movie shows Will Ferrell at his good-natured best as a grown man raised by elves at the North Pole. Playing opposite cynical, straight-laced James Caan, he proves that when you embrace your inner child, Christmas magic is possible.

4. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Holiday with the in-laws was never funnier. Between the electrocuted cat, dinner fiasco, cousin Eddie’s kidnapping misadventure, and a hitchhiking squirrel in the tree, it’s so ridiculous that it’s plausible.

3. White Christmas

I grew up watching classic movies, the one I looked forward to every year was White Christmas. Starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, the story centers on these ex-soldiers who save their former commanding officer’s inn by putting on a special show, which features the classic song White Christmas. I love the romantic entanglements between the lead males and Rosemary Clooney’s and Vera-Ellen’s characters. Of course, it has a happily-ever-after ending, which makes it even better.

2. It’s a Wonderful Life

Back when I was a kid this movie played non-stop around the holidays. But there’s a reason it was popular then and still popular now. This story reflects on the impact our lives have on others. It opens on a sad scene with a down-on-his-luck businessman, George, feeling helpless and believing the world would’ve been better without him in it. Clarence, an angel, comes down to Earth to help him reconsider by rewriting the town’s story without George. The angel’s message to him is powerful and speaks to anyone who feels depressed around the holidays (which is many of us). Plus, every time I hear a bell ringing, I wonder if an angel is getting their wings. 😉

1. A Christmas Story

“It was soap poisoning.”

“You’ll shoot your eye out.”

“Fra-gee-lee.”

“I can’t put my arms down.”

“It’s a pink nightmare.”

“Only I didn’t say ‘Fudge.'”

I judge films by the quality of one-liners. If their dialogue becomes part of our pop culture canon then it is a true classic—especially if I use them. 😛 Sometimes I’ll repeat them to new friends, if they answer correctly then I know they’re cool. 😉

This movie has become my yearly favorite. I watch it with my mom every Christmas Eve. It’s become a tradition. Maybe it’s the childlike wonder the movie makes me feel or how realistically the family is portrayed. Maybe it’s the references to a bygone era as well. But the dynamic of the children’s relationships between themselves and their parents, even from the 1930s, is relevant today.

“I triple-dog dare ya.”

So, what are your favorite holiday movies and scenes?

Save