When you live with a little kid, Christmas starts to take on a whole new life again. I’ve always been a fan of Christmas, but there were definitely a few years before we had Mackenzie that we we starting to feel a bit fed up with all the commercialism. When you’ve got a toddler at home, though, who gets super excited about presents and decorations (and life itself) then you become more excited about Christmas again as well.
And so I’ve started thinking about our Christmas movie repertoire. To be honest, I could probably spend the entire month of December just watching Christmas mvoies every evening…but Stefan’s not so crazy about that idea most of the time so we’ve been doing about 1-2 a week. Which is cool. Plus some of our Christmas favorites only have Christmas as a sideline. About A Boy (which I actually don’t have on this list) is one of those movies we like but generally tend to only watch around Christmas.
So here goes…my top 10 Christmas movies (in no particular order) — that are not necessarily kid-friendly, but definitely entertaining!
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Christmas with the Kranks
I want to find out where these Christmas decorations are stored and steal them!! Seriously. The decorations the Kranks do on their home are our inspiration to one year achieve. Unfortunately it will cost enough to put Mack through college when we’re done, but hey, the house sure will look great!
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National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
This is without a doubt the funniest Christmas movie ever and it just gets funnier every time I see it. It must be watched at least once every Christmas and has been part of our personal movie collection for years!
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Love Actually
Such a great, heartfelt movie. And even though you’re following the stories of a bunch of different people, you never feel lost (like I tend to feel when I watched some movies earlier this year.)
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Elf
Will Ferrell is definitely a nut…and 2/3rds. A very funny Christmas movie that’s enjoyable for the whole family.
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Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Speaking of people that are nuts, Jim Carrey just might be certifiable. But he is also a fantastic actor and this version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas is awesome. The sets and all the other characters are just incredible too.
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Four Christmases
I like anything with Reese Witherspoon…and Vince Vaughn is pretty funny as well. This is a cute, romantic movie with a nice heartfelt tone to it, even though the main characters start out really focused on everything they hate about the holidays and their families.
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The Santa Clause
Even though this was a trilogy, the first one is definitely the best…and some would argue the only one really worth seeing. Tim Allen turning into St Nick without knowing what is going on is definitely funny.
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Home Alone
Poor, poor Kevin. I can’t believe there were sequels to this movie, but the first one is a classic. Probably a bit rough for the younger kids but you’ve got to admit that he’s a VERY resourceful child!
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A Charlie Brown Christmas
Even more of a classic than other other, A Charlie Brown Christmas is always a great one to catch on TV. Don’t get caught up in the Christmas commercialism chaos and remind yourself about the true spirit of Christmas
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The Polar Express
I have to admit I prefer the book over the movie, but the movie was pretty good. I just grew up reading the Polar Express year after year and somehow felt the movie was lacking a bit of something.
What are your favorite “must watch” Christmas movies every year?
“Muppets Christmas Carol” is a MUST for us. I always watch “It’s A Wonderful Life” and “The Bishop’s Wife”. Like you, I could watch a Christmas movie a day, but Peter, well, not so much. 🙂 There are a few he likes to watch each year, but he could also go without them and be just fine – not me! 🙂
Must be one of those male vs female things. Stefan could definitely go without them.
I have only seen bits and pieces of It’s a Wonderful Life…and Miracle on 34th Street. I know, that’s just not even right. Don’t think I’ve ever seen anything from The Bishop’s Wife. I guess the classics are just a bit lost on me…but I might try them by myself or something this year lol. I can’t imagine Stefan watching those with me!
His mom and I have also talked about the fact that we’d be happy to start listening to Christmas music in June…which the guys definitely do not agree with. At least women have each other who understand 🙂
I’m sad that White Christmas isn’t on your top ten or even Mickey Mouse’s A Christmas Carol where Donald is Mr. Scrooge. I think Stefan might like that one!! What about SCROOGED with Bill Murray now Stefan totally would dig that!
Thanks, Mer…throw more movies on the list I’ve never seen lol. Scrooged, nope. Don’t think I’ve ever seen White Christmas either. But Mickey’s A Christmas Carol IS awesome. You’re totally right. It should at least get to bump out something like Polar Express 🙂 Clearly I need to hit the movie store and play some catching up!!
At the top of my list is most definitely “A Christmas Story”. It is definitely a must!
lol “You’ll shoot your eye out!”
I don’t know…I didn’t see that movie until I was in high school in Virginia and everyone raved about it. I’ve only seen it once but I just didn’t think it was that great. But all moves usually deserve a second chance 🙂
I must go along with Gentry on this. “A Christmas Story” is one of my favorite movies (Christmas or not) of all times. Read the Jean Shepherd short story on which the movie was based and you will roll on the floor cackling.
Part of its appeal for me might just be nostalgia. I grew up in a similar time period and can identify with so many elements of the story. We even had a similar bully in the elementary school I attended.
I am surprised no one mentioned Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” that starred George C. Scott, the quintessential Scrooge if there ever was one.
Wishing everyone the merriest of Christmases. 🙂 🙂 🙂
My all time favorite “Christmas Vavation”
“Home alone” is a close second.
Definitily “Christmas Vacation “!!!!
We watched it already in November to get ready for the season !!! It is a MUST !