Christmas Movies

Whether you call it the Holidays,  like my Jewish friends, Ken and Natashia or Christmas or something else, it is a special time of year. There is the hustle and bustle of the season, the gifts. and the dining table laden with festive food. What better time to gather with friends or family to watch some classic Christmas movies.

In her senior years, my mother delighted in the freedom from rising early to stuff a turkey, peel a pile of potatoes and finish off the mincemeat pies. She avoided being invited to the children’s homes too early in the day.  She treated herself to watching the Queen’s message and then one or two classic and old Christmas movies.

Consider scheduling  time to enjoy some movies with messages of good will to one another. Many of the classics, like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and A Christmas Carol, are embedded with the story of human resilience. Here are some movie favorites to watch during Christmas week:

Classic Christmas Movies

1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – A heartwarming tale about a man’s guardian angel showing him what life would have been like if he had never been born.
2. A Christmas Carol (Multiple adaptations) – Based on the Charles Dickens novel, this story follows Ebenezer Scrooge as he learns the true meaning of Christmas through visits from three ghosts.
3. White Christmas (1954) – A musical featuring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as song-and-dance men who team up with a sister act to save a struggling Vermont inn.
4. A Christmas Story (1983) – This comedy follows a young boy named Ralphie and his quest to convince his parents to get him a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas.
5. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) – A comedic look at the holiday chaos that ensues when the Griswold family hosts a Christmas gathering.
6. Scrooged (1988) – A modern reimagining of “A Christmas Carol,” starring Bill Murray as a cynical TV executive who gets visited by ghosts on Christmas Eve.
7. Holiday Inn (1942) – A musical featuring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, with a plot centered around an inn that only opens on holidays.
8. The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945) A priest and a nun try to save their school.
9. Love Actually (2003) For Adults Only as it is a little risqué but full of English humor as eight different couples fall in love at Christmas.

Classic Christmas Animations to Delight the Kids  

Here is a list of that have been loved by masses of kids:

1. Home Alone (1990) – A young boy is accidentally left behind when his family goes on vacation for Christmas and must defend his home from burglars.
2. A Christmas Carol (1984) – Based on Charles Dickens’ novel, this story follows the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve.
3. The Polar Express (2004) – An animated film about a young boy who embarks on a magical train journey to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.
4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) – An animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ book about the Grinch who tries to ruin Christmas for the Whos in Whoville.
5. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) – A stop-motion animated film that tells the story of Rudolph, a reindeer with a glowing red nose, and his journey to find his place in Santa’s team.
6. Frosty the Snowman (1969) – Another animated classic that follows the magical adventures of Frosty, a snowman brought to life by a magical hat.
7. Elf (2003) – A modern classic about Buddy, a human who was raised by elves at the North Pole and embarks on a journey to find his real father in New York City.
8. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) – A heartwarming film that centers on a man claiming to be the real Santa Claus, leading to a court case to determine his authenticity.
9. The Santa Clause (1994) – A comedy in which a man accidentally becomes Santa Claus and must navigate his new responsibilities.
10. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) – An animated TV special that features the Peanuts gang as they celebrate Christmas and learn about its true meaning.
11. Arthur Christmas (2011) – An animated film that reveals the high-tech operation behind Santa Claus’ annual gift delivery.
12. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) – The Muppets retell Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” with their unique comedic twist.

What classic Christmas movies are your and your loved ones’ favorites?  Also, what are your favorite Holiday Cookies to enjoy while watching Christmas classics? Let us know. OK?