Top 10 holiday movies

Many of us spend a large part of the holiday season rushing around to parties, buying gifts and all the general hustle and bustle that comes along this time of year.  Sometimes there is nothing better than curling up on the couch to watch your favourite holiday flick. Not only do they help put you in the holiday spirit, but a little R & R from the general craziness is not a bad thing either.

Here it is, my top 10 favourite holiday movies:

#10: Love Actually (2003 Rated: R): This British romantic-comedy has a huge cast and many intersecting storylines. Although this movie may be a little on the “cheesy” side, it’s definitely a must-see adult holiday movie.

#9: The Santa Claus (1994 – Rated PG):  Tim Allen is recruited as the new Santa Claus after he accidentally kills the real one. It sounds a lot more disturbing than it really is, I promise.

#8: A Christmas Carol (1951) Mean, old Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by 3 ghosts on Christmas Eve. Eventually Scrooge learns the importance of charity and changes his ways on Christmas Day. I prefer the original, but there are endless remakes of this classic Dickens story for you to choose (The Muppets Christmas Carol is probably better for children, and who doesn’t love the Muppets?).

#7: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964 – Rated: G) This classic holiday movie stars everyone’s favourite outcast reindeer. Rudolph saves the day by guiding Santa through a terrible snow storm with his glowing red nose. I have to ask, is it just me, or does Santa seem really cranky in this film?

#6: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (1966) The grumpy, isolated Grinch hates Christmas. He comes up with a plan to ruin the holiday for all the lovely Who’s in Whoville. Don’t worry! He has a last minute change of heart and joins in the festivities. My favourite character in this one has got to be Max the dog.

#5: It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) Just in time, an angel comes to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he never existed. “Every time a bell rings an angel get’s his wings.”

#4: Home Alone (1990 – Rated: PG) This holiday-themed comedy stars Macaulay Culkin as an 8 year old who is mistakenly left behind when his family goes on vacation for Christmas. The child has to outwit burglars with a series of clever booby traps. I could watch this movie over and over and still love it!

#3: Frosty the Snowman (1969) Frosty the lovable Healthy Living snowman, and his friend little Karen struggle on an adventure to the North Pole because a greedy magician is trying to steal his magical hat. I still get choked up when poor old Frosty melts in the greenhouse…sigh.

#2: A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965): Charlie Brown had to be in my top 2. In the movie he is sick and tired of all the commercialism at Christmas. He tries to find the real meaning of Christmas.  “Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!”

#1: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989 Rated: PG 13) Starring Chevy Chase, the Griswold family plans an extravagant holiday celebration, which of course, turns into a disaster at every turn.  Although there is some stiff competition, I would have to say this is my all time favourite Christmas movie. This film guarantee’s alot of laughs, plus you will definently feel better about any holiday debacles of your own.

What are your favourite holiday movies?

Until next time,

Peace, love and vitamin C!