The turkey's been deep fried and the pies have been devoured. (It didn't stop this girl from making pie dough and yeast rolls to awesome Christmas music.) The tree will soon be going up and presents will soon be wrapped. I've even already checked out all of the wrapping paper at Target. Guess where this girl is going to be immediately after Christmas? Yeah buddy.
Anyway, I was pondering the movies that we watched every year in my family growing up and the ones I've personally added since then. I decided to make a list for all of you!! So here is my personal list of top Christmas movies!
1-5. The Christmas Carols
Muppet Christmas Carol
This is and always will be my very favorite Christmas movie and my very favorite Christmas Carol. I love all of the different versions for various reasons, but this one is the best all around. Gonzo and Rizzo will narrate you through the Dicken's classic with style, flair, and jellybeans. "Please, Sir, may I have some cheese?" will forever replace the correct line from Oliver Twist.
A Christmas Carol (with Patrick Stewart)
Of the live action, non-muppet versions, this one is my favorite specifically because of Patrick Stewart. The end where he realizes he isn't dead and the spirits did it all in one night is the greatest because of his coughing/laughing fit.
Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol
There are so many quotable lines and songs in this movie. And my family quotes them. Randomly. All year long. "With razzleberry dressing" "I'm all alone in the world!" In this version you are watching Mr. Magoo star in a Broadway production of A Christmas Carol and his half-blind antics drive the crew mad.
A Christmas Carol (with George C. Scott)
This one is, in my opinion, the closest to the actual book storyline. It's very well done and much more haunting than any of the animated, children's versions. This particular version includes Christmas Present showing Scrooge the boy Ignorance and the girl Want. "Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased."
Mickey's Christmas Carol
Any old Mickey Mouse story was a good one and this one is no exception. With Scrooge McDuck as Ebenezer, Goofy as Marley, and Mickey as Bob Crachit, it's a family classic. It's the movie of my childhood Christmases.
6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated version)
First of all, the live action version of this movie is an abomination and I spit on it's claims to be considered a movie that I am supposed to enjoy. Ptooey! Ptooey! Now, the original ANIMATED version with Boris Karloff is as classic as they come!
7, 8, 9. Santa Clause 1, 2, 3
The first is the best of all three, but all of them are great. Funny, family friendly, and a great original twist of a storyline. Plus, I see the guy who played Bernard everywhere now! And I'm sorry I'm not sorry he will always be Bernard. Plus #2, I love Tim Allen. He makes a great Santa. Tim the Tool Man Santa.
10. The Holiday
The Holiday was a movie I added to my holiday traditions in college. When I went to Harding University, my roomie/cousin Jessica already had a tradition of drinking tea and watching The Holiday and Love Actually, and we did just that together. I loved it so much and it felt so much like Christmas I added the tradition to my own set. I'm actually watching The Holiday with my cup of tea tonight. :) I'm very excited.
11. Love Actually
This particular movie I always forget is a little more risque than I ever think. And there are a few points in it I go "ah! I never remember this part of the movie!" and close my eyes. But overall, I love the different storylines and how they intertwine.
12. Holiday Inn
My sister-in-law Renee introduced me to this older movie with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. It is so cute. It is one of my very favorites. It's such a sweet love story, celebrating all of the holidays in the calendar year but beginning and ending with Christmas. I love it. I love it! Go buy it and watch it today.
13. White Christmas
I just watched this for the first time this year! (Thank you, netflix!) I don't know what took me so long. It's fabulous! Another Bing Crosby movie, it's all about two army buddies who made it in show business giving back to their beloved general and falling in love with some sweet sisters along the way. Hilarious, sweet, and it pulls at your heartstrings. A perfect Christmas movie! Enjoy it with some hot chocolate.
What are your favorite family Christmas movies?! I always love adding more movies to my Christmas repertoire.