December 01, 2010

My (not so) Secret Addiction

I have an addiction that kicks in just about this time every year.  It is one that drives my family and friends nuts.  I plan my life around it as much as I can.  What is it, you ask, that tempts me so?
Christmas movies.

Yep, I’m hooked on Christmas movies and the cheesier, campier and more over-the-top they are the better I like them.  My movie collection includes a large number of holiday classics, but I’m always on the lookout for new ones.  I’m in my glory now that ABCFamily has begun its 25 Days of Christmas.  A guide to ever holiday special airing for the next month rests handily by my spot on the couch.  And you know I'm heading to the theater if anything worthy is released.

In honor of the season I thought that today I’d share a list of my very favorite Christmas movies.  And no, this doesn’t include all the Rankin-Bass specials, Charlie Brown or the rest.  I’m hooked on those, too, but that’s a whole other catagory.  So here’s my top 14 Christmas movies and those worthy of honorable mention.

HONORABLE MENTION (in no particular order):









And now my favorites:


14.  Deck the Halls.  What is not to love about a neighbor who wants his Christmas decorations to be visible from space??





13.  The HomecomingThe original Walton's movie that started it all.











12. ElfWill Farrell is so over the top to begin with.  How could a Christmas movie starring him not be as goofy as it gets?  James Caan is great as a dad just learning he has an adult son who thinks he’s an elf.  Bob Newhart also appears as Elf’s elf dad.


11.  Home Alone.  A family goes on vacation at Christmas and in the ensuing confusion doesn’t realize they’ve left the youngest child behind until they are flying over the Atlantic on the way to Paris.  It’s a good old romp where the kid is smarter than the bad guys.


10.  A Christmas Carol.  All versions of this story are good, but my favorite has George C. Scott as Scrooge.


9.  ScroogedBill Murray is yet another over-the-top SNL veteran whose antics greatly amuse me.  Scrooged is a modern-day retelling of A Christmas Carol that, while really funny, is also maybe a bit darker because of some of the modern elements and the special effects.


8.  The Santa ClauseTim Allen’s second appearance on my list.  I like this one for a million goofy reasons like:  elves with attitude, Santa’s strut to Sharp Dressed Man and an endless parade of truly ugly sweaters.


7.  Jingle All The WayI love action heros when they get all silly and Arnold is the best.  Here he is, the governor of California and he doesn’t take himself too seriously.  In Jingle All the Way he’s in a mad-capped race against a mailman, played by Sinbad, to find the last Turboman in town.  What parent hasn’t been there?


6.  Surviving ChristmasThis is Ben Affleck’s foray into the Christmas movie scene.  He is hilarious (and also touching) as a filthy rich guy who has no clue about human relationships or Christmas.  He hires himself a family to live out his idea of the perfect family Christmas.


5.  It’s A Wonderful LifeWell, you knew this one would be on the list didn’t you?  Jimmy Stewart is so cornball, you gotta love him.  And this movie taught me that, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings."


4.  How The Grinch Stole ChristmasOh, man I just love Whoville!  It doesn’t get any cheesier than this.  Do you not love the houses?  The clothes?  The hair?  And I have sooo got to get me one of those guns that shoots Christmas lights onto your house.


3.  White ChristmasAs I tell my kids…..it ain’t Christmas till Bing sings White Christmas.  I love the elaborate sets and musical numbers and Danny Kaye is a hoot.


2.  Christmas VacationThis is one movie the family doesn’t complain about watching.  We have worn out two copies and it is still a part of our holiday traditions.  Nothing says Christmas like Cousin Eddie pumping sewage into the storm drain.




And number one on my must see list….


1.  A Christmas StoryI’ve worn out a couple copies of this one, too, even though TBS shows it for 24 hours straight every Christmas.  This is the bestest, funniest Christmas movie ever made and it’s become tradition for the whole family (and anyone else here) to watch it together one time on Christmas Day.  I pretty much know it word for word.


There you have it.  Now when you’re feeling stressed by all you have to get done before the fat guy in the red suit pays a visit, you know what to do.  Get your hands on one of these movies, pop some corn, put your feet up, laugh your hiney off and forget about it for a while.


11 comments:

Coffeypot said...

I wonder if there are any Christmas porn movies?

Stacy said...

Only you would ask, but I'm sure there must be...."Debbie Does Santa,"Ho!Ho!Ho! Santa and the 3 Ho's" etc.

Debbie said...

I haven't seen many of the ones on your runners up list!

phairhead said...

Omg! The House w/out a x-mas Tree!!! I loves me some Jason Robards

So no cartoons on the list?

Rochelle@AFamilyofLooneys said...

I need to see Four Christmases. It look so funny.

Wendy said...

I cannot, cannot believe you don't have my two fave. Xmas movies, Stacy!!! "A Miracle on 34th Street" has me crying and smiling every time I watch it. And not technically a Xmas movie, "Love Actually" I watch it all through the year. And finally, the best chick flick xmas movie, "Holiday" with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslett.
I'll have to check out the one's you have listed that I haven't seen :)

Stacy said...

Debbie....most of the honorable mentions started out as TV movies and a couple of them are pretty old.

Phairhead....I remember the House Without a Christmas Tree as being one of my favorites when I was a kid. I'm so excited I found it on Amazon! No cartoons. They are a whole other catagory.

Rochelle....you'll love it. It was really funny and cute!

Wendy....don't hate me, but Miracle on 34th Street is one of my least favorite Christmas movies. Given the sappy, cheesy crap I do like I have no idea why that one puts me off. Love Actually and Holiday are good ones.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness I am right there with you! I actually drive my family crazy because there are certain Christmas movies I watch year round!

I did notice you have one of my favorite sets on there - I love all three of the Santa Clause movies! Favorites here.

I also noticed and don't know if it is just because you haven't seen it that you didn't mention, "Nothing Like the Holidays" - if you have not seen this one it is a great one to see! Last year it became one of my favorite movies actually.

I want to say your not the only one - I was so excited about the 25 days of Christmas starting as well!

Oh and in case you didn't realize it - I have my computer back! I can comment again! YAY!

Stacy said...

Ineverhavetheanswer....I haven't seen that one. I'll have to look for it. Are you on Facebook? You can "Like" the 25 Days of Christmas on there. Glad you got your computer back!

Jenn said...

I didn't even see this list! I'm going to have to add a few of these that I've never seen or left off my list - hooray for holiday movies!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Saw this in your "might also like."
I am totally addicted too, can't get enough of them!

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