What's My Favorite?

Movies. I LOVE movies. When we first got married, my husband and I lived in Minnesota. We had decent jobs, no kids, and movies were still fairly cheap to go see. We would go out to dinner and to see a movie almost every week. There is just something about sitting in a theater and watching magic happen on the screen. Now it is much more expensive to go to the movies, not just because it costs more for a ticket but now there are kids...and well kids are just expensive in general! You know it's true.

So back to the first year of marriage in Minnesota...Seeing as I love movies it was no surprise that when we found out Donny would be working on Christmas day that I would go to the store and buy some of my favorite Christmas movies so that I could watch them while I waited for him to come home. I mean what's better than Christmas movies ON Christmas day while the snow falls gently outside? Not much, I dare say.

Now I don't want to get your hopes up for a ranking of "The Best Christmas Movies" because I don't hold that much clout and I can't begin to choose just one favorite, then a runner up, and so on. What I WILL do is share the films that I can't let Christmas pass by without watching. Some of these may have already been watched this year and it's only November 29th...or not...I'm not telling.

Here we go...

White Christmas

Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen make you long for "snow-snow-SNOW!" while you can't help but love the gossiping housekeeper as she stirs a pot. The music, the dancing, the sweet story all make for a lovely couple of hours. I can't lie, I watched this back in July!

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Speaking of Danny Kaye...you can't have the "happ, happ, happiest Christmas" without Clark W. Griswold. This movie NEVER gets old and I am super excited because this year our local hometown movie theater is doing a special screening of that I get to go see with a bunch of friends and family! This has been what I watch while putting together my tree for the past few years. Usually my kids go to bed and I turn the lights out and only the tv and tree lights are on while I decorate and laugh till my sides hurt!

While You Were Sleeping

For. The. Love. Where do I begin? Sandra Bullock. Enough said but I'll continue anyway. There are so many little lines from this movie. The characters! Saul...oh, God love Saul. Midge and Grandma. Joe Jr. The squirrel. But the best is a blip in the movie and the funniest...the paper delivery boy. I can never get enough of this movie. Ever. It's as easy to watch over and over as the mashed potatoes are creamy because Mary mashed them. Sidenote...Glynis Johns, Grandma, was Mrs. Banks in the original Mary Poppins. Good gracious me. A collision of feels.

The Holiday

Um...Jude Law is super dreamy in this one. Mr. Napkin Head could push me right over the edge. Jack Black is scroodle-doodle-delicious. And do we even have to talk about how amazing Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet are? I cry every time. Every. Time. From the snow to the winds. From the voice-over trailers to Arthur's magnificent walk on stage, my heart can barely handle this movie and yet, I MUST.

The Bishop's Wife

You may be more familiar with The Preacher's Wife with Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington. I am not. Why when you can watch Cary Grant!?!?! Oh, my heart. This one is special. Dudley the angel arrives to help get hearts and attentions back where they belong and he's wonderful along the way. I mean, he's Cary Grant, for heaven's sake! See what I did there...

Meet Me In St. Louis

Okay so I don't think this one is technically a Christmas movie but it is when I want to watch it every year. I need to find this one on BluRay or DVD cause I can't ever seem to catch it on TV! Judy Garland is wonderful in it and I just adore the music. Clang, clang, clang went the trolley! Ding, ding, ding went the bell! Stick a fork in me.

Polar Express

"Why this is the Polar Express!" Don't you just love Tom Hanks? He's pretty great! I love the innocence regained in this one, the faith that is restored, the hope that is reborn. My favorite part is the song the little girl sings on the back of the train. "The best time of the year | When everyone comes home | With all this Christmas cheer | It's hard to be alone | Putting up the Christmas tree | With friends who come around | It's so much fun when Christmas comes to town."

Santa Clause

"Does this look like a little weight to you? I can shave in the morning and 10 minutes later...I look like this!" Tim Allen is sheer enjoyment in this movie franchise! Over 20 years later and it's still a must-see for even my kids! I love when movies are timeless. Obviously, just look at my list here!

And then there are the others that I know we all watch...

Elf

Did you hear that!?! Son of a nutcracker!!!

Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?

I'm singing! I'm in a store and I'm singing!

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

You sit on a throne of lies.

Oh! Sucky!

Congratulations! You did it! World's best cup of coffee!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Blast this Christmas music! It is joyful and triumphant!

But for real, my absolute favorite part is when he is going through the phone book..."Hate, hate, hate. Double hate. Loathe entirely!"

A Christmas Story

FUUUUDGE!! HAHA! I couldn't help myself. But for real, as much as we are over saturated with this cult-classic every Christmas, it really is a wonderful movie. From, "You'll shoot your eye out" to "I can't put my arms down!" all the way to the best, "Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra." You can't help but smile with Ralphie's on.

The list could really go on and on and on. It's the most wonderful time of the year for sure and the movies only add to the sentimentality and enjoyment of the season. What's on your list? Got anything different? Let me see in the comments below!