Who can celebrate Christmas without a few Christmas movies? Not this girl! I absolutely adore the traditional films…and I know that means different things to different people.

My list always includes Love Actually as I decorate followed by Miracle on 34^th Street – the original with Natalie Wood. I love White Christmas and know it deeply as I helped direct it one year at school. I always try to find Christmas in Connecticut as well. It isn’t as well-known as some of the other classics, but it is a post-World War II romance that is adorable and corny and my kind of Christmas romance. Because I don’t do Hallmark. Ever.

Speaking of classics, a holiday is never complete without a viewing of It’s a Wonderful Life. It really is a good reminder when we feel beaten down that our lives do matter. Though the shopping and the wrapping and the hustle to prepare may be extra on our plates…it’s bringing joy to those we love.

My viewings aren’t always so traditional. While I wrap presents, I have to watch my middle school crush’s Disney movie. Jonathan Taylor Thomas and a young Jessica Biel star in I’ll Be Home for Christmas and it is sheer manic fun. A race across the country to get home in time for a car (oh, and Christmas) brings JTT in touch with memorable characters and is really heartwarming. It is about the equivalent of Home Alone with less violence. I know Home Alone is no Die Hard when it comes to violence and I do watch it every year now, but that was my mother’s belief when we were growing up. Speaking of violent Christmas movies my old friend, Patrick Casey, is part of the writing duo behind Violent Night a smash up of Home Alone and Die Hard.  I have also added National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, another Christmas movie my mom found abhorrent. For me? It is classic. It’s too the point that I can quote it almost as much as White Christmas and my top three I know almost word for word.

My top three movies, you are now asking.  Yes. My top three. The first two my sister and I watch every year on Christmas Eve Day.  At least that was our tradition before her little people. A Very Brady Christmas is our guilty pleasure. I am not sure why our obsession started or when, but we were obsessed as kids and could quote along with it line by line. I am proud to say I still can. Although we can no longer watch in on the VHS that contains the ads Isotoner slippers, Duracell Batteries, and The Quarter Pounder…it’s still a nostalgic gem in our clan.  The other is A Muppet Christmas Carol. I remember going to see this movie in the theater when I was about thirteen. My dad just about busted a gut when the little rats at Scrooge’s office break out into “HEAT WAVE…This is my island in the sun…” We became obsessed with it then too and the soundtrack. Rizzo the Rat is my spirit Muppet and I can quote almost all of his lines.

 However, my ability to repeat his lines is not as embarrassing as the frequency, at all times of the year, at which I spout off lines from Elf which is my hands down favorite Christmas movie. I have always understood the humor of Will Ferrell and I find this to be his finest performance. Nuanced as sweet and goofy in his role of Buddy the Elf, he gives true meaning to believing in the magic and hope of Christmas. Something I think we all need more of in our lives. Besides, who doesn’t love a goofball comedy?