It’s now December fifteenth, which means Christmas is almost here! In between shopping, my RWA chapter Christmas party, and finishing up at work, I’ve been watching some of my favorite holiday movies on TV. I had D’Ann Lindun on the blog Friday talking about her fave Western movies, and she’s inspired me to give you my top five Christmas movies.
5. It’s A Wonderful Life–This classic has been a favorite for years. You can’t get more 
“warm the cockles of your heart” than Jimmy Stewart. I also really like the updated version The Family Man with Nicholas Cage. I do sometimes wonder what life would have been like without me. Probably not as dramatic as these two films, yet I think I might have left a hole or two.
4. White Christmas–Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye singing and dancing away in Vermont.
It just isn’t Christmas unless I see this one. (I watched it the other night while wrapping presents for my chapter Christmas party, so it’s officially Christmas time for me. 🙂
3. A Child’s Christmas in Wales–This is a lovely rendition of the Dylan Thomas poem. I’ve
seen a live stage version, but this captures all the wonder and tradition of Christmas in a different time and place. Gorgeous movie. It’s rarely on TV so I bought a copy several years ago.
2. Christmas Vacation–Here’s another one for putting me into the Christmas spirit! I 
haven’t seen it yet this year, but I’m sure it will be on a station near me soon. 🙂 Chevy Chase and the Vacation crew always makes me laugh–and see a little part of myself here and there. My favorite of the Vacation movies.
1. Scrooge–the musical version of A Christmas Carol starring Albert Finny has been my
favorite ever since I saw it as a child. The art production is gorgeous, creating Dickens’ London faithfully and the songs range from merry to touching. I always liked it most because it was the only version that followed Scrooge down into Hell. I’m macabre, what can I say? LOL And the spirited final sequence is sure to touch your heart with its dancing and singing and “God bless us every one!” This is another one that doesn’t show up on TV often (and when it does, they cut the scene in Hell), so I have a copy of this one too. 🙂
What Christmas movies to you need to see each year to make the season merry and bright?
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
I love all the old claymation ones like Year Without A Santa Claus and Rudolph, as well as Santa Claus is coming to town. Who can’t forget the Heatmeiser and His mom, Mother Nature! Just a fun show!
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Just remembered a couple more good ones. Just watched “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” the other night. And one I haven’t seen this year, but maybe I’ll go hit the “search” on the DVR for it, “Shrek the Halls.” You can see I have low taste in movies.
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I am currently watching The Muppet Christmas Carol. I love Christmas in Connecticut with Barbara Stanwyck. I also love Miracle on 34th Street with Maureen O’Hara.
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I love Christmas in Connecticut! I haven’t seen it in years–I heard there was a problem with the rights or something. I’d love to watch that again. 🙂 Thanks for stopping in, Sheila!
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I watched Christmas in Connecticut last week on the Hallmark Movie Channel, sister station to the Hallmark Channel.
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Christmas Vacation!!! I’ve watched it twice already and I still laugh out loud. And I know Miss Gemma loves this one, Love Actually. Another favorite of mine.
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I’m still trying to find CV on tv. It came on right after Thanksgiving, but I was in production. i’m sure it’s on somewhere though. I need to see Love Actually. It sounds so good! Thanks for coming by, Cd!
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It is on tonight at 8 on ABC Family channel if you are in the US and have cable.
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Every year we used to watch Christmas Vacation which mimicked our family to the tee.Then once year the movie disappeared. My unhappy and annoyed niece didn’t like being compared to the unhappy and annoyed daughter in the movie, or maybe the actress was too nice, because my niece behaved much worse. However, Chevy Chase and my then brother in law were a perfect match of insanity.My sister and I enjoyed laughing at the movie. Made us feel better about our own crazy dinners. (Rice on the ceiling, anyone?)
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Somehow i’m not surprised that you identified with Christmas Vacation, Liza. 🙂 I think we all do to an extent. My husband and I are a bit like Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo. You must explain rice on the ceiling! My imagination is running wild. LOL
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Oh! I didn’t know there was a version of A Child’s Christmas in Wales! I need to see that!
Every year Hubby and I watch ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’, because it’s pretty close to the book (apart from Marley being a shared role) and I love, love, love Gonzo as Charles Dickens. I watch Raymond Briggs ‘The Snowman’, which can be found on Youtube, but you’ll need a hanky.
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Yes, the Child’s Christmas is wonderful! And I can’t even watch the cartoon Frosty the Snowman without blubbering. Thanks for much for sharing, Rhissanna!
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Scrooged – Bill Murray
Scrooge – Alistair Simms
Home Alone – not even going to try and spell his name
Christmas Vacation – Chevy Chase
White Christmas – Bing Crosby
and the family tradition – since my daughter was little – every Christmas Eve – the last thing before bed – she and I sit down and watch – are you ready – and remember – my daughter is now 27 and this tradition continues – yes – the ultimate Christmas movie – The Muppet Christmas movie.
Tweeted.
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LOL, Daryl! I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Muppet Christmas movie. My kids weren’t big Muppet fans (but I can tell you every word of the Rugrats movies!). I love Christmas traditions that continue on. So many don’t when your kids get older. Happy Holidays!
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I loved the Muppet Christmas Carol. Or maybe it was just my son’s laughter about the Muppets that I loved. It was an excellent version.
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Well, you hit a couple of my favorites … “It’s a Wonderful Life” and National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation,” but you left out one of the truly greats: “A Christmas Story” (You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!). There is little that can top seeing Ralphie in the bunny suit. And I’m going to add one more of my favorites that is “sort of” a Christmas movie. You wouldn’t think so from the title, “In the Good Old Summertime,” but the climax takes place on Christmas eve.
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You probably won’t believe this, James, but I’ve never seen “A Christmas Story” all the way through. Haven’t seen “Miracle on 34th Street” either. Not sure why. I know they are classics. Happy Holidays!
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Christmas Vacay, of course! And Home Alone. I love when McCauley plays the movie in the background and shoots bbs at the bad guys!
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Funny movie! I watched it just the other night. The song “Precious Moments” says Christmas to me. 🙂 Happy Holidays, D’Ann!
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I love the film Scrooge. I prefer the black and white version with Alistair Sim. I like its a Wonderful Life too. One of the best things is settling on the sofa with a box of chocolates and the film Little Women I try to find one day during the holidays to do that.
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I like the Alistair Sim version too, Daisy. Which version of Little Women do you prefer?
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I love the old one, I haven’t got a copy but have seen it once or twice on TV, the one with Katherine Hepburn in it. I usually watch the modern version.
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ooo this one is easy for me i love The Holiday with Kate Winslet and Jack Black
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I’ve never seen that! But it sounds like a great cast! Happy Holidays, Melissa!
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