Top 10 Holiday Movies to Watch this Season
Hello Friends! It really is the most wonderful time of the year, at least in my opinion. I always get a little sad after the leaves fall from the trees and daylight savings time ends. But then, I start to get excited about the holidays coming up.
Thanksgiving is such a beautiful holiday and is sacred to me. Whether we are hosting at our home, or going to the home of friends and family, it’s always such a wonderful day. Gathering together around a table filled with homemade food and taking pause to reflect on all of the gifts in our lives brings me such joy. I have so much to be thankful for in my life. My life is far from perfect (whose is, really?) However, I know that I am loved by my family and friends and by my Father in Heaven. There is a roof over my head and food on the table and I am blessed with a wonderful husband and two amazing children, who make me proud each and every day.
As much as I love Thanksgiving, Christmas brings me to an entirely new level of excitement. From the beautiful lights around the city, to decorations adorning lawns and living rooms, I love it all. It takes some willpower to wait until after Thanksgiving to start playing Christmas music, but it’s a rule in our house. However, holiday movies can start after November 1!
That brings us to this blog post. Today, I am sharing my picks for the Top 10 Holiday Movies to Watch this Season. In no particular order, here is my list.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Planes Trains and Automobiles is a classic that is the perfect Thanksgiving movie. Steve Martin and John Candy are the perfect odd couple. Their paths cross as they are both trying to make it home for Thanksgiving. Steve Martin is an uptight salesman and John Candy is a very unlucky shower curtain salesman with a heart of gold. The pair end up traveling together across the country, and hilarity ensues. This classic tale will make you laugh until your abs hurt and will touch your heart. It’s a tale of forgiveness and accepting someone else for exactly who they are, no matter how different you may be.
The Family Man
The Family Man stars Nicholas Cage and Tea Leoni. It’s theme is similar to another familiar classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Nicolas Cage’s character is very successful businessman who has lost the value of relationships in his life. His entire self worth is based on his financial status and his belongings. One day, he wakes up and finds himself in a different, unrecognizable life. He fights hard to get back to the life he knew, all the while discovering that the life he’s now living is far more meaningful. Now a tire salesman with a wife and two kids, he discovers success has an entirely different meaning than he previously believed. This movie will tug at your heart strings and hopefully help you appreciate what’s really important.
The Holiday
The Holiday stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black. Two women find themselves unhappy in their lives and decide to do a house swap. Cameron Diaz is a successful, high strung LA movie editor, while Kate Winslet lives in the England countryside and is madly in unrequited love with her colleague. Both women find themselves lost and decide to escape to figure things out. As they find themselves alone in a foreign place, they meet people along the way that help them find themselves again. Another heartwarming movie, this film will make you smile from ear to ear.
The Nativity Story
The Nativity Story is a must-see for my family every year. Told from the perspective of Mary, the movie explores the intense gravity of learning that she has been chosen to bear the Son of God. Judged by her family and everyone around her for bearing a child out of wedlock, Mary struggles to prove that she did not break her promise to her betrothed, Joseph. Faith is the basis of the film and it’s very well done. The acting is fantastic and the Wise Men will make you laugh.
Christmas Vacation
Christmas Vacation is a National Lampoon’s holiday classic, staring Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold. Clark is crazy about Christmas! His enthusiasm for a fresh cut tree and thousands of holiday lights tests the patience of his family. From an unexpected visit from freeloading cousin Randy to a caper of a kidnapped boss who decides to skip the holiday bonuses this year, this film will leave you in stitches. Chevy Chase plays an endearing character who just wants a happy Christmas for his family.
A Christmas Story
All that little Ralphie Parker wants for Christmas is a Red Rider BB Gun, but everyone keeps telling him, “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” A Christmas story takes place in winter in Indiana. Ralphie is a good kid who finds himself getting into all kinds of trouble. From a dare for a classmate that ends up with his tongue frozen to a pole, to broken glasses and getting his mouth washed out with soap. There is the delivery of the infamous “fragile” leg lamp to the bunny pajamas, this film has been at the center of many topics of conversation. You’ll fall in love with this family and find yourself just wishing that Ralphie can get his beloved Red Rider BB Gun. If you haven’t seen this film, do yourself a favor and watch it this year.
White Christmas
While Christmas stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, two soldiers who are talented singers and dancers that entertain the troops. These friends meet sisters Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen and find themselves on a train to “snowy” Vermont where, sadly, there is no snow. Although unplanned, the four end up producing a show to help out an old friend. Love creeps up on them along the way and discover the value of friendship and forgiveness. This movie has a lot of heart and Bing and Kaye are at the top of their game. You’ll find yourself singing along to the music and prepare for a tear or two.
The Bells of St. Mary’s
The Bells of St. Mary’s stars Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman. Bing Crosby stars as Father O’Malley and although his personality initially clashes with Sister Benedict, they end up making a good team in helping to save a struggling Catholic School. My favorite part is the school play of the Nativity Story. The kids are absolutely adorable and the movie will leave you feeling good and believing in Miracles. Not many people talk about this picture, but it’s one of my favorites to watch every holiday season.
Miracle on 34th Street
Speaking of Miracles, no holiday season is complete without watching Miracle on 34th Street. Natalie Wood stars as a young girl with a no-nonsense mother that works for Macy’s and believes in treating her young daughter as an adult. The pair meet Kris Kringle, who ends up saving the day when the Macy’s Parade Santa ends up drinking a bit too much holiday spirits. Kris believes he is the real Santa and has a long road ahead of him as he tries to convince those around him that he is who he says he is. This movie is full of heart and if you don’t already believe in Santa, you soon will.
There is a modern remake of the film, but I recommend watching the original, in black and white if you can find it. Be sure to include this gem in the Top 10 Holiday Movies to Watch this Season!
It’s a Wonderful Life
Last but not least is my favorite, It’s a Wonderful Life. Jimmy Stewart and Donna Read star in this tale of George Bailey, the nicest guy in town. George has made sacrifices his whole life and finds himself in a bit of trouble. He wishes he were dead, when angel Clarence, who is trying to get his wings, gives George a chance to find out what life would be like if he’d never been born. George finds out that his life has made an impact on so many and that his rich in so many ways that money cannot provide. I think if there were more George Bailey’s in the world, it would be a better place.
That’s the end of my top 10 list folks. I’m sure I could come up with several more, but I don’t want to make the list too long. Please leave a comment and let me know your favorite holiday movie picks. I’d love to hear what movies you love to watch during this time of year.
All of these films are available on Amazon.com
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I’m wishing you a very happy holiday season. Make time to reflect on the reason we celebrate and don’t get caught up in the busyness or the stress entailed with gift giving. It’s not about the gifts, friends.
xoxo
