I figured it might be time to A: update my blog and B: talk about that wonderful tradition I like to call Christmas/Holiday movies. When I was younger, my mom would put in a VHS and we’d watch while wrapping presents or stringing cranberries and popcorn (yes, people still do that and I have pictures). I would come downstairs for a drink of water and catch my mom working on her wrapping into the wee hours of the morning while Sandra Bullock tried to fit a Christmas tree into her apartment. Even after my mom passed away in 2014, my family still continues our Christmas movie tradition. These are only a handful of the films I love to watch (in no particular order). Feel free to comment your favorites as well!
1. “Miracle on 34th Street” (1994). This movie had the unenviable task of living up to a then fifty-year-old predecessor that starred the late Natalie Wood. Though the original is beautiful in its own right, this take on Valentine Davis’s popular tale never fails to get me in the holiday spirit. Richard Attenborough (“Jurassic Park”) stars as Kris Kringle, a man who believes himself to be Santa Claus and is eventually hired by Cole’s Department Store executive Dori Walker (Elizabeth Perkins) to be their official Santa Claus. Much to the chagrin of a competitor, Mr. Kringle’s popularity makes Cole’s the hottest store in New York City. They begin thinking of ways to take him down. When the unthinkable happens, Mrs. Walker and her daughter, Susan (played by the delightful Mara Wilson), must decide if they truly believe in Santa Claus. The movie also stars Dylan McDermott and Robert Prosky. PG
2. “The Holiday” (2005). About a decade before Airbnb had us renting our houses out to strangers, Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz did it in a movie. Winslet plays Iris, an editor at a popular newspaper in England suffering from a horrible case of unrequited love. Diaz is Amanda, a movie trailer producer whose fallen out of love with her cheating significant other. Desperate for a change in scenery, the two swap places on an online site, Amanda going to Iris’s home and Iris going to Amanda’s house in L.A. Neither are looking for love. But of course, as in so many romantic comedies, it finds them (in the form of Jude Law and Jack Black). The Holiday is always a fun spin on the typical rom-com, as it includes quite a few flawed characters and even takes us on a small journey through film history (I see you there, Blockbuster Video scene). PG-13
3. “Elf” (2003). It took me a while to really like and appreciate this film. When I first saw it, I thought I’d seen enough of Will Ferrell to last me a lifetime (hello, “Old School”). But this family film about a human adopted by one of Santa’s elves is possibly the sweetest (and funniest) Christmas movie in recent memory. When Buddy the Elf (played by Will Ferrell) finds out he’s a human and his dad lives in New York City, he’s beyond excited to go visit him…until he figures out dad (James Caan) is on the naughty list. Not only that, but New York is just not all it’s cracked up to be—some people don’t even believe in Santa! Buddy wants to make everything right again, but he’ll need a lot more than toys and candy. This movie always reminds me of the power of friendship during the holidays and how everyone needs a good friend. PG
4. “Dr. Suess’s The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” a.k.a. “The Grinch” (2000). Though I like the 1966 Grinch, this eighteen-year-old Jim Carrey movie has a lot to offer if you’re looking for a different take on the classic. The Grinch (Carrey) hates Christmas and everything about it. The Whos, well, if you know the story, you know they feel differently. And thus, The Grinch lives on Mount Crumpet and the Whos don’t. They all like it that way, right? Well, what if there was more? In this rendition, Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen in her breakout role) is fed up with Christmas. Is it really all about the gifts and the bows? And what about Mister Grinch? Why does he live on Mount Crumpet, so sad and lonely? Cindy launches a plan to investigate, hoping to change people’s minds about the scary-yet-funny Grinch she’s heard of…and maybe make herself believe in the good of Christmas again. Another hilarious movie about friendship and the power of kindness, Ron Howard’s version of “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” is a staple in my holiday collection. It definitely helped me get through some difficult Christmases. PG-13
5. “While You Were Sleeping” (1993). No Christmas movie list in our household would be complete without at least two rom-coms. I guess that’s why I’m ending this one out with one of my mom’s favorite films, While You Were Sleeping. As I indicated above, she watched the Sandra Bullock-led film every single year at this time. In the movie, Bullock plays Lucy, a train station ticket clerk who is forced to work on Christmas because “she’s the one with no family.” Every day, Lucy looks at the families going to and fro on the train tracks and wonders what it’s like. She sees one particular man and imagines what his life must be like, how glamourous it is to be him, how strong he looks. But it’s Lucy who finds her strength when a twist of fate puts them both face-to-face with his family. A feel-good classic story of love and belonging, While You Were Sleeping always puts this sometimes-Grinchy lady into a festive mood. PG-13
Well, there you have it–five of my favorite Christmas movies. What are your favorite holiday films? Let me know in the comments.
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