Who Doesn't Love Holiday Movies?

Alexandria Manion
Delta Zeta

With Black Friday taking place last week, and Delilah playing Christmas tunes and inspiring dedications on the radio throughout the evenings, it is apparent that the holiday season is in full swing. Throughout all the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, decorating, cookie-making and studying for final exams, I am here to make sure you take a break to watch some of the most beloved holiday movies of all time.  

Let’s start with the basics. No holiday season is complete without watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, which will both air on ABC Family’s “25 Days of Christmas.” What is Christmas without the childhood classics?

Here’s a classic that should most definitely be on your Christmas movie list every year. It’s A Wonderful Life premiered in 1946 and finds itself in the number one spot on the American Film Institute’s list of America’s Most Inspiring Movies. For those of you who have not had the privilege to watch this timeless holiday classic, or for those of you who avoid watching this timeless holiday classic merely because it is in black and white and thus probably boring, I encourage you to take the time to sit down and enjoy it. As cliché as it may sound, It’s A Wonderful Life is truly inspiring and guaranteed to make you stop and think. Despite the fact that the film was made in 1946, its message and story are timeless.

Now that you have been completely inspired by George Bailey’s story in It’s a Wonderful Life, I am sure you are up for a bit of Christmas comedy. How does spending time with our good friend Buddy the Elf sound? Will Ferrell’s hilarious character in Elf is definitely one I find myself quoting throughout the holiday season. I guarantee you will watch it at least five times within the next month. If you don’t have access to a DVD copy of Elf, turn your TV to TBS. It usually plays all weekend, every weekend during the month of December. If you have no luck on TBS, turn to ABC Family. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself answering the phone saying, “Buddy the Elf. What’s your favorite color?”

Keeping along the lines of fun-loving comedy, let’s talk about the ultimate Christmas classic, A Christmas Story. This holiday film is remembered for the infamous line, “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid." TBS plays this film for 24 straight hours Christmas day, so you are certainly guaranteed to catch this film in its entirety at least five times amidst the Christmas day festivities. Although it’s difficult to pinpoint a number one Christmas film of all time, A Christmas Story is definitely at the top of my list.

Because I am an avid lover of the holiday season, I could probably write about Christmas films all day. You are lucky I am refraining from going into great detail about my all-time favorite Christmas classic, White Christmas. Here is an abbreviated list of some other films I believe you should watch.

White Christmas (I couldn’t resist)

Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the Jim Carrey version)

Jingle All the Way (The Governator goes Christmas!)

The Santa Clause (the first one)

Love Actually (Holiday chick flicks are the best!)

A Muppet Christmas Carol (We all know Charles Dickens’ holiday classic is told much better by Kermit and Miss Piggy)

The Nightmare Before Christmas (nothing like a little bit of Tim Burton to brighten your day)

Finally, don’t forget to check out two new holiday films in theaters this holiday season. For the guys, don’t miss the 3-D adventures of A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas. Ladies, New Year’s Eve is sure to make you smile, much like Valentines Day.

There you have it. The next time you need a break from the daily holiday grind, turn on one of these festive films. Happy holidays, everyone!

Alexandria is a senior studying mass communication, dance and business administration. You may contact her at amanio1@tigers.lsu.edu.