Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. The hot chocolate, warm fires, and family are some of the things that sound inviting to me. These are some Christmas movies that I find myself watching every year and that I recommend for all of you.

1. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

This movie is one of my favorite Christmas movies. Although, if you have younger siblings, I would be weary about watching it in front of them due to vulgarity. This movie follows the Griswold family through this joyous holiday. Clark Griswold, the father, want's everything to be perfect, until his cousin Eddie shows up and things take a quick turn for the worse.

2. Love Actually

This is my absolute favorite movie of all time. I can't express how incredible this movie is. It follows nine stories that are all intertwined together. This movie truly encompasses the meaning of love. Not only is it a Christmas movie, but you can watch it during any time of the year. It's slightly longer, sitting at a little over 2 hours, but every minute is worth it.

3. How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Yes, I mean the Dr. Seuss cartoon version - the real one gives me the creeps. This movie is simply a classic. I have not been able to go a Christmas without watching this movie. This movie embodies the meaning of community. While the Grinch finds himself unhappy, by the end of the movie, he has found a place with the community that he formerly resented. This movie is one that can be watched by all age groups.

4. A Charlie Brown Christmas

There is nothing better then sitting on the couch with family and hot chocolate while bonding over this movie. It's a Christmas classic. Charlie Brown tries to figure out why he is unhappy with Christmas this year while also realizing that commercialism is a problem. Throughout the movie, Charlie Brown tries to find the true meaning of Christmas.

5. Elf

Baby Buddy, finds himself in the North Pole when he accidentally climbs into Santa's bag at the orphanage. While he grows up, he realizes that he is different from all of the other elves, mainly in size. He must go to New York City to find his true family. This movie is definitely one that should be watched this year.

6. Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas

Within this movie are three different stories. The first is with Donald Duck and his family. This children are behaving very badly and destroying the families Christmas, but by the end of the scene, the children are feeling guilty. The second is with Goofy and his son, Max. The neighbor tells Max that Santa doesn't exist; Goofy spends the whole scene trying to convince Max otherwise. The last scene is with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. They are both struggling with money when it comes to buying their Christmas presents for each other. Minnie sells her watch to buy Mickey a harmonica case while Mickey sells his harmonica to buy Minnie a gold chain for her watch. This movie is one of the best Christmas movies out there.

7. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

6-year-old Susan Walker doesn't seem to believe in Santa. Her mother, who works at Macy's, hires a mall Santa with the name Kris Kringle. Kris claims to be the real Santa. Many people don't believe him but Susan and her mother come to his defense. By the end of the movie, it is clear that Susan has gotten everything that she wished for Christmas.

8. The Polar Express

Based off of a children's book, The Polar Express is another Christmas classic. When a young boy hears the train in his backyard, he races outside to see what is going on. He seems very doubtful but climbs aboard anyway. During the movie, he receives a bell from Santa's sleigh that all of the children can hear. But when he grows older, it stops ringing for those that stopped believing.

9. It's a Wonderful Life

With the classic line "Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings", this movie is one that you have probably heard of. On Christmas Eve, George Bailey becomes suicidal and an angel is sent down to save him, which will result in the angel getting his wings. He takes George through a journey of him never being in people's lives and George realizes what an impact he's created on others. Throughout the movie, George comes to believe that the angel is his guardian angel and begs for his old life back.

10. The Year Without a Santa Claus

This movie is one that I watch every year and throughout the year. Santa comes down with a cold right before Christmas and the doctor tells him that he needs to stay in bed and that no one believes in Santa anymore. Mrs. Claus takes it upon herself to send two elves to find proof that people still believe in Santa. Word gets out that Santa is sick and taking a vacation this Christmas and one girl writes a letter to Santa about how she will have a "Blue Christmas" without him. By the end, Santa is so touched that he gets out of bed and delivers presents on Christmas.