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The Christmas Movie Conundrum

Determining which Christmas movies are ~definitively~ the best of all time

Dec 01, 2019

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFgMQ5IdRsw

It's finally December, and you know what that means – B96 is blasting Jingle Bells 24/7, everyone is freaking out about Secret Santas and what to get their preteen brother for Christmas, and Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas movie marathon is in full swing. In fact, this seemingly nonstop streaming of holiday movies all throughout the month of December is one of the things I look forward to the most. Some of my fondest childhood holiday memories involve my parents, brother, and I piling into the living room on a Friday night, coming together as a family to relax and unwind at the end of a long week with a Home Alone double feature or How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

There's no question about it – Christmas movies incite a different kind of peace and joy within all of us, creating a kind of nostalgic inner "warmth" that can best be described with images of a crackling fireplace and glowing Christmas tree. Yet, the definitive ranking of every cult classic is one that's been debated for decades, taking factors like its degree of comedy and quality of its cinematic effects into account.

This December, I want to settle this great "Christmas movie conundrum", and devise a list conclusively ranking all the season's most popular flicks. To begin, I'll ask ten of my friends what their favorite Christmas movie is (which I've listed below). I'll then precede to watch all of these over the winter break, scoring them with a number ranging from 1-10 (10 being the "worst" and 1 being the "best") based on how "Christmas-y" I find each film – or, how prevalent the nostalgic feeling I described earlier is throughout.

After this elaborate Christmas movie watch-a-thon, I'll be sure to write another article including my results. I'd love to hear what the rest of the Odyssey community thinks as well!

As mentioned earlier, here are the ten movies I'll be watching (listed in the order each of my friends responded)….

A Christmas Story, 1983

White Christmas, 1954

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, 1989

Home Alone, 1990

The Santa Clause, 1994

Office Christmas Party, 2016

Elf, 2003

How The Grinch Stole Christmas,2000

Love Actually, 2000

It's A Wonderful Life, 1946

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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