“Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year”
Vince Guaraldi Trio “Christmas Time is Here” (A Charlie Brown Christmas, 1965)
We’re officially in December kids, and I for one am here for it. It’s finally getting cold in AZ, it’s my birthday month, and I only have 2 more weeks before Winter Break. My house is done up like the Whore of Babylon, and most of my Christmas shopping is done.
Back in October I shared my favorite Halloween movies, and I decided that I wanted to share some of my favorite Christmas movies. Word of warning, you will not find A Christmas Story or Home Alone on here, I actually don’t like them. Like at all. I don’t know if I was just not at the right age for those, but they are not for me. Anyway, next week I’ll cover Holiday Albums I like, my birthday mix, and my 2020 best of mix. So enjoy!
Edward Scissorhands, 1990
If you love Tim Burton color-blocking and visuals than you will LOVE this one. The performances are great, and this is also one of my favorite Danny Elfman soundtracks. It’s so ethereal it matches the visuals perfectly. This is a perfect one for the whole family.
WATCH ON: HULU, Starz, Amazon Prime, VUDU
Nation Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 1989
So quotable, so funny even after all these years. Also, if you have a family it is SO relatable that drama that comes with your loved ones during the holidays. Maybe not for the really little kids, but if you have pre-teens/teens this could be perfect for your movie night.
WATCH ON: VUDU, iTunes, Amazon Prime, AMC
Just Friends, 2005
OMG, if you have never seen this gem than you absolutely must. Ryan Reynolds plays a music executive who returns to his New Jersey home after he left when he was 18 after being humiliated at a graduation party. It’s quotable, has a great soundtrack, and is just really funny. Definitely give this one a chance.
WATCH ON: VUDU, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Pluto,
The Family Stone, 2005
The first time I saw this movie was when I was living up in Flagstaff. The roomie and I rented this because the trailer made it seem like it was going to be a laugh riot, only to find myself freaking SOBBING halfway through. This is funny, touching, and will hopefully make you hug your family a little harder after you see it. Love this one.
WATCH ON: HULU, HBO Max, VUDU, iTunes, Amazon Prime
Die Hard, 1988
There are two types of people in this world; people who see Die Hard as a Christmas movie and people who are wrong. I just freaking love this movie with all it’s grandiose 80’s action and 80’s action movie dialogue. My favorite way to watch this is either while making Tamales or on Christmas Eve during my routine of making some cookies and having boozy eggnog. Classic in every sense of the word.
WATCH ON: HULU, HBO Max, iTunes, VUDU, Amazon Prime,
Nutcracker: The Motion Picture, 1986
I’ve mentioned being a former classical musician before, and this movie is one of the reasons that I wanted to pick up an instrument. The Pacific Northwest’s staging of this ballet is astounding, the costumes and choreography are beautiful. There are some sections that have reworked choreography, but this is something I must watch every year.
WATCH ON: VUDU, Amazon Prime
BONUS: If you want to see a different version of The Nutcracker, you should see the San Francisco Ballet’s version, which is set in 1915 San Francisco!
The Holiday, 2006
I don’t know why I love this one as much as i do, but I watch this EVERY year. It’s funny and full of holiday romance, and puts a smile on my face every time. I also love the instrumental soundtrack, and it REALLY makes me miss London during the Christmas season. It also makes me really miss living in a place that has actual snow. Still, I love this one with all its cheesy glory. Perfect if you love rom-coms.
WATCH ON: HULU, VUDU, Amazon Prime, iTunes
Miracle on 34th Street, 1947
OMG this one is one of my favorites. NBC used to show this every Thanksgiving Day and I would watch it and fall asleep after. I love the performances, particularly Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle. Also, Maureen O’Hara is a gem and I love watching her. So yeah, it’s an oldie but very much a goodie. It’s actually been awhile since I’ve seen this one, so it will definitely be on my list this year.
WATCH ON: Disney +, Amazon Prime, VUDU, iTunes
Rankin Bass Christmas Specials
OMG my childhood memories of Christmas were heavily influenced by these iconic specials. Some of my favorites include: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, The Year Without a Santa Claus, Twas the Night Before Christmas, and The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. I love it when Freeform shows these at crazy hours (like 1am). So freaking good and full of great songs too.
WATCH ON: Freeform, AMC
A Charlie Brown Christmas, 1965
My cousin Cristina and I used to watch this EVERY time I spent the night at her house during the holiday season. I can quote almost the whole damn thing. It’s a classic, filled with tons of great music, and a beautiful message. It is not Christmas until I see this, and I must have hot cocoa while I do. Seriously, this is fantastic. Also, boo on Apple TV for almost NOT allowing ABC to air this on TV.
WATCH ON: Apple TV
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 1966
Yes, I could have included the Jim Carey version, or even the Benedict Cumberbatch one, and don’t get me wrong those are good. But they will never top this. From Boris Karloff’s narration to Thurl Ravenscroft singing “Your’e a Mean One Mr. Grinch” with his AMAZING bass, this is a perennial favorite, and to quote my brother “EVERYONE SHUT UP THE GRINCH IS ON“.
WATCH ON: Youtube
Mickey’s Christmas Carol, 1983
So when I was a kid, I used to have this as an album that I used to listen to on my little record player all year round. I freaking love this one, and I’m SO glad that it’s easier to find online now than it used to be. Seriously, when I first got a DSL line I spent forever trying to find a copy of this to download and I’m also pretty sure I gave my computer a virus in the process. Oh well, this one is great if you have little ones.
WATCH ON: Disney +, Amazon Prime, VUDU
Scrooged, 1988
Speaking of the Christmas Carol story, this take is still hilarious. This is easily one of my favorite Bill Murray roles, and there are SO MANY CAMEOS. If you can’t get down with more traditional Christmas fare, this might be right up your alley. It’s funny, dark, and heart-warming without being cheesy. Love this one.
WATCH ON: VUDU, Amazon Prime, iTunes
Love Actually, 2003
This is my Christmas Day movie. Usually in the evening after I’ve recovered from my food coma, and with some boozy eggnog and in my most comfiest pajamas. Also, the soundtrack is a banger and has some gems on there that have ended up on various holiday mixes. It’s got something for everyone, and again makes me miss London during the holiday season. The cast is also a veritable who’s who of British Cinema, so enjoy trying to guess where you know them from.
WATCH ON: VUDU, iTunes, Amazon Prime
Elf, 2003
I FUCKING LOVE THIS MOVIE. My coworker at the video store made me watch this one shift and I’ve been hooked ever since. Will Farrell is PERFECT as Buddy the Elf, and it’s so heartwarming and HILARIOUS. This is what I watch EVERY Christmas Eve right before I go to bed. It just melts my grinchy heart and makes me laugh even after all this time. Perfect for the whole family. Also, it has a pretty great soundtrack. (fun fact, I have 5 Elf shirts. They are amazing.)
WATCH ON: VUDU, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Starz, HULU, AMC
A Muppet Christmas Carol, 1992
A perennial favorite of mine, this is my Christmas Eve movie while I make cookies. I remember seeing this in theaters, and it. was the first film. to be produced after Jim Henson’s death. Michael Cain is AMAZING as Ebenezer Scrooge, and this is a must for the whole family. It has great songs, it’s funny, and it is fully of holiday warmth and charm. I’m so glad this one is getting easier to find, because it was hard to find for awhile. But if you get the chance, I highly recommend this one.
WATCH ON: Disney +, Amazon Prime, iTunes, VUDU
Alright kids, that’s it from me. I should try and get some homework done, but I’m tired so it’s probably not gonna happen. This is gonna be a crazy week, so we’ll see how I am on Sunday. Ciao babies!
Mixtape-Postcards 