#ChristmasClassics: My Favorite Holiday Flicks

There are all kinds of traditions around this time of year ... My family doesn't have many but there are personal traditions and must-haves every Christmas for me.

Like my favorite holiday treats --- I must have egg nog, Starburst candy canes and lots of Hershey's kisses or my holidays are not complete.

We also have a tradition of opening one gift at midnight once Christmas day officially begins.

However one of my favorite personal traditions is watching holiday movies.  Even when I'm frustrated after a day of holiday shopping or I'm not quite in the Christmas spirit yet, the minute one of my faves comes on TV, all is right with the world and I'm a happy, jolly Diva :)

I wanted to share some of my favorite holiday films (in alphabetical order) that I watch each and every year .... [Feel free to share your own!] ... They each contribute something special to my Christmas and I can't wait to watch them again this year! :)

A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983) - Of course everyone has (or should have) this one on their list.  A Christmas Story is set in the 40s but is a timeless tale filled with things anyone of any age can relate to -- Like wanting that special Christmas gift (and learning to be careful what you ask for), dealing with bullies at school and finally standing up for yourself, dealing with embarrassing parents, and more.

Plus there are lots of great things in between all that ... Like the comical carols at the Chinese restaurant ... and who doesn't crack up laughing every time the Dad mispronounced FRAGILE ... LOL!  (Fra-GEE-lay!).

A Christmas Story usually shows on TBS for 24 hours beginning on Christmas Eve night ... I usually watch it about 6 or 7 times during that marathon :) 

HOME ALONE (1990) - Another tale of "Be Careful What You Ask For", Home Alone is from my childhood and was written by one of my favorite directors, John Hughes ... Watching it reminds me of the blessed 90's when life was much simpler -- and movies were funnier :)  It's full of slapstick comedy, thanks to the "Wet Bandits" ... and thanks to AMC, I've already watching it about 10 times already! Lol.  [Check your local listings for future airings]

Home Alone is a Christmas classic filled with great holiday music and a great story for kids and parents alike.  It's one you sit and watch with a hot cup of cocoa and laugh your butt off at Kevin's antics.  What more could you ask for?

HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK (1992) - I know a lot of people shun sequels but I love Home Alone 2 ... (I have yet to see 3 and 4 and probably never will since Macaulay Culkin wasn't in it).

Though it's kind of scary to think about a elementary-schooler being all alone in NYC, you forget the danger of him walking around all times of day and night and focus on another great comedy, the return of the Wet Bandits and all the great ways Kevin causes them pain.

Sprinkle in some great cameos (I love me some Tim Curry) and a couple of good deeds (befriending a pigeon lady and saving the toy store's donations) and you have a great holiday flick for all to enjoy!

SCROOGED (1988) - There are soooo many renditions of Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol" but besides the old black and white version, Scrooged is my favorite.  I have no clue why though (lol). It could because I'm a Bill Murray fan, or because my cousin (at least in my mind) Alfre Woodard is in the cast ... but Scrooged is the one I have to see every Christmas ... The ending scene is my absolute FAVE.




TRADING PLACES (1983) - Okay so this is not a traditional Christmas tale like the rest ... but it IS set around Christmas time and for some reason this movie has become a tradition for me to watch every season.  The movie stars some of my 80s faves -- Eddie Murphy, Dan Akroyd -- plus horror queen Jamie Lee Curtis as a Good Samaritan who happens to be a hooker.  Trading Places is a great story about what happens when rags turn to riches and riches turn to rags (thanks to manipulation by some bored multi-millionaires).  Set around the holidays, it teaches us that money isn't everything (although it's amazing to have! lol).  I have a lot of favorite parts and can recite this movie verbatim, but the opening credits of the movie, with a Mozart soundtrack -- is my ultimate fave ...

[Trading Places comes on Comedy Central on Christmas Eve night.  Check your local listings]

I know there are PLENTY of others but these are MY faves :)  Feel free to comment with your own.  Happy Holidays everyone!