Who doesn't love a good Christmas movie to get you into the Christmas spirit. Here are 5 of my favorites!
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Whether you have seen any of the other National Lampoon Vacation movies or not, Staring Chevy Chase, Christmas Vacation stands entirely on its own and is a classic in my family. This is one of the most relatable, hilarious, middle class America family Christmas movies ever made. But of course, everything that you can imagine that could go wrong for your own family Christmas holiday does goes for the Griswold family. But of course, through the thick, the thin, and the laugh out loud crazy, the story does an excellent job of bringing family together, and remembering what Christmas and the Christmas spirit is all about. Starring: Chevy Chase, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Elf (2003)
Easily one of the best holiday movies, no matter what your age. I don’t think I have ever met anyone who has seen Elf that didn’t love it. I actually didn’t see Elf until just a couple years ago. It was one of those that I thought looked a little too ridiculous to be more than just a typical slap stick comedy. Will Ferrell is hilarious, of course, but the movie has a great family message as well. The premise is, Buddy (Will Ferrell,) is a normal human, but was raised by Santa’s elves in the North Pole, and believes he is an elf. He always struggles and feels like an outcast because he’s just too big and clumsy to be a good elf. As an adult, he learns the truth that he’s human, and his real father lives and works in New York City. Elf becomes determined to meet his real father and get to know him. Of course, entertaining wackiness ensues. The overall message of the movie, however, is one of family relationships, opening one's heart, the Christmas spirit, and a little romance as well. It’s a fun movie that everyone in the family can enjoy. Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, and Zooey Deschanel.
Home Alone (1990)
Another cute and fun movie the whole family can enjoy, who doesn’t get a kick out of Home Alone. Again, mixed in with comedy is a wonderful message about the importance of family, and the Christmas spirit. Starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, and Catherine O’Hara, Kevin McCallister, (Culkin,) is a part of a large, well to do family living in Chicago. The family and extended family have a big Christmas vacation planned. During the commotion of everyone getting out the door to get to the airport and onto their flight, Kevin inadvertently gets left behind. While home alone, and Kevin starts to enjoy not having to deal with his large family. But, soon burglars are trying to get into his home, and he finds himself at war with the burglars, defending his home in a series of misadventures, where he has to outsmart the burglars. All the while his parents are trying to locate Kevin, and be reunited with him. This an entertaining, and cute Christmas movie that brings back fun memories with family every time I see it. Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, and Catherine O'Hara.
The Family Stone (2005)
Do you remember what it was like meeting your boyfriend, or girlfriend’s family for the first time? That big family dinner, event, or even holiday? Remember worrying about whether they would like you? The family stone is that story, but with all your worst fears coming true. Everett Stone’s family is an easy going, free spirited kind of family that doesn’t really like to follow the rules. Meredith, Everett’s girlfriend, on the other hand is very prim and proper, even uptight. It’s like mixing oil and water, from the beginning you can sense that this is going to be a rough holiday for Meredith and the Stone’s. Everett’s siblings, for starters, are very, very free spirited. So much so that Meredith manages to offend them without even trying, including Everett’s sister who sleeps around, his gay brother, and of course his parents. If this is sounding like a terrible movie, it is actually really funny, as it’s pretty easy to put yourself in the shoes of at least one relatable character, or even recognize characters from your own family. And yes, though bitter sweet, there is a happy ending that I won’t spoil for you here. You and your family will laugh, relate to the drama, and enjoy a great reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. Starring: Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker, Claire Danes, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, Luke Wilson, and Craig T. Nelson.
Four Christmases (2008)
Have you ever had a Christmas where you just want to get away from some family members? Don’t get me wrong, family is absolutely a central part of Christmas. For many, Christmas can also be a very stressful time of year, and some choose to spend it away from certain family members to avoid drama. Four Christmases is a story about characters Brad and Kate, (Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon,) who are a happy couple who are used to going on vacation for Christmas to avoid the drama of both of their families. When their plans to leave town don’t work out, they end up having to spend Christmas with both sides of their family…both halves of both sides of their family, that is. As one would expect with such a large mixed family, wackiness and comedy ensue as Brad and Kate learn more about each other and their families than they thought they ever would. Will these revelations split them apart, or will they bring them closer together? Well, you’ll just have to watch and see. Starring: Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Kristin Chenoweth, Robert Duvall, and Jon Favreau,
