When Christmas was all about me and my new baby doll, I, of course, couldn’t wait just like every other boy and girl. I couldn’t wait for the winter (Milwaukee), snow (Milwaukee), Christmas break, candy canes, spiced apple cider, hot chocolate with marshmallows, going to look at Christmas lights, Christmas parades, and, of course, watching my all time favorite Christmas programs.
I remember knowing the exact time and date of all of the standard Christmas shows. Back then, we didn’t have the Internet to search the electronic guide. Instead, we used the old TV Guide. I’m talking about the small paperback book that hit the newsstands every week with every show and movie listed by day, date, and time. They often included a brief description to give the reader an in-depth idea of what the movie or show was about. I recall a crossword puzzle (I never did complete one of those) in the back of the book as well. Let’s get down to business and go through some of my favorite holiday programs. Enough of my retro TV Guide flashback!
(These are not listed by my preferences or favorites, but rather by the year they were made and released.)
My Top 10 Favorite Holiday Movies
1. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946): A classic black and white in which George Bailey is taken on a tour of how life would be without him.
2. Miracle on 34th Street (1947): Who is the real Kris Kringle?
3. Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964): Why does his nose shine so bright?
4. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965): Charlie “Chuck” Brown searches for the real meaning of Christmas.
5. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966): The Grinch gave it his best shot but eventually had to surrender Christmas joy and the holiday spirit and cheer.
6. Frosty the Snowman (1969): An all time favorite. I love this song — “Frosty the snowman . . . lala, la, la, la, lala with his hmm, hmm, hmm . . . and two eyes made out of coal.” Everybody now! “Frosty the snowman . . .”
7. A Christmas Story (1983): Oh, how Ralphie wanted that Red Ryder air rifle.
8. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989): This movie is both kid and adult approved (I’m watching it as I blog) and is one of those that any time that it airs, I must watch it. Clark Griswold and his lovely extended family celebrate Christmas while he awaits his well deserved Christmas bonus. Not!
9. Home Alone (1990): Poor, eight-year-old Kevin (yeah, right) is inadvertently left home alone to fend off would-be burglars at Christmas time.
10. Last but not least . . . a movie that’s near and dear to my heart . . . Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1989): A holiday movie full of laughs and maybe a tear or two, as two men from different status quos attempt to get home in time for Christmas.
What’s your favorite Christmas show or movie? Did you find it on my list? Share your top 10 in the comments below! Have a very Merry Christmas!
I don’t have a top ten but my #1 must-watch-anytime-it-airs is your #1 😉
See…djFaul…yours made the cut! ?