Among the do's are drinking egg nog, Christmas caroling (no matter how cheesy it is, to quote Buddy the elf: the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear), making cookies and traditional holiday treats, decorating the house, having an advent calendar, serving those in need, and watching only the best Christmas movies.
For an example of what I'm doing this year is my new Pandora Christmas station called Cool Yule radio. It's a mix of big band Christmas songs and Sufjan Steven's Christmas album. I could listen to this station for a while and be happy. Another way of keeping the holiday spirit is volunteering. My Marie sister is interning at Sub for Santa and I was able to help her with The Giving Tree. It's been great to see the generosity of other, I feel like that really helps the season. And last but not least, I have compiled a list of ten Christmas movies that should be watched every Christmas season. There are others I could add to the list, but this will keep you busy.
It's a Wonderful Life
This is my all-time favorite Christmas movie, and one of my favorites of all time. I grew up watching this film and never once shed a tear. I am not a crier. But recently, as in the last few years, every time I watch this film, I cry. It touches me and reminds me of the kindness that still exists in the world.
Holiday Inn
This is a fun one that my family watches every year. Good ol' Bing and Fred.
White Christmas
I love Danny Kaye. He is one of the funniest guys in cinema history. A lot of comic actors have Danny to thank.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The animated is so much better than the live-action. I absolutely hate it when they stretch a twenty minute story line into an hour and a half. Here's the song for you.
A Muppet Christmas Carol
The Muppets are great and this is another family favorite. If you haven't watched it, shame on you.
A Christmas Carol
A few years back, my family and I stumbled upon the 1999 Patrick Stewart version of A Christmas Carol. It's really well adapted and more entertaining than the older versions. My family reads this story every year and it still holds a lot of value to this day.
Elf
So funny. It's a new classic that I'll watch every year. At least once.
The Shop Around The Corner
This is the original version of You've Got Mail. It centers around Christmastime and Jimmy Stewart is always so much fun to watch.
A Christmas Story
Fortunately for us, TBS plays it non-stop on Christmas day. But just to highlight:
And last, but definitely not least
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a sucker for Peanuts. This movie is a family favorite as well, and it was and is rather bold for Linus to so simplistically state the reason for the season. Whenever I get hung up on the worldly aspect the Holiday, Linus puts me back on track.
That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
And so, that is all. I know my mom would have me add The Bishop's Wife, but I never could get into that movie. I hope you all have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.
This is my all-time favorite Christmas movie, and one of my favorites of all time. I grew up watching this film and never once shed a tear. I am not a crier. But recently, as in the last few years, every time I watch this film, I cry. It touches me and reminds me of the kindness that still exists in the world.
Holiday Inn
This is a fun one that my family watches every year. Good ol' Bing and Fred.
White Christmas
I love Danny Kaye. He is one of the funniest guys in cinema history. A lot of comic actors have Danny to thank.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The animated is so much better than the live-action. I absolutely hate it when they stretch a twenty minute story line into an hour and a half. Here's the song for you.
A Muppet Christmas Carol
The Muppets are great and this is another family favorite. If you haven't watched it, shame on you.
A Christmas Carol
A few years back, my family and I stumbled upon the 1999 Patrick Stewart version of A Christmas Carol. It's really well adapted and more entertaining than the older versions. My family reads this story every year and it still holds a lot of value to this day.
Elf
So funny. It's a new classic that I'll watch every year. At least once.
The Shop Around The Corner
This is the original version of You've Got Mail. It centers around Christmastime and Jimmy Stewart is always so much fun to watch.
A Christmas Story
Fortunately for us, TBS plays it non-stop on Christmas day. But just to highlight:
And last, but definitely not least
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a sucker for Peanuts. This movie is a family favorite as well, and it was and is rather bold for Linus to so simplistically state the reason for the season. Whenever I get hung up on the worldly aspect the Holiday, Linus puts me back on track.
That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
And so, that is all. I know my mom would have me add The Bishop's Wife, but I never could get into that movie. I hope you all have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.
