Holiday Family Time Entertainment: Films, Stories & Specials

For those who know me well, they know that the holidays, from Halloween on, are my favorite time of year, with Christmas being my absolute favorite. I LOVE decorating, all the festivities, the food, fun and entertainment. Growing up, I lived to hear the first holiday song played on the radio and announcements for tv specials and movies. In fact, nothing has changed! The week of Thanksgiving I start to get antsy, pulling out all of my favorite Christmas movies and books and changing my radio dial to the holiday station until January 1st.

For many, holiday traditions are what we love most so I’ve compiled a list of my hands down, all time favorite holiday specials, movies, songs and stories to share with all of you! tradition and creating new memories with friends and family are the essence of the holiday season and maybe you’ll find a little bit of nostalgia in my list that you may want to bring back this year! I would LOVE to hear about your favorite holiday memories and traditions too so feel free to comment away!!

Movies

1. A Christmas Story – I hang with Ralphie every single year, no exceptions. It is my #1, all time favorite Christmas film ever! (and iteven makes my top 10 of regular films of all time too!)
2. The Santa Clause – I love Tim Allen and I think this film is super cute, clever and Tim offers up some pretty good laugh out loud moments that play to adults
3. Christmas Vacation – A hilarious classic. I still laugh in all the same places every year!
4. Elf – Come on, Will Farrel rules. One of the best holiday movies to have come out and years!
5. It’s a Wonderful life – Yep, I cry every time
6. Nightmare Before Christmas – Tim Burton take the holidays to a whole new level
7. Edward Scissorhands – Uh, Johny Depp, duh!
8. Miracle on 34th Street (the original one) – Little Natalie Wood steals the show
9. White Christmas – I love old timey musical Christmas
10. Die Hard – Action and Christmas go hand in hand!

TV Specials

1. All Rankin & Bass Holiday Specials – It’s not Christmas until I see the heat miser dance!
2. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Dr. Seuss cartoon) – Ah yes, this one makes me cry too!! Love Boris Karloff!
3. The Snowman – It’s a British cartoon, silent film like but to beautiful orchestrated music. It’s magical, whimsical and I adore it!
4. Peanuts Christmas – All of their holiday specials bring me back to being a kid
5. Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas – It’s an old Muppets HBO special from the 80’s. I was so stoked when I found it on dvd!
6. Donnie & Marie Christmas Special – I still have it on VHS from when I taped it off the TV in the late 70’s. It rocks!

Stories

1. The Night before Christmas
2. A Christmas Carol (the original Dickens version)
3. The Snowman

Songs

1. Bing Crosby – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
2. Stevie Wonder – What Christmas Means To Me
3. George Michel – Last Christmas
4. Power 96 – Mi Burrito Sabanero
5. BandAid – Do they Know It’s Christmas
6. Wings (Paul McCartney) – Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time
7. New Edition – Christmas All Over The World
8. Mariah Carey – All I want for Christmas is You
9. Bon Jovi – Baby Please Come Home
10. New Kids on The Block – Funky, funky Christmas
11. John Lennon – Happy Christmas
12. The Carpenters – I’ll Be Home For Christmas
13. Elton John – Step into Christmas
14. Any Christmas by Harry Connick Jr
15. Any Christmas by Michael Buble
16. The Chipmunks Christmas Song
17. Bruce Springsteen – Santa Claus is Coming to Town
18. Winter Wonderland – Jason Mraz
19. Adam Sandler – The Hanukkah Song
20. Run DMC – Christmas in Hollis

Stuff

1. Christmas music
2. Decorations (the brighter and Christmas-ier, the better)
3. Christmas parties
4. Holiday events, tree lightings, etc
5. Christmas tree smell
6. Santa
7. Collectible Christmas villages
8. Jingle bells
9. Carollers
10. Strolling through the neighborhood looking at lights
11. Wrapped gifts
12. Bubble tree lights
13. Cinnamon brooms
14. Pies and cookies baking
15. Snow