Holly's Top 15 Christmas Movies

​Tis the Season!

Hello friends I hope you’re all feeling the love and spirit of Christmas this month. As I walk around shops and drive through town I admit my (sometimes grinchy/bitchy) heart just melts. The lights twinkling, the festive wealths with bulbs and bows, Christmas music on the radio, it all just sooths me into a warm and mellow blanket of Christmastime Bliss!

Here is a list of my top 15 Holiday Favorites, (in alphabetical order because I can’t order them by favorite)

1.   A Christmas Story I have fond memories of watching this with my family on Christmas day. It plays for a full 24 hours on TV. We’d watch it again and again as we played with our new toys and in between dishes at Nana’s house. To this day, when I get super bundled up on those frigid days I think I look like Ralphie’s kid brother with his arms sticking out.​

2.  Charlie Brown Christmas It’s the Peanuts gang in this beloved Christmas Classic. Charlie doubts the Christmas spirits, (what else is new?) Linus drops some profound knowledge on us,and Lucy is as bossy as ever, for the school Christmas pageant. The music in this short film is awesome; we even own the soundtrack. The pathetic Christmas Tree that just needs a little love and Snoopy as all the barn animals--Sally and her great line as the angel: “Hockey Stick!” oh what a treat this movie is!​

3.   Elf “Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?” I’ve actually answered the phone that way (I hope only to people I know)! Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf restored my faith in Christmas comedies. This is such a cute story and it’s just so silly. Who wouldn’t want to laugh with their families?​

4.   Home Alone—Yes we’re seeing this all over the internet this year—how, if there were cell phones back then, this movie would not exist. But you know what—I don’t care. This is a great movie. Kevin is one brave and resourceful kid and I think we could all learn many lessons from him. Fighting with your family is not advised around the holidays (because your wish to be left alone might actually come true) and your sketchy neighbor might not really be sketchy—just old and lonely. Also-lock your doors because you  never know who’s trying to get in the house! But there’s one thing I think we all wouldn’t mind… “A large cheese pizza just for me!”​

5.   Home Alone 2-Lost In New York—Kevin is at it again on his own this time in the Big Apple! The robbers Harry and Marv have escaped prison and wind up chasing Kevin’s tail again. (Again with modern technology this wouldn’t happen—the ticket on his phone would be scanned they’d quickly realize he’s at the wrong terminal). But again! This is a Christmas story so let it be! How sweet would it be to be a kid, have a huge hotel suite all to yourself, make friends with the Toys store owner, the bird-lady, and cause chaos for the robbers (again)?! One of my all-time favorite moments is when Kevin and his mom meet up in Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas Tree and they have the most beautiful “KEVVVVINNNN” embrace...which my family and I constantly recreate!​

​6.   Mickey’s Christmas Carol--This is the cutest thing! I love this movie. It’s not even a full half hour and it tells the story wonderfully. Mickey is Bob Cratchit,  Scrooge is played by McDuck, and Jiminy Cricket is the Ghost of Christmas Past. Oh this is such a cute retelling of this classic. At the Christmas dinner they split peas (oh it’s so sad) and little Tiny Tim just adorable! I mean it’s Mickey Mouse and the gang!

7.   Miracle on 34th Street--I love this  movie! I this story is so sweet, I always cry and I remember loving the production design of this film. I wanted my Mom to remarry someone like Bryan Bedford! There is something so magical about this movie—It makes me #StillBelieve !​

8.   Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer--this clay animated classic is just so sweet! Reindeer bully each other, the Island of Misfit Toys is tragic, and Clarice thinks Rudolph is cute! It’s just like real life! The drama, self-doubt, runaways, memorable songs and of course, the Abominable Snow Monster! Rudolph is the hero—he saves the night for Santa is welcomed back into his community and I think it’s safe to say he gets his Doe at the end. Guys, go and watch this classic you’ll remember why you loved it so much as a child!​

9.   Scrooge- This musical adaptation from the 1970s is one of my absolute favorite Christmas movies. Everything feels so authentic. It’s a rare one but if you actually are able to find I please enjoy it. I recently purchased it on DVD and you bet your stockings that I’ll be watching it this year!​

10.   The Grinch- I love Jim Carrey as the Grinch, his transformation was unreal! I think this is the movie my sister and I quote to each other the most! “I’m an idiot...You’re an idiot!” “Lunch with self, well I can’t cancel those plans!” “How vulgar!” Love, love, this movie!​

11.  The Holiday- Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, and Jack Black star in this romantic comedy. It partially takes place in England and LA and involves a screenwriting legend, finding unexpected love, and remembering to be the leading “lady of your own movie!” Anyone who loves this movie will have a lot of gumption! (It’s also an Nancy Meyers film...and I <3 her)!

12.  The Muppet Christmas Carol- Ok, I may have said no favorites but this really is like Top 2! The Muppets and Michael Caine! Do I need to say more? This is like my entire childhood. The VHS, snuggling up on the couch, singing along to the songs, again quoting this film often with my sister: “It’s harder for us meeses!” AHH this is just so cute

13.  The Santa Claus- Come on this is quintessential 90’s Christmas memories! I really like Tim Allen so this has to make the list. I recently watched this on the 25 Days of Christmas and oh gosh, the memories and how it made me cry. I think it’s good to revisit our childhood favorites, it is a bittersweet feeling.​

14.  The Year Without a Santa Claus I loved to watch this movie. They two “villains” of the film were Heat Miser and Snow Miser who were brothers. They had such funny songs. My sister and I would sing those songs around the house. Santa wanted a vacation- he wanted to see if he’d be missed. Well, trust me folks, he learned that he would!​

 15.  White Christmas- This truly is a holiday classic. The songs, the dance numbers, the costumes all the glamour of old Hollywood musicals and all in the Christmas Spirit. My sister and I sing their “Sisters” song still, from time to time! Go watch this with your grandparents they will be reminded of their “good old days!”​

 (As a bonus, because my boyfriend really enjoys this Christmas movie) Jingle All the Way! It makes you think what you’d do to make your child’s toy fantasy a reality!!

So Pixie Chicks, from everyone here I wish you a very Merry Christmas and  Happy Hanukkah! Enjoy this special and magical time with your families! And to quote from a few of these listed films, as Tiny Tim would say, “God Bless us, everyone!”

Holly xoxo

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HOLLY WILLIAMS

Holly Williams is Executive Producer and owner of Pixie Chick Productions. She loves Disney movies (still), Tina Fey (of course), and feeling cultured…(think Fraiser Crane) all things art, film, music, and food! Holly has been writing screenplays since she was 13, has her MFA in creative writing, and is still perfecting her Oscar speech. She is thankful to be surrounded by such loyal, talented, and fabulous friends and family...who really are one in the same. Follow Holly on instagram @hollawilliams55 and twitter @hollawilliams ​​​