Favorite Holiday Movies and Songs
The Holidays just wouldn’t be the same without these classics. Some hold memories from our childhood, some from our childrens’ and nieces’ and nephews’ childhoods, and some from recent years. There are so many aspects that come into play that create a sense of Christmas or the holidays for us, we often don’t even realize all the factors. I know we can all get a little sick of Christmas music at this time of year, but there are still some favorites out there that are must-listen-tos for me. It doesn’t feel like Christmas without having seen – or at least had them on in the background – during this season. Can’t wait to hear what your favorites are!
HOLIDAY MOVIES
It’s a Wonderful Life – Love this movie and hate this movie. Love Clarence and all he does for George and love all the good things that George does and love the old fashioned times of the movie. Hate that George never gets to do any of things he sets out to do. My stomach always churns a bit when Uncle Billy loses the money in the bank because I can see myself doing that ( I have left my phone, my ID, etc…all over the place) and it could have ruined them! What I love most is the opportunity George had to see what impact his life had on others and that helped him see that life is worth living even with all the challenges and heartbreaks. If only all the people we love could truly see what they mean to us!
Miracle on 34th Street – How adorable is Natalie Woods in this movie – seriously! Her rendition of a monkey still makes me smile. I love how calm Chris is during his whole trial and I love that most people in the movie find a way to respect other’s beliefs and leave the judgments behind.
Rudolf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer – This one still tugs at my heart. It probably says a lot that I most identify with the inhabitants of the Island of Misfit Toys. Again, by the end the characters have found a way to get over their preconceived notions and accept one another.
The Santa Clause (with Tim Allen) – I have seen this one many, many times and I still laugh out loud throughout this movie. The North Pole in this movie has to be every kids dream come to life.
The Polar Express – Fell in love with the book and its artistry while working in the school system and while my children were younger. Then saw the movie and enjoyed the different animation technique. Last year, got to ride on the Polar Express (actual steam locomotive that they used footage of to animate for the movie) to the ‘North Pole’ with my granddaughter so this one will remain a favorite for all the Christmas Magic that it brings.
HOLIDAY SONGS
I’ll be Home for Christmas – Reminds me of my grandmother wishing for all her ‘kids’ (our parents and aunt and uncles) to visit her during the holidays. And also reminds me of the many years spent as a military spouse. We were pretty fortunate to only have missed a couple of Christmases but there were always families that were missing a loved one during that time.
Muppets Christmas Carols (Bring me some Figgy Pudding): It’s just fun and what could be better than fun!
I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas AND Mele Kalikimaka – From all those Christmas spent in warm climates, I feel these two speak to me. I grew up with white Christmases and being where we could spend the day at the beach felt odd. Having returned to the cold north, I find myself dreaming about those Hawaiian Christmases!!!
Baby it’s Cold Outside – I love the playfulness and the back and forth of this song. It is great fun to sing with someone else, even if neither of you can sing very well!
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – It’s a mellow heartfelt song just calmly and peacefully wishing all a Merry Little Christmas Time. Our wish for all of you.
Please let us know some of your favorites for this season – whatever holiday you are celebrating. -M
I must watch Miracle on 34th Street again. I saw it when I was quite young and it made a big impression on me and I have never seen it since. And I don’t know the R the R movie at all – another one to search out. My daughter insists on watching It’s a Wonderful Life every year!! I think she can quote every line of every character now!
As we are mostly out doors over the holiday there is not a lot of time for movie watching – having said that the weather is looking grim so this year may be different 🙂
There is so much Christmas music I love – too much to go into now 🙂 Have a great week ladies <3 <3
How lovely to be outdoors during the holidays. I need to embrace the cold weather more completely and bundle up and get out there!
Miracle and Wonderful are great favorites to have, glad to know they are on your family list as well.
Put on some of those favorite songs and enjoy your weekend as well. – Thanks Pauline
One of my favorite Christmas songs ~
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE
But I love so many Christmas songs! From Dean Martin to Allison Krauss, Bon Jovi to Allan Jackson & the Chipmunks, it’s all great!
My favorite Christmas movie is The Bishop’s Wife or the remake, The Preacher’s Wife.
With the kids we watched Christmas At Willowcreek, Ernest Saves Christmas, Christmas In Wonderland and Mary & Joseph. Now we watch these same movies with the grands!
Enjoy the weekend!
~Cheryl
I just watched the video of that song – it is beautiful. It is definitely on my favorites list now. Thanks so much for sharing!
Love that you are sharing your favorites with your grandchildren!
Hope you enjoy your weekend as well.
I’ve never seen “The Santa Claus.” I love Rudolph, I cry every time I watch it. One of my favorite movies to watch during the holidays, besides “White Christmas” is “Meet Me in St. Louis.” I’ve seen it a million times.
I think you’ll love “The Santa Claus” Jill if you get a chance to see it this season. It has something for everyone. I have never seen “Meet Me in St. Louis” so will have to check that out this weekend. Love that Rudolf can still make you cry 🙂
If I only see one Christmas movie each year, as long as IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, I’m a happy camper. From the time I was a little girl, our family watched it together, eating popcorn and apple slices, and now we continue the tradition with our daughter and her children.
LOVE the continued traditions so that your children have the opportunity to hand it down and probably add some of their own to the mix. Family traditions are so important to have, I think anyway. They are a great way to remind us all that we are part of something and that we belong. 🙂
I enjoy a British movie that may be PG 13 but is very special in the way it weaves several stories together, multicultural and intergenerational: “Love Actually,” My youngest daughter aged 29 and I watch it every year. I love the song, “Chestnuts Roasting…” I also liked all of your movie and song selections!
Thank you.
I think I may have seen ‘Love Actually’ in the past but can’t quite remember it right now. ‘Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your noise…’ is another good one. The smell of chestnuts roasting is amazing. The only place I have ever seen them was in Washington DC and street vendors were selling them in paper bags – best treat I had had in a long time! -M
Oh, hope you don’t mind my adding an oldies but goodies song: “Walking in a Winter Wonderland,” it starts like this, “Sleigh bells ring, are you listening…” fun song and beautiful lyrics, too. Like a poem…
I don’t mind at all and that is another good one! It is very much like a poem which I guess is really what songs are, poems set to music. Enjoy listening to all you favorites before the holidays are over! -M