Favorite Holiday Flicks

We're doing some different kinds of posts to ring in the holiday season - some favorite things, sharing memories...and, of course, giving a few prezzies away! Today, I'm talking about my favorite holiday movies - and yes, there is a giveaway attached. Keep reading and don't forget to comment for your chance to win - I'll be drawing a name at the end of the week.

1. Rudolph. Also, Santa Clause is Coming to Town.

When I was little my mom would make hot cocoa and we would all sit down in the living room at 7 p.m. on a Wednesday night and magic would happen. Rudolph and Hermie or the Klaus family would bring their stop-motion amazingness to life. We watched it every year until my brother and I were too cool. And then my younger siblings got to the right age and we started watching again because…it’s magic. Watching those same movies now with my daughter is like having a glimpse into the past and future at the very same time because I can see myself in her and I can see her future children…and all of us are caught up in the magic.

2. The Holiday.

This is a newer-ish holiday movie and the holiday parts are

really lightly covered. There is not big present-opening scene, but there is a hilarious Hannukah dinner with some old Hollywood dudes, and there is not decorating of the tree, but there is a really great blanket-fort-tent, and an awesome group dance at the end. The gist is that Amanda (Cameron Diaz) and Iris (Kate Winslett) switch houses because each of them wants to have a holiday that isn’t smothered in angst…really, neither wants to have a holiday at all, they just want to get away. And then, romance takes over. Iris is swept up in reviving a much older man—in a friendly sort of way—and falling for the co-worker of Amanda's ex, while Amanda is just too much for a widower-and Iris's brother-to leave alone at Christmas. I just love it!

3. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

I love that Chevy Chase can’t get his lights to work and I love that family you love-but-don’t-love comes to visit and I really, really, really love it when they’re trying to catch the squirrel that’s terrorizing the tree. And I've got a clip for you right here:



It’s just a fun glimpse at some of the absurdities of the season…all wrapped up in a sweet family story!

Okay, I shared mine, join the fun! What movies are must-watchers during the holiday season? Leave a comment below because, like the other Wranglers, I'll be doing some small giveaways leading up to Christmas, too, and you have to comment to win - so get commenting!