The merry best films to see this holiday

Everybody has their own ways of getting into the holiday spirit. Some choose to listen to Christmas songs while setting up the tree or maybe by baking some old fashioned sugar cookies. And then there are those who choose to spend their free time frantically mall-hopping for the “perfect gift”. Whatever it is, I’m sure you’ve discovered various means of gearing up for the holidays. For me though, Christmas movies are my top holiday favorite and probably always will be.There are many Christmas movies which are raved about by many, but this list is slightly more untraditional. Here are my top 10 Christmas movies that will be certain to help you get ready for this holiday season while bringing some laughs and yuletide cheer your way. And yes, most of these films are ancient; I know this for a fact considering that I’m currently in the process of re-buying my Christmas movie collection on DVD vs. the outdated VCR tapes.#1 (Best holiday film)- “Elf.” According to imdb.com, the film is about a child raised as an elf at the North Pole at Santa’s workshop. Alright, this may not sound all that exciting to you, but just add Will Ferrell to the mix and it really does change everything. I think it is something about Ferrell and his endless, elf-like antics, as well as the incredible lightness on his feet that makes him such a cheery delight to see.#2 – “Christmas with the Kranks.” Definitely a new one for me, as my first viewing of the film was only a week or so ago. Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis star as a married couple who attempt to skip Christmas in its entirety. Unseen circumstances come between them and unexpected events put a jolly twist on the Kranks holiday season. Also starring: Dan Aykroyd. #3 – “Christmas Vacation.” Who doesn’t like Chevy Chase? An oldie but goody for sure as this film came out way back in 1989. Chase plays the character of Clark Griswold. Also starring is Julia Louis -Dreyfus, (Seinfeld, anyone?) Watch as the Griswolds get ready for “the most fun-filled old-fashioned family Christmas” ever.#4 – “Jingle All the Way.” Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger plays the lead role as a father who is desperately seeking out the gift his son wants most this Christmas. The task turns out to be more difficult than it seems and a devoted dad must go to all heights to find that special gift.#5 – “The Santa Clause.” Although released in 1994, not a year goes by that I don’t watch this film. Tim Allen plays the role of Santa Clause after he accidentally kills the original one. He starts off not being a total fan of being the man in the suit, but turns out to very much enjoy it and also discovers the true meaning of Christmas. #6 – “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Released in 1998, this film stars Jonathan Taylor Thomas as college student, Jake Wilkinson, who hasn’t been home for Christmas in years. A few days before Christmas, his father offers to give him a vintage 1957 Porsche, if he arrives home by dinnertime on Christmas Eve. JTT’s comedic approach adds to the appeal of this film. Will he make good time or will he end up passed out in the desert with a Santa suit glued to his body? We shall see.#7 – “Jack Frost.” This film was release in 1998 and stars Michael Keaton. In the film, Keaton gets into an automobile accident and comes back to life as a snowman. It’s a little bit on the depressing side because throughout the whole film you know that by the end he won’t be any more alive, but still, it’s a nice holiday film if you can get past that.#8- “Home Alone” 1 & 2. Starring Macaulay Culkin, these are probably the best Culkin films ever created. The tricks that this youngster has up his sleeve are quite elaborate and comical as well. Watch Culkin tear up New York and his house in Home Alone and the sequel, Home Alone 2. #9- “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Jim Carrey at his finest? Well, probably not. Carrey plays the Grinch, of course, who is trying to destroy Christmas for all the little boys and girls of Whoville until little Cindy Lou Who befriends him. The Grinch comes around in the end and regains his love for Christmas.#10 – “Trapped in Paradise.” This holiday film was released in 1994 and is starring Nicolas Cage and Dana Carvey. The duo play convicts who create much criminal havoc during the holiday season. This is probably a film you would only see once or twice in a lifetime and most definitively is not a traditional holiday film by any means.There are many other holiday films to watch this season as well as films such as “Die Hard” that take place during Christmas time but are not directly classified as Christmas films. Get into the holiday spirit and see some of these films for the first or the tenth time. Either way, have a happy holiday!