1. Elf

I don’t think I need to explain this one, given the assumption that everyone in the world has seen it at least twice.  Nevertheless, I will give you some quotes.

“Buddy The Elf, what’s your favorite color?”

“You don’t smell like Santa. You smell like beef and cheese.”

“I love you I love you I LOOOOVVVEEE YOOOOUUUU!”

2. Love Actually

If you like romance, Christmas, and Liam Neeson, this is the movie for you!  Its combination of intricate plotlines and British accents will draw you into the holidays.  Prepare to swoon at the cutest British dudes of the early 2000’s!

3. A Christmas Story

This is a definite crowd pleaser.  It is extremely relatable: after all, who hasn’t received a subpar gift from Aunt Dorothy?  Whilst entertaining, this movie will impart wise lessons upon you, including that lamps are FRA-GEE-LAY, you should keep a clean mouth, and a Red Ryder BB gun will shoot your eye out.

4. The Year Without a Santa Claus

As a personal childhood favorite, A Year Without a Santa Claus is certain to delight and entertain.  It features some interesting 1970’s animation (Is it clay? Puppets?) along with a lovely plot that follows . . . well, I’m pretty sure you can guess, given the title.  You will sing along to the musical numbers (especially Heat Miser) and learn about what happened the year that Santa was too tired to be Santa. 

5. Bridget Jones’s Diary

I cannot oversell Bridget Jones’s Diary; it just rules.  In it, we follow the wonderful Bridget Jones through her quest for self-improvement along with a dramatic love triangle.  Quirky, triumphant, and downright hilarious, this movie is sure to make you feel at your absolute jolliest.

6. A Charlie Brown Christmas

This zany cartoon captures our hearts with our favorite glum boy, sassy dog, and dilapidated Christmas tree.  Does anyone else ever wonder if Charlie Brown is bald?  Is that curly thing on his forehead supposed to be hair?  I digress.  If nothing else, by watching this movie you will realize that Christmas is about more than just consumerism and learn some stellar dance moves from the dancing scene.

7. Miracle on 34th Street

I have watched this 1947 film every year to date and I have no intention of stopping.  In it, a friendly white bearded man by the name of Kris Kringle comes to New York City and claims to be the real Santa.  So (naturally) he gets a job at the mall as a Mall Santa.  Can he convince a skeptical little girl and the world that he is the real Santa Claus?  Extremely heartwarming, I recommend this movie for Christmas Day, because it will inspire you in every way.