12 days of Christmas movies bring holiday cheer

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By Saveria Farino

With Christmas less than two weeks away, watch these holiday movies to brighten your spirits. (Photos courtesy of Flickr)
With Christmas less than two weeks away, watch these holiday movies to brighten your spirits. (Photos courtesy of Flickr)

The holidays are the perfect time to cozy up in the warmth of blankets and fuzzy socks. Grab some hot chocolate and a few candy canes to get into the festive spirit with the perfect marathon of all the timeless classics that the 12 days of Christmas brings.

“It’s a Wonderful Life”

The holidays are the perfect time to reflect on all the things we are grateful for, and that’s exactly what George Bailey did. “It’s a Wonderful Life,” produced and directed by Frank Capra in 1946, is the story of a grumpy, stressed businessman who is visited by an angel to show him what life for his loved ones would be like if he never existed. This movie teaches to enjoy life always.

“Charlie Brown Christmas”

Join the Peanuts family to celebrate what Christmas is all about this December. In the movie “Charlie Brown Christmas,” Lucy’s advice for Charlie to direct the Christmas play takes a turn when he gets the thinnest and emptiest tree from the lot. The 1965 short film shares the real meaning of the holiday season – being with your family and friends.

“Frosty the Snowman”

The 1969 comical short film “Frosty the Snowman” brings the joy of snow all the way to your living room. After Frosty was built by a group of children, they find a magic top hat to bring him to life. As the temperature starts to rise, Professor Hikle, tries to get the life-giving hat back, so Frosty jumps on a train to the North Pole. Frosty and his friends learn to appreciate each other’s company before he melts.

“Home Alone”

After his family leaves to Paris for winter break, eight-year-old Kevin McCallister is accidentally left home alone for Christmas and must protect his home from two burglars. Watch the McCallister family and all of their crazy Christmas adventures unfold through the movie series. In the second movie of the series, “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” the young troublemaker gets on the wrong plane and ends up in New York instead of Florida with his family. Always double check you have everything, and everyone when traveling during the busy season.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas

It’s not the holidays without watching Tim Burton’s 1993 classic “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” This eerie musical brings Halloween and Christmas together as Jack Skellington discovers Christmas town. Jack’s mistakes teach viewers not to take on tasks that are too big.

Santa Clause”

After causing an accident that kills Santa on Christmas Eve, Scott, played by Tim Allen, is transported to the North Pole. There an elf explains to him that he must take Santa’s spot to save Christmas. Months pass, and Scott slowly gains the jolly man’s features, a big belly and long white beard. Eight years pass, and Scott’s life turns upside down in the second movie of the series, “Santa Clause 2,” where his son gets placed on the naughty list. The final movie of the set, “Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause,” continues with Scott getting into more sticky in situations including one with Jack Frost scheming to take over the North Pole.

“Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas”

Celebrate the holidays with Mickey and the gang to see what they are doing to spread holiday cheer. The movie contains three short films: “Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas,” “A Very Goofy Christmas,” and “Mickey and Minnie’s Gift of the Magic.” The second movie of the duo, “Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas,” contains five short films. They include “Belles on Ice,” Christmas: Impossible,” “Christmas Maximus,” “Donald’s Gift,” and “Mickey’s Dog-Gone Christmas.”

“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

Based on the children’s book, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” the Dr. Seuss fan favorite hit movie theaters in 2000. In this live action adaption of the 1966 cartoon, the Grinch plans to ruin Christmas for the Who’s of Whoville. Midway through his plan, he meets a young girl, Cindy Lou Who, who gets him into the cheery spirit of the holiday season.

“Elf

The holiday comedy “Elf” will brighten any household this Christmas. After accidentally mistaking Santa’s bag for his crib, Buddy hops in and ends up in the North Pole where papa Elf raises him to make toys in Santa’s workshop. He is sent back home to New York to search for his father and true self. Watching this movie proves that there’s a little kid inside us all.

“Eloise at Christmastime

Imagine being six years old and living in the most beautiful hotel in New York, The Plaza. Well for young Eloise, this wasn’t a dream. The mischievous little girl gives the gift of romance this Christmas, as she reunites her friend and his true love.

“Christmas with the Kranks”

The 2004 holiday comedy “Christmas with the Kranks” displays the importance of family during the holidays. The Kranks plan to skip celebrating Christmas altogether until their daughter, Blair,  is able to return home. This angers the neighbors, and Blair’s last minute call to say she can make it causes mass chaosas Mom and Dad try to plan the holiday festivities quickly. Overall, the Kranks teach us to celebrate the special times with the special people in life.

“Fred Claus”

Brothers Fred and Nicholas are as opposite as North and South. After Fred gets into big trouble, Nicholas bails him out but makes him work off his debt building toys in the North Pole. With the bah-humbug back at home, things don’t go as planned. Fred finds everything he can do to sabotage Christmas which ends with the possible cancellation of Christmas.

Whether watching with family or friends, these 12 holiday movies will fill the winter break with Christmas cheer. Not only will the make get one smiling from ear to ear, but they teach lessons and morals that will last a lifetime.