Just like listening to Christmas music to get me in the holiday spirit, there are certain movies that invoke a special feeling in me around the holidays. Most of them I've been watching since I was a kid. I love them all for different reasons and watch them every year around this time.
Without further ado.. here are my Top 12Favorite Christmas Movies:
1. Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe- This movie is incredible, imaginative, emotional, brilliant and stunningly breathtaking. The setting, the characters, the story. I wish I could play in Narnia's snow just for a day (without the threat of the White Witch of course) and have tea with Mr. Tumnus and visit Mr. and Mrs. Beaver... and of course see Aslan and... Yes. That would be quite a lovely Christmas present.
2. Harry Potter- I'm not too sure why I associate Harry Potter with Christmas, but I do. These passages in the books and scenes in the movies have always stuck with me. Christmas at Hogwarts? Yes please.
3. Home Alone- This movie has been a staple for both my brother and I. It's a tradition to watch it around Thanksgiving and again around Christmas. It's a classic in my book.
(I can just hear that high-pitched girly scream right now...I mean I don't blame the guy. THERE'S A HUGE FREAKIN SPIDER ON HIS FACE!)
4. Bridget Jones' Diary- I watch this movie AT LEAST once a month, usually 5 times a month. It opens up during Christmas and it ends again with SNOW! It's a perfect movie to watch around the holiday's and it is sweet and veryveryvery funny and I love it so much.
5. Just Friends - Sure, I'm a sucker for a good romantic comedy. So what? This one is also hilarious and cute and funny and awesome.
6. Love Actually - Now for a movie that makes me cry. This movie involves a lot of different stories around Christmas time that all intertwine and connect in someway. LOVE it. Here's one of my favorite parts that makes me sniffle:
7. The Family Stone- Oh man. Funny, heartwarming, heartbreaking.
8. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer- This is my very favorite old Classic Christmas film. I've actually just watched this one last week. It's such a feel-good story.
9. The Santa Clause - Love Tim Allen. Love this movie.
(This movie is in color in case you didn't know)
10. The Nightmare Before Christmas- Sure. Some may argue that this is a Halloween movie. But I say NAY! First off it has Christmas in the title and it has Sandy Claws and Jack dresses up like Santa and takes toys to kids (albeit homicidal toys) but that matters not I say! Halloween or Christmas, this movie has something to enjoy for both holidays! Still don't believe me? What's This?
What's This??
11. Eight Crazy Nights - An animated Adam Sandler film involving both Hanukkah and Christmas.It's rude, crude and very funny with lovely musical numbers. And potty humor. Who doesn't like potty humor? NOW for Davey's song:
12. How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Does this film really need an explanation? If you don't like this movie perhaps YOUR heart is three sizes too small.
I love reading Christmas/Winter/Holiday themed books this type of year. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find very many that sound promising. I don't like books that are too sickening sweet and mushy.
I currently have 4 favorites:
1. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling- The winter scenes in this series are very memorable to me and there's no place I'd rather be then Hogwarts during Christmas time.
2. Dash & Lily's Book of Dares (Rachel Cohn & David Levithan) This is THE PERFECT Christmas read and I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a sweet, funny, easy read to get you in the holiday mood. I'm planning on re-reading this later this month.
3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Dr.Seuss)- I mean this one is a no-brainer. Classic.
4. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Barbara Robinson)- I remember this book from when I was a kid and I loved it. It's been a while since I've read it, but I just placed an order :)
After scouring the internets and Goodreads lists I've found some other possible Holiday reads to check out this month. I'm not sure how relevent some of these are but if they're on a list they have to be good.....right?
(Link will take you to its Goodreads page)
I've always LOVED Christmas music. Here's just a select few of some of my many favorites. Some of the videos are pretty poor quality so just close your eyes and enjoy!
All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)
Last Christmas (Wham)
Please Come Home For Christmas (Jon Bon Jovi)
Do You Hear What I Hear (Whitney Houston)
O Holy Night (Mariah Carey)
Baby It's Cold Outside (Glee)
Mary, Did You Know? (Kenny Rogers & Wynonna Judd)
Christmas Without You (One Republic)
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Michael Buble)
(All I want for Christmas is to be here for Christmas)
It's officially December woot! Snow, hot chocolate, Christmas, presents, decorations, Christmas music, season of giving, end of another year. December used to be my favorite month, and in a way it still is. Like Thanksgiving, Christmas no longer holds that same powerful feeling it once did. Last year I was pretty much a scrooge and didn't put up a single decoration. Not this year! I'm well on my way to a decorated apartment and have been listening to Christmas music every day since AFTER Thanksgiving. I like giving people gifts but I LOATHE the actual shopping part. It causes me mucho anxiety. Usually I try to knock it all out in a couple hours because that's pretty much all I can take without going insane. My first nephew is supposed to born sometime this month and I'm sooo excited to meet him! I bought him a little Christmas onesie yesterday. I just can't resist baby clothes.
Look at the wittle feets!
SO. The plan for posting this month is going to be a little different. You can expect LOTS of lists. Like several lists a week. Anything from my favorite Christmas songs and movies to Holiday reads, crafts, recipes, favorites of 2012, and many other bookish lists! I'll still be posting a couple reviews per week and participating in select memes. I have so much fun doing these types of posts and hope some of my readers will enjoy them too :)
As far as a December TBR list, there's only a couple definite books on that list. I have a couple books I have to read for review and then I'm doing a live re-reading of Dash & Lily's Book of Dares (Thanks to Jeskuh for the awesome idea!) This basically means I'll be reading Dash and Lily on the same timeline as in the book, starting on December 21st and finishing up on December 30th.
Other then that I hope to read a few new holiday-themed books and re-read Daughter of Smoke & Bone so I can finally read Days of Blood & Starlight. That's all I have tentatively planned.
Now all I have left to say is..LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW PLEASE!
