On the First Day of Christmas...

It's that time again -- time to pull out your holiday movie favorites! As I sit at work surrounded by piles of paperwork, or as I sit at home surrounded by a growing before-we-leave-for-Christmas-vacation to-do list, I find myself ardently wishing that I was instead just lounging on my couch wearing my pajamas and slippers, cozying up to a favorite holiday flick. I've even garnered up a list of the movies and Christmas specials I wouldn't mind parking myself in front of. Here, then, is that list, in no particular order. Maybe you can enjoy them while I carve time out to enjoy them myself.

1. A Christmas Story
Ah, you know the drill: Ralphie wants a "Red Ryder BB Gun with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time," but because Ralphie would shoot his eye out if he owned one, he instead watches his friend stick his tongue to a flagpole, watches his mother "accidentally" break the beloved "major award" leg lamp, and flops around in an awful pink bunny suit. A sure holiday winner ("It's indescribably beautiful! It reminds me of the 4th of July!"), this movie has somehow become more charming since we moved to Indiana and have seen the living room set from the movie.

2. It's a Wonderful Life
Yep, it's a classic, this one. It took me many, many years to actually get myself to sit through the entire movie in one sitting, but since I did, I, too, have fallen in love with it. Plus, Jimmy Stewart is a keeper.

3. A Charlie Brown Christmas
Poor Charlie Brown! Everything he touches gets ruined! Including that tiny little Christmas tree. It's a good thing Linus is able to teach everyone the true meaning of Christmas and thus get all the rest of the Peanuts to borrow decorations from Snoopy to fix up that little tree! (What would we do without you, Linus?) Also, as I'm sure many of you are aware, this short film includes a positively brilliant dance scene, which is fun (and easy!) to dance along with.

4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
I'm talking about the cartoon, not that cheap Jim Carey imitation. (I wouldn't touch that one even with a 39-and-a-half-foot pole!) The cartoon, though, is a classic!

5. The Little Matchgirl
Okay, I wouldn't be surprised if NONE of you (excepting, of course, those lucky few I'm related to) have ever heard of this one. It's, shall we say...obscure. And...a little strange. But, even so, there's a small, special place carved out of my heart for this one. First thing you should know about it, is that it's a musical -- a cockney musical at that. And the second thing you should know is that it stars Twiggy. My family recorded it off PBS one year a long time ago, and since then it has become a New Year's Eve staple. Once the cousins come over and the banana splits have been served, it's time for all the hopeless romantic young females to gather around the VCR to croon in our best imitation cockney accents. If by some strange miracle you happen upon a copy of this one at your library or something, you should check it out -- mostly because it's also a fun one to make fun of.

6. The Snowman
Oh my! This has got to be the most beautiful short holiday film I have EVER seen. It's fantastic! The score, done by Howard Blake, is AMAZING, and the colored-pencil animation is simple and stunning. A real winner...I could watch this one over and over (and over and over and over...)

7. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Come on, folks -- you gotta love Burl Ives! And the Island of Misfit Toys. Oh yeah, and that crazy elf who wants to be a dentist. (What was that all about?)

8. Frosty the Snowman
If it's not Burl Ives, it's Jimmy Durrante! I'm sure you all remember this old cartoon. My brother, Riley, got no end of entertainment from the part where Frosty and Karen are trying to get their hands on a railway ticket for Frosty to high-tail him to the North Pole before he melts. The ticket master and his crazy, disorganized mess just tickled Riley. And when, after finding out that Frosty has no money to pay for his ticket, he shouts the line, "No money, no ticket!" Riley just thought that was pure genius script writing. He'd repeat over and over that line, "No money, no ticket!" in his cute little boy voice, which made us all smile.

9. The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
This movie was strange, I'll admit it. And I don't think I ever truly understood the storyline as a kid. (Heck! I don't think I fully get it now!) But I sure got a kick out of it when I was little!


10. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
I don't remember a whole lot about this one except that it was a cartoon and there were mice involved. Oh, and there were people, too. And a clock -- I remember something about a clock. It's been years, though, since I've seen it.

So, there you have it: my holiday movie viewing guide. Now may I suggest we all just go home (if we're not there already), put on our pj's and slippers and cozy up with a cup of hot chocolate and one or two of these goodies. (Wow, that sounds so nice right now, I just might have to take myself up on this offer!)