Whenever the Christmas season begins, I always love to watch certain movies to get me in the spirit.
I can remember sitting on the couch and laughing hysterically as Randy Parker showed how he was ‘mommy’s little piggy? by stuffing his face into his mashed potatoes in A Christmas Story.
Whatever your favorite Christmas movie is you can’t deny that it becomes nostalgic and stays with you the rest of your life.
Here are some of my favorite picks:
‘A Christmas Story (1983)
A little boy, Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), only wants one thing for Christmas, a Red Ryder BB Gun. Made famous for its infamous quote, ‘you’ll shoot your eye out,? this movie is the epitome of every child’s Christmas.
As kids, we all had one toy we had our hearts set on getting. Mine was a New Kids on the Block doll. Hey, at the time it seemed like the Holy Grail.
Bottom line, A Christmas Story is a film everyone can relate to, all while having a few laughs.
? It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
When George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) decides to end his life on Christmas Eve and is saved by his guardian angel, Clarence, he gets the chance to see what life would be like without him.
The film truly tugs on the heart strings as we see how Bedford Falls is negatively transformed had Bailey left to follow his dreams.
Bottom line, It’s A Wonderful Life shows us how we don’t have to conquer mountains and be a famous star to make a difference in the world. The people around us love us for who we are, and that’s all that matters.
‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Clark W. Griswold (Chevy Chase) is so preoccupied trying to put together ‘the most fun-filled old-fashioned family Christmas? he ends up creating more problems for himself.
A house full of Christmas lights that could be mistaken for a runway, crazy in-laws who can’t keep to themselves on top of a non-existent Christmas bonus from his work, Griswold and his wacky family keep the laughs going. Bottom line, it’s a funny movie. See it.
‘A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism he sees amongst everyone during the Christmas season, he becomes director of the school Christmas pageant. When he tries to restore the proper spirit with a measly little Christmas tree and fails, he needs Linus? help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is.
Bottom line, although some seem to forget the true meaning of Christmas it is up to those who know the true meaning to spread the word.
I’d love to hear what your favorite Christmas films are. E-mail me at shermanpub@aol.com.