At this point, I can’t remember a December 25th in my house that wasn’t set to the tune of a marathon viewing of A Christmas Story on TBS.
Decorating sugar cookies in flannel pajamas? “Randy lay there like a slug, it was his only defense.” Wrapping last-minute gifts with sloppy corners I can never fix? “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” I know the movie so well I can recite lines I’m not even aware I retained in my useless memory bank. It is unequivocally—irrevocably—the MacGowan family holiday film.
If I had my druthers, though (and I don’t, because my dad is the one who mandates the holiday spirit vis-à-vis our living room TV), we’d switch up our holiday film of choice. I mean, listen: I’ve never watched Carol around Christmas time because it doesn’t immediately come to mind, but I would really cherish the opportunity to roll into the jolly season with Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara’s asphyxiating sexual tension (and foxy coats).
There’s so much to be said about the way nostalgia factors into our holiday experience, but how many times can I watch The Santa Clause, Elf, Home Alone, The Family Stone, or Love Actually until I know every word, kiss, glitter top, or Tim Allen eye pop? It’s time for a more robust rolodex, a more ample arsenal, a more in-depth dossier. If. You. Will.
So, in the spirit of our recent story that helped you find your podcast soul mate, let’s do the same for holiday moopies. Tell me your absolute favorites and why! And don’t you dare be afraid of repeating and/or upvoting what others have said, because 1. That helps our rocket scientist figure out how to craft the handy infographic guide and 2. Your relationship to your favorite holiday movie is special and no one can take that away from you, Jack Frost.
Give me your Christmas Princes and Die Hard 2s and everything in between: Go!
Feature photos via Everett Collection.
