12 Films of Christmas

12. The Polar Express (2004): Directed by Robert Zemicks, The Polar Express is a computer-animated tale based on the novel by Chris Van Allsburg. It is the magical story of a disbelieving young boy's journey to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. The film features the voice talent of the legendary Tom Hanks, who portrays multiple roles. The film is exquisitely made and is sure to become a holiday classic for generations to come.

11. The Santa Clause (1994): Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is a workaholic father whose life is forever changed on Christmas Eve. Sleeping in his bed, Scott is rudely awakened by a loud crash. He runs outside just as Santa Claus is falling off of his roof. While checking Santa for identification, Scott happens upon a card that instructs him to put on Santa's coat. He complies, without realizing that by doing so, he is agreeing to become the new Santa.

10. The Holiday (2006): Amanda (Cameron Diaz) has just discovered that her boyfriend has been cheating on her. Across the globe in a quaint English village, Iris (Kate Winslet) has just found out that the man she loves is engaged to someone else. The two women agree to switch homes for the holiday in hopes of having a quiet, men-less Christmas. This film is hilarious from start to finish and also stars Jack Black and Jude Law.

9. Love Actually (2003): Too complicated to explain, you will just have to take my word that this is one of the funniest and most heartwarming holiday films of our time. It features a wonderfully talented cast, including: Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Laura Linney, Keira Knightly, Rowan Atkinson and Alan Rickman (more popularly known as Professor Snape to you Harry Potter fans).

8. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000): Based on the book by Dr. Seuss and the 1966 television classic, this real-people rendition stars Jim Carrey as the grumpy Grinch who steals Christmas, but learns a valuable lesson about friendship in the end. Directed by Ron Howard and featuring the narration talent of Anthony Hopkins, the movie also stars Molly Shannon and Christine Baranski.

7. Christmas Vacation (1989): Too funny for words, this National Lampoon's flick documents the Griswolds' Christmas-gone-wrong. This is without a doubt one of the funniest Christmas movies ever. Starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid and a pre-Seinfeld Julia Louis-Dreyfus, this movie is sure to have you "laughing all the way."

6. Home Alone (1990): This one needs no introduction. It is the classic tale of 8 year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) who is accidentally left behind when his family takes a trip to France for the holidays. Although he all is alone in a big house, Kevin has his hands full trying to outsmart the two burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) that try to rob his house. Directed by film legend John Hughs, this movie also stars Catherine O'Hara, John Heard and John Candy.

5. A Christmas Story (1983): This film about a boy and his obsession with getting a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas is a holiday classic. From the pink bunny suit to the infamous leg lamp, this movie is absolutely hilarious and well worth watching.

4. A Christmas Carol (1951): Of all of the silver screen adaptations of the classic Charles Dickens novel, this rendition is (in my opinion) the best. Alastair Sim brilliantly portrays the frugal, grouchy Ebenezer Scrooge who changes his ways after being visited by three Christmas spirits.

3. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993): A product of the ingenious mind of the infamous Tim Burton, this animated film is the perfect blend of Halloween and Christmas (my two favorite holidays). Jack Skellington is the ruler of Halloween Town. One year, he becomes bored with his monotonous routine and decides to celebrate Christmas instead. Although well-meaning, Jack sets into motion a series of events that endangers the life of the real Santa Claus. Along with his ladylove, Sally, Jack must find a way to save Santa and save Christmas.

2. Miracle on 34^th Street (1947): Set in New York (my beloved home state), this is the tale of a Macy's Department Store Santa who claims to be Big Red himself. He befriends the practical special events director of Macy's (Maureen O'Hara) and her equally practical daughter, Susan (Natalie Wood). Although they think he is a nice man, they do not believe that he is old Saint Nick. Over time, even they begin to see that there is something special about the old man after all. All is fine and dandy until Santa is put on trial for lunacy and institutionalized. It is up to Santa's skeptical friends and a dashing young lawyer to believe in him and set him free.

1. It's A Wonderful Life (1946): And the winner is... the beloved tale of George Bailey (James Stewart) who is given the chance to see how his family and friends would have been impacted if he had never been born. This inspirational and heartwarming flick was directed by Frank Capra and stars Donna Reed as George's wife.