Christmas in Chicago

It's loads of fun to watch a movie and look for local landmarks. And locally set Christmas movies are a fun change from "the standards," such as It's a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34^th Street, which may be a little bit too familiar.

Fortunately, Chicago has a rich film-making history. These 9 films will please the kids and give everyone a chance to spot local landmarks.

Home Alone, Home Alone 2, and Home Alone 3. Remember how you loved Home Alone when you were a kid? Well, it's still funny.

I rented Home Alone for my kids a couple of weeks ago, and they loved it so much they begged for a copy. John Hughes shot much of these three movies in Chicago's northern suburbs. The house that Kevin defends with booby traps is in Winnetka. Observant viewers will also spot local suburban parks and the Metra train.

Fred Claus. My kids laughed their way through Chicago native Vince Vaughn's film about huckster Fred Claus, who has suffered from being outdone by his brother Nicholas for centuries. In this movie you'll spot Fred being chased down Michigan Avenue by a gang of Salvation Army Santas, Marina City, the North Bridge mall, and other city spots.

A Christmas Story. This 1983 "holiday classic" is set in Hammond, Ind., but filmed in Cleveland. All 9-year-old Ralphie Parker wants from Santa is an air rifle. When Dad fulfills his wish over Mom's objections, Ralphie hurts himself on Christmas morning and lies to his mother about how it happened. The family goes out for Chinese food when the neighbors' dogs eat Christmas dinner.

While You Were Sleeping. This is a PG-rated romantic comedy older kids-especially girls-will enjoy. CTA employee Lucy (Sandra Bullock) rescues her crush, Peter, from an oncoming train. While he's recovering in the hospital, in a coma, she accidentally leads his family to believe she's his fiancé. Peter's apartment is in Lake Point Tower.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Another John Hughes movie, this one is for older kids. It centers around the Griswolds and their failed attempts at a "perfect" Christmas. There are gags about lights, and Dad's purchase of a swimming pool as a family gift goes awry when he doesn't get the bonus he expected.

Christmas with the Kranks. Parents decide to skip Christmas and take a cruise when their daughter announces she's not coming home for the holiday. When she surprises them with a last-minute visit, Mom and Dad try to "do it all" in 24 hours.