The other day we got to talking about Christmas traditions. Emma’s (or was it Sarah’s?) class had been talking about Hanukkah and the lighting of the menorah and what that symbolized. Then Sarah came home from school with a mangled retelling of a biblical story (or several different ones) which included plagues, the Angel of Death (“What’s the Angel of Death mummy?”), and who knows what else. And then the conversation turned to our familiy and our own traditions. We’re not religious people, but we have many traditions. It’s funny, I guess the girls don’t really recognize them as traditions.
I wasn’t much help either. We have MANY traditions (as some of you can attest) but I drew a blank and couldn’t come up with a SINGLE ONE other than serving fish on Christmas Eve. Later on I recovered and listed a bunch (HELLO, WE’RE DOING ONE RIGHT NOW) and Christmas movies was one of them.
That being said. I thought I’d jot down a list of my personal faves.
The Sound of Music
Not exactly Christmassy, I know, but it is a seasonal favourite nonetheless. I watched this movie every Christmas when I was a kid and for YEARS I didn’t know whether the Von Trapps actually got away because I’d fall asleep at the beginning of their great escape EVERY TIME.
Today, we have the S.o.M. album. The girls like to play it on their old skool record player.
Maybe YOU can tell me. How do you solve a problem like Maria?
White Christmas / Holiday Inn
I can never remember which is which. It doesn’t matter. I love them both.
A Christmas Story
When Ralphie almost shoots his eye out? Classic.
Polar Express
A new one on my list.
The Bishop’s Wife – original version (1947)
David Niven plays a bishop trying to get a new cathedral built. His prayers are answered in the form of an angel (Cary Grant), who offers guidance and rekindles a love for life in everyone he meets.
The Bells of St. Mary’s
Bing Crosby plays a singing Irish pastor. Ingrid Bergman is Sister Mary Benedict, a spirited (no pun intended) nun and teacher in a run-down school. There’s a wonderful scene in which Father O’Malley (Crosby) leads a choir of young boys in song. Oh. It’s a so heart-stabbingly pretty it brings tears to my eyes every year.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Makes me cry Every.Single.Time. And it never fails to remind me, it IS a wonderful life, isn’t it? *sigh*
Miracle on 34th Street – original version
Yet another film that was ruined with a remake. I love the scene when Natalie Wood hears Santa Claus speaking Dutch.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas – original version
Dr. Seuss was (still is) brilliant, highly relevant and laugh-out loud funny. I love everything about it – the music, the narration, the illustration, and especially the message.
What about you? What are your favourite Christmas movies? What are you looking forward to watching this year?
