Christmas is almost here.
The slow, steady trickle of students leaving Gainesville continues, but for the most part, Hogtown has been abandoned by the academic population. While I was a part of the unlucky chunk of campus that had to squeak out my last few exams at the very, very end, it allowed me to waste countless hours staring dejectedly out the window of Norman Library, dreaming of a somewhat white Christmas.
In all that time I wasted at the library, looking anywhere except my blue Study Edge packet, I gave some solid thought to my favorite parts of winter break. Yes, seeing my family, friends, and indulging in every Christmas cookie under the sun definitely made the cut, but what I missed most was curling up on the couch and watching a classic Christmas movie.
We spend so much time around people during fall semester, and our only relaxation time is in a cramped apartment living room or, dare I say it, the stupid padded chair that UF dorm rooms so graciously provide. We are now free to completely stretch out and unwind at home, a magical place with a bottomless fridge, a TV, and movies galore.
I’ve highlighted just a few of the Christmas movie classics below to get you all in the holiday spirit. If you recognize most of these, then you, my friend, are doing the holiday season right. If you don’t, then you, my friend, need to grab the remote, a pint of eggnog (okay, maybe just a mug) and open your eyes to cinematic Christmas genius.
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
I put this movie first because I hate it. Dr. Suess movies make my skin crawl. But I do recognize this is a Christmas movie favorite, so I will attempt to be unbiased and include the film that gave me nightmares as a kid. I used to stare terrified at the crack of light that shone through my halfway open door, expecting a hairy green hand to wrap around the corner and murder me at any moment.
After discussing this with a few friends throughout my lifetime, I realized I’m alone in this fear. So go ahead and watch it and feel all warm and fuzzy when the Grinch falls in love with Christmas or whatever.
Elf
Everyone enjoys a Will Ferrell movie. There’s one for pretty much every occasion, and I personally think the Christmas theme was his best work. Raised in the North Pole, Buddy the Elf unfortutunaly discovers that he is a member of the human race, and so he journeys to New York City to find his biological father. Will plays the typical, clueless role that he does in every movie, and even after seeing Elf a billion times I still laugh out loud.
“This place looks like Santa’s workshop! Except it smells like mushrooms and everyone looks like they want to hurt me.”
The Santa Clause
Another laugh out loud Christmas movie. Santa Claus falls off Tim Allen’s roof on Christmas Eve, and so Tim Allen, who plays Scott Calvin, is forced to take his place and deliver presents. He questions his sanity as he visits the North Pole, meets all of the reindeer, and is ordered around by an elf. To his dismay, Scott slowly realizes that he is turning in to the new Santa Clause.
After watching this movie, you might be tempted to watch the sequels because the original is so darn good. But beware, because the second and third movie are really weird and almost ruin the entire experience.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
The story of Mr. Scrooge, a grumpy old man who hates Christmas, is told in the Muppet version. They follow him around as he terrorizes the town and is then revisited by the Ghosts of Christmas past, where he ultimately realizes that it’s time to become a more generous, loving person. It’s a pretty well known story, but the narrators, Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat, tell it from an entirely new perspective. This movie is pretty much the only acceptable occasion to revisit your childhood and watch the Muppets, so don’t forget to add it to the list!
Miracle on 34th Street
What’s Christmas without a crackling fireplace and a black and white movie? I know this one was recently released in color, but watching the original version is all about keeping the tradition. If I were the New York Times or some equally corny review column, I would call this movie one that “pulls on the heartstrings.” Santa Clause befriends a little girl who has an independent, businesslike mother that advises her against believing in fairy tales. Of course they come to love Santa Clause, and life gets a whole lot better with a little Christmas spirit.
It’s a Wonderful Life
This is the ultimate Christmas movie. Also in black and white, George Bailey, the main character, contemplates suicide as his personal sacrifices for his family and hometown become too much for him to bear. A guardian angel appears the moment before he’s about to end his life, and shows him what would have happened to the residents of Bedford falls had he never existed.
It takes a little time to unwind and shake off a busy fall semester, but a few hours of movie relaxation will have us all there in no time. These feel-good films will turn even the most bah-hum-dug of souls into a loving holiday spirit.
Happy Holidays!
Photo courtesy of: makeupwednesday
