Beech Tree News Network

With Christmas being on Tuesday, I thought it appropriate to discuss Christmas movies.  I took to social media and asked people’s favorite Christmas movies.  I also went to www.chicago.suntimes.com for a list of 20 best Christmas movies of all time.  Everyone has a list, as I discovered while doing this research.  I took the most recent list.

Some favorites of mine that made the list: 1990’s Home Alone (#19), 1987’s Lethal Weapon (shootout at a Christmas tree lot, anyone), 1988’s Die Hard (there is contention on whether it’s a Christmas movie.  It IS set at a Christmas party, so…), 1989’s National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (one of my two favorites) came in at #6.  2003’s Love Actually comes in at #4.  That was a favorite of several I polled.  Coming in at #3 was Elf from 2003(another of my all-time favorites).  Coming in at #2 was the 1946 Christmas Eve staple It’s A Wonderful Life.  1988’s Scrooged came in at #1. 

I took to the Book of Faces (that’s Facebook) and asked everyone’s favorite Christmas movie.  I also texted a few friends that question.  That way I knew I’d get plenty of responses.  My friend Chris gave his top 3: A Christmas Story, Love Actually and Elf are his family’s go-to Christmas flicks.  My friend Brian’s toppers were, classic: It’s A Wonderful Life, modern day: Elf.  I’ve got to share this quote from my sister: “I’m surprised nobody mentioned Christmas Vacation.  I wouldn’t be more surprised if I woke up tomorrow with my head stapled to the carpet”.  That last line is what Clark said when Cousin Eddie asked if he was surprised his family came.  I can quote so many lines from that movie!

I got a Christmas Vacation, Christmas Story and Smoky Mountain Christmas as main responses.  My best friend’s favorite is Love, Actually.  Honestly, I’m surprised that’s considered a Christmas movie.  Of course, I’ve never actually seen the movie so I wouldn’t know.  As I mentioned earlier, Christmas Vacation and Elf are my top 2 favorites.  I remember as a kid, I loved Home Alone.  I watched it so many times.  Kevin McCallister being left, well, home alone, as his family forgot him as they left for Christmas Vacation in San Francisco.  My main question here is: who vacations in San Francisco for Christmas? I mean, that’s great if you do.  I just never thought of it as a Christmas destination. 

Macaulay Culkin even reprised his role for a Google Assistant commercial.  You can watch it here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/omg-macaulay-culkin-just-perfectly-recreated-a-bunch-of   Whatever movie you watch, music you listen to, tradition you enjoy: Have a Merry Christmas!