Christmas movies are a great addition to the holidays. Not only are they a source of memories for older generations, they can serve to keep the younger generations entertained at family gatherings.

In addition to the timeless classics such as A Christmas Carol and A Charlie Brown Christmas, new favorites appear every year. If you’re looking for a great Christmas movie to watch this year, here are a few to consider.

Old Favorites:

A Christmas Carol – The classic tale by Charles Dickens featuring Ebenezer Scrooge and his “bah humbug!” attitude. There have been a lot of remakes of this, but I still like the old black and white version best.

Miracle on 34th Street – This is one of my all time favorites. In addition to the story of Kris Kringle having to prove his identity, it’s also a wonderful story of what happens when we believe our dreams can come true.

It’s a Wonderful Life – This movie has become a family tradition for many. It’s the story of George Bailey (played by James Stewart), a small town man so frustrated by his life that he decides to end it all on Christmas. Through a quirk of fate, he’s allowed to see what the world would have been like if he’d never been born.

White Christmas – Originally called “Holiday Inn”, White Christmas stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as entertainers who head to Vermont to help out their former General. Along the way they meet up with Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen and a wonderful holdiay classic, filled with the sounds of Irving Berlin tunes is born.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – It wouldn’t be Christmas without Rudolph, and Herbie. This animated children’s classic has warmed hearts for over 40 years now.

New Favorites:

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – The Griswold family is at it again in this slapstick comedy. It features Chevy Chase as the disaster-prone Clark Griswold, and Randy Quaid as his cousin who shows up unexpectedly for the holidays.

Love Actually – This is a wonderful romantic comedy by the same person who has given us Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Bridget Jones Diary. Starring several wonderful British actors (Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, and Hugh Grant) it uses the Christmas season as the backdrop to remind us that love really is all around us.

A Christmas Story – A heartwarming movie, A Christmas Story tells the tale of young Ralphie who, growing up in the 1940s, will try just about anything to get his ultimate Christmas gift. Told entirely from the viewpoint of the child, this movie offers all viewers – adults and children alike – a look at the holidays in a simpler, more conservative time.

The Nightmare Before Christmas – Christmas, Tim Burton style. A dark comedy, made only as Burton could do, The Nightmare Before Christmas is the story of Jack, the Pumpkin King and his attempt at merging Halloween and Christmas.

The Polar Express – Based on the book by the same name, The Polar Express is the story of a young boy who is questioning the existence of Santa Claus, and his trip to the North Pole. It’s done in motion-capture animation, and features Tom Hanks in a variety of roles. It’s coming out on 3D Blu-ray this year (2010) and it should be interesting to see if they can make the scenery any more stunning in this version than it already is.

There are literally hundreds of Christmas Movies available to help you celebrate the holiday season. I’ve only listed a few here, but there are so many more classics, and new stories, alike that keep the Christmas spirit alive and well.

Do you have a favorite Christmas movie? Leave a comment and share your favorites!

Christmas traditions have changed over the years, but at its heart it is still essentially a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus.

In North America most families celebrate by exchanging gifts, sharing a Christmas dinner, and decorating their homes with Christmas trees and lights. Other traditions include sending Christmas cards, baking holiday goodies, and taking the kids to see Santa.

When I was a child there were also Christmas parties to attend, and Christmas pageants and concerts to take part in.

There was also the watching of traditional Christmas movies. I can still remember feeling very grown-up when I was allowed to sit with my older cousins to watch A Christmas Carol in black and white on Christmas eve.

As I get older I find myself thinking more and more of those past holiday traditions. Even as the arguments rage that Christmas has become too commercial and more secular, it still remains a special time of year for many people, me included.

I created this site to share thoughts of Christmas, traditions, and ideas. It’s my own little way of spreading Christmas cheer. I hope you enjoy the articles and information. Please feel free to share your Christmas thoughts in the comments. I look forward to hearing from you!

Merry Christmas!