Christmas Movies time!!!

We all grow up with certain traditions, well one of mine has been a certain requirement of cheesy-ish Christmas Specials. These movies and songs trigger that holiday feel for this nerd. Ah, memories.

Sometimes these things just become so hardwired into the holiday that it just doesn’t even feel like a holiday without them. I must admit, these little ones have become so required that even my kiddo is now also attached! And it is extremely possible that when I used to work in kid care, I may have had the littles watch at least the first 2 on my list. 😉 Though these kids will never know the fun of the real original versions recorded on VHS and with all the old 80’s commercials. Think, Ronald McDonald ice skating… it’s still great seeing the next generation just as enthralled in my childhood favorites.

Before I get to the top 3, let me share some of my other favorites-

*Bonus Christmas Movies*

• The Snowman – Honestly, this one almost pushes me to make a top 5, because it holds that special David Bowie part of my heart. It actually deserves more attention, it’s just so beautiful and mellow.
• Peanuts Christmas – The music is just classic!
• Scrooged – Bill Murray, enough said.
• Star Wars Holiday Special – This one is more for the nerdy hilarity of it, I’m mean even Lego & Disney + just gave a slight update to this 1978 treasure.
• Nightmare Before Christmas – Come on, between Halloween to Christmas this is a must in the holiday rotation. (Of course, this had to be on the list.)
• The Nutcracker – Really any version, but there was a 1990’s cartoon version that I really loved, “The Nutcracker Prince”. You are lucky if you have it, I can’t find it anywhere! (…Especially for a reasonable price.) Along with the 80s ballet one, “Nutcracker: The Motion Picture”.

-My Top 3 Christmas Movies Picks-

1. Will Vinton’s Claymation Christmas Celebration – You may have completely forgotten about this gem from the late ’80s (1987 to be exact) but odds are you remember The California Raisins singing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” It was a fun little special filled with stop motion clay characters each doing their own tribute to different traditional Christmas songs. Some were just cute and funny, while other songs were just drop-dead gorgeous and impressive, like “Joy to the World” and “O Christmas Tree.” *If you remember this, maybe you remember their Easter Special? Bunny driving to “Lowrider” ringing any bells?

2. Garfield Christmas – This one actually shared the same VHS space as my beloved Claymation Christmas, so I’m pretty sure they were aired back to back in 1987 on CBS. But, wow, how much we love this one! Probably the best of all Garfield movies and specials. Just a fun Christmas on the farm with Jon’s family. Grandma is a treasure. The songs are fun. It’s just cute.

3. Emmett Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas – I feel like this is another Jim Henson cult classic. In fact, today was the first day I saw some super cute Jug-Band inspired items like band shirts! And all the little characters made out of felt! I may die of cuteness! But, it was 1977 tv special that even Kermit makes a tiny appearance. Really though, all you need is the title to know what you are in store for. Oh and I have some good news, after years of trying to get a copy, they have DVD on Amazon and it’s streaming free on Prime currently!

Ok, so tell me! What’s on your must-watch Holiday List??? How many of these did you remember? What did I forget that I need to add? And, yes, Die Hard is a Christmas movie, but it isn’t on my list, lol!

Disclaimer – I do not own the images, videos, or trademarks to those used in this post.