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'Tis the Season for Movie Watching: Your 10 Favourite Holiday Flicks

We asked, you answered! From A Christmas Story to Elf, iVillage readers share their memories their favorite Yuletide movies
By JACKI GARFINKEL

(10 Photos)

  • A Christmas Story (1983)

    A Christmas Story (1983)

    The Movie:
    Who can forget little Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) and his single-minded quest for a Red Rider BB Gun? Ralphie's mom (Melinda Dillon) worried that he'd shoot his eye out and his dad (Darren McGavin) was preoccupied with a sexy lamp, but Ralphie believed in miracles. This story set in 1940s Indiana is the perfect tale of Christmas in America.

    What You Said:
    "I love A Christmas Story and it's on our TV for the whole 24-hour showing on Christmas Eve." --jaylashkay

    "It's such a classic...I remember watching it several times growing up, and we still watch it as a family and laugh." -- aubrysmommy
  • Elf (2003)

    Elf (2003)

    The Movie:
    Will Ferrell plays Buddy, an orphan raised among Santa's elves who decides to leave the North Pole in search of his biological family. When he locates his workaholic father (James Caan) in New York City, he can't help but show his new family--and his new love, played by Zooey Deschanel--the true meaning of Christmas spirit.

    What You Said:
    "I never liked Will Ferrell, but my husband loves him. Last year he FORCED me to watch Elf and I was sobbing at the end... Now I love that movie, and like Will a little more now." --jaylashkay

    "I am currently on an Elf kick. DH and I normally are not fans of Will Ferrell but we just LOVE that movie!" --bessiegirl2008
  • White Christmas (1954)

    White Christmas (1954)

    The Movie:
    Who isn't dreaming of a "White Christmas"? This musical features songs by Irving Berlin and stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as WWII-soldiers-turned-Broadway stars who fall in love with singing sisters (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) and devise a talent-filled solution to help save a friend's picturesque Vermont inn from bankruptcy.

    What You Said:
    White Christmas is the best. The song for the old man gets me every time: 'Because we loooove him, we looove him...' *sniff*" --lilasu
  • National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (1989)

    National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (1989)

    The Movie:
    In this sequel (third in the National Lampoon's Vacation franchise), Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo return as Clark and Ellen, heads of the Griswold family--and this time the kids are played by Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki. As dysfunctional relatives begin visiting for the holidays, Clark festoons his yard and house with a ridiculous number of lights.

    What You Said:
    "We are more the non-traditional types here. One of our family traditions is to have a wrapping party and watch Christmas Vacation while we wrap. :) It's usually preceded by pizza and soda for dinner." -- amibee64
  • Jingle All the Way (1996)

    Jingle All the Way (1996)

    The Movie:
    If Jingle All the Way teaches us anything, it's this: Give thanks for online shopping. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Howard, a mattress salesman more devoted to his job than his wife (Rita Wilson) and son (Jake Lloyd.) Trying to redeem himself, he promises to procure exactly what his son wants for Christmas, a Turbo-Man doll. In tracking down the season's hot "must-have" toy, he does comical battle with a wacky postman (Sinbad) and a con-artist Santa (James Belushi).

    What You Said:
    "Believe it or not, I just loved Jingle All the Way. It came out during the Tickle Me Elmo craze where my TME was stolen out of my lay-away and I couldn't get a new one 'til after Christmas." --purkle7
  • Its a Wonderful Life (1946)

    Its a Wonderful Life (1946)

    The Movie:
    Themes of suicide and depression don't conventionally jibe with the Christmas season, which may be why this Frank Capra film was originally a box office flop (the snowstorms on opening weekend, the costly budget, and the stiff competition also didn't help!) Nevertheless, more than 50 years later, the film--starring Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, whose life is saved by the wingless angel Clarence (Henry Travers)--is a beloved classic.

    What You Said:
    "One that's really special for me is It's a Wonderful Life. My parents and I have watched that every Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember! Even now, the whole family watches it before we open gifts Christmas Eve." -- cbhot75

    "I LOVE Jimmy Stewart in it. It has a great message we all need to hear. We watch it every year and it never gets old." -- wildflower05
  • Love Actually (2003)

    Love Actually (2003)

    The Movie:
    This ultimate romantic comedy revolves around more than a dozen main characters (Keira Knightley, Laura Linney, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, and Hugh Grant, to name a few) whose interwoven stories of the heart build toward one very momentous Christmas. Bill Nighy's take on the tune "Love Is All Around" (sing it, everyone: "I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes, Christmas is all around me, and so the feeling grows") is a soundtrack highlight.

    What You Said:
    "I adore that movie and have seen it just about a billion times! In fact, maybe I'll go put it in now." -- baby1in2010
  • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

    Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

    The Movie:
    Indeed, Rudolph went down in history! Everybody's favorite nonconforming reindeer runs away from home with Hermey the Elf, wins over the abominable snow monster, and ends up on the Island of Misfit Toys in this stop-motion animation classic. What would have happened that Christmas if Santa hadn't asked his red-nosed reindeer to lead the way?

    What You Said:
    "By today's standards, it may be lame production-wise, but Burl Ives' voice takes me waaay back to my childhood. As a kid, that was my signal that Christmas was really, really coming! I remember grabbing a pillow and flopping on my belly on the floor beside my brothers and sister, sipping cocoa and watching the events unfold. I really loved the scene where they arrived back at the North Pole with a calm, happy and helpful Abominable Snowman. I still make cocoa to watch it!" -- cmbren
  • Family Man (2000)

    Family Man (2000)

    The Movie:
    In this modern blend of A Christmas Carol and It's a Wonderful Life, Nicolas Cage stars as a Wall Street banker transported to an alternate universe to see what his past would have evolved into if he'd stayed with his then-girlfriend, instead of prioritizing his career. After returning to reality, Jack reforms his outlook and reunites with his ex (Tea Leoni.)

    What You Said:
    "I think everyone stops to wonder once in awhile what life would be like if they'd chosen a different path (different job, different city, different partner, no kids.) This movie just makes you appreciate what you have. It's my husband's favorite Christmas movie. (Shh! Don't tell him I let his secret out!)" -- cmkellie
  • A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

    A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

    The Movie:
    In the first-ever primetime Peanuts TV special, Charlie Brown is depressed over the commercialization of Christmas and finds himself criticized by Lucy and the rest of the Peanuts gang. He's about to give up hope when Linus eloquently reminds them all of the meaning of Christmas, bringing everyone together to celebrate.

    What You Said:
    "Linus's speech makes me misty every year." -- cmstephanie

    "I enjoy watching the Charlie Brown holiday specials. Not extremely sappy and great for curling up with on a cold day." -- ladybookwarm

    Read More:
    26 Movies We Can't Wait to See This Holiday Season
    Holiday Gifts: What the Industry Insiders Want
    Holiday Gifts: Style Under $50

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We asked, you answered! From A Christmas Story to Elf, iVillage readers share their memories their favorite Yuletide movies
By JACKI GARFINKEL

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