Ever since I researched 1940s Hollywood for Stars in the Night, I’ve been a bigger fan than ever of classic movies. Growing up, my favorite movies were from the 30s and 40s…that hasn’t changed. There’s something I love about the simplicity of that time that shines through in movies that make me laugh and feel. So today I thought I’d share a few of my favorites.
White Christmas: I adore this relatively simple story set during the post WWII years. I love the theme of honoring those we admire…even at great cost to ourselves.The ending scene with the general makes me tear up every time. And hearing Bing Crosby croon White Christmas? And Danny Kaye is the perfect comedic foil. Sing with me “Sisters, Sisters….” Perfection! My family adores this movie.
Holiday Inn: This is more than a Christmas movie because it features 13 Irving Berlin songs that are set around the holidays. Fred Astaire’s fire cracker dance has always been a favorite of mine, but I love the theme of letting a loved one go so they can chase their dream. Happy sigh.
It Happened on 5th Avenue: I shocked some folks last year, because I’d never seen this movie. Oh my! They were all right. I love it! It’s the story of a rich girl who stumbles on some homeless men who are living in her father’s seasonally abandoned mansion in NYC. She joins them and their friends, and before long her dad and mom have joined them — while pretending to be people other than they are. This is a story of realizing the hold things and money can have on us and turning instead to the value of people. A beautiful story.
It’s a Wonderful Life: I have to admit that I watched this so many times growing up, it lost some of its appeal. But my husband loves this movie, and it’s growing on me again. Who hasn’t felt like their dreams died and in the process their life didn’t matter. I love the way this story shows the long-lasting impact we can have on people without realizing it. The imagining what life would be like without us. It’s a definite keeper and one to watch each year for the reminders that we do matter — even when we feel like our story has no meaning or value.
Christmas in Connecticut: Here’s another classic that we’ve recently discovered and enjoy as a family. A woman in post WWII America is desperate to keep her job as a domestic column writer. Her readers think she knows everything about cooking and child-rearing. But she isn’t married, has no child, and doesn’t cook. It’s not a problem until her editor decides to join her for a perfect Christmas. Then the fun begins. This is a comedy that the whole family can enjoy. (And I’m giving away a copy!)
So these are a few of the classic Christmas movies that my family loves to watch. I’d love to know which ones are part of your traditions. Is there a favorite holiday go-to movie in your family?
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to simplify during december i just do all my shopping online. it really saves a lot of time and i hate braving the crowds.
Well none of those classics are part of my family’s tradition but we do have one movie we have watched every year since it came out. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. The one with live people. When I was a teen we always had a huge Christmas Eve party with family and friends and watched that movie every year. Now we don’t have the party but my family still watches it every year. My Dad and I can pretty much quote it word for word.
Merry Christmas
That’s a fun one to watch, and there are soooo many versions…
I’ll admit, I’m not much of a movie watcher, but I like the kinds of movies you have in your post. Movies, like books, should have a deeper meaning that just to provide a few minutes of entertainment. Thanks for the suggestions.
We’ve really enjoyed these. We just need to find time to watch a few of them this month.
I haven’t put up a tree or decorated my house for about ten years. I am usually gone to visit my mom and leave the first of November. I try to make as many happy memories with her as I can. This year I had foot surgery/physical therapy to keep me home bound. I like a lot of the movies you listed, some I had never heard of.
Linda, it sounds like you do a wonderful job honoring your mom with your time.
I’ve found several ways to simplify Christmas. One way is to order many of my gifts online. Another is not to decorate too extensively. A third is to begin right after Thanksgiving writing a Christmas letter and preparing Christmas cards; I do that instead of a lot of decorating.
This year I haven’t decorated nearly as much as I usually do. It still works. 🙂 I love getting Christmas cards! Waiting on ours to arrive, so I can mail them.
Holiday Inn, (LOVE the music in Holiday Inn!) and, How the Grinch stole Christmas
Try to simplify gift giving.
I LOVE “White Christmas” & serenade “Sisters, Sisters” randomly throughout the year. 😜 I also love watching “Miracle on 34th St” (classic version), “Meet Me in St. Louis”, & “Elf” around Christmas time…or any given time. Why wait til Christmas?! 😍😄🎄🔥❄
Sisters…is one of my favorites. Such a fun one.
I try to remember what Christmas is really about. Spending money is not always something I had or could do. When my children were young we would make a lot of gifts for others.(blankets, food-cookies, carm. popcorn, fudge), photo books). Remembering those I love at Christmas is something I reflect on when I am shopping or gift getting. Simple is sometimes the best and most thoughtful.Thanks you for getting me to reflect!
I love that. I was just thinking that we used to make a lot of Christmas cookies to give away. This year and last year we haven’t. We’ll have to try next week. It’s a great way to spend time with the kids.
My husband and I have started a new movie-watching tradition I think…the local theater shows Christmas classics for a few weeks. Last year we went to White Christmas (love that movie) and this year we’re going to see It’s a Wonderful Life, which I have never seen before. We also love Holiday Inn.
That is so fun!
To simplify during the Christmas holiday, we all decided that the gift buying had gotten to the extreme – bigger, better, more expensive – and said why not shake it up a bit. I was tired of seeing kids only with their heads down on some form of electronics. So we involved them in the process. Now instead of buying lots of gifts that at times aren’t even appreciated but looked at or played for a few days and added to a vast collection in a closet and most times over spending, we now pick a family (or two) that needs help and try to make their Christmas an enjoyable one. The gifts are more necessity instead of just all wants and as a general rule less expensive. The kids realize that some of the things that they just assume are there and take for granted are actually wishes and hopes for some. It warms the heart to know you have put clothes on the backs, food in the belly and a little surprise something to put joy in the hearts of someone that is so appreciative of even the smallest gesture. Honestly think there is a difference in not only the recipients life but in ours as well. I know the kids sure have a different outlook on life within the last two years that we have done it.
We simplify because now we shop, wrap and deliver as a family spending quality time together instead of going off in different directions. It’s a win – win as I see it.
I love this!
My December is already simple. I don’t have a busy schedule so I’m able to enjoy the season of celebrating Christ.
Love White Christmas! And trying to simplify in December is hard but try to pack too much in one day.
Cara – We are sisters of the heart! I love classic movies, and the ones you listed here are some of my favorites. I have to admit, that I, too, have not seen “It Happened on 5th Avenue,” but I think I’ll be rectifying that oversight this year. 🙂 Another classic that I love is the original Miracle on 34th Street. So magical and fun.
So many reasons I like you!
I’m a huge classic movies fan. Love TCM, and especially this time of year. All of the movies in your list are favorites of mine. I even own several of them. And I always cry in White Christmas when the General walks into that banquet room and gets a salute. Every. Single. Time. I just watched It Happened on 5th Avenue last night. So good.
Me, too, Robin! Me, too!
I try to start planning early… Creating a to do list, preparing Christmas gift list, card list, etc. Then when December hits I’ve already completed things on my planning list and feel like I can manage tasks easier… 😊
I love White Christmas and Its A Wonderful Life
I simplify every Christmas by: at the end of the season as I am putting things away, I go through each box and ask myself 1)why am I keeping it if I don’t put it up 2) Is it something that is precious that I still want to keep If it is #1 I give or throw it away If it is #2 I have a separate box for those memories
Lori, that’s wonderful!
I’m so glad you discovered It Happened on 5th Avenue. I’m surprised it’s not better known. It’s funny, sweet and has a positive message. Have you seen Never Say Goodbye? It’s a holiday comedy with Errol Flynn and Eleanor Parker and it is so much fun!
I do love those old movies. However, my family will not often watch with me. So we go to Christmas Vacation (Chevy Chase), several versions of Scrooge, Santa Claus (Tim Allen), and a newer favorite is Christmas with the Kranks. We joke that Mr. Krank is my husband and I am Mrs. Krank. LOL. Merry Christmas! (Seriously, he has done some things like Mr. Krank…)
My adult daughters love Elf, the movie. I’m not too fond of that particular movie 😉; however, we all enjoy the Hallmark Christmas movies! ❤️ Family time❤️
Have you ever seen The Shop Around The Corner? It’s an old black and white Jimmy Stewart Christmas movie. The storyline is very similar to You’ve Got Mail. Check it out if you haven’t seen it – it’s one of my old-time favorites! Merry Christmas!
I’m still trying to figure out how to simplify my December?? I have done most of my shopping on line so far. I don’t have Christmas decor up yet and time is running out. So I decided that I’m not going to stress about it. If I get it done fine, if I don’t fine! I will check out a few of your favorite movies. I have seem some of them but not all. Have a Merry Christmas!!
I simplify by ordering gifts online, keeping the decorating manageable and asking for help if needed. I also keep the holiday meal simple.
I don’t really simplify during December because my Decembers are already pretty simple. It’s just me and my parents. We don’t have the ability to go visit or host family in our home at this time, so we just do our usual decorations, shop at times other than the craziness of Black Friday and other such sales days (or shop online) and it’s a pleasant month that I very much enjoy. 🙂
As for movies, White Christmas is probably my favorite, but I also enjoy ones like Prancer and even Veggie Tales: The Star of Christmas.
Although I tell myself I will simplify, it never really happens. For the last two years, I have had my two oldest granddaughters come over one evening and they make caramels, fudge, or caramel corn while I mostly watch and do clean up. This gives me time to talk to them and catch up on their high school years. It is extra special because they attend the school where I worked for my whole teaching career. My husband and I don’t have a favorite Christmas movie, but I will make sure I watch a few Hallmark movies each season and am always up for watching THE CHRISTMAS STORY again.
I love “Miracle on 34th St.” or any of the “Scrooges”. Although I really like the original one best. I don’t really simplify Christmas, I go to someone elses house usually my sisters house or occasionally my brothers. Their the only family I have!
I love all those movies too, Cara. Classics are some of my favorites this time of year, but I have a few modern favorites too.
Simplifying during December isn’t really my thing. I try on a daily basis throughout the year to not take on more than I can handle, so things are already pretty simplified regularly.
Merry Christmas!
Andrea
Wow! I really have some movies to catch up on.
Thanks!
My favorite is A Christmas Carol, Alistair Simm version. And Nutcracker m the Movie ballet with sets by Maurice Sendak!
We simplify by giving to charity in our relatives names and cash to the grandkids.
Christmas cards are still done by me, because better handwriting,!
We always watch The Santa Claus trilogy together before Christmas and then my kids and I watch The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies while on Christmas break!
I watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” in color on DVD last year. I’d seen the movie before in the original black and white but watching it in color was a visual treat!
I love all of these classic holiday movies and one that was not on the list Miracle on 34th Street. Ir is a nice way to enjoy the holidays by sitting down with your favorite snack and in your favorite chair to enjoy a good movie
I simplify Christmas with Hot Chocolate.
I simplify Christmas by not putting emphasis on gift giving but on Christ and enjoying the season.
My family watches it’s a wonderful life every Christmas Eve. Before it was just another Christmas movie to me but now that I’m an adult and moved out of the house, I see the family side and makes me realize how important they are to me. I’m going to my parents house in NY for Christmas and we’re all going to an old movie theater and watching it on the big screen. I’m so excited!
Favorite Christmas movie? I like these listed here, but also Bachelor Mother (1939) starring Ginger Rogers. It’s so funny!
To simplify at Christmas, my large extended family does an ornament exchange every year instead of trying to buy presents for everyone. Everyone brings an ornament, I read a cute little story I wrote using left, right, and across, and we pass the ornaments accordingly. Whatever ornament you end up with is the one you keep. It’s a lot of fun!
This year… we simplified by not putting up the Christmas tree. I think my family misses it more than me, but we have a pegboard Christmas tree that we are putting paper ornaments on as part of our Advent devotions. Also… we have a climbing 14 month old and our almost 5 year old is getting her tonsils out on Christmas Eve. Mama needed to simplify in a few ways.
I always do my Christmas shopping throughout the whole year, so there is no urgent rush come December. And when wrapping my husband’s birthday presents (for 2 weeks earlier) I also wrap his Christmas presents so there is less pressure.
White Christmas is my absolute favorite Christmas movie! I love the old time feel good aspect, but the songs and humor are also wonderful. I wish they still mad movies like this.
I haven’t seen some of these but will have to remedy that. I do enjoy the older classics. This will probably sound ridiculous but we love to watch Mickey’s Christmas Carol. It’s Disney’s take on Scrooge and always manages to make our eyes swim. 🙂
I left the comment before I looked at the Rafflecopter form. I simplify now that the children are gone from home by finishing the majority of my shopping long before December rolls around. That way, my focus is on Advent and the days are calmer.
🙂
Thanks for the suggestions!I love Christmas movies and some of these are new to me. I enjoy watching all the Hallmark-type Christmas movies that I can find on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
I love, It’s A Wonderful Life. My kids love the Home Alone movies & Lampoons Christmas Vacation. Have a Merry Christmas 🎄
I loved your post and all the replies! My husband loves old movies and has quite a collection,most of the ones listed here. We enjoy them with our family throughout the holidays. I pray each of you have a very Merry Christmas and that your New Year will be filled with joy and sweet blessings!
I love White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life. You suggested some movies that I have not seen. Thanks for the generous giveaway. Merry Christmas!
I simplify by using No when I need to. No, I won’t send out a Christmas card to everyone. No, I won’t go to every event. But I will send cards to close friends and go to the events that I can. 🙂 Also we’ve pared down our holiday meals (including Thanksgiving) by only making the dishes that everyone loves. We still have a feast, just maybe only 8 dishes instead of 12. 😉 It makes a difference!
I admit to not being much of a movie fan, but I do remember watching It’s a Wonderful Life and enjoying it. That said, it’s been Y E A R S since I’ve seen it.
I love Miracle on 34th Street and Rudolph! I watched Rudolph in a hotel on my way to my first duty station in the Army (Thailand!). When Clarissa sings “There’s always tomorrow for dreams to come true” I always get tears in my eyes. I think that was the only time in my 10 years of service that I actually got homesick.
We just watched The Homecoming the other day. After this move was made and shown on tv it did so well that The Waltons became a regular tv show.
We have always watched “A Christmas Story” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Last year I watched and loved “Christmas for a Dollar” and “Christmas Oranges” and plan to watch them again this year.
Simplifying during December is, for me, enjoying the end of the month with fewer doctor’s appointments because many offices are closed.
I try to simplify by planning ahead. Buying or making some things throughout the year takes some of the pressure off. Thinking ahead about meal planning and being prepared for it (freezing cookies, buying staples when they are on sale, etc.) There’s nothing more frustrating to be in the middle of cooking something, to find out we are out of an ingredient.
We watch White Christmas year round and it will always be a favorite. I have wanted to watch It Happened on 5th Avenue for a while now!
I like to make gifts when possible.
I love Holiday Inn and White Christmas. We also love the animated especially Year Without a Santa Claus. We also watch Scrooged each year as one of our newer faves. Thanks for the giveaway!
I am probably not the best at simplifying.
But a few years ago, I stopped using ribbon and bows on our gifts at our house. My boys didn’t really care and I didn’t have to worry about reattaching them when the cats removed them! I also leave Christmas paper and tags accessible all year long. I wrap gifts as soon as I buy them even if it’s January.
As for movies, I love Barbara Stanwyck and Christmas in Connecticut is a favorite. For a contemporary movie, I like While You Were Sleeping.
I love, love, love the Christmas movies! It’s hard to pick a favorite. I like “Miracle on 34th Street”, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, and Christmas Story to name a few.
I look to spend quality time with people instead of gift giving. The only person who gets a gift from me is my youngest niece. We have been ordering our Christmas dinners instead of spending hours preparing everything and getting frustrated and tired.
The Apartment (1960) I consider this is a Christnas since it is set in December and ends on New Year’s Eve
I always have to watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” but I love all of the movies you mentioned. There’s nothing like a classic Christmas movie to lift your spirits and get you in the holiday mood.
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