Christmas Tips

There is nothing better on Christmas afternoon or evening, that to sit back, relax and enjoy a Christmas movie. Christmas movies on DVD are cheaper thgan you think and it’s nice to have your own collection of Christmas Classics. They make us laugh and cry, believe and love and perhaps that is why we keep pulling these movies out of the media cabinet year after year at Christmas time.

Christmas wouldn’t be the same without watching the stop-motion animation of Rudolph the Red-Nosed-Reindeer, the enchanting story of The Polar Express, or the magic of Miracle on 34th Street. So here in no particular order are 10 of my favorite Christmas movies on DVD for kids.

10. Rudolph the Red-Nosed-Reindeer (1964)

This long-running Christmas television special produced in stop motion animation by Rankin/Bass. Based on the story of the reindeer who gets tormented by his red nose by the other reindeer. Rudolph, after having enough of the teasing, runs away along with a misfit elf. The two get into a number of dangerous situations as they journey to the Island of the Misfit Toys. In the end, it’s Rudolph’s shiny red nose that saves the day.

9. Frosty the Snowman (1969)

The Rankin-Bass company produced a 30-minute animated television special of Frosty the Snowman that featured the voices of comedians Jimmy Durante as narrator and Jackie Vernon as the title character. The story follows Frosty, who comes to life after a magic hat is placed on his head. Frosty and the children have some adventures and become fast friends until it’s time for Frosty to go away. The special is based on the song by Johnny Marks, which was in turn taken from the 1939 poem of the same title written by Marks’ brother-in-law, Robert L. May.

8. The Polar Express (2004)

The technology used was all at once unusual in it’s realism but captivating nonetheless. The film, written, produced, and directed by Robert Zemeckis, is entirely “live action” using performance capture technology. Performance capture technology incorporates the movements of live actors into animated characters. Tom Hanks lends his voice and likeness to many of the movie’s characters as a magic train trip convinces a young boy trying to hold on to his belief in Christmas that Santa does exist. The movie touches on that time in life when a child starts to grow up and begins to “see” the reality of his former beliefs. In this case, a shadow the young boy believes is Santa turns out to be his parents and while he wants to still believe he can’t find concrete proof of Santa’s existence. Hanks takes him on a trip that restores his faith in Christmas tradition.

7. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

A different take on the Dickens’ classic story featuring the Muppets, who can resist? The movies is the first produced after the death of Muppets creator Jim Henson. The setting is London ’s Camden town and the storyline follows the Dickens’ story. Michael Cain plays Ebenezer Scrooge while Kermit the Frog takes on the role of Bob Cratchit. Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future and in the end changes his scrooge ways.. The story is narrated by Charles Dickens himself, played by Gonzo the Great), with the occasional commentary of Rizzo the Rat. Happiness is a Muppet movie.

6. Gremlins (1984)

In a strange way, this movie screams Christmas. Getting a magwai for Christmas is better than getting a puppy! Right? That is unless it becomes a Gremlin and tears up the town. A young man receives the pet, named Gizmo for Christmas with the directions of not to let it eat after midnight, don’t expose it to light and don’t let it anywhere near water. Of course, he neglects those responsibilities. First his friend spills water on Gizmo causing the creature to reproduce into five aggressive mogwai. The mogwai then trick Billy into feeding them after midnight causing them to morph into Gremlins. The movie is a horror comedy that follows the young man, played by Zach Galligan and his girlfriend, played by Phoebe Cates, who try to save their city from the destructive and murderous Gremlins. A lesson in why it’s important to be a responsible pet owner.

5. The Santa Clause (1994)

Tim Allen plays a businessman who is having problems with his ex-wife and son. While visiting his son, Allen startles Kris Kringle while he’s making his rounds knocking him off the roof and to the ground. Wow, what a great start for a Christmas movie. Santa magically disappears and only his suit remains. A business card in the suit says if something should happen to him someone should put on the suit and climb into the sleigh and the reindeer will take it from there. So Allen does to entertain his son, (and because he thinks he’s dreaming) and becomes Santa. You see Allen becomes contractually bound to be Santa once he puts on the coat of the previous Santa. After some resistance Allen accepts the job and all is right in his world. You can’t help but find this movie charming.

4. Home Alone (1990)

You know how sometimes you leave the house and you’re in such a hurry you forget one of the kids? Ha ha, that’s right it happens only in the movies, er, yeah, sure. At least this kid can defend himself. His family, busy trying to catch their holiday flight, leave their son behind. Only to realize much too late and then scramble to catch a flight back home to him. Meanwhile, Macaulay Culkin, the 8-year-old left behind, gives would-be burglars Daniel Stern and Joe Pesci a lesson in what little kids are made of in several painfully funny ways.

3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

Who can forget those eternally optimistic Whos of Whoville? Since we were introduced to them in this 1966 television special, the citizens of Whoville have embodied the spirit of Christmas. Based on the Dr. Seuss book of the same title, the story isn’t so much about the Whos as it is about the reclusive Grinch who can’t stand the Whos and their Christmas spirit.

Boris Karloff narrates the film and also provides the speaking voice of The Grinch. he plot is faithful to that of the original book, with almost all narrations made verbatim from the book. The Grinch tries to destroy Christmas for the Whos by stealing their gifts but to his amazement the Whos still celebrate. The sight has changes the Grinch for the better.

2. Elf (2003)

You know a movie is funny when it stars a grown man in tights. This movie follows a young orphan child named Buddy who ends up in the North Pole after he mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts on Christmas Eve. He’s raised as an elf and then years later, after realizing from his large size that he doesn’t really fit in, he finds out he’s not really an elf. So he goes on a journey to New York City to find his true identity. The film stars Will Ferrell as Buddy, with Ed Asner as Santa Claus, Bob Newhart as Papa Elf and James Caan as Buddy’s real dad.

1. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

If you’ve ever doubted Santa, this movie will make a believer out of you. When young Susan, played by Natalie Wood, begins to wonder whether the Macy’s department store Kris Kringle is the real thing, she just asks him. To her surprise he says that he is. This admission however, causes a stir. Even though he begins winning the hearts of children and parents and bringing positive attention to Macy’s, Kris is put on trial to determine his sanity. Ultimately, thank goodness, the judge sides with Kris and everyone’s wishes come true.

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