Mind Your Media
~My Grown Up Christmas Picks

Posted by Stephanie Wright on December 17th, 2010 in Blog | 9 Comments

If you’re anything like me, you probably started in on the Christmas festivities back in October.
It’s my belief that if it’s going to be cold and snowy and I have to be stuck inside, Christmas should last as long as possible. So in case you’re looking for some virtual holiday cheer, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite Christmas movies and music albums.

If you’ve been around for the last decade and a half, you’ve probably heard Nsync’s “Home for Christmas” album. Call me geeky, but I absolutely love this album, and it’s not just because I feel I’m reliving my childhood. Nsync provides cheery, original music that you’ll be humming for hours. Only two or three of the songs are renditions of older Christmas carols, and Nysnc does a great job of putting their boy-band spin on them. So if you’ve ever been a fan of 90’s music, be sure to check out “Home for Christmas”.

Speaking of Christmas carol remixes, James Taylor’s “James Taylor at Christmas” provides a soothing background for roasting those chestnuts on your open fire. That is, if you have the wonderful opportunity to have an open fire, and if you don’t, string up a few flashlights, some paper ribbons and a fan, and voila! You’ve got yourself the safest fire ever! Either way, “James Taylor at Christmas” will not disappoint. He covers popular songs like “Winter Wonderland”, “Baby it’s Cold Outside” (with Natalie Cole), and “Santa Claus is coming to Town”.

Of course, it doesn’t get much better than Manheim Steamroller or Trans Siberian Orchestra. I can’t pick a favorite Christmas album from either band, because they have many and each one is fantastic. Most of their songs are purely instrumental, and I enjoy listening to them as I decorate the tree or make Christmas candies. Their cheery tunes make it irresistible to be excited for the upcoming holiday!

Now, when I am looking to get into the holiday spirit via movies, I have a few favorites that come to mind. The first is a no-brainer: “A Christmas Story”. It plays on TBS every Christmas day for 24 hours straight (in case you might miss it) and is an old tradition in my family. Every Christmas morning, when my parents seem too lazy to wake up at 5 am, my brothers and I watch this timeless classic until it’s time to open presents.

Then there’s “Jingle All the Way”, a Schwarzenegger movie about a dad who works hard to get his son the action figure of the year right before Christmas. It’s one of those movies intended mostly for children, but even now I find it delightfully funny (but maybe that’s because I’m still a kid at heart!)

I also loved Jim Carrey’s portrayal of the Grinch in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” This is yet another tradition for my family; I think my mom has had us watch this one every year during the holidays since it came out. I’m not complaining though; it’s a great take on a classic that involves comedy, music and redeeming values.

Speaking of classics, one of my all-time favorites is “Frosty the Snowman” and with it “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” These movies never get old for me. From the music to the stories to the animation, I just love everything about these movies! Who doesn’t have a childhood memory involving these stories? Can you hear the songs playing in your head now? I can!

Last but not least, Will Ferrell’s “Elf” is a great modern Christmas movie for the whole family. Though this movie has plenty of awkward moments, it certainly makes for an interesting and hilarious holiday story. My husband still quotes this movie year-round (and it always makes me laugh!) “Elf” is a wonderful story about family values and discovering what’s truly important at Christmas.

So there you have it, my favorite picks for a fun-filled holiday season. This list is sure to bring Christmas joy even to the worst Scrooge!

Do you have a favorite Christmas album or movie not mentioned above? Post it in the comments below!