If you ask me what is my favorite thing to do at Christmas time besides the obvious tree decorating, Christmas caroling, going to church, visiting with friends, and eating some great food, it would have to be watching Christmas movies. Relaxing by the fireplace with the Christmas tree lights flickering, having a glass of wine, and enjoying a heartwarming Christmas movie snuggled next to my family or girlfriends is as relaxing as it gets.

Over the past twenty years, I have built a collection of (in my opinion) some of the best Christmas movies and as my Christmas gift to you, I will share my top ten with you.

Holiday Inn (1942)
You don’t have to be a lover of old classics to fall in love with this Irving Berlin’s love and betrayal story that takes you from New York to a beautiful farm in Connecticut.   The story unfolds on Christmas Eve as two best friends Jim (Bing Crosby) and Ted (Fred Astaire) vie for the hand of the same woman, Lila (Virginia Dale).  The story ends one year later on New Year’s Eve when they are once again competing for the hand of yet another woman, Linda (Marjorie Reynolds). And if you ever wondered about that beautiful Bing Crosby’s Christmas Song White Christmas, well, it was written for this particular movie. 
Cast: Bing Crosby, Marjorie Reynolds, Fred Astaire, Virginia Dale

White Christmas (1954)
Another classic Christmas movie/musical, this one also stars Bing Crosby.  This one starts during World War II and then moves to a beautiful setting in Vermont. You get to follow the story of two war buddies Bob (Bing Crosby) and Phil (Danny Kaye) as they fall in love with two sisters, Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy (Vera-Ellen). The story ends up with a Christmas grand finale.
Cast: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen

The Family Stone (2005)
If you fell in love with Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie in the great show Sex and The City, you will be shocked to see a very different side of her in this greatly entertaining holiday movie.  The cast, and especially performances by Diane Keaton and Craig T. Nelson, is outstanding and the New England setting is just perfect for this drama and laugh-filled family holiday movie.  While you will laugh through some of the scenes, you will also cry as you see some deeper issues being discussed and you’ll never feel the same when hearing the famous classic Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
Cast: Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson, Claire Danes, Rachel McAdams, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney, Luke Wilson

Love Actually (2003)
This great holiday movie is set in London and brings together nine different stories evolving and intertwining over the span of five weeks leading up to Christmas.  The different takes on love are guaranteed to make you laugh and cry and you won’t be able to get the song All I Want For Christmas out of your head.  
Cast: Laura Linney, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson

The Holiday (2006)
Invite your girlfriends over, pour some wine and settle in.  If you weren’t a fan of Jude Law before, you are guaranteed to fall in love with Mr. Napkinhead after watching this charming, funny, and romantic Christmas movie.  The story of two women, Iris from England (Kate Winslet) and Amanda from California (Cameron Diaz) become much more interesting as they decide to swap places for Christmas. Cameron Diaz’ performance is a bit over the top, but I absolutely loved watching the evolution of a relationship between Kate Winslet and Eli Wallach. 
Cast: Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach

One True Thing (1998)
This movie is not your typical holiday movie as it deals with a very difficult issue.  Ellen (Renee Zellweger) returns home to take care of her sick mother (Meryl Streep).  She feels a lot of resentment and carries a lot of judgement about her parents’ marriage and her relationship with her mother is very complicated.  But slowly she discovers there are different sides and layers to her parents’ marriage than she ever imagined.  The movie is set around the holidays and you are guaranteed to cry every time you hear Silent Night.
Cast: Meryl Streep, Renee Zellweger, William Hurt

Stepmom (1998)
I am not sure why I love these complicated family dramas and the truth is, if you took away some of the final scenes that take place at Christmas time, this would probably not qualify as a Christmas movie in the first place.  Nonetheless, I think you will become enchanted with this story of two strong women, both trying to do the right thing in their own way and eventually finding common ground. The cast is amazing and you are sure to shed a tear or two when you hear the songs One Snowy Night and Christmas Quilt.
Cast: Susan Sarandon, Ed Harris, Julia Roberts, Jena Malone, Liam Aiken

Little Women (1994)
This 19^th Century American classic takes you through the lives of the March sisters during the American Civil War. The March sisters are growing up and experiencing their first loves and heartbreaks.  The center of the story is Jo (Winona Ryder) who has a more independent spirit than her other sisters.  The movie is set in a beautiful, snowed-in Massachusetts and it’s sure to bring on plenty of Christmas spirit.
Cast: Susan Sarandon, Gabriel Byrne, Trinin Alvarado, Kirsten Dunst, Winona Ryder, Samantha Mathis, Claire Danes, Christian Bale, Eric Stoltz, John Neville

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
Most of you already know this 1946 Christmas classic but I had to add it to my list.  The main character, George Bailey (James Stewart) feels overwhelmed and feels like he can’t take life anymore.  An angel by the name of Clarence comes to his rescue and reminds him what is important in life and how each of us matters.  I think with all that is happening in the world today, this movie is a great reminder to us all that kindness is what makes this world go around and we all have the power to make a difference in someone else’s life.
Cast: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers

Bishop’s Wife (1947)
This classic movie will take you to the home of Bishop Henry (David Niven) and his kind, sweet wife Julie (Loretta Young).  Soon it is obvious there are issues in the marriage and as an angel in the form of a handsome man Dudley (Cary Grant) shows up to help the Bishop, things get a bit complicated.  There will be moments in this movie when you find yourself confused about who to cheer for, but in the end, goodness, loyalty and love prevail and you will be left with a warm fuzzy feeling. 
Cast: Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven

I hope my movie suggestions will brighten your Holiday season.   If you think there is a movie that should make my list, I would love to hear about it.